Riding Pipeline: The Surf Coaster

We don’t usually have to wait too long for an exciting new ride in Orlando. Between Disney, Universal and SeaWorld, they have pretty much cornered the market on something new and exciting each year, especially when it comes to thrill rides.

In the last couple of years we have seen Universal unveil the prehistoric colossus of the VelociCoaster, Disney World add Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and TRON Lightcycle/Run, and sister parks SeaWorld and Busch Gardens showcase their super-cool Ice Breaker and Iron Gwazi rides respectively.

That’s plenty of Wow! factor, and a lot of coaster style, much of it hugely original.

But now comes a whole new experience from those clever folks at SeaWorld (with help from specialist Swiss coaster manufacturers Bolliger & Mabillard), and it promises to knock our socks off.

We refer, of course, to the forthcoming new Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, which is due for its full public debut on May 27, but which has been on media previews this week, hence we have a bit of a “sneak preview” for you in our latest blog.

What is a “Surf Coaster”?

OK, good question. This is a first-of-its-kind ride for Florida; hence it needs a bit of explanation. In simple terms, it is a stand-up coaster. Not as in a “stand-up guy,” but a coaster where you are actually in a standing position for much of the ride.

There is a seat, of a kind, but it is mainly there to support you in the higher G-force moments of the ride, when the sheer momentum of the ride kind of forces your backside into more of a sitting posture, hence you need some support.

But the real effect is to make it seem like you’re “riding the waves” in best surfing style, with your legs and knees moving with the sway and dips of the coaster. Yes, it is a stand-up coaster, but it is the smoothest and most sophisticated design yet seen in any theme park in the world.

Even better, SeaWorld has given it the full “surfing” treatment, with lots of surrounding elements that add to the theme, while there is also one element of the ride that might even get riders a little wet!

What can you tell us about Pipeline: The Surf Coaster?

Well, this week’s previews were pretty conclusive – this is a truly exciting new roller-coaster, and it really ups the ante for SeaWorld and their collection of thrill-rides.

At just two minutes, it isn’t the longest coaster in the world, but it packs a lot into those 120 seconds, and it is an intense ride.

It is also an iconic experience, as it is right up front in the park, the first thing visitors see as they park and walk up to the front gates. It has a roar similar to Kumba at Busch Gardens, but that’s about the only similarity with any of Florida’s current coasters.

It runs for 2,950ft, reaches a top speed of 60mph and tops out at a height of 110ft; certainly not the tallest ride in the park, but definitely one of the most eye-catching – and thrilling.

What else does Pipeline: the Surf Coaster do?

Well, as befitting a ride that simulates “riding the waves,” it starts in fast style, with a launch sequence that hits the ride’s top speed almost straight away and leads into an awesome 110ft overbanked turn that immediately gets your legs into the swing of the surfing vibe.

From there, things just get wilder. From the initial turn, the coaster goes into a signature inversion element that SeaWorld calls its “wave curl inversion,” which is basically an exaggerated helix, or corkscrew, through a full 360 degrees.

There is a second, swooping overbanked turn at the far extent of the ride, before the coaster turns back towards the start point, diving into another helix at 270 degrees. Finally, it turns right and enters the braking stretch, and riders can breathe again!

It is a truly unique experience, and one which we think visitors are going to want to try again and again (although probably not just straight after a meal). There are multiple highlights, but the stand-out is probably the fast launch, which – like Disney’s TRON ride – really takes your breath away to start with.

Is there a gift shop for the ride?

“Is there a gift shop for the ride?”! This is Florida, it’s practically compulsory to have a gift shop at the exit! So, yes, there is an array of temptations to persuade you to part with some hard-earned cash in exchange for “surfing shorts,” hoodies, T-shirts, drink mugs and other themed merchandise.

There is also an on-ride photo location and handy lockers (at $1 for the first hour and $2 for any additional hours) to leave your belongings in while you ride, which, frankly, we totally recommend.

Surprisingly, there isn’t a surfing café or other food and beverage outlet here, but we think that might change in future as this covers quite an extensive area of the park, and we can see people needing refreshment – if only to stand and watch the ride in action!

For the next two weeks there are various passholder previews for the ride in “soft opening” mode (where it is not open to the general public, and basically is in testing operations), and then the curtain goes up officially on May 27, just in time for the busy Memorial Day bank holiday weekend, which is the official start of Florida’s summer season.

So, What do we think of Pipeline: The Surf Coaster?

While Orlando certainly boasts its fair share of thrill-rides and other high-adrenaline moments – and SeaWorld alone now has seven – we think Pipeline: The Surf Coaster is going to be THE ride to try this year, but it isn’t going to be for everyone.

The official height requirement is 54 inches (137cm), which is going to rule out quite a few kids, while the maximum height is 78 inches, or six-and-a-half feet.

But those who do get to ride are in for genuine excitement, and it definitely has that “something different” factor that helps to keep Orlando at the top of the charts for theme park thrills.

Have you tried any of SeaWorld’s coasters? What is your favourite? Tell us about them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages… and don’t forget to interact with us on Pinterest and now TikTok too!