NEW ADVENTURE IN 2013 NEW ATTRACTION, ANTARCTICA: EMPIRE OF THE PENGUIN

Seeing new adventures in SeaWorld, our little feets are itching to visit. Hopefully next year we get to test this new baby at SeaWorld!

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SEAWORLD ORLANDO DEBUTS RIDE VEHICLE THAT WILL TAKE GUESTS ON FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND ADVENTURE IN 2013 NEW ATTRACTION, ANTARCTICA: EMPIRE OF THE PENGUIN

Orlando, FL (November 13, 2012) – At the world’s largest theme park convention – the International

Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ Expo 2012 - SeaWorld Orlando execs revealed the

vehicle that will take guests on a first-of-its-kind ride to the frozen south in the park’s 2013 attraction

and all-new realm, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin.

“There’s nothing else like this in the world,” said Brian Morrow, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment creative director. “Next year, this is the vehicle that will take families on an epic adventure and allow them to experience and interact with the thrills, wonders and dangers of Antarctica, all through the eyes of a very special penguin.”

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin combines a state-of-the-art family adventure ride and closer-than-ever encounters with hundreds of penguins – kings, gentoos, Adelies and rockhoppers – to create Orlando’s must-see 2013 new attraction. Immersing guests in a colony of penguins means Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin will be the coldest theme park attraction in the world.

Designers revealed a bit more about the vehicles’ unique role in the attraction.

The cars themselves are technological marvels. Each car is a mobile simulator, with movements

that allow the riders to become one with the storyline as they follow and mimic a young penguin’s

adventures. The combination of experiences – mobile, moving simulators and a completely trackless ride – are theme park firsts. Guests will choose one of two levels of adventure. Designers say each level has

multiple variations for a feeling of unpredictability, just like the continent of Antarctica.

“When our little hero penguin learns to waddle and slide, we’ll feel what it’s like as the car moves and

reacts to the storyline. When he takes his first swim or barely escapes danger, our guests will feel as if

they’re right there with him,” Morrow said.

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is the biggest expansion in company history. Park execs consider the

attraction an all-new “realm,” rather than a single attraction. Antarctica’s scope includes the ride,

penguin colony, gift shop and restaurant.

It’s an all-family experience that could only come from SeaWorld and can only be found at SeaWorld

Orlando. “We’ve taken our guests and fans on astounding journeys,” said Terry Prather, SeaWorld

Orlando’s president. “But no one has ever experienced what we’re bringing to Orlando in 2013. The first-of-its-kind ride, the cold, the wind, the thrills and danger of Antarctica and walking among penguins in a massive habitat is something only SeaWorld could do.”

More details can be found at SeaWorldOrlando.com.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a portfolio company of The Blackstone Group (NYSE:BX), operates 10 parks across the U.S. including SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio; Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Fla. and Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove and Aquatica in Orlando; Sesame Place near Philadelphia, Pa.; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg. The 10 parks play host to 23 million guests each year and employ 20,000 people nationwide.

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Disclosure: I was provided with the information in this post by SeaWorld Orlando. No compensation was received.