A-Z Coaster of the Week: Kraken

We return to sunny Florida for this week’s A-Z Coaster of the Week. SeaWorld Orlando’s Kraken is named after the mythical sea monster of the same name, and the coaster is certainly built to emulate a powerful creature.

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The coaster’s opening in the summer of 2000 introduced the southeastern United States to Bolliger and Mabillard’s floorless coaster design. At 4,177 feet in length, Kraken was the longest roller coaster in Florida until Expedition Everest opened in 2006 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

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Riders ascend nearly 15 stories before plunging 144 feet into a vertical loop, which is followed by a dive loop, zero-g roll and cobra roll. After a mid-course brake run, riders drop into a smaller vertical loop. Riders dive underground into the “Kraken’s lair” before maneuvering a corkscrew. All in all, riders encounter three subterranean dives during the ride’s course.

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Be sure to check out the other A-Z Coaster of the Week coasters!

Have you ridden Kraken? Share your thoughts about the coaster in the comments section below.

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