Pipeline: The Surf Coaster is the newest addition to the roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando. Officially open to all guests on May 27, 2023, Pipeline is a completely new way to experience a roller coaster as riders are “standing”, simulating simulates big wave surfing.
This one-of-a-kind coaster features 2,950 feet of track that takes guests on a wild ride at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. The ride starts out with an exciting launch before climbing of 110 feet. There is one inversion (which is quite mild) along a number of twists and turns which make riders think they are one a huge wave.
Th ride vehicle is themed after an enormous surfboard and there are 12 rows with two riders per row. The ride seat actually moves and bounces into the airtime moments during the ride, making for quite an exhilarating experience.
Where is Pipeline located?
Located along the SeaWorld Lagoon, Pipeline is situated on the site of the former Garden Pathway just next to Bayside Stadium. The entrance to the ride can be reached through a pathway adjacent to the Flamecraft Bar as well as a pathway from the front of Bayside Stadium.
Ride Restrictions
This attraction is limited to riders 54 inches in height with a maximum height restriction of 78 inches. According to a sign posted at the entrance, “Pipeline may not accommodate guests with larger abdominal and chest sizes”. There is a seat just before the ride’s entrance so guests to see if there is a comfortable fit before waiting in the queue line.
In addition to the size requirements, riders are not allowed to bring along loose items that interfere with the ride restraints. Lockers are provided and it costs $2.00 for the first two hours of use and $1.00 for each additional hour of use. SeaWorld offers a “Transferrable Ride Locker Pass” which provides unlimited use of ride lockers for a given day for $10.00 (restrictions apply).
The lockers are located directly outside of the gift shop hear the ride entrance.
Our Thoughts
Pipeline: The Surf Coaster is a very fun ride and a perfect compliment to the other roller coasters at SeaWorld Orlando. While it provides a high level of thrills, it’s not as intense as Mako or Kraken making it suitable for most coaster riders
The stand up nature of Pipeline was really enjoyable as it added a different component to a more traditional sit down style coaster. We think that the ride is perfect for those that never experienced an inversion and are willing to summon the courage to try. Also, there were a number of airtime moments along with some high G turns that added to the thrill of the experience.
The only complaint we have is that the ride is fairly short, less than 90 seconds from start to finish. So without a Quick Queue pass, we don’t think it would be worth more than a 60 minute wait to ride again.
SeaWorld Orlando Roller Coasters
Pipeline is the seventh roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando which has now become the “roller coaster capital of Orlando. The roller coasters at the park include:
- Pipeline: The Surf Coaster
- Mako
- Manta
- Kraken
- Ice Breaker
- Journey to Atlantis (water roller coaster)
- Super Grover’s Box Car Derby
- RUMORED INDOOR COASTER (in the former Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin building)
What does is cost to visit SeaWorld Orlando?
SeaWorld is the least expensive Orlando theme park as compared to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. There are a number of different packages at SeaWorld Orlando which range from single day tickets to two-day park tickets as well as “Fun Cards” and annual passes.
As of January 2023, the follow costs were shown on SeaWorld Orlando’s web site:
- Single-Park Ticket: $99.99
- Two Park Ticket: $134.99
- 2023 SeaWorld Orlando Fun Card: $129.99
- 2023 SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Fun Card: $199.99
- Four Parks* Unlimited Visits & Free Parking (up to 14 days): $229.99
Three and four park tickets include SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island.
SeaWorld Orlando Annual Passes
There are four different categories of annual passes at SeaWorld which are as follows:
Bronze Annual Pass
The Bronze annual pass offers 12 months of access to SeaWorld Orlando but is the only one with blackout dates. This pass is the least expensive pass at $168.00 per year and offers a 10% discount on in-park offerings.
Silver Annual Pass
The Silver annual pass is a 12-month pass that does not have blackout dates and is at a cost of $219.00. Benefits include free general parking, a 20% discount on in-park offerings and 2 free guest tickets.
Gold Annual Pass
The Gold annual pass offers all the benefits of the Silver annual pass and also includes free preferred parking, 4 free guests tickets and a 20% discount on in-park offerings. The cost of a Gold Annual Pass is $258.00.
Platinum Annual Pass
The Platinum Annual pass offers all the benefits of the Gold annual pass but allows access to all 11 parks, 6 free guest tickets, up to 50% on in-park offerings (20% food & beverage, 50% merchandise) and 1 free Quick Queue per day. If you are going to use all that this pass offers, it is a great value at just $438.
Where to stay when visiting SeaWorld Orlando?
Local area hotels book up quickly so it is our recommendation that you get your reservations as early as possible. Crowd levels are typically higher than usual due not only to this special event, but also school holidays as well as “Spring Break”. And in the spring time there are always large conventions coming to Orlando where many hotels block off rooms for the convention attendees.
If you are planning on consuming a number of adult beverages, we would highly recommend you stay a hotel within walking distance or with a transportation service.
The Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
The Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld is one of our favorite hotels in Orlando and it is our “go to” when we are planning on visiting SeaWorld. The Renaissance is literally across the street from SeaWorld and within easy walking distance. The hotel features 781 rooms & suites, a resort style pool with splash pad and water slides (R AQUA ZONE), fitness center, full service spa and extensive dining options.
Hotel rates range from around $150.00 per night to more than $350.00 per night depending on the time a year. There is a $30 per day resort fee plus a 6% resort tax on top of a 6.5% sales tax. It is an Official SeaWorld Hotel which provides guests a number of SeaWorld benefits including guaranteed admission and complimentary parking at SeaWorld, dining and merchandise discounts and complimentary access to the SeaWorld Rescue Tour.
The Residence Inn Orlando SeaWorld
The Residence Inn Orlando SeaWorld is less than a mile from the front gate. This hotel features family-sized apartment-style suites with kitchens and is one of the more affordable hotels in the SeaWorld area. Features include complimentary breakfast, 24-hour fitness center, resort pool with hot tub, barbeque grills and a sports court.
Hotel rates range from around $125 per night to more than $250 per night depending on the room type and the date of the stay. There are no resort fees but there is a daily parking charge of $15.oo to go along with the resort and sales tax.
The Residence Inn is also a Official SeaWorld Hotel so guests receive a number of theme park benefits along with their stay.
