SeaWorld Orlando has shared more details about its upcoming Penguin Trek roller coaster, including facts about its snowmobile-inspired ride vehicle.
The coaster is under construction and scheduled to open in spring of 2024.
“We really wanted to reinforce the overall narrative that our guests are adventurers on a mission in search of a penguin colony. So what better way to go find the penguins is to jump on your own sleek snowmobile?” said Jeff Hornick, vice president of attraction design and development for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “So we took this futuristic slant on what a snowmobile may look like in the next five or 10 years.”
Also playing into the design was the target audience. SeaWorld bills Penguin Trek as a family launch coaster with a height restriction of 42 inches for riders. The design company is Bolliger & Mabillard, based in Switzerland.
“We partnered with B&M to be able to develop the overall ergonomics. We really wanted to deliver a new attraction that hits that 42-inch height requirement,” Hornick said. “We spent a number of times sending our team over there to work hand-in-hand with them as we were developing the seats, the restraint system, to make sure not only is it safe — that’s paramount — but also that it’s comfortable.”
The design provides a desirable “view cone” for younger passengers, he said.
“The thinking is that this attraction has a dark ride section as well as outdoor sections. We wanted to make sure that everybody gets unparalleled views as they’re going through them,” Hornick said.
Jawlene eating, adjusting to her new life at Gatorland
A segment of the Penguin Trek rail was displayed for the announcement for members of the media. The coloring was white, but as it curved near the end, it was black, indicating an inside stretch of the ride.
“This is actually our brake run for the ride as you’re transitioning back into the building,” Hornick said.
The new coaster is making use of building and surrounding areas for the Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin attraction, which debuted in 2013 but never reopened after the pandemic shutdown of 2020. Visitors can still see penguins in their icy habitat there.
“There are challenges that come with building a brand-new attraction within an existing site. There are operational challenges, there are utility challenges, trying to utilize existing buildings,” said Jonathan Smith, corporate vice president of engineering.
“We’re using an existing building for our inside show experience queue,” he said. “That’s very important for the entire experience. It’s great when you can actually wait in line inside a building that’s air-conditioned, teaching you about what you’re about to uncover on your expedition.”
SeaWorld emphasized the family adventure element of the attraction.
“It’s not just a roller coaster. It’s an experience the entire family can do together,” Smith said.
“The story is that you’re really on a hunt. You’re looking to research and explore penguin colonies. You’re trying to find these penguins that flourish in some of the harshest conditions in the entire world,” he said. “You’re trying to find these penguins to capture them, get pictures, photos, and then you’ve got to be off.”
The coaster will top out at 43 mph. Its track will be 3,020 feet long. There will be two launches along the indoor-outdoor course. Hornick described the intensity level as being between sister SeaWorld coasters Super Grover’s Box Car Derby in Sesame Street Land and Ice Breaker, which opened in 2022.
The new ride’s finale will include the penguin habitat.
“This experience will culminate with a trek on foot through the heart of SeaWorld’s own penguin habitat, where you’ll be face-to-beak with the real penguin colony,” Hornick said. Non-riders will still be able to see the penguins as well, he said.
Disney+ series returns with behind the scenes at Epcot episode
Penguin Trek will be the third coaster to open in three years at SeaWorld Orlando, following on the heels of Ice Breaker and Pipeline the Surf Coaster, which debuted in May. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld’s sister park, plans to open Phoenix Rising in the spring.
The Orlando project is the only announced coaster currently under construction in Central Florida, although there are unidentified projects going up for Epic Universe, the third park scheduled to open in 2025. Walt Disney World opened Tron Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom this year and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot last year.
Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. My Threads account is @dbevil. You can subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
