Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[Erik Johnson]

^ When you see it in person it looks like it will go over it.

[BarryH]

I rode Gwazi Lion on Superbowl Sunday. Tiger was down. The ride was a million times better! It wasn't silky smooth like Balder. It had some roughness but nothing really too unbearable. It's like a Kumba roughness. I sat in the middle and near the back. The back was much more intense. I rode it twice and enjoyed it. Gwazi is now certified headache-free!

[aimster]

That's funny how on Gwazi only Tiger was running on Saturday and then only Lion was running on Sunday. What gives? I'm hoping it'll be dueling when I'm back there on Sunday.

[CCI]

I know have two reasons to comeback next year. (I have a pass) Gwazi's sexy new trains and Cheetah Hunt.

[aimster]

A Busch Gardens blog I follow, BGT Nation, was at the park today and confirmed Cheetah Hunt will go OVER the Skyride.

 

http://www.bgtnation.net/2011/02/cheetah-hunt-goes-over-skyride-cheetah.html

[dragonskeep]

I know several people who have seen it in person say it will go over. It will be very cool from the Skyride.

[live2tell75]

Screamscape/BGTNation are reporting that the park's wild mouse Cheetah Chase is being renamed " Sand Serpent". I guess this way there won't be any confusion between the 2 coasters.

[Maximo37]

^^^

Its funny that BGT has yet to change it out on their website yet... Still says Cheetah Chase... I'm sure it will change soon enough though... Sand Serpent... not too bad... I actually sort of like that name...

[KCForce]

I think the name actually works. The coaster does zig zag back and forth like a "sand serpent". Perhaps they need to paint it a tan sand color now.

[Guy T. Koepp]

Ooooooo! It would be cool upon entering the lift you got swallowed by a giant snake head then just prior to the last little pop into the brake run, you could get pooped out it's a$$. If they painted the inside of the snake to be an inside of a snake, it would be an awesome journey through the digestive system of a Sand Serpent.

 

Guy "Why haven't theme parks come to me for theming ideas yet. I gots millions of em."Koepp

[downunder]

Sand Serpent, it doesn't inspire me personally, maybe they'll keep changing the name like the S & S Woodie at Clementon.

 

But it's all academic, no matter what the name is, it still looks like a fantastic coaster - call it "Trouser Snake" for all I care.

[aimster]

I was at the park again yesterday....

Skyride down til April 22nd due to Cheetah Hunt construction. Carousel is down through March 11 for a complete refurb. Montu is down for a few weeks for annual maintenance.

Bands, Brew & BBQ started this weekend.

This weekend was Montgomery Gentry (was originally supposed to be Blondie, but obviously it got changed). Next weekend is Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.

Sample 50 beers for $25? Yes please!

Had lunch at Zambia Smokehouse. The outdoor seating area gives a great view of SheikRa's splashdown.

Tiger topiary at Jungala is getting new covering. It was totally "naked" when I was there last week.

KITTY!

Forgot to get your Howl-O-Scream merch back in October? They still got some left (at Desert Traders).

The new Serengeti Outpost tour sign-up kiosk looks great!

Twisty Intamin goodness!

Yup, it's going to leap OVER the Skyride (this has also been confirmed by BG via their Facebook page, Twitter feed & blog).

Lots of theming work has gone on in the last week. Coming along nicely!

While Montu is down, they got the area blocked off with these benches and an employee stationed in the archway to make sure guests don't go back there.

Passed out lion.

Whatchoo lookin' at?!

Did you know zebras are actually BROWN and white?

[aimster]

Few more pics...

The stilt walkers tried to molest Wonderpup.

Dingoes ate my baby.

Extreme close up!

Ummm... well that wallaby is nice to give that other wallaby a piggy back ride. Yeah, that's it.

[downunder]

Wow, I didn't know David Hasselhoff worked as stilt-walker at Busch. It's a shame Montu was closed, I would have been shattered, though Busch Tampa is a 12,000 mile one way commute for me.

