On Monday, Feb. 28, a confluence of media, special guests, and roller coaster enthusiasts fastened into their seats and experienced Emperor, the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in California. Influencers from TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram – including a waddle of (human) penguins – along with TV and old-school newspaper journalists, strapped in for 150 seconds of exhilaration during the dive coaster’s preview day at SeaWorld San Diego.
“The ride has a rare sensation that you can’t find in Southern California,” said Sarah Palmer, an LA County-based video creator whose popular TikTok and Instagram accounts are @pinuppalmer. “You can feel the difference. It really packs a punch.”
Opening on March 12 (after being delayed nearly two years due to COVID), Emperor, named after the world’s largest penguin, is designed to mimic this species’ amazing underwater diving ability.
Climbing to 153 feet high, riders are suspended on a 45-degree angle at the crown of the ride before plunging down a 143-foot facedown vertical drop and accelerating to more than 60 miles per hour. Riders also experience inversions, barrel roll, Immelmann loop, hammerhead turn, and flat spin as they race along the nearly 2,500 feet of track.
“It’s thrilling all the way through. That first drop and then the first zero-G roll was the best part for me,” said Carter, aka Jinx, of the Southern California-based YouTube channel Jinx Everywhere (youtube.com/c/JinxEverywhere). “The pacing is incredible. I could ride it all day”
The Emperor dive coaster is a Swiss-manufactured attraction from Bolliger and Mabillard, known for designing smooth rides. It is the only six-across seated dive machine in the U.S. as each of the floorless ride cars holds 18 riders in three, six-person rows.
“It’s fantastic,” said Dylan Dickson, who runs the LA County-based YouTube channel Theme Park Obsession (youtube.com/c/ThemeParkObsessionDD). “It’s smooth, yet forceful and intense. It’s one of the best additions to the park.”
Starting on March 12, guests can experience the Emperor daily during regular park hours (March 2 for pass members). Visit seaworldsandiego.com for the most up-to-date schedule.
