From ride technology to Arctic animals, here’s what you need to know about Expedition Odyssey at SeaWorld Orlando before it opens May 9.

Expedition Odyssey: SeaWorld Orlando’s new arctic adventure debuts May 9. However, previews started for this new indoor attraction a few days before the grand opening. The media got to enjoy the attraction on Wednesday, April 30. SeaWorld Orlando annual pass members have previews scheduled from May 1-8. The attraction was initially supposed to open to all guests on May 1. However, SeaWorld Orlando delayed the process to improve the guest experience.

What have we learned about this new attraction since previews started? What can you expect regarding this new indoor attraction when visiting SeaWorld Orlando?

SeaWorld Orlando

Speaking about Expedition Odyssey, SeaWorld Orlando stated, “This first-of-its-kind attraction combines cutting-edge ride technology, breathtaking real-world footage, and close-up encounters with Arctic wildlife to deliver the most immersive Arctic experience ever created.” This attraction combines dynamic motion, state-of-the-art visuals, and real-world animal encounters. It takes guests on a journey through towering glaciers, vast tundra, and the icy depths of the Arctic Ocean, encountering some of the planet’s most awe-inspiring wildlife along the way.

The ride vehicle resembles the Soarin’ attraction at Epcot. That’s for good reason. Expedition Odyssey utilizes a flying theatre system. However, Expedition Odyssey uses the Mack Rides Airific system. This ride system takes up less room than any other similar flying theatre attraction and loads quicker, according to Mack Rides. We know that the “swing-around” style loading system allows one group to enjoy the attraction while the next group is loading into their seats. This loading method should work far better than attractions like Soarin’ The main advantages of this flying theatre system, according to Mack Rides, include:

• high-capacity flying theater
• equipped with wind, mist, water effects
• easy boarding process
• sound-absorbing wall configuration 
• fun for the whole family
• dynamic ride motion
• high-end multimedia components
• smallest footprint for this kind of attraction

Steps to Opening Expedition Odyssey at SeaWorld Orlando

In September 2024, SeaWorld Orlando officially announced that a new immersive arctic flying experience attraction would be coming to the theme park in 2025. At IAAPA, participants saw a small model of the ride system designed by Mack Rides.

In March 2025, theme park fans learned the name of this new attraction: Expedition Odyssey. At the same time, several media members, including our friends at Attractions Magazine, went on a hard-hat tour of Expedition Odyssey at SeaWorld Orlando.

On the day of the hard hat tour, Conner Carr, United Parks and Resorts Manager of Rides and Engineering, took media members on a journey to explain what guests will encounter during this attraction. He explained that the ride system utilizes a dual-side loading method to speed up guests’ wait time. In addition, he stated that the ride vehicle has two levels with 15 seats on each level. On that day, media members also learned that the ride vehicle seats resemble the Soarin’ attraction at Epcot at Walt Disney World. Comparisons between that ride system and this will be inevitable.

Expedition Odyssey Height Requirement

SeaWorld Orlando has stated that this ride system will be more dynamic and capable of doing things that other similar systems cannot. Also, one of the best features for groups riding Expedition Odyssey relates to the height requirement. Guests must be only 39 inches tall to ride, allowing the younger travel group members to ride with everyone else.

The ride system will be paired with a video product using the latest technology. Connor Carr stated during the hard hat tour in March that none of the actual film guests will see uses CGI (Computer Generated Imagery). There will be some computer effects to aid with the transitions between scenes, but not CGI, in the main film portion of Expedition Odyssey. That marks a significant difference between Expedition Odyssey and the Soarin’ attraction at Epcot, along with many other similar flying theatre attractions worldwide.

However, when researching for this article, we noticed that the Google AI system claims that Expedition Odyssey uses CGI. Thus, we were curious to find out if the video looks like the CGI animals on Soarin’ at Epcot or not

Expedition Odyssey: Ride Experience

As you might imagine, we went into this media event thinking that Expedition Odyssey would be very similar to Soarin’ at Epcot. SeaWorld Orlando claims Expedition Odyssey is an adventure that blurs the line between simulation and reality. This attraction will take guests on an exhilarating journey through towering glaciers, vast tundra, and the icy depths of the Arctic Ocean, encountering some of the planet’s most awe-inspiring wildlife along the way.

