Only one roller coaster in Orlando allows you to spin, glide, skim, and fly like a manta ray - face down! And that is Manta, the sick (we mean that in a good way) new attraction at SeaWorld Orlando. Though the official opening of the coaster is May 22, Manta has been open in sneak preview form all week to riders, and the reviews are in - Manta is one of the most exciting, unique, and fun experiences to come to Orlando in a long time.

Though not all the sea life is in place and final tweaks still have yet to be made to the ride before it’s officially unveiled at the end of the month, guests who have ridden Manta so far say it’s an intense but fun experience. From the ground, the ride looks smooth and tame, even, but riding the ray is a completely different experience.

Upon first getting onto the ride, everything seems normal - at first. Riders sit down in the vehicle normally (four across) and get strapped in snugly across the chest and legs. But as the ride begins its machinations, the entire vehicle swings forward, placing riders at a horizontal, face-down position. But still, so far so good as the ride gets off to a slow climb.

At that point, riders will have a chance to enjoy a unique perspective of Orlando - face down, with no obstructions in the way. It’s the kind of moment where you can say, “Hey, I can see my house from here,” and it’s actually quite nice until the ride jolts into high gear - and then, we’ll just say that the ‘slow’ part of the ride is definitely over.

From the front row, Manta can be a genuinely scary experience, since no other vehicle is in front, making the whole face-down aspect even more thrilling. But from the back rows, riders report that Manta is genuinely intense and almost jarring, with G forces being felt much more significantly than on the other rows. The consensus is that the back rows are best reserved for the hardcore roller coaster rider, while those looking for a less rocky thrill will be happy with the front row – if they can handle the more psychologically scary view! No matter what row you’re in though, you’ll definitely feel like you’re flying like a manta while riding the coaster.

Meanwhile, the experience of waiting to ride Manta is almost as entertaining as the ride itself – the queue area has been beautifully designed with waterfalls and several aquariums filled with tropical fish, sea dragons, and manta rays. Guests will wait comfortably inside the mostly covered and climate controlled area while they watch rays soaring mesmerizingly overhead. In these early weeks, all the tanks’ inhabitants haven’t yet been added – but keep an eye out for the home-grown coral, the giant 12-pound pacific octopus, who can reportedly put together puzzles, and plenty of weedy and leafy sea dragons.

For those who don’t think they can handle Manta’s exhilarating flight, the attraction also offers a separate aquarium especially for non-riders. So if you’re traveling with a group of friends slightly braver than you, you won’t be bored while you wait for them to get off the ride.

If you can’t wait until May 22 to experience Manta, head on down to SeaWorld and join the others who decided they couldn’t wait either – just get ready to wait on line, since this is one thrill that’s already very popular. Check out discount SeaWorld tickets on OrlandoFunTickets.com to begin your Manta flight.