Penguins

[Mbruce]

Is there a place to view the penguins and puffins while Penguin Encounter is closed? Seeing the penguins and puffins was a major draw for me. Thanks.

 

[livndisney]

Is there a place to view the penguins and puffins while Penguin Encounter is closed? Seeing the penguins and puffins was a major draw for me. Thanks.

No, the entire area is closed off to the public.

However-according to the tour people, the penguin tour is still available. So you would be able to go behind the scenes and touch a penguin.

 

[anonymouscactus]

Correct. The only way to see a penguin would be to do a behind-the-scenes penguin tour. I do not know about being able to see the puffins, however.

 

[Mbruce]

Thanks. All I needed to know for my planning.

 

[gardener14]

Here's a link to a blog post by someone who recently took the behind the scenes penguin tour. While the penguins are "backstage," they mention that the puffins were sent to Sea World San Diego and will not be returning to Orlando. I find that to be disappointing. I think they could find a new home for them in SWOrlando because I always enjoyed seeing them, and they are rather unique, and among all zoos and aquariums I've visited, it's the only place I've been able to see them.

http://behindthethrills.com/2012/02/up-close-and-personal-with-penguins-at-seaworld/

 

[Mbruce]

I am really disappointed about that too. I saw puffins when in Alaska. It was great. I was hoping for an opportunity to see them in FL. I go to FL much more often than Alaska. Thanks for the info.

 

[SharonK0527]

Here's a link to a blog post by someone who recently took the behind the scenes penguin tour. While the penguins are "backstage," they mention that the puffins were sent to Sea World San Diego and will not be returning to Orlando. I find that to be disappointing. I think they could find a new home for them in SWOrlando because I always enjoyed seeing them, and they are rather unique, and among all zoos and aquariums I've visited, it's the only place I've been able to see them.

http://behindthethrills.com/2012/02/up-close-and-personal-with-penguins-at-seaworld/

That is so disappointing. We did the Backstage Penguin Tour in October of 2011 and absoluely loved it. We got to spend about 15 minutes of the tour speaking with one of the puffin handlers - she had 2 puffins with her. While we were not allowed to pet them (the oil from human skin ruins their feathers), we were able to get very close to the puffins, take lots of photos, and spend a good 15 minutes watching them up-close. What a shame that these beautiful animals will no longer be at Sea World Orlando

 

[Evansvillegirl26]

I'm going March6 and have signed up for the penguin tour. WE did it in 2010 and the puffins were part of it. So do they let you spend more time with the penguins since the puffins are not there? Or is the tour cut short?

 

[pigby]

We go in June - havent been for some time - when is Penguin Encounter scheduled to re-open?

On the discussion about seeing puffins and penguins, we go to a great little place over here in the UK - in Torquay, Devon where the some of penguins roam about near the visitors - they also have a 'Puffin Cliff' - this is a 'mock up' although puffins are native to the UK. Just wondered whether puffins are native to the US at all?

 

[chiamarie]

We go in June - havent been for some time - when is Penguin Encounter scheduled to re-open?

On the discussion about seeing puffins and penguins, we go to a great little place over here in the UK - in Torquay, Devon where the some of penguins roam about near the visitors - they also have a 'Puffin Cliff' - this is a 'mock up' although puffins are native to the UK. Just wondered whether puffins are native to the US at all?

A) Penguins will reopen sometime in the Summer of 2013 when the exhibit/ride "Antarctica: Empire of the Penguins" opens.

B) Penguins are native to the US, I believe there would be some up in Alaska.

 

[gardener14]

We go in June - havent been for some time - when is Penguin Encounter scheduled to re-open?

On the discussion about seeing puffins and penguins, we go to a great little place over here in the UK - in Torquay, Devon where the some of penguins roam about near the visitors - they also have a 'Puffin Cliff' - this is a 'mock up' although puffins are native to the UK. Just wondered whether puffins are native to the US at all?

There are Puffins in Maine and across the border in maritme Canada. I don't know where else they live in North America.