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SeaWorld Orlando: General Discussion
- Thread starter Danny
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Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
Great news; there’s thought to be a good chance that SeaWorld’s B&M Surf Coaster will be starting construction soon, as they’ve filed more permits to the Florida government:
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...bgO8Isp6TTd8e2OYSjLMU7ttKYBamwNMn-BW3G3VY&s=1
It’s also been said that the area where this coaster is set to go is not being used for the park’s Seven Seas Food Festival this year, unlike previous years, indicating that some sort of construction may be happening there this year.
Exciting times; hopefully it might be open if I go in 2022!
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...bgO8Isp6TTd8e2OYSjLMU7ttKYBamwNMn-BW3G3VY&s=1
It’s also been said that the area where this coaster is set to go is not being used for the park’s Seven Seas Food Festival this year, unlike previous years, indicating that some sort of construction may be happening there this year.
Exciting times; hopefully it might be open if I go in 2022!
Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
Sorry for double posting, but it’s also worth noting that SeaWorld has paid the liens on the Surf Coaster now, too; one filed by B&M themselves and one filed by PGAV (a theming company) for architecture work. So that should hopefully pave the way for construction to begin, when combined with the permits.
Rather intriguingly, the ride is described by B&M in the lien as a Custom Launch Coaster, so it would appear that regardless of what a Surf Coaster is, we are getting B&M’s 2nd launch coaster out of it! (At least, the second launch coaster that B&M actually cooperated with, the first being Thunderbird at Holiday World)
Rather intriguingly, the ride is described by B&M in the lien as a Custom Launch Coaster, so it would appear that regardless of what a Surf Coaster is, we are getting B&M’s 2nd launch coaster out of it! (At least, the second launch coaster that B&M actually cooperated with, the first being Thunderbird at Holiday World)
Will be interesting to see if it is the so called surf coaster or is just a launched wing coaster, which is what this coaster was originally rumoured to be initially. If they go for a wing coaster it would be the first in Florida so could easily see it being a wing coaster.
Skyscraper
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Full curcuit test! 
Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
Sorry that this is somewhat out-of-date news (August 2020), but I don’t seem to remember hearing it get mentioned.
Apparently, the ride portion of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin did not reopen following the COVID-19 lockdown in Florida, in spite of the fact that the penguin exhibit itself reopened. Now on the face of it, this might not seem suspicious, but other things have happened too.
According to a poster on the Inside Universal forum, the ride requirements sign and ride entrance for Antarctica has vanished in favour of a large and permanent-looking “Penguin Exhibit” sign: https://forums.insideuniversal.net/threads/antarctica-empire-of-the-penguin.6756/page-62#post-867143
And SeaWorld Orlando’s website seems to have removed any trace of there ever having been a ride within Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin: https://seaworld.com/orlando/rides/
This is in spite of the fact that the animal exhibit itself is still advertised: https://seaworld.com/orlando/animal-experiences/antarctica-empire-of-the-penguin/
The ride portion of Wild Arctic also appears to be in a similar situation, as that also isn’t advertised at all on SWO’s website, while the animal exhibit is.
With this info in mind, I think it’s fair to suggest that the ride portions of both Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin and Wild Arctic may have quietly closed down forever. As much as you could say that the ride portions of these attractions are simply shut as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, Sky Tower is shut due to COVID, and that is still listed, simply with a banner saying “closed due to physical distancing” alongside it. As such, I think it’s fair to suggest that Antarctica and Wild Arctic’s ride portions may have been mothballed for seemingly unknown reasons.
While it will be a shame if these attractions have met their end, especially Antarctica seeing as it was relatively new, neither ride exactly had glowing reviews.
While I didn’t get to experience the simulator within Wild Arctic, it was absolutely panned by most who rode it.
I did get to experience the trackless dark ride within Antarctica, however, and I’ll say that I quite possibly found it one of the strangest dark rides I’ve ever been on, and I can’t say I was particularly enamoured with it overall. I think the concept is quite cute, and the theming of the area and penguin enclosure are both incredible, but I’m simply not sure that the ride concept translated that well into a theme park attraction, personally. As much as I’m not sure if I’d want to call Antarctica “bad” per se, as I think it did have its redeeming features and was kind of cute as an overall concept, it was certainly far from my favourite dark ride, and I’d actually say that I personally found the penguin exhibit itself the highlight of the area as opposed to the ride.
But what are your thoughts on the Antarctica and Wild Arctic situation at SeaWorld Orlando? Do you think these attractions have met their end, and if they have, will you miss them?
Would @MakoMania, or anyone else with more knowledge about SeaWorld than myself, possibly be able to shed some light on the situation?
