Texas Stingray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Texas Stingray |
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| SeaWorld San Antonio | |
| Location | SeaWorld San Antonio |
| Coordinates | 29°27′09″N 98°41′56″W / 29.4524°N 98.6990°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Soft opening date | February 21, 2020 |
| Opening date | February 22, 2020 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Wood |
| Manufacturer | Great Coasters International |
| Designer | Dustin Sloan, Skyline Attractions |
| Track layout | Twister |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 96 ft (29 m) |
| Drop | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Length | 3,379 ft (1,030 m) |
| Speed | 55 mph (89 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Height restriction | 46 in (117 cm) |
| Texas Stingray at RCDB | |
Texas Stingray is an exciting wooden roller coaster located at SeaWorld San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas. It was built by a company called Great Coasters International (GCI). This thrilling ride first opened in February 2020.
The coaster was open for only a few weeks before the park had to close temporarily. This happened because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily, the coaster reopened when SeaWorld San Antonio started welcoming guests again on June 11, 2020.
How Texas Stingray Was Built
Planning for the Texas Stingray started way back in 2017. In April 2019, people heard that a new ride was coming to SeaWorld San Antonio. Construction began around the same time. Workers started clearing land for the new coaster.
On September 12, 2019, SeaWorld officially announced the Texas Stingray. They shared that it would be the "tallest, fastest, and longest" wooden roller coaster in all of Texas! The coaster trains were even shown off at a big amusement park event in November. The ride was set to open in the spring of 2020.
Texas Stingray had a special opening for the media on February 21, 2020. Then, people with season passes got to ride it on February 22. Finally, it opened to everyone on February 29, 2020.
What Makes Texas Stingray Special?
The Texas Stingray coaster is built on land that was not used before. It sits between the Shamu Theater and the park's Rio Grande river rapids ride. Even though it's a wooden coaster, it has strong steel supports. This design has been used on other GCI coasters, like InvadR at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
The ride uses the natural hills and dips of the land. It starts with a 96-foot tall lift hill. After that, riders plunge down a 100-foot drop! The coaster can reach a top speed of 55 miles per hour. It travels along 3,379 feet of track. The wooden track uses a special type of wood called ipe. This wood is stronger and lasts longer than typical coaster wood.
The Ride Experience
The Texas Stingray was designed by Dustin Sloane and Jeff Pike. They wanted the ride to be fun but also teach people about nature. Like other new rides at SeaWorld, it helps share the park's message about protecting animals and the ocean.
SeaWorld worked with the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI). They put up signs around the ride and in the waiting line. These signs teach riders about stingrays that live in the Texas Gulf. They also explain how everyone is connected to the ocean. Plus, 5% of the money from Texas Stingray merchandise sales goes to HRI to help their work.
When your train leaves the station, it turns right and goes up the 96-foot lift hill. At the top, it turns right again and drops 100 feet into a small valley. Then, it climbs straight up a hill before diving into a curving turn. The designers say these curves look like a big stingray swimming in the ocean.
The ride has many turns and dips. You'll also feel "airtime pops," which are those fun moments when you feel like you're floating out of your seat! The coaster goes over a part of the Rio Grande rapids ride before heading back to the station. On the way back, it zooms through the supports of the lift hill. Then, it dives into a surprise curved tunnel! After a few more turns and airtime hills, your train returns to the station. The whole ride lasts about 1 minute and 40 to 50 seconds.
