Infinity Falls

The 2008 purchase of Anheuser-Busch by Belgian brewer InBev led to the sale of Busch's parks to a private equity firm in 2009. The sale also led to the closure of the park's Hospitality Center on February 1, 2009.{{cite web|title=No more free beer at Busch theme parks|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2009/01/05/daily5.html?ana=e_du_pub|publisher=Orlando Business Journal}} In 2010, the park opened its Sea Gardens, an area that featured daily animal interactions.

On April 13, 2017, SeaWorld Orlando announced "Infinity Falls" to open in 2018, with park officials comparing the ride to class IV river rapids experience.{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2017/04/13/seaworld-orlando-is-building-the-worlds-tallest-river-rapid-drop|title=SeaWorld Orlando is building the 'world's tallest river rapid drop'|last=Wolf|first=Colin|date=April 13, 2017|work=Orlando Weekly|access-date=October 28, 2018|publisher=Euclid Media Group|language=en|archive-date=October 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029071516/https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2017/04/13/seaworld-orlando-is-building-the-worlds-tallest-river-rapid-drop|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/entertainment/2017/04/13/seaworld-orlandos-infinity-falls-opens-summer-2018/100412118/|title=SeaWorld Orlando's Infinity Falls to open summer 2018|last=Sangalang|first=Jennifer|date=April 13, 2017|work=Florida Today|access-date=October 28, 2018|publisher=USA Today|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/florida-travel/article144385604.html|title=Would you take a raft ride that drops you 40 feet into whitewater rapids?|last=Lambert|first=Marjie|date=April 13, 2017|work=Miami Herald|access-date=October 28, 2018|publisher=The McClatchy Company|language=en}} On August 10, 2017, SeaWorld Orlando filed a notice of commencement and began ground breaking work.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/08/11/heres-the-latest-on-seaworlds-newest-ride-opening.html|title=Here's the latest on SeaWorld's newest ride opening next year|last=Bilbao|first=Richard|date=August 11, 2017|website=Orlando Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|access-date=October 28, 2018}} Permits that were found on October 12, 2017 in Orange County, Florida showed details of construction, with PCL Construction looking over the work site.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2017/10/25/heres-what-seaworld-permits-hint-at-for-future.html|title=Here's what SeaWorld permits hint at for future raft ride|last=Bilbao|first=Richard|date=October 25, 2017|website=Orlando Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|access-date=October 28, 2018}} The ride raft was unveiled at International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Attraction Exposition 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-bz-iaapa-seaworld-infinity-falls-20171113-story.html|title=SeaWorld shows off Infinity Falls rafts, set for 2018 debut|last=Bevil|first=Dewayne|date=November 14, 2017|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=October 28, 2018|publisher=Tronc|language=en-US}}

