SeaWorld's brand-new Expedition Odyssey

Anyone who has been an Orlando regular since 1992 will probably have a fond recollection of SeaWorld’s attempts to produce a cutting-edge simulator ride similar in style (but not theming) to Disney’s Star Tours ride at the Hollywood Studios park.

While Star Tours has been around since 1989, the SeaWorld version made its debut as Mission: Bermuda Triangle just three years later, a valiant attempt to excite guests with an underwater adventure in the mysterious Triangle area. It lasted just three years before SeaWorld got more ambitious and did a complete re-theme while building an entire animal exhibit around it.

Wild Arctic opened in 1995, a full-on thrill ride into the north polar region in a jet helicopter, White Thunder, that got caught in a violent storm, which was the cue for various madcap twists and turns of the copter’s wide-ranging technologies, including going under water, falling off a glacier and being caught in an avalanche. Just your average sight-seeing tour, really.

Once guests “survived” the ride, they exited into Base Station Wild Arctic to be surrounded by the sights and sounds of an Arctic research station, with habitats for polar bears, beluga whales and harbour seals. It was a dazzling portrayal of polar life, and it all had the huge benefit of being very cool in the hot Florida climate.

And then, it stopped

In 2014, the polar bears made way for walruses but the ride remained the same, a six-minute simulation of icy wastes and dangers in the company of pilot Norm “Snowman” Miller (real-life actor Rick Ducommun, who also appeared in high-profile films Die Hard and Groundhog Day). And then came the Pandemic.

In March 2020, SeaWorld – in conjunction with all Florida’s theme parks – shut down completely as part of the battle to beat Covid and, when it re-opened in June that year, there was absolutely no sign of Wild Arctic, the ride, although the Base Station and its animal habitats were still open to viewing.

Last year, we finally had word of what was happening in this by-now mysterious part of the “Arctic.” Wild Arctic was, indeed, gone, but we could expect a whole new polar experience in its place, a variation on the “flying theatre” ride as pioneered by Walt Disney World’s Soarin’ ride at the EPCOT park, albeit the SeaWorld version didn’t have a name yet. We were left to guess what the new attraction would be called – Destination Arctic, maybe? Or Arctic Flight? Somehow, Arctic Flying Theatre didn’t seem likely!

Enter, Expedition Odyssey

It wasn’t until March 13 this year that the final details were revealed, and the ride was given its full title – Expedition Odyssey. And, this month, we have finally got to see the finished version of the new ride, as it opened to the public on May 12.

Here’s what SeaWorld says: “Combining next generation, state-of-the-art dynamic motion, all-real visuals and real-world up-close animal encounters, Expedition Odyssey doesn’t just show riders the Arctic, it takes them there on an adventure that blends simulation and reality. This attraction will take guests on an exhilarating journey through towering glaciers, across the vast tundra and plunging into the icy depths of the Arctic Ocean, encountering some of the planet’s most awe-inspiring wildlife along the way.”

The Expedition Odyssey experience is what they call a next-generation ride system featuring an unprecedented range of dynamic motion, bringing fluidity and realism to every swoop, soar, dive and glide. Exclusive, all-real, custom-shot video footage captured in remote Arctic locations offers unmatched authenticity, immersing guests in thrilling encounters with iconic animals such as polar bears, orcas, beluga whales, seals, walruses and much more.

An Adventure for All Ages

Designed to amaze, entertain and inspire adventurers of all ages, Expedition Odyssey continues SeaWorld Orlando’s tradition of family-friendly thrills and creating memorable experiences for all, with a height requirement of only 39 inches (99cm). That means kids and adults alike can embark on this unforgettable Arctic expedition together. It’s also entirely indoors, so rain or shine, this adventure guarantees a cool, thrilling escape for the entire family year-round.

Guests also have the unique opportunity to transition from ride to reality as they enter SeaWorld’s Arctic animal habitat, including those beluga whales, seals and walruses. Among them is Uki, an orphaned Pacific walrus calf rescued in Alaska, who guests will be able to see in her new habitat.

Rescued by the Alaska SeaLife Center and deemed non-releasable last year, Uki arrived at SeaWorld last September. Since then, expert animal care specialists have been dedicated to nurturing and supporting her growth. Now, Uki joins the walrus herd in the meticulously crafted Arctic habitat, providing a rare and meaningful connection with this extraordinary animal ambassador.

And there’s more!

For those looking to get even closer to the Arctic animals, SeaWorld offers exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences, like the Beluga Whales Up-Close Tour, where guests can stand poolside with these incredible marine mammals, learning first-hand about their intelligence, behaviours and conservation.

“Expedition Odyssey is unlike anything we have ever done before and brings to life the wonder of the Arctic in a way only SeaWorld can do,” said Jon Peterson, park president of SeaWorld Orlando. “This exciting new attraction continues SeaWorld’s tradition of pushing the boundaries of family entertainment through innovative and engaging journeys.”

There will, inevitably, be comparisons with the Soarin’ ride at EPCOT, and the Masters of Flight attraction at LEGOLAND Florida. The basic idea is the same in all three, but EPCOT’s is much the larger version, with an 87-rider capacity, while LEGOLAND’s version takes 70 and SeaWorld’s just 30, albeit there are two identical theatres operating at the same time, so the whole ride can process 60 people at a time.

The fact that Soarin’ also visits the Arctic at one point will make for more direct contrasts with Expedition Odyssey, but the one big difference is that Epcot’s flying theatre film uses a few sly CGI tricks, while SeaWorld’s is all genuine wildlife filming, using special cameras and crews. Both are well worth seeing, though, and the effect of walking off the Expedition ride into a genuine Arctic animal environment is startling. Uki also is super-cute, which definitely gives SeaWorld the edge.

But, if you miss out on either ride, you’ll definitely be missing an essential Orlando experience, so be sure to allow time for both parks.

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