 

I wish they'd had guy versions of the "Be My X" or "Future X" shirts, if they did, I couldn't find them at HOS.

 

The Wallabies are the name of our national rugby team down here, I'm always amazed they picked such a small timid (though very horny) animal.

[MayTheGForceBeWithYou]

Ooooooo! It would be cool upon entering the lift you got swallowed by a giant snake head then just prior to the last little pop into the brake run, you could get pooped out it's a$$. If they painted the inside of the snake to be an inside of a snake, it would be an awesome journey through the digestive system of a Sand Serpent.

 

Or they could do what Hansa did to Nessie and just do that to the very end of the ride.

[aimster]

Wow, I didn't know David Hasselhoff worked as stilt-walker at Busch. It's a shame Montu was closed, I would have been shattered, though Busch Tampa is a 12,000 mile one way commute for me.

 

I wish they'd had guy versions of the "Be My X" or "Future X" shirts, if they did, I couldn't find them at HOS.

 

The Wallabies are the name of our national rugby team down here, I'm always amazed they picked such a small timid (though very horny) animal.

 

Most of the wallabies at Busch Gardens are total sweeties, but man to see those two going at it was something and man did they draw a crowd!

 

Oh and last week I got kind of attacked by a jealous wallaby because I wasn't paying attention to it and feeding a couple kangaroos. It was actually pretty funny how it tried to like smack me, but I know if it was *really* pissed he/she would cut a bitch. I know to pay closer attention to the other animals around me besides the ones I'm feeding. Animals are just so unpredictable. But they're so CUTE!

 

There's one really small wallaby that's my favorite. It's is just the sweetest thing and I've been kind of bonding with him/her since November. It doesn't like it when a lot of people crowd around her, but I was way on the other end of the habitat where there's not a lot of people and my little wally is small enough it can fit through the bars and come out into the walkway. There was a kangaroo that was starting to get pushy/grabby with the food, so the wallaby just hopped between the bars and hopped over to me in the walkway (I just sit on the ground... easier on my feet/legs) and put his/her little paws on my knee. So I think my little buddy remembers me or something (and I know it's the same wallaby because of its ear markings). It was really quite cool. It's experiences like that that make Busch Gardens such an amazing place.

[downunder]

^You've probably spent more time with Wallabies than I have, well the non-Rugby kind at least.

 

Of the Australian animals, Koala's are way aggressive, they're like Ewoks on PCP. They play all cute, and then you hold one, and they shower you with gold (though I don't think they crap on you at least) or go for the jugular with one of their claws.

[SamanthaMc92]

WOW, that Cheetah Hunt looks incredible!

 

I don't mean to be thick, but when is it set to be completed and opened?

 

and when I was last at Busch Gardens (Sept '10) I got to feed a little (i think) wallaby and it was the cutest thing!

It completely made my day

[dragonskeep]

^Cheetah Hunt will probably be open 3rd week of May with softs starting in early May. In person the ride looks great. The visuals and overall ride experience should be great. I am expecting better than normal night rides on Cheetah hunt because of the surroundings.

[aimster]

Yeah I was told a couple weeks ago they're shooting for a Memorial Weekend grand opening, but it'll most likely soft open before then. Can't wait!

[SamanthaMc92]

^Cheetah Hunt will probably be open 3rd week of May with softs starting in early May. .

 

Thanks for this!

 

See, this is why I wish I lived in Florida! (My favourite place on EARTH)

I probably won't get to go back for another couple of years.

 

Sucks!

[dragonskeep]

In another couple years there will be lots more cool stuff to do.

[Saldek]

Here are some Cheetah Hunt construction pics from a recent hard hat tour.

 

http://www.us1035.com/cc-common/gallery/display.html?album_id=270660

[jedimaster1227]

^We'll have more photos tomorrow from our coverage of the construction tour as well!

[jjune4991]

This news station here says that the coaster will be open 9am (opening of the park) on May 27th. Hey, look at that! Memorial Day weekend.