Though the ride was installed by June 20, 2018, testing and finishing touches were still to be completed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-seaworld-infinity-falls-tour-update-20180615-story.html|title=SeaWorld: Summer clock ticking but still no Infinity Falls open date|last=Russon|first=Gabrielle|date=June 20, 2018|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=October 28, 2018|publisher=Tronc|language=en-US}} In July 2018, a promotion was offered by the park to passholders for first access to the attraction.{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-seaworld-promotion-passholders-20180705-story.html|title=SeaWorld Orlando offers promotion for first Infinity Falls access|last=Russon|first=Gabrielle|date=July 5, 2018|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=October 28, 2018|publisher=Tronc|language=en-US}} On July 18, 2018, the ride's tower was topped-out,{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/07/18/construction-on-seaworlds-infinity-falls-is-finally-wrapping-up-could-open-any-day|title=Construction on SeaWorld's Infinity Falls is finally wrapping up, could open any day|last=Scavo|first=Megan|date=July 18, 2018|work=Orlando Weekly|access-date=September 28, 2018|publisher=Euclid Media Group|language=en|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928083132/https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/07/18/construction-on-seaworlds-infinity-falls-is-finally-wrapping-up-could-open-any-day|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-cfb-seaworld-infinity-20180718-story.html|title=SeaWorld Orlando teases new photo of Infinity Falls|last=Russon|first=Gabrielle|date=July 18, 2018|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=September 28, 2018|publisher=Tronc|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=http://spacecoastdaily.com/2018/07/watch-seaworld-orlandos-all-new-infinity-falls-is-set-to-open-this-summer/|title=SeaWorld Orlando's All-New Infinity Falls Opening Summer 2018|date=July 22, 2018|website=Space Coast Daily|language=en-US|access-date=September 28, 2018}} and in the same month the park polled guests to naming some of the rafts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.positivelyosceola.com/seaworld-infinity-falls-raft-name-selections/|title=SeaWorld Orlando's Infinity Falls River Team Requesting Help in Naming Rafts|date=July 23, 2018|website=Positively Osceola|language=en-US|access-date=December 20, 2018}} By August 2018, it was reported that the ride's delay in opening was attributed to testing and weather among several other circumstances.{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-seaworld-infinity-falls-testing-20180816-story.html|title=Rapids churn in SeaWorld Orlando's Infinity Falls ride but still no open date set|last=Russon|first=Gabrielle|date=August 17, 2018|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=September 28, 2018|publisher=Tronc|language=en-US}} On September 19, 2018, the walls surrounding the area came down.{{Cite web|url=https://behindthethrills.com/2018/09/walls-come-down-as-infinity-falls-prepares-to-open-at-seaworld-orlando/|title=Walls come down as Infinity Falls prepares to open at SeaWorld Orlando!|last=Yates|first=Erik|date=September 19, 2018|website=Behind The Thrills|language=en-US|access-date=September 28, 2018}} Though the ride was still in testing, a media day was announced a few days later.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2018/09/21/infinity-falls-nears-debut-at-seaworld-orlando-|title=Infinity Falls nears debut at SeaWorld Orlando?|last=Carter|first=Ashley|date=September 21, 2018|work=Spectrum News 13|access-date=September 28, 2018|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-infinity-falls-opening-set-20180924-story.html|title=SeaWorld Orlando: Infinity Falls poised to open, preview set for Oct. 4|last=Russon|first=Gabrielle|date=September 24, 2018|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=September 28, 2018|publisher=Tronc|language=en-US}} Employee testing began on September 27, 2018,{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-et-seaworld-infinity-falls-preview-20180927-story.html|title=SeaWorld employees take plunge on Infinity Falls, which opens Oct. 4|last=Bevil|first=Dewayne|date=September 28, 2018|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=September 29, 2018|publisher=Tronc|language=en-US}} with the ride soft-opened on September 28, 2018 with an official opening set in October 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/infinity-falls-now-open-swo/|title=Infinity Falls now soft opening at SeaWorld Orlando, grand opening on Oct. 4|last=Tuttle|first=Brittani|date=September 28, 2018|work=Attractions Magazine|access-date=September 29, 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article219191220.html|title=SeaWorld's newest thrill ride Infinity Falls gets an opening date —finally|last=Marr|first=Madeleine|date=September 28, 2018|work=Miami Herald|access-date=September 28, 2018|publisher=The McClatchy Company|language=en}} Infinity Falls officially opened on October 4, 2018.{{Cite news|url=http://www.fox35orlando.com/entertainment/attractions/seaworld-orlando-s-newest-attraction-infinity-falls-opens|title=SeaWorld Orlando's newest attraction, Infinity Falls, opens|date=October 4, 2018|work=WOFL|access-date=October 4, 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-seaworld-infinity-falls-reviews-20181004-story.html|title=First riders at Infinity Falls give good reviews|last=Russon|first=Gabrielle|date=October 4, 2018|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=October 4, 2018|publisher=Tronc|language=en-US}} The former Hospitality Center became a restaurant known as the Waterway Grill which opened in September 2018.

