SeaWorld Orlando has unveiled the ride vehicle for its new Penguin Trek roller coaster at IAAPA Expo 2023.
Due to open in spring 2024, Penguin Trek is SeaWorld Orlando’s first family launch coaster. It is manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M).
It features an indoor and outdoor track that ends in the park’s penguin habitat, and boasts two launches and speeds of up to 43 mph across a 3,020-foot track.
Representatives from B&M were in attendance for the unveiling at IAAPA Expo. The coaster vehicle is designed to look like a snowmobile.
On these ride cars, guests will travel through the Antarctic wilderness, navigating twists and turns and “narrowly escaping the crumbling hazards of an icy cavern,” SeaWorld said.
“As guests are going through the queue, they will find themselves in the midst of an arctic research base,” said Jeff Hornick, SeaWorld’s vice president of attraction design and development (via Spectrum News 13).
“And from that base, they’ll actually be sent out and brave a lot of the wild environments and harsh nature of Antarctica.”
As above, riders will end up in the penguin habitat at SeaWorld Orlando. “Once guests get off the ride, their adventure will continue as they set off on a trek on foot to go actually meet the real penguins in the penguin colony,” Hornick added.
SeaWorld Orlando’s first family launch coaster
Penguin Trek will be SeaWorld Orlando’s eighth coaster and comes after Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, which debuted earlier this year.
As well as Penguin Trek, SeaWorld’s new attractions for 2024 include a jellyfish experience at SeaWorld San Diego, and the Catapult Falls launched flume coaster at SeaWorld San Antonio.
Elsewhere, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will add the Phoenix Rising suspended coaster, while Busch Gardens Williamsburg will launch the restored Loch Ness Monster coaster.
Earlier this week, SeaWorld once again attributed declining attendance at its parks to adverse weather.
Images courtesy of SeaWorld and IAAPA
