Meet the Emperors: SeaWorld Orlando Introduces Western Hemisphere's Only Emperor Penguins

SeaWorld Orlando (PRKS) is making history by becoming the only location in the Western Hemisphere to exhibit Emperor penguins, starting June 14, 2025.

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SeaWorld Orlando (PRKS) is making history by becoming the only location in the Western Hemisphere to exhibit Emperor penguins, starting June 14, 2025. The park's Antarctica Realm has been specially modified to accommodate these iconic Antarctic birds, maintaining temperatures around 28°F and simulating Antarctic light cycles. The Emperor penguins, transferred from SeaWorld San Diego, will be accessible to Annual Pass Members exclusively on June 12-13 before the public debut. To celebrate, the park partnered with Creative City Project to install "Big City Penguins," featuring three large Emperor penguin sculptures in Downtown Orlando through June 19. SeaWorld San Diego has been pioneering Emperor penguin care since the 1980s, being the first facility to successfully breed them outside Antarctica. The park is offering Annual Passes starting at $14/month, including exclusive access and various benefits valued at $3,300+.

Positive

• Exclusive exhibition of Emperor penguins in Western Hemisphere, creating unique market advantage
• Leveraging SeaWorld San Diego's successful breeding program expertise
• Early access offering for Annual Pass Members could drive membership sales
• Strategic timing for summer tourism season

Negative

• Significant operational costs for maintaining precise environmental conditions at 28°F
• Limited exhibition period for art installation (only through June 19)
• Potential risks associated with maintaining sensitive Antarctic species

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The world's largest and most iconic penguin species makes its exclusive debut at SeaWorld Orlando

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ORLANDO, Fla., June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SeaWorld Orlando is making history this summer as the only place in the Western Hemisphere where guests can see Emperor penguins—the world's largest and most iconic penguin species – up close. Beginning June 14, guests will be able to witness these iconic Antarctic animals up close in the park's Antarctica Realm. SeaWorld Orlando will be the only place in the Western Hemisphere where the public can see Emperor penguins.

SeaWorld Annual Pass Members will receive exclusive early access to the habitat on June 12 and 13, offering a first look at these powerful and regal birds before they debut to the public.

Native to the harsh, frozen landscape of Antarctica, Emperor penguins are built for life on the ice, with dense feathers and impressive swimming abilities that allow them to dive deeper than any other bird species. To prepare for their arrival, SeaWorld Orlando upgraded its Antarctica Realm to meet the species precise environmental needs, including reducing temperatures to around 28°F and mimicking Antarctic light cycles to support their natural rhythms.  The Emperor penguins arriving in Orlando were relocated from SeaWorld San Diego, which has led global efforts in Emperor penguin care and breeding since the early 1980s.

"This is an incredibly rare and exciting opportunity for guests to encounter one of nature's most extraordinary species," said Jon Peterson, Park President of SeaWorld Orlando. "We're proud to continue SeaWorld's legacy of penguin care and conservation, while giving  our guests a rare chance to connect with these animals in remarkable ways."

Art Takes Flight in Orlando: "Big City Penguins" Installation

To celebrate the arrival of these polar icons, SeaWorld Orlando has partnered with Creative City Project to debut Big City Penguins—a playful, larger-than-life art installation featuring three towering Emperor penguins across Downtown Orlando. The temporary installation is on display through June 19, offering a buzzworthy photo op for residents and visitors alike.

Guests are encouraged to snap a selfie, share their sightings on social media, and get excited to meet the real Emperor penguins up close this summer at SeaWorld Orlando.

Fast Facts About Emperor Penguins

• Size: Up to 44 inches tall
  
  
• Weight: 60 to 90 pounds
  
  
• Lifespan: 20 to 25 years in the wild; up to 50 years under professional care
  
  
• Range: Circumpolar on the Antarctic continent
  
  
• Status: Listed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Fun Facts

• Emperor penguins don't build nests—males incubate a single egg atop their feet under a brood patch.
  
  
• Males fast during incubation, losing up to 45% of their body weight.
  
  
• They're the only penguin species to breed during the Antarctic winter.
  
  
• Emperor penguins can swim up to 8.9 mph and walk (or toboggan) at about 1.7 mph.

SeaWorld San Diego was the world's first zoological facility to successfully breed Emperor penguins outside of Antarctica. More than 20 individuals have been hatched and raised there since 1980, including one in 2023.

Conservation Commitment

SeaWorld—an accredited organization recognized as Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by both the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums—is committed to the care, conservation, and protection of penguins and their habitats.

Be Among the First to Visit Emperor Penguins
The best way to meet the Emperor penguins is with a SeaWorld Annual Pass, which includes exclusive early access on June 12 and 13 and unlimited visits all year long.
Become a Pass Member for as low as $14/month and enjoy unbeatable perks valued at $3,300+ for the year, including:

• Unlimited visits all year long
  
• FREE parking
  
• FREE guest tickets
  
• Exclusive invites to new attractions and events
  
• Special discounts on food, merchandise, and more

SeaWorld Annual Passes are on sale now. Visit SeaWorldOrlando.com to learn more and join the fun.

About SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life. Welcoming millions of guests every year, the parks offer fun and enriching experiences from up-close animal encounters and year-round educational programs to award-winning marine-life-themed rides and attractions, special events, and exciting entertainment. For more than 60 years SeaWorld has advanced the conservation of marine life in and outside its parks through science, education, and exceptional animal care that is Humane Certified by American Humane and accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, helping more than 42,000 animals to date. The SeaWorld Conservation Fund, a non-profit foundation established in 2003, has provided more than $20 million to nearly 1,400 organizations to advance critical research on every continent.  A portion of park proceeds goes toward supporting these longstanding conservation commitments. SeaWorld parks are in Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). SeaWorld is part of the United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:PRKS) portfolio of theme park brands. For more information, visit us at SeaWorld.com.

Media Contact: SWO-PR@seaworld.com

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SOURCE SeaWorld Orlando

FAQ

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When will Emperor penguins debut at SeaWorld Orlando (PRKS)?

Emperor penguins will debut to the public at SeaWorld Orlando on June 14, 2025, with exclusive early access for Annual Pass Members on June 12-13.

How much is a SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass in 2025?

SeaWorld Orlando Annual Passes start at $14 per month and include benefits valued at over $3,300, including unlimited visits, free parking, and exclusive event access.

What special accommodations were made for Emperor penguins at SeaWorld Orlando?

SeaWorld Orlando upgraded its Antarctica Realm to maintain temperatures around 28°F and simulate Antarctic light cycles to support the penguins' natural rhythms.

How successful is SeaWorld's Emperor penguin breeding program?

SeaWorld San Diego, which has led Emperor penguin care since the 1980s, was the first facility to successfully breed Emperor penguins outside Antarctica, with over 20 penguins hatched since 1980.

What is the Big City Penguins installation at SeaWorld Orlando?

Big City Penguins is a temporary art installation in Downtown Orlando featuring three large Emperor penguin sculptures, on display through June 19, 2025.