At IAAPA Expo 2025 in Orlando, Florida. Vekoma and SeaWorld Orlando revealed new details about a first-of-its-kind suspended dark ride system. SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep promises to take families on an unforgettable journey to the bottom of the seas to see dazzling ecosystems, legendary sea life, and breathtaking stories of resilience and wonder.
Vekoma representative Ricardo Tonding Etges confirmed the system has been in development for several years (as has been reported previously) and underwent extensive testing and refinement. The vehicle is suspended from an overhead track, giving riders a top-down view of show scenes and enabling fluid, submarine-like motion through highly themed environments. The design aims to provide a new visual perspective not typically achievable with traditional floor-mounted dark ride systems.
Engineered as a family-capacity vehicle, the configuration accommodates either three adults or two adults with two children, supported by a low height requirement to ensure accessibility for younger riders. The system’s motion profile and suspension mechanics are tailored to simulate underwater flight, aligning with the ride’s deep-ocean narrative. The ride will sway slowly side to side as it glides along the track with multiple pistons in place to dampen the motion for a smooth ride.
SeaWorld’s Connor Carr highlighted that the attraction leverages the technical capabilities of the new system to deliver one of the park’s most immersive experiences to date. The project also represents the first major installation in a long-planned partnership between SeaWorld and Vekoma. More technical details and installation progress are expected as SeaWorld prepares the attraction for its Orlando debut some time in 2026.
