How cold is Antarctica? Behind the scenes tour?

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mshanson3121

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 16, 2015

• Mar 20, 2015

• #1

I know that this ride will take you into the penguins habitat. Just how cold is it in there, and how long do you spend in there? Both on the regular Antarctica ride and then if you do the Behind the Scenes tour. Our daughter has a vascular disorder and is extremely cold-sensitive, so I'm wondering if this is one she should skip. We will be going end of June.

 

Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina

Life is short. Live it well.

Joined

Sep 12, 2008

• Mar 20, 2015

• #2

Its cold enough that the workers inside all wear parkas. I think the biggest thing for you guys will be the huge adjustment in temperature from outside the exhibit to inside.....its going to be HOT in June, making the cold seem even colder. We went in August, and wow......what a difference!!!!

 

JaxDad

DIS Veteran

Joined

Sep 23, 2014

• Mar 20, 2015

• #3

It is pretty cold. The Antactica ride basically ends at the exhibit, and you can stay there as long as you like. They are fun to watch. I brought light jackets for me and my kids, so we could stay comfortably. I had a small backpack for the jackets and other stuff, and used the lockers at times when I didn't want to carry it, or when I didn't want to get it wet on the Journey to Atlantis ride. I have not done the Behind the Scenes tour, but I am sure you would want jackets for that as well.

 

Sehsun

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 30, 2003

• Mar 20, 2015

• #4

The penguin exhibit at the end of the ride is 32 degrees. You can stay there as long as you'd like, but I think I can handle about 10 minutes at a time. You do start feeling cold while on the ride, but it isn't that long (between 5-7 minutes, if even that). The temperature gradually drops from when you're inside the queue all the way to when you see the penguins.

The Penguins Up-Close Tour and Behind the Scenes tour are two separate tours, but you do get to meet at least one penguin on both of them. On one part of the Penguins Up-Close Tour, you enter small area of the penguin exhibit (32 degrees). I'd say you spend about 5-10 minutes in there on that tour.

On one part of the Behind the Scenes tour, you enter a warmer environment than Antarctica to meet a penguin (different area of the park, different species of penguin). I would say it's around 60 degrees, and you spend around 10-15 minutes in there.

Hope that makes sense (and isn't too confusing!).

 

M

mshanson3121

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 16, 2015

• Mar 20, 2015

• #5

Sehsun said:

Hope that makes sense (and isn't too confusing!).

Click to expand...

No, that's great, thank you! I'll either have DD skip the ride probably, or I'll have to pack long pants, a jacket and mittens.

 

MsHook

Mouseketeer

Joined

Feb 9, 2015

• Mar 22, 2015

• #6

The ride itself isn't in the cold so you don't need to skip that. After you get off the ride, you walk out into the cold room with the penguins. If it's too cold for you, you can literally just walk through to the exit. 30 secs max.

 

Sehsun

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 30, 2003

• Mar 22, 2015

• #7

Oh right! I forgot something. Like MsHook said, you can walk to the exit (keep going left) if the penguin exhibit is too cold. After going through the revolving doors, you enter the underwater viewing area, which is less colder than the previous room. You can still see the penguins there, they will be swimming around in the water. There is also a smaller window off to the left in that room (near the elevator, 2nd floor) in which you can view the penguins, too.

 

J

jayohjayoh

Mouseketeer

Joined

Oct 3, 2014

• Mar 26, 2015

• #8

The penguins that you see during the Behind the Scenes tour are African penguins and aren't in as cold of a climate. I want to say they said the temp was 60-65 degrees.

 

Sehsun

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 30, 2003

• Mar 26, 2015

• #9

They are Magellanic penguins (on the BTS tour, that is).