The anticipation is finally over! SeaWorld Orlando could not have picked a better time to premiere it’s 6th roller coaster, Ice Breaker, as temperatures dropped to give the new ride a proper welcome. Named after the icy Arctic summits, Ice Breaker features four airtime-filled launches, both backward and forwards, culminating in a reverse launch into the steepest beyond-vertical drop in Florida – a 93 feet tall spike with a 100-degree angle. This family-friendly coaster with a height requirement of only 48″, is sure to please people of all ages. The brand-new coaster will be located across from Wild Arctic and opens to the public on February 18, 2022.
Ice Breaker starts off by rolling into what is known as a lateral track switch, which transitions the train onto the launch track. This allows for the park to operate with a second train. Once locked into place, riders are launched backward at 29 mph towards the 93-foot tall spike. The train then rolls onto the first forward launch of 39 mph, gaining speed over an airtime hill through a twist but just not enough momentum so that the train rolls back over the airtime hill before hitting the 2nd backward launch at 43 mph. This launches riders all the way up the steepest, beyond-vertical drop in Florida, with the 100-degree angle giving riders a direct look at the ground. Riders experience a moment of weightlessness before dropping, going over the support camelbacks, through the 2nd forward launch reaching a maximum speed of 52 mph, before the twist into the 80 foot tall, near vertical top hat.
A couple of twists and turns and high banked corners through a wave turn a great turn around and a sideways camelback before hitting one more fun pop of airtime into the brake run then finally back into the station. Ice Breaker features a total of 13 distinct moments of airtime on this attraction.
Ice Breaker is just the start of the revitalization of the Wild Arctic section of the park. SeaWorld’s commitment to ‘education through entertainment’ continues as the guest walks the que of Ice Breaker. There are signs educating guests all about the Arctic circle; where is it, who lives there, and how it really is closer than most people would think. SeaWorld parks announced a partnership with the Alaska Sealife Center, a dedicated research, rescue, rehabilitation, and education facility. The Alaska SeaLife Center’s unique focus assures that not only is each individual animal receiving the best of care but that every rescue helps add to the understanding of humans’ presence in a very rapidly changing World. 5% of all sales of all Ice Breaker-themed merchandise, will be donated to the center.
The re-imaging of the Wild Arctic area included the re-themed Mango Joe’s into Altitude Burger and the addition of the Glacier Bar. Both locations opened up last March and have continued to delight guests since their inception. When SeaWorld Orlando reopened in June 2020 after the COVID pandemic closure, Wild Arctic remained closed. The exhibit stayed open (containing all the animals), but the ride (and the non-motion theater) could not be accessed. They have utilized the space this past year; during their Halloween inaugural event, Howl-O-Scream as the popular maze, Beneath the Ice, and during Christmas as a photo opportunity with Santa.
As of January 2022, the ride has not announced a reopening date but we can only speculate that things are currently in the works and we will def keep an eye out for them.
Pass Members get exclusive access to Ice Breaker before it opens to the public on February 18.
Pass Preview Dates: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Jan. 30 – 31: Platinum Pass Members
Feb. 1 – 6: Platinum and Gold Pass Members
Feb. 7 – 13*: Platinum, Gold, and Silver Pass Members
Feb. 14 – 15: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Pass Members plus Fun Card Holders
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