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On September 28th, 2023, SeaWorld Orlando officially announced Penguin Trek, a new, prototype, Bolliger & Mabillard-made, multi-launch, indoor/outdoor, family coaster slated to replace the Antartica: Empire of the Penguin darkride in 2024. Official details regarding the stats of this new coaster are in short supply, but we do know that it will feature a darkride segment at the start, two launches during the course, a top speed of 43 miles per hour, and a total track length of 3,020 feet. Per the press release, Penguin Trek will accommodate rider heights between 42 and 77 inches.

Though confirmed layout information is limited, leaked SeaWorld Orlando Project Toboggan site plans from June 2023 have given us a lot of information to work with. An in-depth breakdown of the leaks can be found here.

Official Concept Art​

SWO_Penguin_Trek_1.jpg SWO_Penguin_Trek_2.jpg 383841480_324487100253050_2436261598420530153_n.jpg 750x422-SWO-Rides-Penguin-Trek-Interior-Track-Concept-Art.jpg 750x422-SWO-Rides-Penguin-Trek-Concept-Art.jpg

Press Release​

SeaWorld Orlando Announces the Arrival of The Ultimate Antarctic Adventure: “Penguin Trek” – The New Immersive Family Coaster Coming Spring 2024

· Unique snowmobile styled ride cars transport riders on an unforgettable expedition through the Antarctic wilderness with two launches, a 3,020-foot track that traverses both indoors and outside, and a grand finale arrival at the penguin habitat where riders can experience the enchanting world of these remarkable animals
· Exciting for the whole family, the coaster accommodates rider heights from 42-77 inches
· Become a 2024 Pass Member and be the first to ride before the coaster opens to the public; 2024 passes on sale now

ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 28, 2023) – SeaWorld Orlando, already recognized as the Coaster Capital of Orlando with an impressive array of heart-pounding rides, is about to take your breath away once again with its all-new attraction coming in Spring 2024 – “Penguin Trek” – the eagerly awaited eighth coaster to join the park's ever-expanding ride portfolio. Designed as THE ultimate family launch coaster experience, “Penguin Trek” features a unique snowmobile styled ride car where once aboard, riders will embark on an exhilarating journey through the breathtaking vastness of Antarctica as they join a penguin research mission unlike any other.

Featuring two exhilarating launches and a maze of twists and turns, this unforgettable coaster moves at speeds of up to 43 mph across a 3,020-foot track that traverses both indoors and outside. Yet, what sets this experience apart as truly extraordinary is its unparalleled finale: as the coaster comes to a halt, guests find themselves not in a simulated penguin colony, but in the very heart of SeaWorld Orlando’s own penguin habitat. An experience for the whole family, the ride accommodates rider heights from 42-inches to 77-inches. 2024 Annual Pass members can be the first to ride before the public and passes are on sale now.

"We are incredibly excited to unveil our newest addition to SeaWorld Orlando's outstanding coaster lineup in Spring of 2024," said Jon Peterson, President of SeaWorld Orlando. "This family launch coaster embodies the spirit of adventure and exploration, offering an immersive journey through the wonders of Antarctica while further connecting our mission and commitment to our animal care, education and research. We know our guests were ready for a new thrill that the whole family could enjoy, and we’re excited to redefine the family launch coaster experience alongside our longstanding partners at B&M.”

Once aboard, riders will embark on an unforgettable expedition on this one-of-a-kind immersive family launch coaster that catapults them through the Antarctic wilderness at speeds of up to 43 mph across a 3,020-foot track. As they step into the shoes of intrepid researchers, they’ll navigate in a unique snowmobile ride car across the icy expanse, narrowly escaping an ice cave's clutches. This family-friendly adventure intensifies as they burst onto an outdoor coaster track, featuring two exhilarating launches and a maze of twists and turns. With adrenaline pumping, riders navigate this treacherous coaster, emerging from the looming danger of falling ice to finally reach the safety of a penguin colony, a journey that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of adventure and discovery. Yet, what sets this experience apart as truly extraordinary is its unparalleled finale: as the coaster comes to a halt, guests find themselves not in a simulated penguin colony, but in the very heart of SeaWorld Orlando’s own penguin habitat. The exhilaration of the ride seamlessly transitions into a heartwarming encounter with these charming, feathered inhabitants. This unique and immersive blend of family coaster thrills and authentic animal interaction offers an opportunity for the whole family to connect with the enchanting world of these captivating penguins, making it a one-of-a-kind adventure that will forever remain etched in their memories.

This family coaster's engineering prowess and world-class design are credited to Bolliger & Mabillard, the renowned design and manufacturers known for their excellence in roller coaster engineering. With five other remarkable coasters already at SeaWorld Orlando, including the park’s most recent thrill ride, "Pipeline: The Surf Coaster," which opened to rave reviews in May 2023, Penguin Trek is set to tie the park for the record of the most B&M coasters in one location.

