Last week, I was lucky enough to do the Pancakes and Penguins experience at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies! Today, I thought I would review it and help you decide if it’s worth your time and money.
Pancakes and Penguins
Pancakes and Penguins is a new-ish addition to the offerings at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. For $99 + Tax for Ages 3+, it’s an early morning activity that includes admission to the aquarium. Held once or twice a month, you are served a buffet breakfast and are allowed to see some penguins!
We booked this experience back in May for August. A few months out, the event was booked up. However, when I checked back later, there was additional availability. So, if you want to book this experience but it appears full, keep checking back as people may cancel.
The Breakfast
Before the event, every group is assigned a table number. You are told your table number and its location when you check in. At the table is a bag containing a penguin painting for each guest! So, that was a nice start to the meal.
Breakfast was a small buffet of items. It included: pancakes (duh!), eggs, bacon, fried potatoes, fruit, coffee, apple juice, and orange juice. The pancakes were seemingly frozen and heated up. I highly recommend using some butter and syrup to make them good. The friend potatoes were pretty good. The eggs weren’t bad. I had a piece of bacon, but I typically eat turkey bacon. So, I probably shouldn’t judge that. Haha! I got a bottle of orange juice, which was as expected. Overall, the food wasn’t bad. It was probably about what you would expect from a hotel’s free breakfast. While not groundbreaking or gourmet, the meal was basic but filling.
The Penguins
In addition to the breakfast, you get to see two penguins. We got to take a photo with a penguin too! They attempted to begin the breakfast with everyone getting a photo with a penguin. However, the penguins weren’t initially interested in sitting for photos. So, they allowed everyone to eat breakfast first and come up by table/group to take pictures during the breakfast. Afterwards, the penguins walked around the tables as an employee told us facts about penguins. Towards the end of the hour, they had the penguins go around for some additional photos with guests.
Ending
At the conclusion of the program, you are free to explore the aquarium at your leisure! Having just visited the Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach last year, we knew what to expect here. We picked up our included free photo prints with the penguin and started touring the aquarium at the beginning. This way, we ended our visit back at the Penguin Playground. It was neat to spot one of the penguins we met (Tessa) in their habitat. Then, we exited through the gift shop where we both purchased a penguin ornament and t-shirt to commemorate the experience.
Is the Pancakes and Penguins experience worth it?
At $99 per person, this experience is not cheap. However, it typically costs $42.99 for aquarium tickets. This also includes breakfast, a picture with a penguin, a penguin painting, and some information on penguins. My mom and I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. We both felt that the price paid was more than worth what we got in return. It’s not everyday you get close to a penguin! If you have a penguin fan in your family, then I think you should book it.
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