Ice breaker Construction Tour

Yesterday we were invited to SeaWorld Orlando for a behind the scenes look at the construction of Ice breaker. The new roller coaster is due to open at the park this Spring.

The 48 inch height requirement, four launch, family coaster has no set opening date yet but we were allowed a behind the scenes look at how it’s progressing. Before we jump in with our photos here’s a breakdown of what we learnt.

The Premier Rides Sky Rocket will have around a minute and a half of ride time, station to station.
Two trains of three cars and 18 riders per train. Possible due to the switch track after the station.
The train will boost backwards first over an airtime hill and up the 93 foot spike which has an angle of the steepest drop in Florida at 100 degrees.
It will then boost forwards before rolling backwards through another backwards launch and then forward a final time over the top hat element.
The Top hat is 80 foot tall.
Construction was done in stages due to the tightness of construction site.
2/3rd of the coaster construction is complete.
Ride will have lockers.
The ride will bring with it a refresh of the Wild Arctic area and provide new seating for the Mango Joe’s restaurant.
The ride will feature low to the ground turns, as low as 4 feet in some parts and feature head chopper elements.
Also features 90 degree banked sections on the ride.
Airtime will feature heavily on the boost section but the ride will still be fun for all the family.
Interactive boards in the queue line in association with Alaska Sea life center who share the same vision as SeaWorld.

Video

They did not reveal an opening date for the ride but it sure was fun to tour around the active construction site. Thanks to SeaWorld for inviting us down.

If you haven’t seen the coaster promo video check it out below:

And now on to the photos. Be sure to click them for a better look.

Construction Photos

The first set of photos were taken on our walk from the education pavilions towards the construction site next to Wild Arctic.

Ice breaker Hard Hat — After donning our high-vis jackets and Icebreaker hard harts it was time to tour the site.

A view of Ice breaker backstage near the education pavilions. This is the last part of the ride track left to be completed behind the Bayside Stadium

Ice breaker Incomplete Track — Ice breaker incomplete track.

Ice breaker Ground Work — Groundwork still being completed.

Ice breaker over the pathway — Track heading over the guest pathway to Bayside Stadium. The track on the right is the 90 degree banked turn.

As we entered the construction site we were led to the station where some elements of how the turn would unfold were discussed. After that we would be allowed to explore the site in two groups.

Ice breaker Station — Upon entering the construction site we were lead to a talk inside the station.

Ice breaker Station Control Booth 2 — Control Booth was still empty.

Switch Track

The switch track was being worked on as we toured the site. The below photos would be the direction the train leaves the station.

Ice breaker Switch Track 2 — Ice breaker Switch Track

Ice breaker Switch Track 3 — The switch track in a position between the launch track and the station.

Ice breaker Switch Track & Launch forwards. Facing towards the top hat element.

Ice breaker Rear launch — Rear launch heading towards the 90 ft spike.

Ice breaker 90 foot spike — The spike the rear launch you will be propelled up twice backwards. Below this is the track returning to the station.

To the left in the above photo you can see the support Expedition Theme Park got to sign at the unveiling event last year. This path will be the ride exit which will venture very close to the track.