SeaWorld Orlando's commitment to providing diverse thrills for all family members is evident in "Penguin Trek's" unique indoor/outdoor coaster experience. This latest addition to the coaster family promises to be another crowning jewel in a park already celebrated for its coaster excellence. Joining the ranks of award-winning rides such as "Mako," voted the #1 Best Roller Coaster by the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice poll for five consecutive years, and "Ice Breaker," which secured the #1 New Attraction spot in the same poll, "Penguin Trek" is poised to continue SeaWorld Orlando's legacy of pushing the boundaries of coaster innovation for the whole family.

Be Among the First Family to Ride “Penguin Trek” with a SeaWorld Annual Pass

Guests can experience the best of SeaWorld Orlando with a 2024 annual pass including unlimited visits, unbeatable benefits, and the opportunity to be among the first family to experience “Penguin Trek” before it opens to the public. 2024 annual passes are on sale now and start at $14 per month with no down payment. Membership includes unlimited admission, access to vibrant seasonal events, and exclusive Pass Member benefits like FREE guest tickets, FREE parking and special savings on merchandise, and food and beverage. Plus, Pass Members receive special monthly rewards throughout the year such as exclusive Pass Member merchandise, behind-the-scenes animal experiences, festival-exclusive food & beverage deals, and discounts on admission to SeaWorld’s separately ticketed Howl-O-Scream event. The SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass program features the bronze, silver, gold, and platinum annual pass, which grants access to all 11 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment locations nationwide including, three SeaWorld parks, two Busch Gardens parks, two Sesame Place parks and several award-winning water parks. Annual Pass Members also get exclusive discounts at Discovery Cove. The program is structured in a guest-friendly way that allows visitors to choose the pass, the benefits, and the parks that are the best fit their needs. Restrictions apply.

For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com. Follow SeaWorld Orlando on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news from SeaWorld.

Official Website​


Project Timeline​


Leaked Site Plan​

Site Plan.jpg

Speculative Layout Based on Leaked Plans​

Rough Layout Graphic REDUCED.png

NoLimits Recreation of Speculative Layout​

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Anyone else find it interesting that the drive tires are in a vertical orientation, which is something B&M hasn’t done since the 90s?
I am aware this is to be a launch, but the other three B&Ms with lsm launches have had the usual horizontal drive tires.
 
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Anyone else find it interesting that the drive tires are in a vertical orientation, which is something B&M hasn’t done since the 90s?
I am aware this is to be a launch, but the other three B&Ms with lsm launches have had the usual horizontal drive tires.
All the large dive coasters use vertical drive tires, but then again this is the first one in a while with narrow track to use them.
 
Anyone else find it interesting that the drive tires are in a vertical orientation, which is something B&M hasn’t done since the 90s?
I am aware this is to be a launch, but the other three B&Ms with lsm launches have had the usual horizontal drive tires.
i'm assuming this is the track for the dark portion of the ride, the tires will control the speed of the train during the show portion of the ride.
 
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^Missed the point. Yes, the drive tires are clearly to control the speed, it's the unusual orientation that coasternerd was referencing. But those specific black pieces are for the two switches & maintenance general area. I believe we are expecting the dark ride portion to be a gravity section.
Anyone else find it interesting that the drive tires are in a vertical orientation, which is something B&M hasn’t done since the 90s?
I am aware this is to be a launch, but the other three B&Ms with lsm launches have had the usual horizontal drive tires.
Very interesting indeed. I assume it's purely a space necessity due to the narrower track gauge, but the placement of the drive tire is particularly of note. We had assumed Toboggan would be LSM launched, because why not. But I'm not sure of that anymore. It basically comes down to how high the top of the tire is above the top of the rail. See here:

1690056050201.png
These tires would need to engage with the chassis on the train, therefore placing the height of the chassis at that green marker.

For comparison, look at Pipeline:
1690055745283.png
The chassis is more or less in the same spot relative to the rail height, but the space below that is occupied by the magnetic yoke for the launch (the red bracket). This same space is occupied by the drive tires on Toboggan. Practically impossible for it to be the exact same LSM setup, if it even is LSM at all. So based on all that, I think we could be seeing a tire launch here. Either that or an awkwardly tall chassis.
 
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^Missed the point. Yes, the drive tires are clearly to control the speed, it's the unusual orientation that coasternerd was referencing. But those specific black pieces are for the two switches & maintenance general area. I believe we are expecting the dark ride portion to be a gravity section.

Very interesting indeed. I assume it's purely a space necessity due to the narrower track gauge, but the placement of the drive tire is particularly of note. We had assumed Toboggan would be LSM launched, because why not. But I'm not sure of that anymore. It basically comes down to how high the top of the tire is above the top of the rail. See here:

View attachment 29374
These tires would need to engage with the chassis on the train, therefore placing the height of the chassis at that green marker.

For comparison, look at Pipeline:
View attachment 29372
The chassis is more or less in the same spot relative to the rail height, but the space below that is occupied by the magnetic yoke for the launch (the red bracket). This same space is occupied by the drive tires on Toboggan. Practically impossible for it to be the exact same LSM setup, if it even is LSM at all. So based on all that, I think we're could be seeing B&M's first tire launch here. Either that or an awkwardly tall chassis.
Hulk? That's tire drive
 
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The first entry in this thread is a WikiPost. As such, it can be edited by anyone with the appropriate permissions.
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