Pete Penguin is one of SeaWorld's longest running mascots. I've made the chilly, dapper bird using sea shells and shark teeth found on the beaches of Venice, Florida.
My first visit to SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida was as a kid in 1987. This was at the height of my obsession with SeaWorld, marine animals, and SeaWorld's animated characters, Shamu and his Crew. We stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton close to SeaWorld for about a week. As such, we got a multi-day pass to SeaWorld and by the end of that week, I had pretty much memorized all the shows.
In 1987, the newest attraction was the "Brrrand New Penguin Encounter." This featured a moving sidewalk through a massive building showing off the birds.
In 2013, the park revamped the Penguin Encounter to become Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. This included an exhibit where visitors could actually enter the cold world of the penguins. There was also a trackless dark ride included---but I never experienced this ride, as it was closed every time I visited. Eventually, this dark ride shut down for good.
In 2024, a brand new family snowmobile roller coaster called Penguin Encounter (built by Bolliger and Mabillard) will replace the old dark ride (and beyond the building). I have to say, a penguin themed roller coaster may be my favorite idea they've come up with.
Pete Penguin himself has changed quite a bit over the years, starting out as a character wearing a top hat. In the 1980s, Pete was given a makeover with a stocking cap, and also given a female counterpart named Penny. This 1980s version of Pete still survives today, with Pete and Penny being included in SeaWorld's Christmas Winter Wonderland on Ice.