Guests will enter through a standard-looking queue to eventually reach the holding section. At this point, an ambassador will give you a number to stand on during the pre-show, which will also be your seat number. We were requested not to take photos or videos from this point on. However, the pre-show area uses numbers on the floor for people to stand on, similarly to the Avatar Flight of Passage attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. After the pre-show, guests will be directed into the area with the ride vehicle.

Guests will need to place all their belongings into a cubicle-type holding area. This includes hats, glasses, and cell phones, according to instructions given by SeaWorld ambassadors. The space to put your belongings is not very large. Also, the top three sections are larger than the rest. A full-size backpack will have a tough time fitting in the lower areas of the place to put bags. During the media event, we found this process of stowing your belongings to be awkward and we did not have a bag.

After that process, guests will be seated. When instructed, they will fasten their seatbelts left to right. Following this, the ride vehicle will rotate to the area with the screen. After the ride, the vehicle will rotate back. Guests will then exit into the Arctic-themed animal area.

What Did We Think?

We technically rode Expedition Odyssey three times. During our media preview, the attraction had some technical issues. The ambassadors have been trained to make a joke about snowfall on the runway or geese blocking the way, causing the “flight” to be delayed. Yes, continuing the inevitable comparisons to rides like Soarin’ at Epcot, the subtle backstory of taking a flight from an airport of some type runs through this attraction.

We found the ride vehicle offered more comfortable seats than similar rides. However, we found it hard to sit back and watch the video during our “flight.” The ride vehicle restricts one’s ability to see the upper portions of the screen, especially for people over six feet tall. For us, that hindered our experience. Still, in talking with others, they claimed it was not an issue.

During this preview period, we found the loading process very awkward. However, these are previews. We expect that process to improve drastically.

Even though the video was not as crisp as some other Orlando area theme park attractions, the ride experience improved as we rode it more. Nevertheless, the ride footage is excellent and does not appear to use any CGI except for some obvious transitions. The video and ride vehicle do take you on two movements similar to riding a roller coaster, but nothing too intense for guests.

Finally, we do not want to spoil the attraction, so we will make this thought about the ride experience. When guests ride Soarin’ at Epcot, they fly through the air the whole time. On Expedition Odyssey, that will not be true. We found that aspect to be a positive aspect of this new attraction.

Expedition Odyssey: After the Ride

As guests disembark from Expedition Odyssey, the adventure continues with encounters featuring real Arctic animals, including beluga whales, seals, and walruses. Among the amazing animals is Uki, an orphaned Pacific walrus calf rescued in Alaska, who will debut at SeaWorld Orlando in her new habitat at Expedition Odyssey.

Uki was rescued by the Alaska SeaLife Center and deemed non-releasable last Fall. Uki arrived at SeaWorld Orlando last September. Since then, animal care specialists at SeaWorld have been dedicated to nurturing and supporting her growth. Now, Uki joins the walrus herd in Expedition Odyssey’s Arctic habitat, providing guests with a rare experience with Uki.

The animal exhibit area is vast and well worth spending some time in. After the ride, the temperature will be cooler in this area. Still, guests will need to walk more than a normal amount to reach the actual exit of this attraction.

Expedition Odyssey: SeaWorld Orlando Pass Member previews

SeaWorld Orlando pass members will also have access to the preview days of Expedition Odyssey. Once again, Expedition Odyssey opens to everyone on May 9. Preview times are one hour after the park opens until the park closes. If you want more information, you can consult the official SeaWorld Orlando website. The dates (and level of pass needed to attend) include:

• 5/1 Thursday- Pass Member Previews: Platinum
• 5/2 Friday- Pass Member Previews: Platinum
• 5/3 Saturday- Pass Member Previews: Platinum and Gold
• 5/4 Sunday- Pass Member Previews: Platinum and Gold
• 5/5 Monday- Pass Member Previews: Platinum, Gold, and Silver
• 5/6 Tuesday- Pass Member Previews: Platinum, Gold, and Silver
• 5/7 Wednesday- Pass Member Previews: ALL Passes
• 5/8 Thursday- Pass Member Previews ALL Passes
• 5/9 Friday- Grand Opening.

Once again, Expedition Odyssey opens to everyone on May 9. For more information, visit the official SeaWorld Orlando website. Also, for more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News.

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