The powerful new Mako roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando opens, challenging even the most confident thrill-seekers to experience its remarkable speed and stature. With its debut, Mako is now Orlando’s tallest, fastest and longest coaster. The fifth coaster in SeaWorld Orlando’s portfolio, Mako accelerates to 73 mph as it takes passengers along an imposing, nearly mile-long track. Now guests can surge through a shipwreck reef and experience the ocean as an apex predator on SeaWorld’s all-new hypercoaster. Buckle up, it’s going to be a fun ride!

New Mako Roller Coaster at SeaWorld

When you think of SeaWorld’s theme parks, most likely it’s their marine life exhibits that come to mind, not necessarily roller coasters and thrill rides. However, that is about to change!

SeaWorld in Orlando just opened Mako, a 200-foot-tall hypercoaster – the tallest, fastest and longest (4,760 ft) roller coaster in Orlando. Considering all the other theme parks in the area, this is saying a lot.

During a special advanced media preview, I was able to go on a “sneak peak” ride on the new Mako attraction. It was amazing!

While I like roller coasters, they no longer seem to like me as I get older. Before, the faster and wilder the better, but now I’ll suffer from headaches and even dizziness after some coaster rides. Fortunately, I experienced none of these symptoms after riding Mako. In fact, it was the smoothest coaster I have EVER been on and I immediately wanted to go on it again and again!

Best of all, the deep purple and teal coaster does NOT go upside down, yet still delivers the same thrilling feel and without the whipping jolts of wooden coasters either.

Why is it called Mako? It’s named after the Mako shark, which are known for their speed and ability to quickly change course as they pursue prey. As a result, the movements on the track are supposed to mimic one of the ocean’s fastest predators as it hunts in the ocean.

Mako is also one of the world’s few true hypercoasters, a group of roller coasters known for high speeds and steep drops and hills that create a feeling of weightlessness or “air time.”  As the sleek coaster cars crest each hill, riders — secured only at their laps with handle bars to grip on to — float out of their seats, nearly weightless. It’s exhilarating and freeing to not be caged in through shoulder bars. Your feet also dangle in the air too adding for more excitement. While I tried to take in the views of the park when riding, it was all a fun blur.

Heightening the sensory experience, an original soundtrack plays throughout the Shark Reef area of the park, evoking the fascination and wonder of the sea. The musical score can be heard by riders as they come out of the station and climb all the way up the lift hill.

TIP: Before take-off, be sure and look up to spot projected sharks and fish swimming above you and just when they jet away, so do riders! Hold on.

Mako Adds to SeaWorld’s Coaster Portfolio

With the addition of Mako, SeaWorld now has five coaster experiences spanning a range of ages and appetites.

• Manta — the only flying roller coaster of its kind in the world; guests ride head-first, face-down through inversions and loops. (Fun to lie on your stomach like a sting ray)
• Journey to Atlantis — an edge-of-your-seat water coaster that plunges guests into the middle of a clash for the lost city of Atlantis.  (Like a log flume, but with a bit more speed, turns and two drops).
• Kraken — themed after a massive, mythological underwater beast unleashed from the depths of the sea. (Rattled me around too much)
• Shamu Express^®— a junior-sized coaster perfect for families with younger children.

Summer of Mako

To celebrate the new ride and updated shark realm in the park, SeaWorld also launched Summer of Mako, a park-wide event that takes advantage of the longer summer nights and amps up the park’s fun factor.

Throughout the day, guests will have more opportunities to meet SeaWorld’s animals, attend scheduled feedings and talk with animal ambassadors, educators and experts.

Did you know -nearly 100 million sharks are killed annually, mainly for their fins to make soup? Terrible, but one of the facts I learned near the Mako ride.

The park is also offering several limited-time, Mako-inspired and SeaWorld-exclusive products including a honey vanilla mako shark cookie; a SeaWorld exclusive Coca-Cola Freestyle mix, Mako Blast; a specialty alcoholic beverage only available at Shark’s Underwater Grill; and Mako American Red Ale, a SeaWorld exclusive brew available in several locations around SeaWorld.

Also now open is the all-new Shark Touch Pool where guests who have ever dreamed of touching a shark will have the opportunity to do so this summer at SeaWorld Orlando. The Relaxation Station located near Wild Artic will be home to a brand-new educational experience where guests will have the chance to learn about and interact with bamboo sharks and epaulette sharks.

Also, fan favorite Shamu’s Celebration: Light up the Night returns June 18 with high-energy, feel-good music, stylistic lighting, colorful backdrops and a fireworks finale.  A special Block Party with dance music and street entertainment takes place along SeaWorld’s Waterfront.

The park is offering a $99 ticket that includes admission to both SeaWorld and Aquatica Water Park, which kicks off its own summer celebration, Island Nights presented by Coca-Cola on July 8.

Where to Stay at SeaWorld Orlando? DoubleTree Orlando at SeaWorld is Great for Toddlers!