SeaWorld Entertainment has unveiled its latest attraction – the Cobra’s Curse rollercoaster – coming to Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, in 2016.

Officially unveiling the ride at IAAPA in Orlando, the multi-million dollar coaster is the latest collaboration between SeaWorld Entertainments and Mack, with the two having most recently worked on Manta at SeaWorld San Diego in 2012.

“The ride experience is unique,” said Mike Denninger, senior director of rides and engineering for SeaWorld Entertainment, speaking to Attractions Management after the unveiling.

“You’re lifted vertically 70ft (21m) into the air and you’re then face-to-face with the cobra king ‘Venomous’. You then go into a banked turn leaning into his open mouth, his fangs inches from you. Halfway through something happens and your train car is turned around 180 degrees so now you’re going backwards through the ride up a second lift. As you hit the crest of the hill the train is released and you’re free spinning through the duration of the ride experience going over and under other trains, through trenches and tunnels as you go. It really is a great family experience.”

Denninger told Attractions Management that work hit a landmark stage 6 weeks ago, with foundations laid and the coaster now beginning to take shape, on course for a 2016 opening, the same year as SeaWorld Orlando’s Mako hypercoaster, which is part of the company’s move to focus on attractions outside of killer whales.

“It’s a significant investment,” continued Denninger. “This is a major attraction for us. It’s a great niche attraction and fills a good gap between coasters for children and coasters for adults at Busch Gardens. Investment is in the multi-millions.”

Mack Rides is developing the unique coaster, with the ride using several of the manufacturer’s special technologies to make the attraction one-of-a-kind.

“We’ve worked with Mack several times in the past,” said Denninger. “We did the fantastic Manta launch coaster at SeaWorld San Diego in 2012 and it’s certainly a great experience. It called for a few things that were very particular. Number one is a spinning coaster, number two is a vertical lift, number three is the ability for the train car to lock in both directions and free spin. If you put all those things together, those pieces of technology, we felt the best decision for us as a company was to work with Mack. We have great confidence in them.”

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