First train runs on Sea World’s Leviathan roller coaster as launch delayed for fourth time

Sea World has run the first train on its new timber roller coaster, as the theme park’s $50m upgrade is delayed for a fourth time. SEE THE VIDEO

The launch of Sea World’s $50m theme park upgrade has been postponed for a fourth time, with supply problems pushing completion of the precinct past its scheduled September 3 launch date.

Despite the setback, there has been progress at The New Atlantis precinct, with 32m timber rollercoaster Leviathan taking its first train for a spin last week.

Video of the testing shows the empty carriages making their way around the twisting 80km/h track, which has been rising over the Main Beach theme park since 2019.

Once complete, the $20m Leviathan will be one of the largest wooden roller coasters in the world – and the first to include backward facing seats.

In February the park postponed the opening for the third time due to shipping delays.

The New Atlantis was set to feature two new attractions, including the Leviathan and the Trident.

The new attractions were originally due to launch in ‘mid-2021’, however was pushed back due to unavoidable transport problems caused by the pandemic.

A new launch date of September 18, 2021 was then published on the Sea World website, but that too came and went, with the rides’ website claiming it was “coming this summer”.

The launch did not happen in summer either and in February, Sea World said September 3 would be the day everyone had been waiting for.

The website has since removed the date, opting for the safer description of “rising soon” for both the Leviathan and the sky-high spinning tower Trident.

Village Roadshow spokesman Mitch Olivey said government approvals formed part of the commissioning process for the rides.

“We have excitingly commenced the commissioning process of the Leviathan and with the ride’s manufacturer, ran the first train around the track last week,” he said.

“Our team are also conjointly working on construction and commissioning of the Trident attraction which forms park of the New Atlantis precinct, and we are working tirelessly to get the rides opened as soon as safely possible.

“We can’t wait for our guests to experience the Leviathan and Trident when they open later in the year.”

Originally published as First train runs on Sea World’s Leviathan roller coaster as launch delayed for fourth time