Electric Eel roller coaster comes to SeaWorld San Diego in 2018

January 3, 2017, 10:03 AM · SeaWorld San Diego this morning announced a new roller coaster for the 2018 — Electric Eel.

Electric Eel will feature a top speed of 62 miles per hour on 853 feet of track, in a compact design that accommodates the development restrictions imposed upon the park by the California Coastal Commission. (If you haven't been to the park, SeaWorld San Diego is located on Mission Bay on the Pacific coast.)

The 150-foot-tall launch coaster is another installation of the Premier Rides Sky Rocket that SeaWorld debuted at sister park Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 2015 as Tempesto. (If you look carefully in the teaser video above, you'll see the on-ride footage is from Williamsburg.) Russell Meyer reviewed that coaster for us when it opened, calling it "a pretty unique experience" that "packs a pretty good punch." Here's the on-ride video:

Electric Eel will be SeaWorld San Diego's third roller coaster, following the water coaster Journey to Atlantis and the launch terrain coaster Manta, both from Mack Rides. This summer, SeaWorld San Diego is opening a new "Ocean Explorer" land, featuring the Submarine Quest track ride, in which visitors will engage in interactive tasks while exploring the ocean in a virtual journey that is complemented by real aquarium exhibits. SeaWorld San Diego also will debut a new "more natural" orca exhibit this year. The current orca show, One Ocean, closes January 8 to prepare for the new exhibit.

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Replies (11)

Jaiden

January 3, 2017 at 10:58 AM · Rode my first Skyrocket II at Discovery Kingdom last week. I thought it was fine, nothing special. I think this is a good addition for the park AS LONG AS they put in a double station like the one in Mexico and Mr. Freeze.

Jack Edwards

January 3, 2017 at 11:49 AM · Judging by the promotional video it looks like this ride may make use of virtual reality?

Anon Mouse

January 3, 2017 at 11:50 AM · Only one car at a time on the track. This is a slow loading ride. A bit carnival-like ride. I don't see much of a point for the ride.

Robert Niles

January 3, 2017 at 12:51 PM · Jack, I assume nothing from SeaWorld's promo videos/art. The company is notorious for including artistic elements that don't actually appear on the ride itself. (Remember the Antarctica concept art?) Still, I'd bet on an eel exhibit and maybe some video in the queue here.

98.166.187.111

January 3, 2017 at 2:56 PM · If it's anything like tempesto at Busch gardens Williamsburg it will be okay. Surely not the best ride they have out

James Trexen

January 3, 2017 at 3:14 PM · So it's another low-capacity, one-train ride? Sigh

AJ Hummel

January 3, 2017 at 3:26 PM · Based on riding the SFDK installation of this ride, it is a pretty good ride hampered by a capacity of about 500 riders per hour. Given the typical crowd level of the park, this won't be too big of an issue outside of holiday periods and summer weekends, but I still expect waits of 45 minutes on average days. It also feels like SWSD is adding it just to add a coaster without spending too much, as while it is a decent addition to the park's line-up it is the 9th launched coaster in Southern California. For those visiting San Diego, it may be a reason to include SeaWorld in their plans (if they weren't already), but I doubt it will help to draw many visitors from the Los Angeles area.

Jaiden

January 3, 2017 at 4:38 PM · It may have a duel loading station like this:

So that equates to about 720 rph if this has a three car train.

Jeff D

January 4, 2017 at 7:34 AM · I had wondered in the past why they don't make double loading platforms for these type of rides. Often wondering if the break in track would be too bumpy for the launch mechanism. Now I find out it is possible! So now I must assume most parks are just too cheap :(

Bobbie Butterfield

January 4, 2017 at 11:52 AM · I think that this is a good move for the park. The skyrocket coaster complements the others well and as to capacity, that will depend to some degree on its popularity. While at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in October on a very crowded day - with long wait times for most of the coasters - I was surprised to discover a comparatively short queue for Tempesto. Even with the one train operation it was moving along quickly. It's a short ride and easy to load so unless staggering numbers of people descend on it, there might not be a problem.

162.225.0.238

January 6, 2017 at 12:08 PM · personally, i think this ride will stick out like a sore thumb in SWSD...at least manta is a nice low to the ground dual launch ride so it blends into the park quite well. JTA is definitely more visual but at least it's interesting. this will look like a state fair attraction in an otherwise nice looking park like rip ride rockit does at USF. and 2018? can't they set one of these up in a few days?

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Electric Eel roller coaster comes to SeaWorld San Diego in 2018

Replies (11)

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