We frogs have been visiting SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa the last few days for a preview of Mako, SeaWorld's newest coaster! As we've mentioned a time or two, this is now the longest, tallest and fastest coaster in Orlando. For you coaster fans, everything we've heard and read indicates it's going to be toadally amazing. We spent yesterday at Busch Gardens, where we revisited all of that park's coasters and Falcon's Fury, of course! We also had time to feed the giraffes on the Serengeti Safari—an experience you won't find at any other theme park. Oh, and I should mention that Busch Gardens has its own new coaster, Cobra's Curse, which will debut some time this summer. I'm hoping this means we'll be coming back ;)
In the meantime, let's get back to Mako and SeaWorld. Artist and conservationist, Guy Harvey, is even part of the celebration and commissioned a mural! For the occasion of the hyper-coaster's opening, we have a terrific giveaway—four tickets to SeaWorld Orlando for two lucky winners! Hop on over to enter and then come back and read our count down what we are most looking forward to at Mako.
5. Revisiting Shark Encounter
Shark Encounter is already one of Lily's and my favorite places inside the park. These creatures can be quite terrifying, even to us frogs, but when you go travel inside this underwater tunnel you get to experience them up close and with no danger. You can also learn more all about sharks and take part in fun photo ops.
4. Meeting Finn
SeaWorld has commissioned artist Angela Haseltine Pozzi to illustrate the negative impact of plastic pollution on its sea animals. Finn is a Mako shark made from non-biodegradable plastic and other items, including knife handles, bottle caps, fishing nets and more.
3. Becoming a shark
While I'm quite fine in my own frog skin, sometimes it's fun to experience being something else—like I did yesterday on Falcon's Fury. With Mako, you'll become one of the ocean's fiercest predators—surging at speeds of up to 73 mph! The lead car was inspired by the physiology of an actual Mako shark.
2. Embracing the terror
Isn't the terror the best part of any coaster? With Mako, those of you 54 inches and taller will get pure thrills and plenty of terror. A lap guard will hold you securely in place, but you'll feel nothing but stomach drops and adrenaline as you swim through the sky!
1. Getting "air time!"
While we love SeaWorld's two other coasters, Manta and Kraken, Mako will be a completely different experience. Thanks to that lap bar, tight turns, plenty of drops—one measuring 200 feet—and 4,760 feet of track, you'll get plenty of weightless "air time."
So what are you most looking forward to experiencing with SeaWorld Orlando's Mako? Share in comments below and don't forget to enter our SeaWorld Orlando ticket giveaway!
Stay cool!
