The Great White

What if I told you there’s a beast lurking in San Antonio, a Great White that doesn’t swim in the ocean? Right here at SeaWorld San Antonio, you’ll find The Great White, a steel rollercoaster that has been thrilling riders since it opened in February 1997. The Great White wasn’t just the first rollercoaster at SeaWorld San Antonio. It was the first inverted rollercoaster in all of Texas, a true pioneer of thrills. This $21 million marvel was designed by Werner Stengel and built by Bolliger & Mabillard, the masterminds behind some of the world’s most iconic coasters. The Great White shares a similar layout with the Batman the Ride coasters at Six Flags parks, but with a twist. At 2,562 feet, The Great White is slightly shorter than Batman’s 2,693-foot track. This shorter track means less time between inversions. Riders experience a more intense, forceful ride as they whip through five inversions: a vertical loop, a zero-G roll, a second vertical loop, a wingover, and a final heart-stopping wingover. The Great White also sits lower to the ground. The surrounding trees and shrubs create a thrilling illusion of near misses, enhancing the sensation of speed. Originally, the queue for The Great White wound around a massive shark aquarium, a fitting tribute to its name. Though the aquarium is no longer there, it has been relocated to the park’s 450,000-gallon Explorer’s Reef, where you can still get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. So, are you ready to face The Great White? Brace yourself for an unforgettable experience as you soar through the air at 50 mph, twisting and turning through a whirlwind of steel and excitement.