SeaWorld Orlando's Pipeline: A Surfing-Inspired Roller Coaster on Its Way

SeaWorld Orlando is building a new surfing-inspired roller coaster, called Pipeline, which is set to open in spring. Members of the media were recently given a hard-hat tour of the site hosted by Clint Brinker, vice president of design and engineering for SeaWorld attractions in Orlando. Here are five impressions from beyond the wall.

The Pipeline coaster starts off strong with a straightaway that moves up into the peak of the coaster at 60 mph, followed by a water encounter and inversion. Passengers are not seated for this attraction, so there are a lot of thrills right off the bat, according to Brinker. The ride experience takes 110 seconds and includes five airtime moments.

Surfing and beach culture pervade the area, even while on the ride. The trains are designed to look like big, wide surfboards, and riders will be in upright positions while in motion. The height requirement for Pipeline is 54 inches.

This area, before the construction phase, was used for festivals and seasonal events such as Halloween Spooktacular. However, Brinker says that the new coaster will be a much better activation of the space in the park and it will be open all day, all year. The walkway beneath Pipeline, which runs from the entrance near Flamecraft Bar and connects to Bayside Stadium, will also be utilized for temporary events and festivals.

The coaster's travels start with an airtime moment, up to 60 mph, before going over the 110-foot-high Hammerhead wave turn at the back. The ride then goes left and right as it plunges down into the water feature, which will splash up with lighting effects. The ride then curls right into the wave curl inversion before making figure-eights all the way back to the station.

The ride is personalized to your height. You stand in your neutral natural position, and the operators will set the ride to your height, which will give you a little bit of up-and-down free motion as you ride the ride, says Brinker. The restraints for each passenger adjust for individual heights, and there are overhead restraints for each person. The sensation of being on a surfboard is achieved through the seat, which adjusts up and down to match individual passengers. Brinker adds that riders will have some freedom in the up and down limits, so every rider will have a unique experience.

Overall, Pipeline is a unique, one-of-a-kind roller coaster, and even Brinker doesn't know what it's going to feel like. SeaWorld Orlando is rounding the bend on the construction of Pipeline, and there's still plenty of unfinished business to be completed, but the future looks bright for this exciting new addition to the park.