Apparently, the ride portion of Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin did not reopen following the COVID-19 lockdown in Florida, in spite of the fact that the penguin exhibit itself reopened. Now on the face of it, this might not seem suspicious, but other things have happened too.
According to a poster on the Inside Universal forum, the ride requirements sign and ride entrance for Antarctica has vanished in favour of a large and permanent-looking “Penguin Exhibit” sign: https://forums.insideuniversal.net/threads/antarctica-empire-of-the-penguin.6756/page-62#post-867143
And SeaWorld Orlando’s website seems to have removed any trace of there ever having been a ride within Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin: https://seaworld.com/orlando/rides/
This is in spite of the fact that the animal exhibit itself is still advertised: https://seaworld.com/orlando/animal-experiences/antarctica-empire-of-the-penguin/
The ride portion of Wild Arctic also appears to be in a similar situation, as that also isn’t advertised at all on SWO’s website, while the animal exhibit is.
With this info in mind, I think it’s fair to suggest that the ride portions of both Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin and Wild Arctic may have quietly closed down forever. As much as you could say that the ride portions of these attractions are simply shut as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, Sky Tower is shut due to COVID, and that is still listed, simply with a banner saying “closed due to physical distancing” alongside it. As such, I think it’s fair to suggest that Antarctica and Wild Arctic’s ride portions may have been mothballed for seemingly unknown reasons.
While it will be a shame if these attractions have met their end, especially Antarctica seeing as it was relatively new, neither ride exactly had glowing reviews.
While I didn’t get to experience the simulator within Wild Arctic, it was absolutely panned by most who rode it.
I did get to experience the trackless dark ride within Antarctica, however, and I’ll say that I quite possibly found it one of the strangest dark rides I’ve ever been on, and I can’t say I was particularly enamoured with it overall. I think the concept is quite cute, and the theming of the area and penguin enclosure are both incredible, but I’m simply not sure that the ride concept translated that well into a theme park attraction, personally. As much as I’m not sure if I’d want to call Antarctica “bad” per se, as I think it did have its redeeming features and was kind of cute as an overall concept, it was certainly far from my favourite dark ride, and I’d actually say that I personally found the penguin exhibit itself the highlight of the area as opposed to the ride.
But what are your thoughts on the Antarctica and Wild Arctic situation at SeaWorld Orlando? Do you think these attractions have met their end, and if they have, will you miss them?
Would @MakoMania, or anyone else with more knowledge about SeaWorld than myself, possibly be able to shed some light on the situation?
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Wild artic has been rumoured to be on its way out (the ride part anyway) for a number of years, I did read a few years back a replacement was one of the next few projects to happen following ice breaker. One rumour was a flying theatre.
I expect with Antarctica they could just redo the ride, keeping the ride system (which was an expensive trackless system) give it a new story, enhance the theming effects, reprogrammed the ride vehicles, change the screen sections.
Both were not great, wild artic was very dated and the simulator rough, don’t think bothered with it on past few trips. In the three trips I have done since Antarctica opened think only been on it twice, it was closed during one trip, it broke while we were on board, stuck for about 10 mins before moving again with no motion, no video and no car motion, just moved slowly back to the unload area. Finally had a ride on the last trip, not great and poor use of ride system. Wouldn’t bother again. The penguin exhibits good though.
I expect with Antarctica they could just redo the ride, keeping the ride system (which was an expensive trackless system) give it a new story, enhance the theming effects, reprogrammed the ride vehicles, change the screen sections.
Both were not great, wild artic was very dated and the simulator rough, don’t think bothered with it on past few trips. In the three trips I have done since Antarctica opened think only been on it twice, it was closed during one trip, it broke while we were on board, stuck for about 10 mins before moving again with no motion, no video and no car motion, just moved slowly back to the unload area. Finally had a ride on the last trip, not great and poor use of ride system. Wouldn’t bother again. The penguin exhibits good though.
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Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
Following on from the news about Iron Gwazi finally opening in March 2022, it’s also been announced that Ice Breaker will be opening in February 2022: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...er-to-open-in-february-of-2022-301360622.html
I look forward to it! I think this could work great for SWO; the park lacked a starter thrill coaster before Ice Breaker’s addition, so I think this will fill that void quite nicely myself!
EDIT: Here’s the official park announcement:
I look forward to it! I think this could work great for SWO; the park lacked a starter thrill coaster before Ice Breaker’s addition, so I think this will fill that void quite nicely myself!
EDIT: Here’s the official park announcement:
I've always thought this ride looks beyyer than people make it out to be. At least we know when these SeaWorld rides are opening.
