Doesn’t a penguin-themed dive coaster sound thrilling? This is Emperor at SeaWorld San Diego. Emperor is not just any roller coaster. It is a Bolliger and Mabillard Dive Coaster. The ride’s opening was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, the final opening date was March 12, 2022.
On January 5, 2019, SeaWorld San Diego announced the new B&M dive coaster. Originally, it was to be named Mako. However, through the IAAPA, Mako was changed to Emperor. Instead of sharks, the ride became themed to emperor penguins.
Emperor is the first floorless dive coaster in California. It is the second overall dive coaster in the state. HangTime at Knott’s Berry Farm was the first. Emperor is located in the eastern area of SeaWorld San Diego. It is just off the main walkway south of the Penguin Encounter exhibit. There are no current plans to incorporate penguins into a new space. This space would be nearer to the roller coaster.
Now imagine yourself on the Emperor. Guests leave the station. The ride begins with a 153-foot lift hill climb. Then you turn towards the drop. Here, the ride holds you for 3.5 to 4 seconds. Brace yourself. It then drops you 143 feet at a 90-degree angle. This leads into the first inversion.
Next is a 123-foot immelmann which goes over the drop. It flows into the second inversion. This is a hard over banked turn that turns riders upside down. It leads into another element. This element can be classified as an inversion. But, it does not entirely invert riders. This flows into the last element. The last element is a corkscrew. After the corkscrew, there is a turn. Then, a ramp leads back to the station. The train repeats this cycle over and over. Each cycle takes approximately one minute and ten seconds.
Emperor has some quick stats. The height is 153 feet. The drop is 143 feet. The length is 2411 feet. The speed is 63 miles per hour. There are three inversions. The max vertical angle is 90 degrees. The height restriction is 52 to 78 inches. There are two trains with three cars. Riders are arranged six across in a single row. Each train holds a total of 18 riders. Quick Queue is available for those who want to shorten their wait. Emperor is quite a ride.