justint87

Cypress Gardens is a nice little park, the high point of it being the gardens as it is truly beautiful. But I guess in desperate times comes desperate measures. Being about half way between Orlando and Tampa, its location does not necessarily helps it bring in the crowds either. If it was located in Orlando, it probably would have higher attendance and profits. This move seemed geared towards the locals as I believe Cypress Gardens was always more of a "locals" park anyways. All in all, $5 bucks is a amazing deal, and if you do go, you never know, you maybe surprised at the park and while your at it, you may have some fun too.

Here is a quote from the press release, never once did they mention "manta rays" but this is what they said: One reason why it is rare to find them in captivity is because of their size. To give you an idea, the Georgia Aquarium one manta ray resides in a 6.2 million-gallon tank while Shamu Stadium which houses more than one whale is an 7-million gallon tank. The entire construction area plus more would have to be an Shamu Stadium size tank if they wanted a manta ray. EDIT: The rumors of Manta's tracks and supports at a SeaWorld off property warehouse is true. I just drove past it not too long ago and I saw some supports for Manta. I would describe the shade of blue I saw as a sky/baby blue color. Unfortunately I don't have a picture but after this weekend, I have a feeling others sources will have them.

The tracks are finally on their way (possibly some already at the construction site). Construction should start to get very interesting soon. I'll have to admit, I'm excited to see how the construction moves forward the next few months. I cannot wait until vertical construction and eventually opening day.

Thought this was an interesting read. According to this article, a federal lawsuit has been filed on Wednesday trying to block InBev from buying Anheuser-Busch claiming it violates antitrust laws and that it would create a monopoly in beer production. Link: http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.aspx?Feed=AP&Date=20080910&ID=9126938&Symbol=BUD

SeaWorld's Manta would be B&M seventh flying coaster. You are correct as Air is currently the only B&M flying coaster to not have a pretzel loop. My opinion, I would love Manta to have a pretzel loop but I would not be surprise if it did not have one as well. Either way, I still think it will turn out to be a great coaster.

Actually, Kraken is not at the front of the park. Kraken is located if you were using the park map, in the top left corner of the park. Or in other words, it is on one of the back side corner of the park. The construction site of Manta actually stretches from the front of the park (where the flamingos use to be) all they way towards that corner of the park. To give you an idea, in front of Kraken and JTA is a gift shop named Friends of the Wild which is also right in front of the Penguin Encounter. Manta main construction site stretches from the front of the park all the way towards where this gift shop is located.

Off The Orlando Sentinel site today, SeaWorld has released a few photos from a recent inspection of the tracks for Manta at the Ohio plant where the tracks are being made. One of the photo shows the shade of blue Manta's tracks would be. Link: blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2008/09/seaworlds-manta.html A few more photos can be found at ThemeParkInsider.com Link: www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200809/894/

Actually anybody can get candy, you don't have to have a costume, on another note... you'll be surprised. I have personally seen grown men and women all decked out in costumes during this event in previous years. Pirates seem to be quite popular! I would not doubt it if you see some adults in pirates costumes, however you might possibly even see adults in other costumes... some I rather not think of... creepy... I'll let you use your imagination...

Don't worry, even during this event, the lines for Kraken are still shorter compare to other theme parks, should be no longer than 20 minutes. An Ice DJ is basically the same thing as a regular DJ, just a name they use instead of calling it a regular DJ. SeaWorld has had this event for a few years now. Previous years it was called Shamu's Halloween Spooktacular. One section of the park, usually the pathway behind Bayside Stadium is transform for this event. Oh and don't worry, the candies and treats are for people of all ages. Not just kids.

Busch Gardens Europe train ride I think has some great scenery. The view when the train travel on the bridge over the river was amazing. Looking to the left you get a great view of the river and the vegetation around it. The natural view is so beautiful. Then you look to the right and you can see the Loch Ness Monster, Alpengeist, Big Bad Wolf, and Griffon in the background over the river... amazing.

Thats true, most of SeaWorld animals were born in captivity so they wouldn't survive if they were released in the wild. Years ago SeaWorld use to catch wild animals but now they have made a commitment not to catch wild animals. Just about all the animals you see in SeaWorld now were either born there, rescued from the wild and are rehabilitating, or brought in from others zoos. I have not heard anything about the SeaWorld part but couldn't it have been that a good amount of the orcas and dolphins that died in captivity could have been natural causes? As for Animal Kingdom, I never heard about the poison before but I do remember seeing in the news and reading in the newspaper about a trunk that ran over some birds (I don't remember if they were cranes) before the park opened. I remember PETA jumped all over that event as well.

I agree with you 100%. The animals at the Busch parks are very well taken care of and you step up to any one of their animal exhibits and there are always members of their education department who gives speeches on the animals and are readily available to answer any of our questions concerning everything from the diet of the animals to laws that protects them. Another note is that SWO is the leading facility in rescuing injured manatees in Florida. Their entire manatee exhibit contains manatees that were injured. The manatees are rehabilitated there and then return to the wild unless their injuries are too severe. I don't understand where all the animal cruelty claims are coming from as I don't know of any park that not only thrills us, but educate us about the animals we share our world with.

That would be so good if that video on YouTube turns out to be the actual layout. From the video, the ride looks amazing... However, I will stay skeptical about it until they release an official layout of Manta.

I think this is just another way PETA is trying to get national attention... SeaWorld does a lot to actually help animals and to educate us about them. Everything from their Education department, to the millions of dollars they have donated to help rehabilitate animals to the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. Just my opinion but I believe most people would visit SeaWorld over a regular zoo so they provide a perfect place to have fun while at the same time be educated about animals we share our world with.

Haven't been on a huge selection of coasters around the nation but this is my top ten from what I been on: 1. Apollo's Chariot (Busch Gardens Europe) 2. Montu (Busch Gardens Africa) 3. Alpengeist (Busch Gardens Europe) 4. Kraken (SeaWorld Orlando) 5. Incredible Hulk (Universal's Islands of Adventure) 6. Kumba (Busch Gardens Africa) 7. SheiKra (Busch Gardens Africa) 8. Dueling Dragons (Universal's Islands of Adventure) 9. Expedition Everest (Disney's Animal Kingdom) 10. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (Disney's Hollywood Studios)

I heard the flamingos were moved to a back area out of the views of guests. I believe it was somewhere behind the Key West area but I can't remember exactly. I'm sure they will bring them back, but no idea where.