Sea World’s $50m launch faces long delay
SEA World’s $50m theme park upgrade has stalled, with the launch of its New Atlantis precinct delayed until the summer.
The striking $20m, 1km wooden roller coaster Leviathan, set to travel at 80km/ h, has been rising steadily at the Main Beach site, while the The Trident, first announced in mid-2019, will soar 52m off the ground, spinning guests at 38km/h.
Both were initially due to launch in “mid-2021 to complete The New Atlantis precinct”, however a launch date of September 18, 2021 was later published on the Sea World website. This week the park again updated the rides’ website descriptions to “coming this summer”.
Village Roadshow Theme Parks chief operating officer
Bikash Randhawa said unavoidable transport problems caused by the pandemic had extended the delay.
“Due to the lack of airline availability as a result of COVID-19, as well as issues with a significant international shipping back log, the opening of the Leviathan and Trident has been delayed to this Summer,” he said.
“An updated opening date will be announced ASAP.
“Our team are working closely with manufacturers and suppliers to navigate through the logistics of importing and essential personnel travel during COVID-19.
“We are very excited to see the new rides operating soon and look forward to welcoming our guests to experience them.”
The
Vortex,
21. precinct’s first ride, opened on December