Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[Mrlittle]

I'm liking the color scheme they have going for the area. Is it sad I'm already thinking of ways they can incorporate the new refreshed section for HOS. Anyways, great update.

[Cyrbuzz]

Wow this makeover is looking fantastic. What a difference a little color can make to enhance the overall experience. Kudos to the Busch Gardens team and the hard they're putting into this. This is why I have been a pass holder for nearly 16 years because they are such a top notch theme park.

[A.J.]

I appreciate the corny puns.

[Woodie Warrior]

I absolutely love the amount of details they are putting into this new area. The whole back story is a little too elaborate in my opinion, and the name is strange, but I'm sure it will look awesome once it's complete.

[KingRCT3]

I love Pantopia's colors!

 

About Falcon, that sounds terrifyingly good. I'm only a little bit disapointed there won't be any announcement before the drop. It's not matching the "storyline".

I would have imagined like a Falcon's scream echoes in our ears, and why not a symbol that lights up on the ground, just as if the falcon saw a prey and then diiiiiiiiives!

[Geauga Dog]

I have yet to visit BGT for the first time but I'm very impressed with the makeover to Pantopia. The various colors make the area vibrant compared to the original Timbuktu's colors.

 

Those watercolor renderings are awesome. Would make a nice piece of art to hang on the wall.

[gerstlaueringvar]

The new theme looks great! Love the new color.

Edited February 7, 2014 by gerstlaueringvar

[cfc]

Timbuktu did need some freshening up, and I think the new Pandora theme will work nicely. The pretzel-and-beer joint has been a hit in Williamsburg, so I understand why they want to bring it to Tampa.

[arby]

Will the seats tilt at the top and tilt back during the brake or will they keep the flying position all time?

 

Click here

 

Since I'm afraid of heights, this will be terrifying. I'll try it, though, just because it's there.

[_koppen]

What a really good photo report!

 

I really like the look of this new area, and I can't wait to see the final result once everything is finnished.

[Dschu]

I'm going next Sunday, will scorpion and phenox be open?

[jedimaster1227]

^Both rides continue to operate during the construction in the surrounding area so you should be able to ride both.

[Dschu]

^Both rides continue to operate during the construction in the surrounding area so you should be able to ride both.

 

 

Ok thank you!

[_koppen]

This is simply amazing!

 

Source

[Hilltopper39]

This whole Pantopia expansion kind of flew under my radar but it all looks amazing, can't wait to see in person!

[coasterbill]

Just to clarify, is Scorpion open during this expansion?

[jynx242]

^ It is. I rode it yesterday!

 

I have to say, this tower is just enormous in person. I get butterflies in my stomach looking at it now - and the ride isn't even done yet. This is going to be terrifying and I cannot wait!

[DJeXeL]

DEVELOPING: Fire department: More than a dozen stuck on roller coaster at Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa, Fla., as thunderstorms approach:

 

ABC News Facebook

 

Source

[djcoastermark]

^aaww, you beat me to this. I saw it on bay news 9 here and they said something about a power failure during the lightning storm passing through now. It looks to me that spot is the turn right after the launch out of the station. Its a big downpour here so those folks must really be getting soaked sitting there.

[SharkTums]

Must be a power issue, shocked they were even running it with the crazy weather we're having!

[DJeXeL]

^ & ^^ Yea I'm wondering if there was a mechanical failure with the train or if the launch was interrupted at just the precise moment to have the train stall there.

[_koppen]

The only reason I can think of for it being stuck like that would be a power failure leading to a miss launch, and then the speed was exactly enough to get it to the top and for the train to be perfectly balanced.

 

But that's kind of a high odds one.

[SharkTums]

Maybe a poncho blew off and got stuck in a wheel assembly? It could be anything crazy like that!

[DJeXeL]

^That's definitely a possibility as well. You'd be surprised what will stop a coaster train.

[rcjp]

^Wasn't the accident on Sirocco at Walibi Belgium due to a miss launch that made the train stall in the loop or was it an mechanical issue with the train itself?