Penguin Trek is a family launched roller coaster located at SeaWorld Orlando in Orlando, Florida, United States. The ride is manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard and features both indoor and outdoor sections, providing an experience simulating an Antarctic snowmobile expedition.[1][2]

History

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin was a motion-based dark ride that ran from May 2013 to March 2020, billed at the time as the largest attraction of its kind at any United Parks & Resorts theme park.[3] The ride was temporarily closed alongside SeaWorld Orlando due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but failed to reopen with the park; the adjacent penguin exhibit stayed available on its own.[4]

Construction walls and survey markers first went up around the Antarctica show building in December 2022.[5] SeaWorld Orlando filed further permits in February 2023, calling for building modifications as part of what then became referred to as Project Toboggan.[6] Work on the attraction’s foundations commenced outdoors in July, with the first pieces of coaster track arriving later that month from Clermont Steel Fabricators in Batavia, Ohio.[7][8] The final track piece was officially lifted into place on January 30, 2024.[9] Work then shifted towards constructing of the sets indoors, making up the queue, station, and first portion of the coaster.[10]

SeaWorld Orlando officially announced Penguin Trek on September 28, 2023, later revealing one of its lead cars on display at IAAPA Expo Orlando on November 14, 2023.[11][12] The trains began testing for the first time at the end of April 2024, and the surrounding Antarctica precinct was opened to the public on May 25.[13][14] Penguin Trek officially held its grand opening on July 7, 2024, featuring Puck The Penguin – the mascot of the former Antarctica attraction – and a contingent of children from Scouts of America in attendance.[15]

Ride experience

The ride starts in an indoor Antarctic themed section with glaciers, snow, and an LED display before leaving outdoors, utilizing a linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch and taking a wide right turn. A series of twists and turns including a banked turn lead to another LSM launch. This second LSM launch leads to a overbanked turn.[16] The ride takes a left with a airtime hill and then a wide left turn before reaching its final brake run, slowing down the train before it reaches the station.[17] Riders have compared the ride experience to that of sledding and bobsledding due to the rides' use of airtime hills and turns.[16]

References

  1. ^ Bowyer, Kelsey (2024-07-01). "Penguin Trek at SeaWorld Orlando: An In-Depth Review". Orlando Informer. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  2. ^ McLeod, Emily (2024-07-07). "Cool coaster: Penguin Trek opens at SeaWorld Orlando". WKMG. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  3. ^ "SeaWorld reveals plans for Antarctica". Park World Magazine. April 25, 2012. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  4. ^ White, Tharin (June 11, 2020). "SeaWorld Orlando re-opens with loose rules and limited rides". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  5. ^ Midway Mayhem (December 21, 2022). "SeaWorld Orlando Pipeline The Surf Coaster Construction Update 12.21.22 + MARKINGS FOR A 2024 RIDE?!". YouTube. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  6. ^ @BehindThrills (February 10, 2023). "Could this be the first permit for the rumored SeaWorld Orlando 2024..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ^ Midway Mayhem (July 7, 2023). "SeaWorld Orlando 2024 Roller Coaster Construction Update 7.5.23 Foundation Work Begins!". YouTube. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  8. ^ @EthanHershaft (July 20, 2023). "Some track has JUST ARRIVED for project..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ @SeaWorld (January 30, 2024). "ASMR: Penguin Trek edition 🐧🛠️ As of this morning, the ride track is..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ @SeaWorld (February 22, 2024). "ICYMI: Yesterday, we took a hard hat tour of the Penguin Trek..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Carter, Ashley (September 28, 2023). "SeaWorld Orlando reveals Penguin Trek as next coaster". Spectrum News. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  12. ^ Carter, Ashley (November 14, 2023). "SeaWorld Orlando unveils Penguin Trek coaster vehicle at IAAPA Expo". Spectrum News. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  13. ^ @CompSullivan (April 27, 2024). "Penguin trek test and train on brakes..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. ^ @Midway_Mayhem (May 25, 2024). "Antartica Realm is open at @SeaWorld Orlando! Here is the entrance to Penguin Trek!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. ^ Taylor, Blake (July 7, 2024). "Penguin Trek opens at SeaWorld Orlando with 'arctic researchers,' Scouts of America". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "SeaWorld's New Coaster, Penguin Trek Snowballs Into Spring!". theescapeeffect.com. 2024-03-28. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  17. ^ Shane (2024-07-07). "Review: Penguin Trek at SeaWorld Orlando - Coaster101". Retrieved 2024-09-26.
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