After being closed for approximately a week, Mako has reopened to guests at SeaWorld Orlando. The popular roller coaster resumed operations on Tuesday, October 20, following a precautionary closure in the wake of the fatal incident involving Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia.
Guests have reported to Behind the Splash that Mako is once again operating, with independent ride wait-time trackers also indicating that the attraction has resumed operations.
Mako had been closed since October 13, one day after the tragic incident aboard Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia. Both attractions were manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), the Swiss roller coaster manufacturer, and feature similar clamshell-style lap restraints.
Following the October 12 incident, Six Flags temporarily closed several roller coasters across its North American parks as a precaution. SeaWorld Orlando also took Mako out of service amid concerns surrounding the incident in Georgia.
In a previous statement provided to Behind the Splash, SeaWorld Orlando expressed its condolences to those affected by the tragedy and emphasized that guest and team member safety remains a top priority.
Other parks operating B&M hypercoasters have also been evaluating their attractions. Hersheypark, for example, reopened Candymonium on October 16 after conducting additional safety inspections. While Candymonium shares similarities with Mako and Goliath, it also features a secondary seat belt in addition to its primary lap restraint.
Mako’s return is welcome news for SeaWorld Orlando guests, particularly those who have been waiting to experience the park’s tallest and fastest roller coaster. The attraction opened in 2016, stands 200 feet tall and reaches speeds of up to 73 miles per hour.
At the time of publication, SeaWorld Orlando has not publicly provided a detailed explanation of the circumstances surrounding Mako’s reopening. It remains unclear whether any additional inspections, manufacturer evaluations or modifications were performed during the closure.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the fatal Goliath incident remains ongoing. Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire is examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. No official cause has been established.
Behind the Splash will continue following developments surrounding the investigation and Mako’s reopening. Should additional information become available, we will update our coverage accordingly.
