Penguin Trek is a family launched roller coaster located at SeaWorld Orlando in Orlando, Florida, United States.[1] Manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), the roller coaster is the newest expansion and attraction at SeaWorld Orlando, opening on July 7, 2024. Penguin Trek reaches a maximum height of 65 feet (20 m) with a maximum speed of 43 mph (69 km/h) and a total track length of 3,020 feet (920 m).[1] The ride features both indoor and outdoor sections, providing an experience simulating an Antarctic snowmobile expedition.[2][3]
| Penguin Trek | |
|---|---|
 | |
| SeaWorld Orlando | |
| Location | SeaWorld Orlando |
| Park section | Sea of Ice |
| Coordinates | 28°24′42.8″N 81°27′35.5″W / 28.411889°N 81.459861°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | July 7, 2024 |
| Replaced | Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Launched |
| Manufacturer | Bolliger & Mabillard |
| Designer | SeaWorld Orlando |
| Lift/launch system | LSM launch |
| Height | 65 ft (20 m) |
| Length | 3,020 ft (920 m) |
| Speed | 43 mph (69 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Height restriction | 42 in (107 cm) |
| Trains | Single train with 9 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 18 riders per train. |
| Theme | Antarctica |
| Website | Official website |
 Quick Queue available | |
| Penguin Trek at RCDB | |
History
editIn March 2020, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, which was a motion-based, trackless dark ride,[4] closed indefinitely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans for a new family-friendly roller coaster to replace the then abandoned Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin began in 2022.[5]
In September 2023, SeaWorld Orlando revealed the name for the roller coaster, Penguin Trek.[6][7] In November 2023, SeaWorld Orlando revealed the trains for the roller coaster at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Exposition.[8][9] In February 2024, the track work for the ride was completed.[10][11]
Ride experience
editThe 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[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] Riders have compared the ride experience to that of sledding and bobsledding due to the rides' use of airtime hills and turns.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b "Penguin Trek – SeaWorld Orlando (Orlando, Florida, United States)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ Bowyer, Kelsey (2024-07-01). "Penguin Trek at SeaWorld Orlando: An In-Depth Review". Orlando Informer. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
- ^ McLeod, Emily (2024-07-07). "Cool coaster: Penguin Trek opens at SeaWorld Orlando". WKMG. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
- ^ Bevil, Dewayne (May 23, 2013). "SeaWorld's Antarctica: Cool location designed for warm welcome". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
- ^ Zone, Orlando Theme Park (2022-12-30). "Family-Friendly Roller Coaster to Replace Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin at SeaWorld Orlando?". Orlando Theme Park Zone. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
- ^ Mitchell, Bea (2023-09-29). "SeaWorld Orlando opening new Penguin Trek coaster". Blooloop. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ "SeaWorld Orlando's next coaster: Penguin Trek, set to open next spring". Orlando Sentinel. 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ Mitchell, Bea (2023-11-17). "SeaWorld Orlando unveils ride vehicle for new Penguin Trek coaster". Blooloop. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ "IAAPA: SeaWorld shares first look at Penguin Trek car". Orlando Sentinel. 2023-11-14. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ Mitchell, Bea (2024-02-02). "SeaWorld Orlando finishes Penguin Trek coaster track". Blooloop. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ "First look: SeaWorld's Penguin Trek coaster on track for spring opening". Orlando Sentinel. 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ "SeaWorld Orlando's Penguin Trek now open | Planet Attractions". www.planetattractions.com. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ a b "SeaWorld's New Coaster, Penguin Trek Snowballs Into Spring!". theescapeeffect.com. 2024-03-28. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
- ^ Shane (2024-07-07). "Review: Penguin Trek at SeaWorld Orlando - Coaster101". Retrieved 2024-09-26.