SeaWorld Orlando didnt build a new roller coaster this year, but it felt like it to Alex Moreno.

Ive been on Kraken tons and tons of times, and that didnt feel like Kraken, he said Friday. Its better much better.

Moreno and his friend Chloe Spencer of Orlando were among the first to ride the rebooted coaster rechristened Kraken Unleashed with its new virtual-reality component in place.

Riders have the option of wearing a headset that presents a movie to make it seem as if theyre going underwater and encountering sea life, both real and mythological. In reality, theyre on the same rail thats been in place since the ride opened 17 years ago.

When you first go into the water its so crazy, Moreno said.

Friday also marked the debut of SeaWorlds Spot Saver system, which allows visitors in the park to reserve ride times on the new coaster. A Spot Saver kiosk was set up near the Kraken Unleashed entrance, and the service could also be accessed by mobile devices at spotsaver.com.

By noon, all reservation slots had been taken. The park closes at 7 p.m.

Spot Saver was established, in part, because the turnaround time between rides has increased. Theres a learning curve for folks donning the virtual-reality headsets for the first time, plus the equipment is cleaned between each run.

Rudi Stern, who lives near Munich, Germany, said he liked the ride but was frustrated by the wait time in the station.

It was a great ride, but it all took too long, he said. When we put on the glasses and then the riding time and the waiting time and the time when you are sitting, it was about 7 minutes, which is very long.

But, once they got rolling, he said the virtual-reality aspect was a winner and superior to stationary simulators.

Its not like the virtual reality where you only sit, Stern said.

The rides film is synchronized with the movement of the coaster, which still goes 65 mph and turns upside-down seven times, said Brian Morrow, vice president of theme-park experience design.

We take advantage of the real inversions, but sometimes we disguise them as other maneuvers, which makes it really unusual, he said. So you cant count the seven inversions anymore.

All the in-your-face movement didnt make Regina Johnston queasy, she said. She usually avoids coasters but wanted to check out the VR on Kraken, she said.

I think it makes it easier, said Johnston, who lives near Dallas. When Im on a regular coaster, I want to shut my eyes or hold my breath. This one, I could keep my eyes open.

dbevil@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5477

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Virtual reality run: SeaWorld unleashes Kraken roller-coaster revamp today - Orlando Sentinel (blog)