Steel Eel
| Company type | Steel roller coaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Amusement ride |
| Founded | March 6, 1999 |
| Headquarters | San Antonio, Texas , United States |
| Parent | SeaWorld San Antonio |
Steel Eel is a steel roller coaster located at SeaWorld San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas, constructed by D. H. Morgan Manufacturing. It began operation on March 6, 1999, marking the park's most significant investment to that date. The attraction was developed in response to the rising popularity sparked by the 1997 introduction of the steel inverted roller coaster, The Great White.
This coaster boasts a height of , reaches speeds up to , and features a track length of . As SeaWorld San Antonio's second coaster addition, it places a strong emphasis on delivering ample air time. Upon its debut, Steel Eel garnered favorable feedback and multiple accolades.
History
Building on the success of The Great White, SeaWorld executives pursued the addition of Steel Eel to increase visitor numbers and broaden appeal to families. Announced on August 18, 1998, Steel Eel was promoted as a "hypercoaster" with an anticipated launch in March 1999. Its design was integrated with existing park features, prioritizing significant height and speed to elevate the guest experience.
The construction of Steel Eel coincided with a nationwide upswing in new roller coaster developments and represented the park’s largest single-season financial commitment in ten years. Testing wrapped up in early March 1999, leading to its opening alongside the park on March 6.
Ride experience
After leaving the station, the train takes a left U-turn before ascending the chain lift hill. At the summit, it plunges down a drop measuring , accelerating to a maximum speed of . The ride then banks left and climbs over two camelback hills before entering the mid-course brake run. Following this, it descends on a right-banked curve angled at 44 degrees, climbs another hill, and proceeds through four additional camelback hills. An s-curve then guides the train into the final brake run before returning to the station. The entire ride cycle lasts approximately one minute and forty seconds.[1]
Characteristics
Designed and built by D. H. Morgan Manufacturing, Steel Eel is a steel roller coaster.[2] Browning Construction acted as general contractor during its development.[1] It was introduced as the park’s second coaster, situated in proximity to The Great White and three children’s rides.[3][2] Among five new coasters debuting in Texas in 1999,[4] Steel Eel was engineered to provide multiple moments of air time, setting it apart from The Great White.[3][5] Notably, it was D. H. Morgan Manufacturing’s inaugural coaster utilizing tubular steel supports rather than traditional steel grid frameworks.[6]
The track extends for , featuring an initial drop at a 60-degree angle that generates forces up to 3.5 g-forces for riders.[3][2] Originally adorned with Yellow track and Dark Teal supports, Steel Eel underwent repainting in 2019 with Violet supports and a more vibrant Yellow track.[1] The ride operates two trains, each consisting of six cars seating 36 riders total (arranged as three rows with two seats per car), secured by lap bar restraints.[3][1][6]
Reception
Upon its debut, Steel Eel was met with positive acclaim from both critics and visitors. Texas-based The Monitor reported that members of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) described the ride as "'smooth'", "'loads of fun'", and "'incredible'". The ACE community regarded Steel Eel as an excellent complement to the park’s existing steel inverted coaster. John Morthland from Texas Monthly praised it as an ideal choice for thrill seekers who prefer "thrills right side up".
Awards
The commercial produced by Busch Entertainment in collaboration with GSD&M received the 1999 Brass Ring accolade from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) for Steel Eel. Additionally, the coaster secured several rankings in Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards as a leading steel roller coaster, placing 23rd in 1999 and consistently appearing within the mid-40s range in subsequent years.
External links
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