News SeaWorld Orlando Project 2024/Toboggan: Penguin Trek (Multi-Launch B&M Family Coaster)

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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.
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Official Website​

Penguin Trek | Roller Coasters | SeaWorld Orlando

Prepare for Penguin Trek, an unforgettable launch coaster adventure through the breathtaking vastness of Antarctica.
seaworld.com seaworld.com

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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CodeHark said:
Does anyone know if they have the trains onsite? I cant wait to sit in them!
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There is nothing displayed to guests as of yesterday.



Penguin Trek Update as of 2/12/24!

Now that the tracks complete, the construction teams have been working hard on completing the finishing touches to the ride. Fencing, brackets for track netting, painting, and leveling out terrain, and path work have been the main focus. A good chunk of pathway has already been installed along the path that formerly lead from the vacation experience to Pacific Point Preserve with the rest of the path framed out. They are also building an additional path from the other side of the restrooms/food stand, right next to the haunted house, to create more guest walk ways around and under the coaster! Almost all of the covers that were protecting the LSM's are being removed as well. To my knowledge, pull through testing has not occurred yet. The supports have not been fully torqued yet as the bottom of the supports are still missing the grout. Once that happens, i'm sure testing will be soon to follow.

At this point it really just depends on what thee inside of the show building looks like. It seems like most of the area is being leveled out. Personally i don't think much, if anything, will be added in terms of theming during the outdoor portion of the ride. Just some nice landscaping and maybe something to look like there's snow on the ground and some rock work.

There are other additional projects happening at the park including:

  • The Parking Lot Project (which is almost complete)
  • Orca Encounter Rehab
  • JTA Rehab
  • Coaster Coffee Express (which is almost complete)
There are also a possible marking at both the Turtle Trek site as well as Wild Artic site! I'm hearing the new coaster could go in either plot but these singular markings are not nearly enough to confirm that's where the new attraction is going.

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Interesting, looks like the queue is going to snake through the former unload area and ride vehicle pass-through to reach the new station. Is that a whole maze of switchbacks in the first pre-show room? It'll be sad if the ride doesn't have any sort of pre-show to tell a story anymore.
 
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This looks really promising! How much of the concept arts theming are we actually going to receive?
 
I'm ecstatic to hear they are freshening up Antarctica. It was looking quite grimy over the holidays. The snow and ice was looking really dirty, similar to how Alpengeist gets. Looking forward to seeing this all complete! My one concern is with this leading to the penguins. I think this could cause issues of stacking for the ride if there isn't room for more people to enter the exhibit, or the area may end up overcrowded. It'll be interesting to see how they remedy that.
 
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cricket said:
How much of the concept arts theming are we actually going to receive?
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Always a good question, but from the construction photos we've seen, it looks like they're prepping to install a ton of scenic. I think there's a good chance the final product will look very similar to the newly-revealed concept art.

I am very curious about the timeline at this point though. Scenically, there is clearly A LOT of work to do. 😬
 
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Zachary said:
Always a good question, but from the construction photos we've seen, it looks like they're prepping to install a ton of scenic. I think there's a good chance the final product will look very similar to the newly-revealed concept art.

I am very curious about the timeline at this point though. Scenically, there is clearly A LOT of work to do. 😬
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Yeah, from the looks of it I'm guessing it's not going to be opening in the spring. I guess it's been so long since SeaWorld built a themed ride that they forgot they can't just open it as soon as the track is installed lol.
And to think this project is still lightyears ahead of the progress on Phoenix Rising 😅
 
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Feeling a bit less optimistic for a late April opening after seeing the current progress of the interior portion of the ride... unless the construction crews can work as fast as the ones over at Epic Universe on theming 🤯
 
One detail that I appreciated from reports of the recent construction tour was the mention of 3 trains. This is the first time since Mako that SWO have purchased 3 trains for a coaster. Ice Breaker and Pipeline both have two trains and as a result go down to one train when one is taken out for maintenance. Excited that Penguin Trek should be able to maintain 2 train operations pretty consistently!

Along with the greater emphasis on theming and re-working the Antarctica area, it's another sign that for this project SEAS is spending above what they would absolutely be forced to just to get the thing open. It's good to see.
 
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MakoMania said:
One detail that I appreciated from reports of the recent construction tour was the mention of 3 trains. This is the first time since Mako that SWO have purchased 3 trains for a coaster. Ice Breaker and Pipeline both have two trains and as a result go down to one train when one is taken out for maintenance. Excited that Penguin Trek should be able to maintain 2 train operations pretty consistently!

Along with the greater emphasis on theming and re-working the Antarctica area, it's another sign that for this project SEAS is spending above what they would absolutely be forced to just to get the thing open. It's good to see.
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True. Got to give them props because they aren't cheaping out on this one. Now don't get me wrong, it could have been better, but it absolutely could have been way worse. New gift shop, bar, outside "snow" instead of grass, food offerings. Not to mention the fact that concept art was quite accurate this time. Im all for it.
 
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CodeHark said:
True. Got to give them props because they aren't cheaping out on this one. Now don't get me wrong, it could have been better, but it absolutely could have been way worse. New gift shop, bar, outside "snow" instead of grass, food offerings. Not to mention the fact that concept art was quite accurate this time. Im all for it.
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They added “snow”!
 
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