Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[OrlandoGuy]

^Get a Quick Queue. It will be hot, humid, and crowded.

 

Unless there's rain in the forecast. Some of the emptiest days I've ever experienced in any amusement park have been at Busch Gardens on overcast days in the middle of the summer.

[SharkTums]

^That's funny as all the days we went during the summer were filled with every camp group from Florida with terrible pre-teens and teens. But then again, I know you exist purely to disagree with me so thanks for your post!

[OrlandoGuy]

^That's funny as all the days we went during the summer were filled with every camp group from Florida with terrible pre-teens and teens. But then again, I know you exist purely to disagree with me so thanks for your post!

 

Not at all. I've simply had a different experience than you...was not meant to be argumentative or disagreeable at all. I didn't mean to offend you by offering anecdotal advice.

[BarryH]

I went on July 4 last year. All of the coasters had a 15-30 minute wait, except for Cheetah Hunt. It was running 30-45 minutes all day. I remember Sheikra, Kumba, and Montu having 15 minute waits pretty consistently all day.

 

As for Gwazi, it is now permanently closed! I say good riddance! That ride was uninteresting and rough as hell! It was retracked and got Millenium Flyer trains. The ride was still rather uninteresting, but it was tolerable...but only for a few months. Then it went back to being rough as hell!

 

Gwazi, Son of Beast is waiting for you in heaven!

[BlahBlahson]

Goodbye Gwazi! We'll be seeing a lot of you...just sitting there rotting. Yay.

[jacksoro2]

^That's funny as all the days we went during the summer were filled with every camp group from Florida with terrible pre-teens and teens. But then again, I know you exist purely to disagree with me so thanks for your post!

 

Hey I was one of those terrible summer camp teens a couple of decades ago. But seriously I remember it being pretty crowded and hot the few times I went in the summer as well. I typically try to avoid the Florida parks in the middle of the summer if I can help it.

[Vonni]

They could fit a clone of SFDK Superman, and a Larson Super Loop in Gwazi's plot....

[gerstlaueringvar]

Goodbye Gwazi! Haven't ridden it but I'm glad there's one less coaster on the Hades360 2013 team.

[buck funny]

They could fit a clone of SFDK Superman, and a Larson Super Loop in Gwazi's plot....

 

Ummm but aren't they closing it because they can't afford to repair it let alone tear it down/ replace it with something else?

 

 

 

I rode it for the first/ only? time 2 weeks ago and enjoyed myself but found it an unusual experience. It was rough in a way i haven't experienced before, it was if it had square wheels/ missing bearings. There was a rumbling vibration in the wheels, that happened both when it was going up the lift hill as well as through the course. I have had worse experiences with a woodie - Le Monstre @ La Ronde, Wilde Beast @Wonderland and the one at Knotts Berryfarm. They tended to bash you laterally whereas gwazi just vibrated. We rerode gwazi in a different seat and it wasn't as rough. Vibrating woodie aside, it was a fun track, and my 9 year old friend loved it. It was his first wooden coaster so he didn't have a lot to compare to , but you have to start somewhere.

 

People had mentioned the slow ride ops/ separate seatbelt/ lapbar checks. Basically with the lapbar down, there was no way of reaching the seatbelt. I don't know how other parks with the same trains manage? But, with less than 8 passengers in the station, it did not take long to dispatch. While in the park I saw the train crest the lift hill with as few as 2 passengers.

 

I am a bit disappointed by the hater posts, especially from ones who acknowledge that they have never ridden gwazi. It is like saying 'I never watched the movie but hated it'. Maybe karma will come through for you and they will replace it with a SLC headbanger or a vekoma jr hang and bang.

 

I am glad i got a chance to ride gwazi!

[Vonni]

^ I was being sarcastic

[Cyrbuzz]

Went to Busch Gardens on Saturday and had a blast as usual, but at the same time just realized wow a lot of attraction closures in recent months. Rhino Rally, the bird show, King Tut's Tomb and now Gwazi. Can't say this pattern is very encouraging given the news of cutbacks and CEO firings. I hope this trend doesn't continue and we see a little light at the end of the tunnel soon. I love this park and Sea World Orlando and want nothing but a healthy continuation of both these and their other parks in the chain.

[Angle O. Descent]

I just realized that this is the only park where I have ridden more than one coaster that went defunct. R.I.P. Gwazi and Python.

[larrygator]

I rode it for the first/ only? time 2 weeks ago and enjoyed myself but found it an unusual experience. It was rough in a way i haven't experienced before, it was if it had square wheels/ missing bearings. There was a rumbling vibration in the wheels, that happened both when it was going up the lift hill as well as through the course. I have had worse experiences with a woodie - Le Monstre @ La Ronde, Wilde Beast @Wonderland and the one at Knotts Berryfarm. They tended to bash you laterally whereas gwazi just vibrated. We rerode gwazi in a different seat and it wasn't as rough. Vibrating woodie aside, it was a fun track, and my 9 year old friend loved it. It was his first wooden coaster so he didn't have a lot to compare to , but you have to start somewhere.

 

Here's the thing. You are comparing four bad coasters. Even if Gwazi is better then the rest it is still bad. Vibrations lead to more serious issues in the future (like the beat downs you got on the other woodies mentioned), but the vibrations only also hinder the ride experience.

