SeaWorld San Diego will open its sixth roller coaster next year, a family launch coaster dubbed Arctic Rescue.
Built by Intamin — the same coaster firm behind other SeaWorld launch coasters such as Wave Breaker in San Antonio — Arctic Rescue will sport three total launches, with the third hitting 40 miles per hour. Riders will straddle snowmobile-themed ride vehicles as they travel the 2,800 feet of track.
“We’re continuously looking for ways to add new experiences to the park for our guests and this new coaster is a great addition to our ride line-up and a perfect complement to the Wild Arctic exhibit,” Jim Lake, SeaWorld San Diego park president, said in a press release. “The ride is also an educational opportunity for guests to learn more about climate change, how it impacts animals in the Arctic and what they can do to help the issue. I truly feel that seeing these animals up-close at SeaWorld allows guests to build a stronger connection and encouragement to take action to help protect them.”
Like Wave Beaker, the ride takes its inspiration from SeaWorld’s animal rescue efforts, only this time focusing on saving Arctic animals threatened by diminished sea ice.
Arctic Rescue follows the park’s 2022 addition, the more thrilling dive coaster Emperor. It’s also the park’s third launch coaster, following 2012’s Manta and 2018’s Electric Eel.
While other park chains are focusing only on smaller-scale additions in 2023 as they pay down debt from the COVID-19 pandemic, the SeaWorld family of parks are investing in more thrill rides. SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Williamsburg are each getting new coasters next year, while SeaWorld San Antonio announced Tuesday that it was adding the world’s first launched flume ride.