New roller coaster with a dark ride component is coming to SeaWorld Orlando’s Antarctica area, where the Empire of the Penguin dark ride once stood.
The theme park’s eighth roller coaster, Penguin Trek, will debut in the spring of 2024. Riders hop on a snowmobile-style ride car and go on an exciting adventure through Antarctica as they assist with a penguin study expedition.
This coaster travels at speeds of up to 43 mph along a 3,020 foot track that goes both indoors and outdoors and features two launches and several twists and turns. However, the ride’s unique selling point is that it ends in SeaWorld Orlando’s actual live penguin. Riders can be any height between 42 and 77 inches on this attraction.
Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), who have constructed numerous roller coasters for SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, are responsible for the construction of this ride. Penguin Trek will bring the total number of B&M roller coasters at SeaWorld Orlando to six, matching the record set by the park’s newest thrill ride, Pipeline: The Surf Coaster.
With prominent dark ride moments, the ride will have a rich narrative. Guests will ride snowmobiles around the frozen landscape and pretend to be explorers trying to escape an ice cave. The action heats up as they launch onto an outdoor roller coaster course with two launches and numerous turns. After escaping the imminent threat of falling ice, the riders arrive at a penguin colony.
“We are incredibly excited to unveil our newest addition to SeaWorld Orlando’s outstanding coaster lineup in spring of 2024. 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.”
Jon Peterson, president of SeaWorld Orlando.