Antarctica - Empire of the Penguin

[billy bong]

First post and in line... 8am early entry apparently for hotel guests; however, they didn't do any validation... Ride hasn't opened yet...

 

[Legolas813]

Does natural sunlight hit this tank? Because I went at night and the water was very murky and almost impossible to see into.

 

[Legolas813]

But that's where the good ends, and it gets really bad. Horribly bad... I go to try the food, and it is the worst I've ever had at any Orlando theme park. The orange chicken was OK at best, and I was hungry and a bit hungover, so I was already predisposed to chow down whatever was in front of me... The fried rice, on the other hand, was disgusting and I couldn't down more than a few bites. It had a really weird taste and texture. But hey, let's try to be positive, at least I have a sweet, crunchy fortune cookie to finish my meal, right? Wrong... Even the cookie tasted stale and it wasn't even crunchy! What a total disappointment...

Maybe you just picked a bad item? The menu is pretty large and diverse. I had the Oriental Veggie Wrap and Asian Freshie Salad. While I thought it was a little overpriced, the food itself was good. I don't know, maybe I was just happy that for once a theme park actually had what appeared to be vegan food (there is also a Garden Lasagna that I am wondering if you can get without the alfredo sauce), or the fact that there was absolutely no wait despite being Memorial Day weekend, but overall I had no complaints. They even have hidden indoor seating.

 

[Octobers Fade]

Does natural sunlight hit this tank? Because I went at night and the water was very murky and almost impossible to see into.

It does appear to be natural light but I do not know for a fact what the source of light is.

 

[Hatetofly]

Epic. Fail. I hope Sea World didn't patent this specific ride system so that no other theme park can use it because damn, that would be a waste.

To my knowledge Oceaneering didn't sell the exclusive or territory rights to this attraction as there biggest customer (for themeparks) is about 3 miles down the street.

Does natural sunlight hit this tank? Because I went at night and the water was very murky and almost impossible to see into.

No natural light, it's all controlled by a system of artificial light.

- - - Updated - - -

Those reviews aren't actually positive reviews. They're using language like "an experience the entire family can enjoy together," but not actually saying that they found it to be enjoyable. Same with TPI.

Yup it's called not biting the hand that feeds you...

 

[Nitro_230]

It's not natural light because they mimic the lighting of the seasons in Antarctica. In their summer it's bright most of the day, in their winter it's dark most of the day. It's the same for the habitat.

 

[Felipe]

Maybe you just picked a bad item? The menu is pretty large and diverse. I had the Oriental Veggie Wrap and Asian Freshie Salad. While I thought it was a little overpriced, the food itself was good. I don't know, maybe I was just happy that for once a theme park actually had what appeared to be vegan food (there is also a Garden Lasagna that I am wondering if you can get without the alfredo sauce), or the fact that there was absolutely no wait despite being Memorial Day weekend, but overall I had no complaints. They even have hidden indoor seating.

The orange chicken was OK... but I can get better, tastier orange chicken from Panda Express at City Walk if I'm really craving orange chicken. The rice was inedible, though, with a really weird taste (I don't know if something in it was burnt or rancid) and it also had a really weird texture for fried rice. Maybe they were having a bad day, or it was a bad item, but either way it's inexcusable. And to add insult to injury, as you've mentioned, the food is overpriced for what it is.

I was also surprised by how empty the cafe was, seeing as it was lunch time, right after noon. The theming is a huge plus they have going, but it isn't enough to make me want to go back to eat there. I will give this one more chance in a couple of weeks, but if the food ain't any better, they're not getting my business (for food) again. I'd rather wait a bit and eat somewhere else.

 

[Spideyfreak]

To my knowledge Oceaneering didn't sell the exclusive or territory rights to this attraction as there biggest customer (for themeparks) is about 3 miles down the street.

Thinking about it... Oceaneering has made over 90 RVs for Universal.

 

[UK-Trigg]

I am gutted to read these recent reviews as I was really looking forward to this attraction.

Been tossing up whether to do Busch or SeaWorld next trip, I think my mind is made up now. But then again Manta is my fave coaster anywhere, just love that pretzel loop on the back row.

Back on topic, I have followed this project from the beginning and it had all the promise of being a fantastic addition for SW, I'm sure after the reviews it's been getting we will be seeing a few tweaks to try and improve it, just looks like a waste of a good RV at the minute. Shame

 

[shiekra38]

I am gutted to read these recent reviews as I was really looking forward to this attraction.

Been tossing up whether to do Busch or SeaWorld next trip, I think my mind is made up now. But then again Manta is my fave coaster anywhere, just love that pretzel loop on the back row.

Back on topic, I have followed this project from the beginning and it had all the promise of being a fantastic addition for SW, I'm sure after the reviews it's been getting we will be seeing a few tweaks to try and improve it, just looks like a waste of a good RV at the minute. Shame

Sea World is a great park..this expansion just didn't help it at all..I would still go exclusively to ride Manta and Kraken though

 

[Felipe]

Roodles, I would still do SeaWorld if you can. Regardless of Antarctica, SeaWorld is a great park. Manta and Kraken are awesome coasters, and they have some great animal exhibits. I'm not into the shows, but if that's your cup of tea, you also have those!

 

[UK-Trigg]

I like both Busch and SW having done both several times.

I was torn this trip as cant really afford/have time for both so was torn between the 2.

Do they do a joint AP?

 

[Bryan]

Yes the ap is very customizable as to what parks you put on it

 

[TomTheRiddle]

Just have to say. Antarctica is not worth more than a 20 minute wait. Let alone a 2 hour wait. This is after riding twice where the first time was interrupted by an estopped and the ride had to be station evac'd.

It was a really lame use of LPS. Not like Mystic Manor.

Lets hope Seaworld gets it right next time.

I also have to say the guest service of the staff was abysmal and the worst I've seen of any park.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

What if SWO didn't splurge for the advanced ride system, could they have expanded the ride? (Or at least make it a more cohesive story?)

 

[UNIrd]

I also have to say the guest service of the staff was abysmal and the worst I've seen of any park.

Why so?

 

[Nitro_230]

I also have to say the guest service of the staff was abysmal and the worst I've seen of any park.

I'm also curious what interactions you had. I found that the one thing Sea World really did right was the guest service.

- Team members everywhere to answer questions
- Members of managent out ensuring everything is going well
- Water coolers set up in the queue
- Lots of umbrellas in the queue
- Guy going around spraying those who wanted with water.
- Free bottles of water and sun screen.

 

[Hatetofly]

What if SWO didn't splurge for the advanced ride system, could they have expanded the ride? (Or at least make it a more cohesive story?)

If laying track down would of led to better scenes then I say bring on the busbar!

 

[Octobers Fade]

If laying track down would of led to better scenes then I say bring on the busbar!

Personally, I think it should have been a boat ride.

 

[bobwadd]

Made CNN --> See SeaWorld penguin escape