Penguin Encounter at SeaWorld

[inkkognito]

We did the Penguin Encounter this past weekend, and it was amazing! I knew you got to pet a penguin, but I didn't realize you actually got to go inside the exhibit. You have to stay behind a low fence, and it's up to the penguins whether they want to come close enough for petting but we lucked out and many of them did. Click here (http://******************/x-2200-Orlando-Theme-Parks-Examiner~y2010m4d20-Meet-and-pet-penguins-at-SeaWorld-Orlando-with-Penguin-Spotlight-tour-Great-for-animal-lovers) for my full report with photos. We saw a puffin too but didn't get to pet him (got close enough for photos tho').

[charming23]

Great report. I love penquins and if I ever get back to Sea World I would love to do that. Thanks for sharing.

[tfoster]

It looks like you had a great time! I got on the website and tried looking for dates/times/prices but kept getting an "invalid ticket quantity" error. There's no place for me to enter or choose a quantity though. Did you reserve through their website?

[inkkognito]

I looked at the website but couldn't find the times so I booked over the phone (they still didn't tell me the time...didn't find out till we got there).

[SandrA9810]

did you get to pet cobie too?

thankfully the day i went i had on a nice thick sweater cause it was cold outside. I got to spend a good 15mins inside before my knees started shaking.

[inkkognito]

Our penguin was Ludwig and he was soooo sweet! He was the one in the hall and we petted several more inside the exhibit so Cobie might have been among them. I was surprised at how friendly they are, considering we weren't giving them food.

[torinsmom]

We got to pet one when we went a few years ago, but I don't remember his name. I remember the handler telling us about their projectile poops, LOL.

We were in an area after we petted the penguin and the tour guide was telling us all kids of facts. Little did she know that behind her, on the other side of the glass, there was an X-rated penguin show going on, LOL. One of the little boys in the group finally screamed out, "The penguins are DANCING!" LOL and all the adults had a good laugh:lmao: Once everyone started looking, the male stopped, looked up at us and waddled off, as if he was embarrased. DS said he wished I had videotaped it.:rotfl:

Marsha

[DisneyCoops]

Thanks for letting us know! I was debating whether or not to take the time to do it while at SeaWorld

[arcurioa]

Is this a new experience. DD and i did the Polar Expedition last year and you got to pet a penguin, but most of the tour centered around other exhibits and animals. The website mentions petting a puffin, but some photos show a king penguin is this the same one? DD is a huge penguin fan and this looks right up her alley.

[inkkognito]

This is the tour that includes a puffin, but we did not get to pet it (we did get to sit near it for photos). I think that might depend on which animal they use, as they don't force them to interact. Our puffin was kind of a shy one. This tour was definitely centered on the penguins, so you should get to pet a king penguin that they will bring into the hallway. With any luck you'll get to go into the exhibit too and hopefully other penguins will hang out within petting reach if you do.

[NickTim&Sami'smom]

Thanks, we will try this in October when we go. I think the kids will love it. Me TOO :)

[crabbie1]

Hi
I have just booked this for my 40th birthday on september 24th.I adore these little fellas and are fascinated by thier walk and the hard work they do out in the wild. Cant wait to do this.
Thanks for showing the photos I feel really excited about this.Will probably end up shedding a tear:laughing:

[Betner]

was this the plain penguin encounter exhibit, or the spotlight or another tour?

[WickedNicole]

I just booked the Penguin Spotlight Tour for June. I'm so excited!

[crabbie1]

was this the plain penguin encounter exhibit, or the spotlight or another tour?

Hi
It was the penguin spotlight tour.Sorry didnt know there was any other.

[tink,too]

Looks like you had a great time meeting the penguins. I'm definately going to book this for our October trip now. :)

[letstalkboutdisney]

Does it cost extra to see to pet the penquins? Is it a special tour you have to sign up for? thanks!:)

[curseofcurves]

In addition to the "Penguin Spotlight Tour," you also get to pet a penguin on the "Behind the Scenes Tour." Obviously, you get to spend more time with the penguins on the penguin tour. We just did the Behind the Scenes tour and we got to pet a penguin and spend about 15 minutes inside the smaller exhibit talking with the trainer(?) and our tour guide.

[inkkognito]

Does it cost extra to see to pet the penquins? Is it a special tour you have to sign up for? thanks!:)

Yes, it's an extra cost tour that you can book before your trip or on the same day if there is still availability. It is well worth the cost.

[letstalkboutdisney]

again thank you for the info!

[starwarsclark]

In addition to the "Penguin Spotlight Tour," you also get to pet a penguin on the "Behind the Scenes Tour." Obviously, you get to spend more time with the penguins on the penguin tour. We just did the Behind the Scenes tour and we got to pet a penguin and spend about 15 minutes inside the smaller exhibit talking with the trainer(?) and our tour guide.

