I found some construction photos showing the footprint of the now-demolished "Penguin Encounter" at Sea World in Orlando. Apparently they are replacing it with something called "Antarctica". Does anybody know if this is also going to be a penguin exhibit, or will it be primarily a thrill ride of some kind? "Penguin Encounter", at Sea World San Diego at least, seems to be regarded as one of the best penguin exhibits in the world. Hopefully this "Antarctica" thing will be an improvement in quality and not something of lesser quality attached to some kind of ride. Universal Orlando's new parade, Lagoon show, SeaWorld construction and progress - Blogs - MiceChat
Here's another article on it. It seems that there is going to be a ride, but guests will be able to get closer to the penguins than ever before. SeaWorld Orlando reveals more details Antarctica attraction
Thanks for the link. It sounds quite interesting, and hopefully will turn out well for the penguins and the visitors.
There are some construction photos of the new Sea World penguin thingie as well as a ride preview video here: Sea World Orlando Antarctica Construction Update It looks like it will combine a ride of some sort with live penguin habitats.
Some new information on Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, released by Sea World. Looks like it will include a walk-through penguin habitat. Also the ride appears to be trackless technology similar to Pooh's Hunny Hunt at Tokyo Disneyland. Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin | All NEW for Spring 2013 | SeaWorld Orlando
I'm sure it will probably have emperor penguins, even though Sea World San Diego is the only zoo to do so.
There is no reason to believe it will have emperor penguins. The video specifically mentions rockhopper, gentoo, adelie, and king penguins. Concept art is meaningless in cases such as these.
