SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In a year of hotly anticipated theme park openings, SeaWorld San Antonio is kicking off the season with one of the first NEW attractions to open in the country – Texas Stingray.  The tallest, fastest and longest wooden roller coaster in Texas begins thrilling guests on Saturday, February 29.

Everything is bigger in Texas, and Texas Stingray is no exception. Riders will face an initial 100-foot drop, reaching speeds up to 55 mph over 3,379 feet of track. Sixteen gravity defying airtime moments and a 100-foot tunnel are just some of the other superlatives this exhilarating ride will offer guests.  

"We are really pleased that guests to SeaWorld San Antonio can experience this record-breaking thrill coaster so early in the 2020 season, giving them more reasons to visit the park again and again," explained Byron Surrett, San Antonio Park President. "Texas Stingray is one of the best new coasters in the world and we're excited to have our first wooden roller coaster join our portfolio of unique ride experiences here in San Antonio."

The park's other rides offer something for everyone in the family, including the newest Riptide Rescue and Sea Swinger, Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster, The Great White roller coaster, Steel Eel roller coaster, Journey to Atlantis, Rio Loco and Super Grover's Box Car Derby.

With every visit to SeaWorld, SeaWorld provides guests with fun and meaningful experiences that engage them in SeaWorld's mission by educating them about conservation and inspiring them to act in their own lives. Attractions play a key role in accomplishing this by highlighting important conservation partners through educational elements integrated into the attraction experience for all to enjoy. SeaWorld has partnered with the Harte Research Institute (HRI) for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to help share conservation messaging and highlight the work of HRI in seeking science-based solutions for problems facing the Gulf of Mexico. HRI worked closely with SeaWorld's Education staff to provide insight and knowledge into the integration of various educational elements into the ride experience. In addition, five percent of select Texas Stingray merchandise sales will be donated to HRI to help further their research and conservation efforts.

"This is an exciting opportunity for HRI and the entire Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi community," said Dr. Kelly M. Miller, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi President. "As educators, our goal is to spread information far beyond the walls of a classroom and beyond our island. SeaWorld presents a new avenue for us to provide important scientific information in a unique way. Together, we can work to educate park guests about the need for environmental stewardship and conservation, and we appreciate the chance to partner with SeaWorld in this effort."

This is the second year that a SeaWorld San Antonio attraction has partnered with a conservation organization to raise awareness of important topics that impact the protection of our oceans. Last year for the opening of Turtle Reef, a 126,000 gallon habitat for endangered sea turtles that features a one-of-a-kind bio filtration system, SeaWorld partnered with Amos Rehabilitation Keep, an organization committed to rescuing and rehabilitating sea turtles along the Texas coast, to educate and inspire guests about the preservation of this species.

For 55 years, SeaWorld's mission has been to inspire people to protect animals and the wild wonders of the world. Its education programs, exhibits, presentations, and experiences, like Texas Stingray, support in accomplishing this. The theming of the new coaster will reiterate the importance of protecting oceans and being mindful of marine animals, like stingrays, that inhabit coastal areas including the Texas coastline.

Best Way to Play:
The best way for guests to experience all the fun at SeaWorld & Aquatica San Antonio is with the park's Annual Pass or Fun Card. For a limited time, for as low as $6.25 per month, Annual Pass Members receive 12 months of unlimited visits, FREE parking, priority access to new attractions, merchandise and dining discounts, and special limited-time perks throughout the year. Or, guests can purchase a Fun Card which provides unlimited access to the park for the entire 2020 operating season.¹

For a limited time, when guests purchase a SeaWorld Silver or Gold Annual Pass or a Fun Card, they will receive unlimited access to Aquatica for FREE!

For more information, park hours and to purchase passes and tickets, visit SeaWorldSanAntonio.com or AquaticaSanAntonio.com. To keep up to date on park hours and events, follow SeaWorld's social channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter, and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world. The Company is one of the world's foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The Company collectively cares for what it believes is one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has helped lead advances in the care of animals. The Company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld^® rescue team has helped more than 36,000 animals in need over the last 55 years. 

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized brands including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens^®, Aquatica^®, Sesame Place^® and Sea Rescue^®. Over its more than 55-year history, the Company has built a diversified portfolio of 12 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its one-of-a-kind zoological collection. The Company's theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, presentations and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded company. Visit www.seaworldentertainment.com for more information.

¹Blackout dates apply

CONTACT:
Suzanne Pelisson-Beasley
[email protected]

SOURCE SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment