Mako is currently in soft opening at SeaWorld Orlando and I got to ride it yesterday! It was incredible. The first drop and first turn are exhilarating and I won’t lie, I was somewhat terrified for a few seconds. It’s funny to me that a ride where you come up out of your seat so many times doesn’t have shoulder restraints. I guess they want to really allow you to feel the air time. I rode a second time in the front row and it was even more incredible. After the first drop and turn it’s a somewhat relaxing of a ride, even though I know we were traveling super fast because my ponytail was sticking straight out behind me the entire time! There’s no loops or upside-down moments, so it’s all about speed and air time. It’s a fun ride and one I’ll be riding every time I visit for sure. See the video for footage of the soft opening, my thoughts on the new coaster right after I rode it, check out some cool stuff in the gift shop and see all of the Shark’s Reef area theming that is now complete. You can also see lots of images of the beautiful area theming below! And stay tuned for more theme park updates coming soon.
Soft Opening Pictures
The Mako ride entrance, surrounded by staff handing out Soft Open tickets
After a long wait, it’s finally here!
Soft Opening in Progress…
I got my ticket! The day before they were limiting to 1000, but today they seemed to have no limit
Better put my bag in the locker before riding. It’s a dollar for single time use
Time to ride!
First part of the queue is simple path with fencing
Second part of queue transitions to look like you’re under a dock in the ocean
Finally, you enter a shipwreck underwater. There are facts about Mako sharks to read while you wait
Yay, people riding Mako!
Woohoo!
Ride ends passing through the rusted hull of a sunken ship
Gift Shop Pictures
Reef’s Treasures is the name of the exit gift shop
Sunken ship theme continues through the gift shop
Inside the shop is beautifully decorated
New Mako merch! Shirt
Love this Mako frame!
Shot glasses and tiny snowglobes
New shirts featuring all 4 thrill rides, including Mako!
And in a girly version too
Time to pick up a ride photo
Will go perfect in your new Mako frame!
Shark’s Reef Pictures
Mako shipwreck and coral now full painted
Lights sparkle as the coaster passes by, like sunlight twinkling through the water
Shimmering lights on the shipwreck
Entering the now fully themed area from the other side
Welcome to Shark Wreck Reef
Learn all about Sharks: Fear & Fascination
Lots of hands-on learning stations have been added to the area
They teach you about sharks, and why humans shouldn’t be afraid of them as much as they should be afraid of us
One sign teaches us about sharks…
And one reminds us about humans
That’s a lot of soup
Teaches us in Florida how rare shark attacks is gonna be a hard sell
Seeing a hidden message: SHARKS. RARELY. HURT. PEOPLE.
Photo cutout
Be afraid FOR sharks!
Shark Encounter got a big new sign (sorry for poor camera angle)
Size chart – for the coolest fish in the ocean!
Fun interactive steering wheel
Learn with maps and charts!
Walls down around all of the new beautiful signage
All bases have been painted to look like coral and sand
Area gift shop back open with some new merchandise inside
Caricatures, face paint, and Henna tattoos area open
This is a much nicer setup rather than the small caricature setup they used to have under an umbrella down the road
New Guy Harvey original mural on the wall near Mako
Mural fits in the area nicely
Panini shop gets new name
New carnival game added near Mako entrance
Game is racing game and requires multiple players to start
Seemed pretty popular throughout the day
New tables with umbrellas and refreshment stand added near Nautilus Theater
Perfect way to beat the heat
This is a good location for a small snack stand
Excellent cup choice for the area
Mako Rising presentation in the theater has ended
Look what made it onto the park map! That’s all for this update. Check back soon for more!
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