​Orlando, Fla. (April 15, 2016) - Mako made its debut run along its 4,760-foot steal track at SeaWorld Orlando this week. During its inaugural test ride, Mako plunged 200-feet down from its initial lift hill, surged through nine air-time hills and reached topped speeds of 73 mph. 
 
Mako’s tight turns and speed are inspired by reality.  Mako sharks are known for their top speed, making extreme jumps and the ability to quickly change course as they pursue their prey. Riders will become submerged into the world of the mako shark and feel the power of the predator as they experience the thrill of the hunt starting June 10.

​Mako Quick Facts:

• Opening June 10, 2016, Mako will be the tallest, fastest and longest coaster in Orlando.
• Mako will be a hypercoaster, designed for speed and relentless “air time”
• Orlando’s only hypercoaster lures guests to brave tight turns, stomach steep drops and endure shark-attack speeds.
• Riders will soar up to 200 feet high and reach speeds up to 73 mph.
• Mako will be the centerpiece of the new two-acre shark-themed realm which also includes Shark Encounter®, Sharks Underwater Grill®, gift shops, and shark- and shipwreck-themed educational experiences.

​ORLANDO, Fla. (March 15, 2016) –  SeaWorld Orlando has installed the final piece of Mako’s nearly mile-long steel track – completing the footprint of what will be Orlando’s longest coaster (as well as fastest and tallest).
 
Following tradition, the 12,500-pound, final piece of track was topped with a waving American flag as it was lifted high in the air by a giant crane, and then bolted into place by workers.  The moment finished off a track that is 4,760 feet of pure thrill.
 

​When Mako – a true hypercoaster – opens this summer, it will top 200 feet high and reach speeds of 73 mph. Riders will feel weightless as they reach the top of each hill. 
 
This January, SeaWorld topped off the highest point of the coaster, with a crest that reaches 200 feet in the air.
 
For more Mako information, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com and join the conversation using #NothingFaster.

TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 29, 2016) – There’s a giant snake in the Tampa skyline this week, as Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay just completed construction on the two highest points of its unique, reptile-themed coaster, Cobra’s Curse -- a menacing 30,000 lb. snake king icon and a 70-foot vertical lift that will take riders within inches of its 4-ft. fangs.

With a grand opening slated for this summer, this family spin coaster is the only one of its kind in the world, taking riders on a whirlwind adventure of exciting explorations.

Snake King Icon
Dozens of artists united to design, engineer, fabricate and thematically paint the snake icon, creating a centerpiece for Cobra’s Curse that will bring riders just inches from its fangs. Standing at 80 feet tall, with 4-foot-long fangs and 3-foot-wide eyes, the icon was constructed of nine stackable pieces with an internal steel spine and an outer shell composed of carved foam and fiberglass.

Vertical Lift
The 70-foot vertical lift functions similar to an outdoor elevator taking riders up in their coaster car and putting them face-to-fang with the snake icon’s mouth. The three-and-a-half-minute ride will also feature a second inclined lift that sets up for the free-spin finale of the ride. The trek will cover more than 2,100 feet of track at 40 mph.

Additionally, guests will be just inches away from the 400-cubic-foot snake exhibit which will include Jameson’s mambas, Angolan pythons and rhinoceros and gaboon vipers. The design of the multi-level exhibit not only reflects the theme of the ride, but also features several animal husbandry and enrichment components designed with the snakes’ welfare in mind, including naturalistic design elements, controlled heat sources and humidity control.

Visit CobrasCurse.com for more information. Or, be the first to know about new events, special deals and future announcements by following the park’s blog at buschgardenstampablog.com, or “Like” the Busch Gardens Facebook page and follow @buschgardens on Twitter and Instagram.