 

I'm sure you noticed this by now, a 9 year old that likes one roller coaster tends to like them all. Bless their little bodies, they heal faster.

[sfkk]

Does anyone know what Gwazi's entrance looks like now that it is closed? Did they put up construction walls or did they just remove the sign?

[cfc]

^My guess is that it looks empty and forlorn.

[Uberbluedragon]

Hint: Major things are afoot in Egypt for 2016! This is what the dragon know's so far plus I will post my final ride gwazi pictures later this week so stay tuned!

[jedimaster1227]

Yesterday I had the chance to visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for the Generation Nature Live! experience with Bindi Irwin, including the VIP breakfast offering. I also was able to do the Serengeti Safari tour experience for the first time as well. Both were fantastic added offerings for an already incredibly fun park, and I'd strongly consider doing both again.

We started our morning out at the Crown Colony House...

While waiting in line for a photo op with Bindi Irwin and her mother, we were treated to some up-close encounters with some rare creatures, including this beautiful owl.

Both were genuine and friendly and were truly appreciative that people had come out to visit them.

This other unique bird was a beauty to see in person.

There was an all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast spread included in the cost of the VIP experience, taking place in the former Crown Colony Restaurant space.

Before heading over to the Stanleyville Theatre for the Generation Nature: Live! show, we rode the Skyride to get over to Stanleyville.

The Skyride delivers an incredibly close up view of Cheetah Hunt...

Gwazi closed last week but it isn't expected that anything will happen to the ride structure anytime soon.

Bindi Irwin hosted the Generation Nature: Live! show, which was actually recorded to be included in a future webisode of the series.

The first animal to be brought to the stage was an Echidna.

Next this Hornbill Stork strutted around the stage.

A Laughing Kookaburra made its signature call for the audience.

A four year old kangaroo was brought to the audience next.

After the show several extra animals were brought forth for people to pet and see.

I melted for this sloth!

Some more up-close encounters.

Over in Jungala we were lucky to see one lounging Orangutan up close.

This tiger in Jungala kept circling the glass, looking through to the other side towards a female tiger in the opposite enclosure.

The park's train does a great job of interacting with many of the park's attractions. This unique view of Sheikra can only be found from the train itself.

Next up was the Serengeti Safari, which provided the closest interactions to this part of Cheetah Hunt that I've had since the ride was first being built.

So close!

And awesome views at that!

So you ride on a standing jeep for a total of 30 minutes throughout the park's Serengeti area.

We drove right up to five white rhinos, just hanging out in some shallow pools.

Some wildebeest enjoying the shade...

The highlight of the Serengeti Safari is an up-close feeding experience with several of the park's giraffes.

With lettuce in hand, you get to feed the giraffes, pet their necks and pose for some great photos!

When they told me you get close to the giraffes, they weren't lying!

This is just SOOO awesome!

I couldn't get enough if I tried!

These creatures are a spectacle to witness in person.

And to see them up close...

This close...

Is just magical.

After our Serengeti Safari was over we walked along the Edge of Africa trails to see the animals there. This Lion was just napping for the day, enjoying the cool weather.

This Hyena was eying us down like we were dinner.

"Megacroc vs. Sharknado" coming in 2018!

The Edge of Africa has a really neat hippo enclosure that allows you to see the hippos partially from above and below.

Cheetah Hunt looks amazing from any angle.

The recent 5X the Fury merchandise is already out of date since the closure of Gwazi.

Speaking of which... The portion of the queue building facing Morocco still has the ride's sign up...

But the main entrance of the attraction is now unmarked. It should be noted that the park map still lists Gwazi as an attraction and the daily attraction closure signs do not list Gwazi as closed, so it can be quite confusing for guests.

The former entrance of the attraction is now walled off from guest access.

Over by Walkabout Way, the former Critter Castaways theater is now entirely removed and a large new topiary is being built in prep for the park's new Food and Wine Festival happening next month.

Since we were already here...

We stopped in to see some kangaroos.

Nearly pulled off a "Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" photo here.

I can never stop looking at this awesome structure...

That's all for today folks!

[Skiebs]

Has anyone seen the permits for the new ride in Egypt?

Edited May 16, 2015 by Skiebs

[MIAfan88]

NewsPlusNotes found a blueprint sheet for where the concrete and drainage for the new ride in the 2016 will be. It looks like a dark ride/ coaster but can't tell exactly what.

 

newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2015/02/taking-look-at-busch-gardens-tampas.html

[KBrylczyk]

Yesterday I had the chance to visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for the Generation Nature Live! experience with Bindi Irwin, including the VIP breakfast offering. I also was able to do the Serengeti Safari tour experience for the first time as well. Both were fantastic added offerings for an already incredibly fun park, and I'd strongly consider doing both again.

 

I kinda hate you from jealousy right now. Getting to meet the Irwins and party with Giraffes?! You lucky little...

[BrownStreak]

This owl looks like he's plotting our deaths in his head!

[Meteornotes]

^That's the look my cats give me most of the day.

 

dt

[BlahBlahson]

1 Tornado at Bakken-style Intamin Spinning coaster please. Thank you in advance BGT.

[ScreaminNewEngland]

Any reason why Phoenix is not on the website?

http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa/attractions/rides/

[DarienLaker]

^An editing error when they removed Gwazi from the site or maybe Busch Gardens has plans to remove Phoenix.