Hi all,
Can someone please confirm that the SeaWorld Orlando's Penguins Up-Close Tour is the one where you get to go into the enclosure itself.
My wife is Penguin Mad and we have been on the tour where you got to touch a penguin but she really really really - did I say really - wants to go into the enclosure and see them there. This will be an early birthday pressie.

Link to the tours: http://commerce.4adventure.com/eStore/scripts/skins/swf/Tours.aspx

The one I believe I need to book is the Penguins Up-Close, did this used to be called the Spotlight Tour?

[starwarsclark]

Hi all,
Can someone please confirm that the SeaWorld Orlando's Penguins Up-Close Tour is the one where you get to go into the enclosure itself.
My wife is Penguin Mad and we have been on the tour where you got to touch a penguin but she really really really - did I say really - wants to go into the enclosure and see them there. This will be an early birthday pressie.

Link to the tours: http://commerce.4adventure.com/eStore/scripts/skins/swf/Tours.aspx

The one I believe I need to book is the Penguins Up-Close, did this used to be called the Spotlight Tour?

Any one, please, I need to book it within the next week so any help would be greatly appreciated. :thumbsup2

[Dizney_Mike]

I looked at the website but couldn't find the times so I booked over the phone (they still didn't tell me the time...didn't find out till we got there).

I took my neice of 19 years of age with me. Penguins are her favorite animal. When I signed up for it on the Sea World website, they gave me the option of taking the first or second tour. I chose the second one. I didn't really find out the times until we were signing in at guest services. My neice didn't know she was going until I signed in at guest services. That was her first suprise that trip.

[Dizney_Mike]

Any one, please, I need to book it within the next week so any help would be greatly appreciated. :thumbsup2

I booked through seaworld.com. It was easy to book and they emailed me my receipt which I took with me. I had no trouble at guest services as my name was already in their computer system. Look on Sea World's website to purchase tours. You can purchase them in advance. I purchased them a week in advance.:cool1:

I just need one more post to post pictures.

[starwarsclark]

I booked through seaworld.com. It was easy to book and they emailed me my receipt which I took with me. I had no trouble at guest services as my name was already in their computer system. Look on Sea World's website to purchase tours. You can purchase them in advance. I purchased them a week in advance.:cool1:

I just need one more post to post pictures.

Thanks for the reply. HOwever I am still stuck in trying to confirm the tour I actually want to book.

Can anyone please confirm that the SeaWorld Orlando's Penguins Up-Close Tour is the one where you get to go into the actual penguin enclosure.

Pretty please :thumbsup2

(PS now you can reply and get your one more post so you can post pictures)

[atigeg]

we went into the enclosure, but only the entrance.
there is a gate that you cannot go past.

you are on the fringe of the public viewing area.

[starwarsclark]

we went into the enclosure, but only the entrance.
there is a gate that you cannot go past.

you are on the fringe of the public viewing area.

That's great, that is the tour I want to book - However what was this tour called please? :cool1:

[bnlhockey]

The SeaWorld Orlando's Penguins Up-Close Tour is the one that you want :)

[reelmom]

In addition to the "Penguin Spotlight Tour," you also get to pet a penguin on the "Behind the Scenes Tour." Obviously, you get to spend more time with the penguins on the penguin tour. We just did the Behind the Scenes tour and we got to pet a penguin and spend about 15 minutes inside the smaller exhibit talking with the trainer(?) and our tour guide.

Did you enjoy the Behind the Scenes tour? I was thinking about choosing this over the Penguin Spotlight because :
1- Behind the Scenes is cheaper.
2- It is 30 minutes longer.
3- You get to pet a shark, touch a penguin, and explore a polar bear den.

Our boys are 7 and 8. I thought it might keep their attention more than just penguins. What do you think?

[bnlhockey]

Your choice is more dependent on how much penguin interaction you want.

The backstage tour does offer a penguin segment but it's about 15-20 mins of the tour. When we did the backstage tour the guide held the small penguin (not an emperor penguin) in his lap and let us stand beside it while we pet the penguin's back. They also let us take pics. The strictly penguin tour lets you see into the back of the large penguin area that you see from the exhibit; for the backstage tour penguin segment we were in an enclosed room in the back without a view of the exhibit at all...

Having said that, we took the backstage tour in April 2009 and enjoyed it alot. They pack alot into that tour. I have some pics of the shark that you're able to pet (it's in a smallish aquarium size tank, not a huge shark or anything) as well as the polar bear enclosure but am unsure how to post them...if you want to see them, let me know and hopefully someone can help me with that :)

[curseofcurves]

We did enjoy the Behind the Scenes tour. We started by walking into the backstage area and looking at some of the "rehab" areas. This was pools and such where they temporarily kept turtles, dolphins, and manatees. The guide told us about Seaworld's rehab efforts and what was going on with some of the animals currently in the tank.

We then hopped on the bus and went to the Shark area. This was a little room with lots of info about sharks on the walls. There was a small tank with a couple of the little sharks inside. We were able to reach in and do the two-finger touch and the guide talked about the sharks.

