Wild Arctic

The Wild Arctic is a very clever combination of an exciting wild simulator ride with an Arctic aquatic habitat. Arguably this is one of the best imaginative attractions in Orlando.

As you approach the attraction you’ll see a large covered queuing area where the line winds it’s way to the entrance. There are two options open to guests, one is ‘motion’ where you board a futuristic helicopter ride to the base station and then experience the wonderfully themed Arctic habitat. The other is ‘non-motion’, which bypasses the ride, so if you don’t like simulator rides or you suffer from back problems or motion sickness you are not excluded from this attraction.

This is a very popular attraction, to avoid long queues do this first thing in the morning. Avoid this attraction just after the orca show ends, as the lines fill up very quickly from the guests leaving Shamu Stadium.

If you are in a queue then at least it is covered and away from the Sun, there are strategically placed misters to keep you cool and overhead monitors entertain you with the lifestyle of the Inuit people who inhabit the Arctic realms. Once through the entrance you enter a holding room with a large monitor, here you’ll be treated to an introductory video before being shown to your multi-seated helicopter.

Your jovial pilot introduces himself to you in that kind of manner that doesn’t really inspire the greatest of confidence for your journey ahead. As your ride vehicle lifts off from the icy Arctic tundra you can hear storm warnings coming from the radio but your pilot takes it upon himself to show you the sights across this icy wilderness. The pilot selects whisper mode for the rotors to enable the helicopter to swoop down on an unsuspecting polar bear family. Soon you are heading for the ice sheet and plunging below the water to view the sea life.

Back above the ice the storm has worsened and the pilot’s decision to take you on an unscheduled tour has put you in danger. Prudently he puts down on a glacier to wait out the storm but the glacier gives way, you are now plunging down a steep glacier in a flurry of snow and ice. The pilot is desperately trying to restart the engines, you are being jolted around, your heart is beating beyond the confines of your chest and your mind is racing. Will you survive? At the last minute the pilot restarts the engines and swoops away from danger. You knew he would do, didn’t you! Didn’t you?

The winds are still a danger, your pilot decides it will be safer to fly through a crevasse, “is this a good idea?” you are probably thinking! Your suspicions are soon confirmed, the walls of the crevasse give way to an avalanche; can you out run it? Eventually you break free and make it to the safety of the base station.

The ride lasts around 5 minutes and is remarkably realistic; it’s fast, rough and very scenic. You will find yourself immersed in the action, gripping the seats and screaming. A truly wild ride, not to be missed.

Those that take the ‘non motion’ option for their journey to the base station are escorted to a viewing room to watch the same film before being shown to the Base station.

The Base Station

Once you stagger off the simulator ride you enter a surreal environment, it feels as though you are in the Arctic, there is even real ice around you, yes real ice, you very quickly forget that you are still actually in the Sunshine State as you soak up the atmosphere.
Scientists have discovered what remains of the 1845 British expedition for the Northwest Passage. Their ship lies encased in the ice and their ‘ship wreck’ is now home to an array of wildlife. The scientists have set up observation stations all around the wreck to observe this living Arctic wonder.
The first area you come across simulates the open Arctic; it has a domed ceiling that gives the illusion of an Arctic sky. Walk over to the bridge where the ice is broken and you can watch the Beluga whales swimming majestically in the cold water.
There are some quaint touches if you look carefully, like the sign that says ‘2967 miles to Seaworld Florida’ and the side of the ship protruding from the ice sheet.

Wind your way through the ice caverns, don’t worry, Seaworld has thoughtfully not mimicked the Arctic temperatures, and you find yourself in the research station. You can view the animals through thick glass windows that have been positioned in the side of the old wreck. You can see the Beluga’s from under water here and on the other side, probably the star of the exhibit, the Polar Bears swimming on the surface or lying on the ice cap.
You are surrounded with all the equipment and props that you would expect to make up an expedition, even racks with tins of food and equipment! There are also video presentations to show you some of the other Arctic inhabitants; education is everywhere at Seaworld, what a fun way to learn.

Make your way to the next level and you get a fascinating underwater viewing of the Polar Bears and the giant walrus, these look so graceful swimming and turning before your eyes.
There are lots of things to do and see here, you can play with some of the experiments, hear the sound of whales or put your hand in the foot print made by a Polar Bear.
Once you have finished with the sights and the experiments you eventually emerge into the inevitable gift shop.

Type: Simulator ride with Exhibit
Ride Photo: No
Lockers: No



Ride Opened: 1995