Seaworld, Orlando, FL
What in the world is Seaworld doing in my list? Well, they built a coaster, and it is good. It is real good. The rest of the park is fun, but Seaworld is not an adventure park. But Kraken is worth riding and it makes Seaworld worth going to once in a while (especially when you have passes that get you in to it along with Busch Gardens and Adventure Island). I also want to give an honorable mention to Journey to Atlantis. This is a water ride, but it comes close to being a coaster, including a pretty cool drop. If it weren't for the water, it would be a really crappy coaster, but combining it with the water, it is pretty cool. I still don't classify it as a coaster, but thought I would give it an honorable mention.
Kraken (Rating: 9.4 FS & BS, 8.5 M)
This coaster is kind of unique. It isn't inverted, yet it feels a lot like an inverted coaster (see the picture of the car, below. I'm not sure what it is about this coaster, but it is one of the only coasters left (other than X, but that is a different story) that still gets my stomach (you know, that cool feeling you got the first time you went on a coaster). As much as I love Montu, I don't often get that feeling from it anymore, but Kraken gets me almost every time. There is just something about that first drop! This is one of my favorite coasters.
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Statistics
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| My totally subjective rating: | 9 FS & BS, 8.5 M |
| Type: | Steel |
| Status | Operating since 6/1/2000 |
| Builder | Bolliger & Mabillard (B & M) |
| Categories: | Floorless |
| Length (feet): | 4177' |
| Height (feet): | 149 |
| Drop (feet): | 144' |
| Inversions: | 7 |
| Speed (mph): | 65 |
| Duration (m:ss): | 3:39 |
| G-Force (g): | unknown? |
| Capacity (riders per hour): | 1500 |
Other Information:
Open sides and floorless cars! A good portion of Kraken is over water. Three subterranean dives. One at full speed into Kraken's lair, drenching bystanders with plumes of spray.