coasterdude5 Posted June 7, 2009 Posted June 7, 2009 Sheikra's my number one coaster so I was pretty excited when I heard my youth choir was going to Florida this year. I'd like to say I had a little influence in picking which park we went to. The guys at this park are awesome. Case in point: We all ran towards Sheikra but were stopped at the "This part of the park opens 30 minutes later" sign. The three guys there were cool but when we asked them if we sang they would let us go early... they said YES! So we sang one of our songs and they let us through. We got to Sheikra 10 minutes before we were supposed to! I've never been the first train out of any station before. It was pretty cool. Now for the photoshopped photos... You can also see these pictures on Coaster101. The group arrived early in the morning to the beautiful entrance plaza of Busch Gardens Africa. Throughout the day, we frequently heard the park referred to as Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. However it seems as if Busch Gardens Africa is the official name. After the park opened, it was time to run to Sheikra! Although it was unlikely Sheikra had even opened yet, we were determined to be the first ones there! As we turned the corner and came upon the entrance to Sheikra, I was reminded once again of its true size. I've never seen a picture do the size of this ride any justice. We were the first train out of the station. It's been two years since I've been on the ride, so I had forgotten what a great view you got before the drop. I had also not ridden the ride without a floor, so that was a cool feeling having abosolutely nothing under you as you fall. The bottom of the first drop provides some nice forces. I guess that's why they put the cameras there! The immelman is one of the smoothest inversions I've ever experienced. You can't help but stopping and staring at the ride. We were fortunate enough to have the unlimited food wristbands. Basically these allow you to eat in any of the restaurants in the park with very little limits. You can only get one entree, one side, and a drink when you go through the line, but you can go through the line as many times as you 'd like! Needless to say I ate well. Only one person in our group threw up though! Right after eating everybody except me rode Scorpion. I don't care for it so I took pictures instead. Nothing beats getting completely drenched on a hot day in Tampa Bay! We needed a way to dry off, so what better way to do that than Kumba! I know this is an awesome ride, but my head can't handle it. I can only ride it once. We decided to take the train to the other side of the park. We came across what we were going to conquer next. I didn't get to ride Montu last time so it was a new experience for me. Like Kumba, I can only ride it once but it packed some nice forces and I liked the long layout. But I wish they still had the alligators under the prelift section... After Montu we went back to the best ride in the park. Everyone on this train was left speechless. I got a total of 9 rides on Sheikra. Schools were still in session so the lines were all under five or ten minutes. Bird. My 50th coaster was Gwazi Tiger. It was just as painful as Gwazi Lion two years ago. It would be a great coaster if it weren't so painful. Thanks for reading this update!
GoldRusheROCKS Posted June 7, 2009 Posted June 7, 2009 It would be a great Photo TR if it the photo's weren't so painful. Thanks for letting me ruin your retina!! That's more like it, lol. Really though, looks like a fun time... that third pic though, owwwwwwww.
hyyyper Posted June 7, 2009 Posted June 7, 2009 Could you put up a high-res version of your picture of montu's 2nd loop. It would look awesome on my desktop.
Homer Posted June 7, 2009 Posted June 7, 2009 But I wish they still had the alligators under the prelift section... Actually they were Nile Crocodiles, and they haven't been under Montu since like 2000 I think. Nice, overuse of Photoshop about a day at BGA. Could have used more negative and or reflection, maybe a hint of MSPaint. But nonetheless, a good report.
Electerik Posted June 7, 2009 Posted June 7, 2009 Nice TR. As one might expect, some photos worked better than others. Overall, though, I liked it. Good job!
BuschSchoe Posted June 7, 2009 Posted June 7, 2009 Nice photos... I went to Busch Gardens Tampa about 9 or 10 years ago, but I didn't ride any of the coasters. I hope to go back some day.
The Disneylander Posted June 8, 2009 Posted June 8, 2009 I like how it seems you're running toward SheiKra at the speed of light.
coasterdude5 Posted June 8, 2009 Author Posted June 8, 2009 Could you put up a high-res version of your picture of montu's 2nd loop. It would look awesome on my desktop.' Here you go: http://www.coaster101.com/images/stories/features/montularge.jpg
dino Posted June 8, 2009 Posted June 8, 2009 Cool TR. It's nice to see something different every once in a while. That third picture though is hypnotizing. I must have been staring at it for about five minutes ...
Lenaapple1974 Posted June 8, 2009 Posted June 8, 2009 Great Report! That was so different. It was awesome seeing the park in a different light. My faves are def the second and third pics!
coasterdude5 Posted June 8, 2009 Author Posted June 8, 2009 Thanks, I thought I'd do something different. I'll be uploading these pics and more unedited so I'll post a link once they're all online.
coasterbilly Posted June 8, 2009 Posted June 8, 2009 aww that report brought back memories, what a great park BGA is. I went the year before they unleashed Skeikra and it was still a secret when I was there. The only disappointment for me was the fact that Rhino Rally was down so I never got to experience it, is that ride still up and running? Sheikra definitely looks awesome, I've been on Griffon at BGE and that ride definitely made my top ten! Very cool report thanks for sharing!
coasterdude5 Posted June 8, 2009 Author Posted June 8, 2009 What song did you sing? "May the Lord Bless You"
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