Texas Stingray
| Company type | Attraction |
|---|---|
| Industry | Amusement park ride |
| Founded | February 2020 |
| Headquarters | San Antonio, Texas , United States |
| Parent | SeaWorld San Antonio |
Texas Stingray is a wooden roller coaster situated at SeaWorld San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas. This attraction was constructed by Great Coasters International (GCI) and designed by Skyline Attractions. It debuted in February 2020 but operated for a short period before the park temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The coaster reopened with restricted attendance on June 11, 2020, coinciding with the park's resumption of services.
History
The initial development phase for Texas Stingray commenced in 2017. In April 2019, a trademark application was submitted under the name “Abyss” for an upcoming SeaWorld San Antonio attraction, aligning with land preparation near new 2019 additions such as Turtle Reef and Riptide Rescue. The official announcement of Texas Stingray occurred on September 12, 2019, highlighting it as the "tallest, fastest, [and] longest" wooden coaster within Texas. The ride’s trains were displayed at the IAAPA expo in November, with an anticipated opening set for spring 2020. Media previews were held on February 21, 2020, followed by early access for season pass holders on February 22, before welcoming the general public on February 29, 2020.
Description
Positioned on previously unused land between the Shamu Theater and the Rio Loco river rapids attraction, Texas Stingray features wooden track supported by steel frameworks—a construction approach previously employed on two other GCI coasters, including InvadR at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The coaster takes advantage of natural terrain depressions to enhance ride dynamics. It includes a lift hill reaching 96 feet in height that transitions into a 100-foot drop, enabling speeds up to 55 mph along its 3,379-foot-long track. The wooden track predominantly utilizes ipe wood, chosen for its exceptional strength and longevity compared to conventional coaster materials.
Ride experience
The design of Texas Stingray was led primarily by Dustin Sloane, creative process director at Skyline Attractions, with oversight from company President Jeff Pike. The ride supports SeaWorld’s educational and conservation mission through collaboration with the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI), featuring educational signage about Texas Gulf stingrays and marine ecosystems. Moreover, 5% of merchandise revenue from Texas Stingray benefits HRI.
Riders ascend a 96-foot lift hill before experiencing a signature 100-foot straight drop into a valley below. The track layout incorporates sweeping curves and airtime hills that mimic the motion of a large stingray gliding through water. The course crosses over the Rio Loco rapids channel, weaves through the lift hill’s structural supports, and plunges into a curved tunnel before returning to the station. The ride lasts approximately between one minute and forty seconds to one minute and fifty seconds.