Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[hydra]

Photos are great. I was there last monday and was blown away as to how much they are getting finished here in the last cpl weeks.

 

I also got a suprise in the mail today, a little Sea World/Busch Gardens passholder booklet. On the Cheetah Hunt page they mentioned being on the lookout for a passholder "invitation". Does this mean there will be a passholder preview day? Anyone know more?

[brittanywalz]

Wow- it looks great!Definitely taking a trip this coming week to check it out!

Am I the only one who plans to be there on the big opening day, the 27th??????

[jjune4991]

I'm just wondering...the train seemed to be crawling through the layout on the full layout test video. That's not the full speed, right?

 

I hear this talk about this ride being marketed to families and I really hope that's not the case. It has so much potential, especially since it is Intamin and it is the Blitz type like Maverick.

 

Really, this ride looks fantastic. It's gorgeous and the layout is great...unless the talk I'm hearing is true and it does run at that speed.

 

No, it's not at full speed. We've been talking about this for many pages. And yes it is marketed for families. That's why it has a 48" limit. I'm sure it has the "potential" that you all want, but BG wants a coaster that kids and parents AND coaster nuts can enjoy.

[_Brandon_]

El Toro has a 48' height requirement, is that a family ride?

[alpengeistfan1]

I don't believe that many families would like a multiple launch coaster with inversions.

[Inukaza]

I don't believe that many families would like a multiple launch coaster with inversions.

 

Agreed. I know for a fact my younger sibling would hate it.

[tiger01]

I don't believe that many families would like a multiple launch coaster with inversions.

 

Agreed. I know for a fact my younger sibling would hate it.

 

I don't think they mean families as in young children with adults, I think its a more of you will enjoy it with you family who like roller coasters.

[SharkTums]

Seriously, drop all this fighting and complaining and being obnoxious.

 

Three weeks you can all ride it with or without your FAMILY!!!!

[_Brandon_]

Seriously, drop all this fighting and complaining and being obnoxious.

 

Three weeks you can all ride it with or without your FAMILY!!!!

 

Is your family going to ride together?

[jjune4991]

They would. Except for their 3 year old, who isn't 48". I know my entire family is. And it'll allow those kids under 54", who really want to ride Montu, Kumba, and Sheikra, to ride a thrilling ride that will be enjoyed by many people.

[_Brandon_]

They would. Except for their 3 year old, who isn't 48". I know my entire family is. And it'll allow those kids under 54", who really want to ride Montu, Kumba, and Sheikra, to ride a thrilling ride that will be enjoyed by many people.

 

I know, lol. It was a joke. My entire family wouldnt ride it, me and my brother would though. Regardless of height requirement, its going to be an incredible ride.

[paiging_jen]

I went to the park for a few hours this morning to see the latest developments with Cheetah Hunt and to actually see the trains running the full course. This thing looks great and should definitely be a great ride. I took a few videos and edited them together a bit. Unfortunately I did not get video of the launch out of the station or the second launch up the tower, but that second launch does look like it will be fun. They were testing a lot first thing but I started the day by heading the opposite direction in hopes to get a few rides on Sheikra before the massive amount of groups got to the back of the park. Unfortunately Sheikra was down most of the morning. By the time I got back up to the front of the park by Cheetah Hunt they weren't testing as much, probably b/c it was lunch time and I left the park not much longer after that. Also, for those worried about the speed in the early testing videos....it is definitely running faster now. On to the video and pictures...

 

upside down

support banner on the edge of africa pathway

into the trench...

...and out of the trench

plaza area viewed from edge of africa

skyride ride regulations

area details

ride entrance and station

the one train I saw launch when I made it back to the front

after this it was a lunch break

Cheetah Run banners

lock...

second launch trench

inside the cheetah house

cheetah run construction

more cheetah run construction

tower footers

upskirt

what could this be?

the cutest baby cheetah cub ever!

he woke up briefly to look around

and give a quick yawn

but then it was back to sleep. these guys are too cute!

[BaMiTsPaT]

^nice pictures and video. What is that hissing steam noise around 0:32 though?

[jarmor]

I may have missed it but whats up with the dog??

[_Brandon_]

Wow this ride is looking great, the only things that look off are the black chain link fences and the currogated black wall on the inside of that trench.

[tiger01]

I may have missed it but whats up with the dog??

 

I believe the dog is for company.

[alpengeistfan1]

I think that it was shown somewhere that growing up with the dog will make the cheetah less scared of people or something like that.

[Saldek]

I may have missed it but whats up with the dog??

 

This is done for socialization. The cheetah cub was abandoned by his mother so they paired him with a dog. Many zoological institutions do this all over the planet.

[Montuman99]

So it opens when?

[Skycoastin Steve]

^nice pictures and video. What is that hissing steam noise around 0:32 though?

Rollback breaks. Think about Intamin hydraulic launch coasters, same concept.

[Erik Johnson]

Looks great! Just a few more weeks to go!

[Inukaza]

Looks great! Just a few more weeks to go!

 

Can't wait for it. It's going to be so awesome.

 

So, is anyone going for opening day?

[brittanywalz]

Looks great! Just a few more weeks to go!

 

Can't wait for it. It's going to be so awesome.

 

So, is anyone going for opening day?

 

I will be going opening day!

[biomegaceu]

So, is anyone going for opening day?

 

I will be there opening day!

[Inukaza]

Just so everyone's made aware of this. Passport Holder ERT.