Video reveals riders' reactions on SeaWorld's new Emperor coaster

Mesmerising footage reveals passengers’ reactions as they ride SeaWorld’s new Emperor coaster, which mimics the world’s largest penguin swooping underwater

• Emperor, at SeaWorld San Diego, takes riders along 2,500ft of track that includes a 14-storey vertical drop 
• They hurtle down this at 60mph before they experience a barrel roll, an Immelmann loop and a flat spin
• Emperor is billed by SeaWorld as the ‘tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in California’ 

Knuckle-whitening footage has been released of passengers enjoying new ‘dive coaster’ Emperor at SeaWorld San Diego – with their facial expressions testament to its power to thrill.

Named after the emperor penguin, the world’s largest penguin, the Emperor coaster ‘mimics this species’ amazing underwater diving ability’. It does this by taking riders along 2,500ft (762m) of track that includes a 14-storey vertical drop that they hurtle down at 60mph and various loops and inversions.

The reactions of the passengers in the footage confirm that the plan has worked – and SeaWorld has also released a POV clip of the ride, which opened this week, to give armchair riders an unmistakably clear idea about the excitement that lies in store.

Knuckle-whitening footage has been released of passengers enjoying new ‘dive coaster’ Emperor, pictured, at SeaWorld San Diego – with their facial expressions testament to its power to thrill

The first big adrenalin rush comes when the car climbs to a height of 153ft (46m) and stops at the crown of the 14-storey drop 

Riders experience Emperor in floorless cars that hold up to 18 people in three, six-person rows.

The first big adrenalin rush comes when the car climbs to a height of 153ft (46m) and stops at the crown of the 14-storey drop, suspending riders at a 45-degree angle with their feet dangling in the air before they hurtle downwards.

Then they experience inversions, a barrel roll, an Immelmann loop, a hammerhead turn and a flat spin before coming to a halt.

SeaWorld San Diego partnered with penguin research and conservation nonprofit Penguins International for the opening of Emperor, billed as the ‘tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in California, as well as the only floorless dive coaster on the West Coast [of America]’.

SeaWorld has released a POV clip of the ride (still from this above), which opened this week, to give armchair riders an unmistakably clear idea about the excitement that lies in store

Passengers cannot contain their composure as they hurtle down Emperor’s 14-storey drop

As part of the partnership, SeaWorld San Diego said it would donate a portion of Emperor merchandise sales to Penguins International to support its conservation, education, and research efforts.

The park said that after riding Emperor, ‘guests are encouraged to visit Penguin Encounter, the only place in North America where you can see Emperor penguins in-person’.

‘We’re so excited to partner with SeaWorld San Diego for the opening of this thrilling new ride inspired by the majestic emperor penguin,’ said Penguins International Executive Director David Schutt.

‘SeaWorld has been a longtime proponent of penguin research and education, providing important research opportunities for scientists at their facilities and generating awareness for these amazing birds through their presentations and learning opportunities. We see this as yet another way the company is helping advance the public’s understanding of this species and are eager to see where this partnership takes us.’

Jim Lake, Park President, said: ‘Emperor brings all-new thrills to the park, being the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in California and our first ever dive coaster at SeaWorld San Diego. We’re so grateful to our guests for their patience and we can’t wait to have them come take the dive and experience Emperor firsthand.’

Riders experience inversions, a barrel roll, an Immelmann loop, a hammerhead turn and a flat spin before coming to a halt

Riders experience Emperor in floorless cars that hold up to 18 people in three, six-person rows

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