SeaWorld Orlando is on a roll. They have added more roller coasters in recent years than most regional parks, and each coaster is more unique than the last. This year, the park is opening Penguin Trek, their second-in-a-row B&M prototype coaster. Last year, SeaWorld Orlando debuted Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, a next generation B&M stand-up model. Now, they’re reinventing a new category with a design B&M has never attempted before: the family launch coaster.
Ice Breaker was SeaWorld’s first debut of a mid-level thrill coaster, but it ended up being more thrilling than anyone, even the park themselves, anticipated. Ice Breaker had its height requirement raised shortly after opening, and the park is now calling Penguin Trek their first family coaster. I love Ice Breaker, but it’s definitely a significant step up from the park’s kiddie coaster, Super Grover’s Box Car Derby. Penguin Trek fills that gap for younger riders.
Penguin Trek Review
Penguin Trek starts with an indoor section, featuring the most theming in the park apart from Journey to Atlantis. After leaving the station, the train takes a wide turn through a rocky ice cave illuminated with white and blue light, and then past a large screen showing an arctic environment with penguins. After a small drop and turn, the train passes through another cave section and slows on the launch track.
Then a quick, punchy launch gets the train outdoors and up a surprisingly steep incline.
The outdoor section makes up a majority of the layout, and features lots of twists and turns. Most of Penguin Trek is low to the ground, which will also be better for younger riders because there is not the feeling of height and elevation that could be off-putting for kids. There are a few turns that are higher up off the ground, including one after the second launch, which is really just a boost that gets the train up into the turn. I think the layout is enjoyable, but does feel meandering and doesn’t offer much in the way of interesting elements.
There are some hills on the ride, but they don’t deliver any airtime. This isn’t necessarily a negative, because I wasn’t expecting any serious forces, but some of the hills feel like there should be at least some floater airtime. The small dip in the indoor section offers a little bit because it is a sudden drop that is tighter and steeper than the rest, but that’s really just for a moment. In terms of the “rattle” that has been a popular conversation topic online, it’s definitely noticeable, but doesn’t take away too much from the ride.
It’s also worth talking about the trains, because these are a brand-new type of vehicles for B&M and I found them very comfortable. The restraints allow plenty of room for movement, and they sit nicely with the seats. The colors of the trains also blend very well with the track and supports, and the outdoor area is very aesthetically pleasing. My biggest reaction at the end of the ride was “I would love to see a thrilling version of this” and the trains are a major reason why.
Overall, Penguin Trek is a perfect addition for kids and families looking for a step in between a kiddie coaster and an intermediate thrill like Ice Breaker. Thrill-wise, I would put this ride a little below Slinky Dog Dash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and about on the same level as Seven Dwarves Mine Train at Magic Kingdom or any Wild Mouse coaster. The indoor section was the highlight for me because I liked the level of detail in the cave sections, and the launch actually delivered a kick that I was not expecting. If you’re visiting SeaWorld Orlando, it’s absolutely worth riding, with the knowledge that it is geared towards families.
Are you excited to ride Penguin Trek? Or if you’ve already ridden, what are your thought? Give us your Penguin Trek review in the comments!
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