Kraken (roller coaster)

Kraken

Company type	Attraction
Industry	Amusement park ride
Founded	June 1, 2000 (2000-06-01)
Headquarters	Orlando, Florida , United States
Parent	SeaWorld Orlando

Kraken is a steel roller coaster located at SeaWorld Orlando in Orlando, Florida, constructed by Bolliger & Mabillard. Debuting on June 1, 2000, it ranked as the world's second-longest floorless coaster with a track length of . The attraction boasts seven inversions and achieves speeds up to . Drawing its name from the legendary sea creature, Kraken underwent renovations in late 2016 and reopened in June 2017 as Kraken Unleashed, featuring a virtual reality component. Nevertheless, due to operational challenges and extended queue times, the VR element was discontinued the following year.

Kraken (2000–2016, 2018-present)

In 1999, Six Flags Great Adventure allocated $42 million toward new rides, including a prototype Floorless Coaster by Bolliger & Mabillard called Medusa (later renamed Bizarro, then reverted to Medusa). The immediate success of this coaster inspired SeaWorld Orlando along with three other parks to announce Floorless Coasters for the year 2000. Alongside Kraken’s unveiling on May 6, 1999, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom introduced Medusa, Geauga Lake announced Dominator, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas launched Superman: Krypton Coaster. The development budget for Kraken was estimated between $18 and $20 million. Early promotion of the ride aimed to increase international visitor numbers.

By January 2000, construction was underway with Superior Rigging & Erection responsible for assembling the supports and track.

Kraken officially opened its doors on June 1, 2000. At that time, it held the title of Florida’s tallest and longest roller coaster until it was surpassed in 2006 by Disney's Animal Kingdom’s Expedition Everest.

Kraken Unleashed (2017–2018)

On September 27, 2016, SeaWorld revealed plans for a significant overhaul of Kraken, set to relaunch in 2017 as Kraken Unleashed featuring virtual reality (VR) headsets. The revamped ride debuted on June 16, 2017, accompanied by an original orchestral soundtrack composed by Rick McKee along with new thematic area music. However, ongoing technical issues prompted the removal of VR gear in early 2018, restoring the coaster to its original Kraken experience. VR was briefly reintroduced in June 2018 but was ultimately retired permanently later that summer due to slow loading procedures and increased wait durations.

In 2022, Kraken received a fresh coat of paint with seafoam green tracks and dark teal supports to enhance its aesthetic appeal.

Statistics

Kraken reaches a height of . It attains a maximum speed of , making it SeaWorld Orlando’s fastest roller coaster until the arrival of Mako in 2016. The ride features seven inversions: two vertical loops, one dive loop, a spiraling camelback (zero-g roll), a cobra roll, and a flat spin.

Trains

Kraken operates with three floorless trains that each accommodate 32 passengers arranged in eight rows of four. This configuration allows for an estimated throughput of 1,500 riders per hour. The trains are open-air with riders’ legs suspended freely and secured by over-the-shoulder restraints. The loading platform includes a retractable floor system to ensure safe boarding procedures.

Theme

Kraken draws its inspiration from the legendary sea creature, portrayed as being confined by Poseidon. The attraction predominantly spans over water, featuring three dives beneath the surface. The ride’s station and its vicinity are designed to resemble Kraken’s den, with eel motifs representing its progeny incorporated throughout the queue area. SeaWorld highlights the coaster’s strong ties to its aquatic theme despite its status as a roller coaster.

Ride experience

Once riders board and the floor retracts, Kraken begins with a right-hand U-turn that leads into the chain lift hill. At the peak, the train plunges before navigating the initial vertical loop standing 128 feet (39 meters) tall. This is followed by a dive loop that swoops close to Mako’s lift hill. Guests then encounter a zero-g roll, a cobra roll, and a banked curve guiding them into the mid-course brake run. After leaving the brakes, the coaster descends into a second vertical loop, submerges into an underground dive within Kraken’s lair, performs a corkscrew element, and finally comes to a stop at the brake run before returning to the station.

Reception

The Orlando Sentinel commended Kraken for its "impeccable timing and ability to surprise riders," awarding it 4 out of 5 stars for both excitement and thematic elements. Dewayne Bevil ranked it seventh in his list of Top 50 Orlando Theme Park Attractions. While initially anticipated to surpass The Incredible Hulk at Islands of Adventure, Mike Thomas of the Sentinel ultimately concluded that Hulk remained superior, placing Kraken in second place. Jerry Dane from the Florida Coaster Club praised its floorless design, describing the sensation as being "suspended openly and freely," and remarked on how different seats provide distinct ride experiences. In 2012, Kraken secured first place in the public-voted "Wrong Way Up" category on the Travel Channel show Insane Coaster Wars, besting contenders such as Dollywood's Wild Eagle and Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom's Hydra the Revenge.

Following its debut in 2000, Kraken consistently appeared in Amusement Today's annual Golden Ticket Awards top 50 steel roller coasters, reaching as high as 23rd place in 2004 before dropping off by 2009.

Initial feedback on Kraken Unleashed was mixed; theme park fans often criticized lengthy dispatch intervals as a significant downside. Nevertheless, the overall virtual reality experience received positive acclaim.