Love reading this thread. All the speculation is half the fun.
Anticipation is the rest.
Can't wait to start seeing pics of construction.
As for who is making it, though it's not been confirmed anywhere (I don't think?), I'm leaning towards B&M. There's the history Sea World already has with them, but also the fact that SW needs this coaster done fast, right, and on-schedule, and B&M has proven before that they can deliver that. There's
a lot going on in the other parks and recreational areas of I-Drive for '16 and Sea World has this one shot to get in on it quickly. If they miss the boat on this one, timing-wise, it would be a bad deal. Better to go tried-and-true right now, roll it out, get the attendance levels up, and then think about something more inventive with a different company later on.
Even if the coaster has next to no theming now, that's not the say SW can't eventually theme it up a bit more when they refurb the Shark Encounter, bringing the area around the coaster entrance closer to Manta-style theming? Even if they don't, there's nothing wrong with a lightly themed but awesome coaster. It will definitely draw people in. We'll be in Orlando a couple of times in 2016 if I have my way, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye on opening dates so I can plan a trip to ride this.