Fresh Looks at Ice Breaker Testing at SeaWorld Orlando

With the winter this nation is having, when I saw "Ice Breaker Testing" in the headline I thought Florida was preparing to freeze over.

Remember how early in the Pandemic several Zoos and Aquariums were getting attention on Social Media by allowing some of their animals, mostly penguins to explore the facility because of the lack of human visitors? Then a park (I believe in Sweden) put a bunch of big stuffed Teddy Bears on one of of their Roller Coasters and everybody went all ape over that?
I think SeaWorld is missing a real opportunity here.
Those water weights they are using for load testing on Ice Breaker could be filled with salt water and the park could put a bunch of fish from their collection of aquariums in them. That way the fish could get a chance to go for a ride on the new roller coaster. They could mount a bunch of GoPro cameras inside the water weights to show the fish having fun on the ride.
I'm (mostly) joking of course...but come on. That would be (pretend) awesome!

I don't think a roller coaster is the plaice for that. I don't want to carp on a fishy idea, but I think we could do betta.

(Help me.)

I don't know why Sea World thinks this will draw people when the similar but far superior in every way Hagrid coaster is right down the street, at a park that is already way more desirable for most people anyway.

Maybe they could make lifelike water weights of fictional and real people like Marlin Perkins and Huck Finn?

In response to the__man...

Agreed that the park right down the street is more desirable, if you enjoy (1) ridiculous admission and pass pricing versus SeaWorld Parks, (2) endless queues, (3) primarily dated VR rides (calling out ET and Shrek), and (4) a coaster that continues to have way too many "down for maintenance" issues. Yes, Hulk is a great ride and the Velicicoaster looks like a winner, but from a coaster experience the combination of Manta, Mako, Kraken, and now IceBreaker beat the park down the street every day of the week. Throw in what you get with a multi-park pass that includes Iron Gwazi, Cheethah, Montu, Kumba, Cobra, Shiekra, etc. (and heck even old school Scorpion) 70 miles down the road, and the answer is clear cut to any coaster enthusiast.

Interesting to see on the Stand with SeaWorld Facebook page they are advertising this ....

“SeaWorld Orlando will host an ACE (American Coaster Enthusiasts) event with exclusive ride time on Ice Breaker on Saturday, November 20.”

I suppose that means we can at least assume it will be open before then ??

The fact that some coaster enthusiasts find Sea World a better value doesn't change the fact that this ride isn't going to be a draw for Sea World.

Why won't it be a draw? It fills an important niche for the park in giving younger thrill seekers and families a mildly thrilling roller coaster. If Mako, Manta, and Kraken intimidate you, or you're not tall enough to ride those, Ice Breaker is a perfect bridge from kiddie coasters to "big boy" rides.

I agree. Every ride (coaster or otherwise) need not be a record breaker. The best parks have a good variety for all riders. This will fill a niche at SWO. Kraken, Manta and Mako are not entry level thrill rides. There is a kiddie coaster already. This will be a great intermediate ride for kids and families. I still think they ought to let the fish go for test rides in the water weights too! Dag-nabbit!

You people putting words in my mouth that has nothing to do with what i'm saying at all.

Then what are you saying? Your original post stated:

"The fact that some coaster enthusiasts find Sea World a better value doesn't change the fact that this ride isn't going to be a draw for Sea World."

I'm not sure how else to interpret this statement other than that you feel people will not be drawn to the park to ride this new coaster. I think that's short sighted, because this coaster actually enhances the appeal of the park beyond just the high-end enthusiasts that seek "taller, bigger, faster". This coaster instead engages with moderate thrill seekers that may one day become the guests that want to marathon Manta, Mako, and Kraken that made Sea World more than just the Shamu park. This expands the park's target audience and its appeal across more potential guests.