24 May 2013, 3:49 pm
Meet the Stars of Antarctica Empire of the Penguin at SeaWorld
The largest expansion in SeaWorld Orlando’s history opens today, taking visitors on a state-of-the-art ride through the glaciers, ice and freezing waters of Antarctica before dropping them into a colony of 250 real-life penguins. It’s called Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin and the name says it all.
SeaWorld Orlando’s newest attraction may include a ride, restaurant and gift shop but it’s the live penguins that are causing quit a stir, even in its preview days. Filled with four different penguin breeds including Gentoo, King, Adelie and Rockhopper penguins, the penguin habitat located at the end of the ride is unlike any other animal encounter at the Orlando theme park. That’s because the penguins aren’t closed off by the typical glass wall or boundaries you normally see at an animal attraction. They walk and swim around freely in the 6,000-square foot habitat with just an 18-inch tall rock wall separating them from guests.
As you meander through the colony you’ll be amazed at how close you get to the penguin, being able to see just how distinct one penguin species can be from another. Here’s a quick guide to what each penguin looks like so you can identify them on your next visit:
Adelie – These are the penguins you probably envision when you think of penguins. Aside from their tuxedo-like coloring, the Adelie penguins can be identified by the white rings surrounding their eye and the feathers at the base of their bill. Their tail is also a little longer than other penguins and yet they are smaller than most other species.
Gentoo - Gentoo penguins are more closely related to the Adelie in their look. The fastest swimming penguin species and the third largest, the Gentoo are recognized by their wide white stripe extending like a bonnet across the top of their head. They also have a bright orange-red bill, white-pink webbed feet and the longest tail of the penguins in the colony.
King - The King penguins are the second largest penguin species and are easily spotted by the yellow on their chests and part of their heads.
Rockhopper - Rockhopper penguins are also recognizable by their yellow coloring, except unlike the Kings, they have yellow feathers that stick out from their heads, giving them a very unique look. They are one of the smallest penguin species and get their name from the way they rocket out of the water to avoid predators as well as from the way they are often seen hopping from rock to rock while on land.
Experience all four different species of penguins like you never have before and might never again with the new attraction Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin with discounted SeaWorld Orlando tickets right here on Orlando Fun Tickets.
22 May 2013, 1:58 pm
Food For Thought Summer Treats at Orlando Theme Parks
We’re about a month away from summer but the temps in Orlando are already hitting a high so Orlando Fun Tickets thought we’d share our favorite summer treats at Walt Disney World ® and Universal Orlando to keep your June and July cool and delicious!
Walt Disney World ®:
Goofy’s Glaciers – If it’s named after the silly Disney ® character Goofy, you know it’s going to be unique and that’s exactly what Goofy’s Glaciers is! Somewhere in between an icee and a slushy, Goofy’s Glaciers is the perfect summer drink with the perfect combination of ice and slush! But before you slurp yourself into a cooler state, you have to choose from eight different Glaciers including Rootin’ Tootin’ Red, Goofy’s Glacier Apple, Pucker Purple, Orange You Happy Orange, and Gawrshly Berry Blue. There is also the classic Coca-Cola option. And if you want to really add a twist to your treat, ask the cast member to combine two flavors for one special drink!
Dole Whips – Next to the ice cream Mickey Ears, Dole Whips are easily the most popular Disney ® treat. And during the summer, these tasty pineapple concoctions are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth and keep cool. A Dole Whip is a non-dairy, soft serve, frozen treat that can either be served in a cup or as a float with pineapple juice on the bottom. You can find Dole Whips at Aloha Isle in Adventureland in Magic Kingdom ® and Captain Cook’s Snack Company at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich – There isn’t a kid alive who doesn’t scream for a Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich during their trip to Walt Disney World ®. That’s because these delectable frozen treats look just like the famous Disney ® mouse and combine both chocolate and vanilla ice cream to satisfy all taste buds! It’s hands down the best treat for the kiddos on a hot summer day.
Kaki-Gori – It’s sweet, fruity and cold. Sounds like the perfect summer treat to us! Kaki Gori is a Japanese delight made of shaved ice, hand-shaped into a giant snowballs topped with fruit syrup. You can indulge in strawberry, tangerine and honeydew, or a rainbow concoction of all three. Kaki Gori can be found at the Japan Pavilion in Epcot ®.
Universal Orlando:
Butterbeer – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure is filled with experiences from the books and movies that transport you to the fictional world of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. One such experience is the delightful concoction Butterbeer. The cold, creamy and frothy drink is by far the most popular snack item at the park and that’s because you feel like Harry Potter drinking it. Plus, you can either get it cold or frozen, both are welcome on a hot day. We’re not quite sure what Butterbeer is made out of but it has a similar taste to butterscotch, shortbread and cream soda. You can take a sip at Hog’s Head Pub, Three Broomsticks and carts throughout the park.
Ben & Jerry's Soft-Serve Ice cream - A hot summer day isn’t complete without an ice cream cone, and this summer, make sure you try the innovative and tasty flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream at Islands of Adventure. Located in the Marvel area of the park, Ben & Jerry’s serves up it’s classic flavors and some fun ones too for the perfect way to enjoy a delicious summer. And the best part is Ben & Jerry’s Soft Serve is located right at the entrance to the park so you can get your ice cream fix right when you enter or before leaving for the day!
20 May 2013, 2:51 pm
Antarctica Empire of the Penguin Opens This Week at SeaWorld
It may be hard to imagine, but in just a few short days you’ll be able to experience the frozen climate of Antarctica in the middle of a hot spring day in Orlando.
On May 24, guests to SeaWorld Orlando will be whisked away to a land where penguins roam and ice surrounds in the highly anticipated attraction – Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin.
It’s been more than a year since we first heard about the park’s possible venture into Antarctica. Since then Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin has become the largest and most impressive expansion in history, covering four-acres and featuring a trackless, high-tech track, an underground viewing area, a restaurant and a gift shop not to mention the largest artificial penguin habitat ever built!
Imagine a rock wall separating you from 250 real-life penguins. That’s exactly what you’ll encounter on the new Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. Gentoo, King, Adelie and rockhopper penguins have taken up residency at the new attraction and are nearly within fingers reach. But before you try and touch the animals signs warn you against it, plus it’s 30 degrees inside the attraction so you might get chilly before you get brave enough to attempt to touch a penguin!
Prior to the ride, the queue will snake you around 50-foot glaciers and icicles. Once you get inside the ride area, you’ll start to feel the colder temps. Your first stop is the drying room that sucks out the humidity as you watch a two-minute movie about Puck the penguin, who you’ll be following in the ride.
The ride itself seats up to eight guests that glide along a trackless navigation system that makes you feel like you’re sliding over ice. There is no set route, making the ride different every time. You can even pick which intensity, low-or high you’d like to experience on your adventure.
SeaWorld Orlando did an excellent job creating a very real and life-like recreation of Antarctica and the penguin habitat that lives on the icy land. As you slide along you’ll be completely immersed in what it feels like to actually be in Antarctica with icebergs and hundreds of penguins walking around you.
After the three-minute ride, guests will step into a colony of 250 penguins of Antarctica who waddle through the snow around you. If that 30-degree weather gets a little too cold for you, you can check out the underwater viewing area nearby, where you’ll be able to watch the penguins swim and play behind a massive window.
Stay tuned for more details on Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin after its grand opening this week. In the meantime, you can experience the new attraction for yourself with discounted SeaWorld Orlando tickets right here on Orlando Fun Tickets.