The area is themed to the conservation of water, varying from other attractions at the park where they're themed in conjunction with an animal or the ocean. As guests go through the queue area, they're introduced to the story line through the ride's queue and interactive games.{{Cite news|url=https://blooloop.com/news/infinity-falls-seaworld-orlando-intamin/|title=Infinity Falls at SeaWorld Orlando: tallest drop on a river raft ride|last=Read|first=Rachel|date=October 22, 2018|work=Blooloop|access-date=November 11, 2018|language=en-GB}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/csylt/2018/10/13/how-seaworld-put-a-new-spin-on-a-theme-park-classic/#40136be34f18|title=How SeaWorld Put A New Spin On A Theme Park Classic|last=Sylt|first=Christian|date=October 13, 2018|work=Forbes|access-date=November 11, 2018|language=en}} The queue is of the idea that guests are explorers and scientists, part of the organization "S.E.A. Collective", settled in wetland camp along a river in the rainforest. A bridge connects the pathway to the area, with totems on either side depicting a parrot, a snake, a tree frog, and a sloth.{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/06/25/seaworld-goes-all-in-with-new-high-tech-raft-ride-but-will-it-ever-open|title=SeaWorld goes all in with new high-tech raft ride but will it ever open?|last=Storey|first=Ken|date=June 25, 2018|work=Orlando Weekly|access-date=November 11, 2018|publisher=Euclid Media Group|language=en|archive-date=December 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202194249/https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/06/25/seaworld-goes-all-in-with-new-high-tech-raft-ride-but-will-it-ever-open|url-status=dead}} Moreover, the connected area has pay to play water cannons that individuals use to soak people on the ride through telescopes that line the course.{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-cfb-seaworld-infinity-falls-extras-20180828-story.html|title=SeaWorld's Infinity Falls comes with special features — at a cost|last=Russon|first=Gabrielle|date=August 29, 2018|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=November 11, 2018|publisher=Tronc|language=en-US}}

The course takes about 5 minutes to traverse.{{Cite news|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-et-seaword-infinity-falls-preview-20180524-story.html|title=SeaWorld Orlando: Rapids, 'appropriate' drenching await on Infinity Falls ride|last=Bevil|first=Dewayne|date=May 29, 2018|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=November 11, 2018|publisher=Tronc|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iFVmtKraNg|title=Infinity Falls on-ride 4K POV SeaWorld Orlando|date=October 12, 2018|website=Coaster Force|via=YouTube|access-date=November 11, 2018}}

File:Infinity Falls Raft (37731143964).jpg

Infinity Falls is contained within a {{Convert|2.5|acre|ha}} space located within the Sea of Mystery area of the park. It takes five minutes to traverse through the layout trough of {{Convert|2,100|ft|m}}. Four pumps that contain {{Convert|300|hp|W}} each pump altogether {{Convert|900,000|gal|liter}} of water throughout the courses layout.{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-et-s5-seaworld-infinity-falls-numbers-20181005-story.html|title=SeaWorld: Going over Infinity Falls, by the numbers|last=Bevil|first=Dewayne|date=October 5, 2018|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=October 28, 2018|publisher=Tronc|language=en-US}}

In addition to being numbered, each raft on Infinity Falls has its own name, most being play on words related to the ride experience.

{{Colbegin|colwidth=30em}}

1. Winter Blue
2. River Race
3. Flying Colors
4. Blue Paradise
5. Aqua Falls
6. Discovery
7. River Falls
8. Amazon Drop
9. H2O
10. Everfalls
11. Marine Falls
12. Expedition
13. Rafty McRaftFace
14. Sea Señora
15. A Little Nauti

{{Colend}}

Upon opening, Infinity Falls held the record for the tallest drop on a river raft ride,{{Cite news|url=https://blooloop.com/news/infinity-falls-seaworld-orlando-intamin/|title=Infinity Falls at SeaWorld Orlando: tallest drop on a river raft ride|last=Read|first=Rachel|date=October 22, 2018|work=Blooloop|access-date=October 28, 2018|language=en-GB}} which was previously held by River Quest in Phantasialand with a drop of 36 feet. It beat the record by 4 feet, making it 40 feet tall at its highest point.{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27BRwi9Jnk4|title=River Quest record|date=August 19, 2018|accessdate=September 21, 2018|publisher=Phantasialand|via=YouTube}}

Infinity Falls was well received in the park. Prior to Infinity Falls' opening, the newest ride at SeaWorld Orlando was Mako, which opened in June 2016.

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{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|url=https://seaworld.com/orlando/rides/infinity-falls/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrpH-xfre3QIVS5yzCh0NgwFAEAAYASAAEgKGL_D_BwE}}

{{SeaWorld Orlando}}

Category:Amusement rides introduced in 2018

Category:2018 establishments in Florida

Category:SeaWorld Orlando

Category:River rapids rides