The we got back on the bus and went to the polar bear area. We went into a small room on the back side of the exhibit. One wall of the room was "glass" and shared with the back room of the polar bear exhibit. We watched the bear that was currently in that room (can't be seen by the general public) and the guide talked and answered questions. The room we were in had information and a few interactive things.

Lastly, we went to the penguin exhibit. We walked into a smaller penguin area (not the one out front) and spoke with the Trainer/Penguin Lady. She told us lots about the penguins and explained how we would get to pet and take a picture with one. This room was divided in two: One area where we stood and where she brought the penguin to us. The other was where all the penguins were hanging out. There was a dividing wall about waist high. We hung out in here for a long time. We only got to pet the one penguin, but we got to look fairly up close with the others. We did not go into the specific enclosure where the penguins were walking up to us.

This was a good way to spend a little time in several places and learn a little about several different animals. Our tour group was only 6 people and our guide was really great. It was a cheaper tour than the Penguin only tour ( especially since we did the AAA buy-one-get-one deal).

[eeyorefanuk]

We did enjoy the Behind the Scenes tour. We started by walking into the backstage area and looking at some of the "rehab" areas. This was pools and such where they temporarily kept turtles, dolphins, and manatees. The guide told us about Seaworld's rehab efforts and what was going on with some of the animals currently in the tank.

We then hopped on the bus and went to the Shark area. This was a little room with lots of info about sharks on the walls. There was a small tank with a couple of the little sharks inside. We were able to reach in and do the two-finger touch and the guide talked about the sharks.

The we got back on the bus and went to the polar bear area. We went into a small room on the back side of the exhibit. One wall of the room was "glass" and shared with the back room of the polar bear exhibit. We watched the bear that was currently in that room (can't be seen by the general public) and the guide talked and answered questions. The room we were in had information and a few interactive things.

Lastly, we went to the penguin exhibit. We walked into a smaller penguin area (not the one out front) and spoke with the Trainer/Penguin Lady. She told us lots about the penguins and explained how we would get to pet and take a picture with one. This room was divided in two: One area where we stood and where she brought the penguin to us. The other was where all the penguins were hanging out. There was a dividing wall about waist high. We hung out in here for a long time. We only got to pet the one penguin, but we got to look fairly up close with the others. We did not go into the specific enclosure where the penguins were walking up to us.

This was a good way to spend a little time in several places and learn a little about several different animals. Our tour group was only 6 people and our guide was really great. It was a cheaper tour than the Penguin only tour ( especially since we did the AAA buy-one-get-one deal).

Sounds great. Can I ask please, we are from the UK, and have the equivalent of the AAA card (in our case AA card :lmao:). How do you find out what discounts you get on any of the tours. Many thanks

[reelmom]

Thanks for the details of the tours. I can't decide which one. I want to do both. I think it might be better for the boys to have several different animals to look at but spending the whole time with the penguins would be so much fun.
bnlhockey- pictures would be great if it is not too much trouble. Thanks.

[curseofcurves]

Sounds great. Can I ask please, we are from the UK, and have the equivalent of the AAA card (in our case AA card :lmao:). How do you find out what discounts you get on any of the tours. Many thanks

For me, I just went to our local AAA website and clicked to buy tickets. The page listed all of the current deals. I went in to the office to buy the tickets to make 100% sure I was getting the right thing. You can try searching for your local organization's website or calling them directly and asking. I'm not sure, however, that they will have specific Disney World or Sea World discounts.

[bnlhockey]

Thanks for the details of the tours. I can't decide which one. I want to do both. I think it might be better for the boys to have several different animals to look at but spending the whole time with the penguins would be so much fun.
bnlhockey- pictures would be great if it is not too much trouble. Thanks.

Here are some pics from the backstage tour:

the shark that you are able to pet by running 2 fingers down its back

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy113/bnlhockey/seaworld039.jpg

the polar bear den - sorry for the dark/blurry pics, very hard to take pics in here, it's lowly lit and the glass is super-reflective

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy113/bnlhockey/DadspicsSeaWorldandCody023.jpg

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy113/bnlhockey/seaworld043.jpg

the penguin that you are able to pet - when the penguin was walking out of this area, he walked through a puddle and left 'penguin' tracks - very cute :)

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy113/bnlhockey/seaworld052.jpg

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy113/bnlhockey/seaworld065.jpg


Sorry again about the blurry/dark polar bear pics, between my Dad and me these were the best pics...

[tink,too]

Thanks for posting the pics, bnlhockey. :goodvibes

I'm also having trouble deciding between the Penguin and Backstage tours. :confused3

[reelmom]

Great pictures! Thanks for posting them.

[crabbie1]

my db has booked the penguin encounter for my 40th birthday.I know he paid $40 each for us and $30 for dd. I really hope this is the penguin only tour as I well up even seeing one on the TV:sad: I adore them. Please tell me its the right one.

[tink,too]

crabbie - that's the right one! :thumbsup2