Wasn't SeaWorld Orlando predicted to get another new coaster in 2022, Presumed to be the B&M surf coaster.I wonder if this has been pushed back to 2023. I very much doubt it's been cancelled as I would presume they were far too long into the development to do so easily.
Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
Yes, SeaWorld was due to get a B&M coaster, widely rumoured to be the first B&M Surf Coaster, directly following Ice Breaker. Quite what a Surf Coaster is, nobody yet knows, but a lien filed against SeaWorld by B&M would suggest that it is some kind of launch coaster, as B&M described the ride as a “Custom Launch Coaster” in their lien.
As for when it’s opening; I honestly have no idea. It was originally planned for 2021 (or even possibly late 2020) prior to COVID, and we haven’t really heard much else about it since about last year. With Ice Breaker opening in 2022, I can only assume it may be in the pipeline for 2023, given that parts for the ride have reportedly already been shipped to SeaWorld, but I wouldn’t like to guess.
Does anyone else who’s more in touch with SeaWorld-related developments such as @MakoMania know anything more about the current state of the Surf Coaster project?
I think you've covered all I know about the project. From what we can guess it can be assumed it would have been pushed back, probably to 2023.
Whatever the ride is it will have a massive impact on the theme park industry as it's likely that Merlin will install some and it's also likely Cedar Fair will do the same. Prototypes from B&M are rare however when they come along they are always amazingly executed and just great fun so I'm sure it'll be great it's just a shame we have to wait even longer before we find out what it is.
Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
Surf Coaster update; it appears that it may be going ahead again, as Zachary from ParkFans (an extremely reliable source) has leaked a few blueprints onto Reddit, and has also said that he is currently writing a “huge exposé” on Project Penguin.
Here are the blueprints we currently have:
Isn’t this exciting?
Here are the blueprints we currently have:
Isn’t this exciting?
That's great! I've been looking forward to some more info on this project. I had a feeling it was still likely giong ahead. Of course this is all rumour but it's definitely a positive sign.
I hate to appear stupid but I can't actually see what the plans are showing can anyone tell?
DistortAMG
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- POTC Disneyland Paris
Yes, yes it is Matt. Have you noticed, it appears from the limited information those pictures show that this could be something we have never seen before. In what I assume is the maintenance shed, notice the placement of the catwalks.
They butt right up to the edge of the rails, just placed higher than the rails. You could not place cat walks like that on most other B&M's as most, if not all of their trains have a slight overhand each side of track, which means more of a gap would be needed between the catwalk and track when, even more visible when viewing from an elevation like these plans. Even if the overhang is small, they have a little overhang. This appears to not be the case with this, at least in the traditional sense of existing rides.
Saying that, it could have a flat platform at the bottom where your feet stand that could stick out each side, the cat walk allows for that but it appears it could not accommodate the rest of the train / bogie configuration from existing trains. As the overhang on most existing rides extends for the height of the train. Could we be seeing a more central riding position here, perhaps the riders being sideways to the way the train moves, this cat walk supports that theory. This is also like surfing, as you generally stand sideways to the way of motion when you surf. Flat overhung platform which you could stand on, with the seats back to back facing sideways on the coaster car. That is my prediction after seeing these, if they are true. Or at least some configuration of that.
The placement of those catwalks, do not appear to be able to accommodate any existing B&M train. That is interesting indeed. Unless of course, I am looking at the plans wrong, but I do not think I am. This plan does support a brand new type of train, I am sure. Amazing what information you can extract from a simple catwalk eh!
They butt right up to the edge of the rails, just placed higher than the rails. You could not place cat walks like that on most other B&M's as most, if not all of their trains have a slight overhand each side of track, which means more of a gap would be needed between the catwalk and track when, even more visible when viewing from an elevation like these plans. Even if the overhang is small, they have a little overhang. This appears to not be the case with this, at least in the traditional sense of existing rides.
Saying that, it could have a flat platform at the bottom where your feet stand that could stick out each side, the cat walk allows for that but it appears it could not accommodate the rest of the train / bogie configuration from existing trains. As the overhang on most existing rides extends for the height of the train. Could we be seeing a more central riding position here, perhaps the riders being sideways to the way the train moves, this cat walk supports that theory. This is also like surfing, as you generally stand sideways to the way of motion when you surf. Flat overhung platform which you could stand on, with the seats back to back facing sideways on the coaster car. That is my prediction after seeing these, if they are true. Or at least some configuration of that.
The placement of those catwalks, do not appear to be able to accommodate any existing B&M train. That is interesting indeed. Unless of course, I am looking at the plans wrong, but I do not think I am. This plan does support a brand new type of train, I am sure. Amazing what information you can extract from a simple catwalk eh!
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