Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[coasterfreak101]

Man, if this thing comes together like that (and I have full faith in Busch that it will), it's going to be fantastic.

[BDG]

Some close-ups of the model:

 

 

 

 

 

 

photos: Mack

[DJeXeL]

Looks great!

[DoinItForTheFame]

That model looks amazing!!

[RollerManic]

YEESSS! It was an outside banked first turn! Will this ride midway create a shortcut from Montu to Cheetah Hunt or am I skipping something? Was the train/safari moved slightly?

[ragerunner2]

Looks really good. Great addition to the park.

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

Looks great! I've been wanting to see the layout of this! So I heard there was a forwards part, backwards part, and then spinning part. I'm assuming the spinning is after the second lift, but which part is the backwards part?

[colinx]

I really like how they integrated this ride with the paths. The model looks very appealing, I'm getting more and more excited just watching this thing being built.

[Jew]

Hmm, a resort, you say? Busch Gardens could use an on-site hotel...

 

Not so sure I'd want to stay in a hotel in that area. I took an Uber from the park to the Hard Rock Casino...it didn't exactly look like an appealing area with lots to do besides BGT.

[DirkFunk]

The area around BGT is basically like Buena Park around Knott's. Strip malls and post-war ranches as far as the eye can see. It isn't exactly the most appealing thing. Might as well not even have rooms that look out to the city.

[Fidelity]

Quick question for regulars to the park. I am shortly going to be one of those hayseed tourists the week after Christmas (my brother and his wife recently adopted a baby and live nearby). With Quick Unlimited, what would be a good estimate on number of roller coaster rides I could get in, provided my family is there from open to close with brief breaks for eating and gazing at some mammals?

[rcrider4]

Looks great! I've been wanting to see the layout of this! So I heard there was a forwards part, backwards part, and then spinning part. I'm assuming the spinning is after the second lift, but which part is the backwards part?

Jeff Hornick said in an interview with Screamscape that you go up the second lift backwards and start spinning at the top. I wouldn't be surprised if that long brake run before the lift is the part where it switches direction, as it seems awfully long to be just a brake run. If that's the case, then that little twisty part between the brake and lift will also be ridden backwards.

 

Quick question for regulars to the park. I am shortly going to be one of those hayseed tourists the week after Christmas (my brother and his wife recently adopted a baby and live nearby). With Quick Unlimited, what would be a good estimate on number of roller coaster rides I could get in, provided my family is there from open to close with brief breaks for eating and gazing at some mammals?

You should have no problem getting multiple rides in with Quick Queue Unlimited, even with the crowds. The lines are almost always under 10-20 minutes, except for sometimes Cheetah Hunt before lunchtime on the busiest of days. With the extended hours, you'll have plenty of time to ride everything you want many times. Make sure you also plan to leave time after sunset to just walk around the park and enjoy all of the Christmas Town decor, lights, and experiences.

[BlahBlahson]

^^But also be aware the park is very very circular in layout, so If you want some re-rides tend towards doing them while you're already at the ride. Getting from Sheikra to Montu or whatever is a long trek even if the skyride is running.

[TheCoasterKid211]

Not so sure I'd want to stay in a hotel in that area. I took an Uber from the park to the Hard Rock Casino...it didn't exactly look like an appealing area with lots to do besides BGT.

I live in Tampa, and you're definitely correct. I just thought it would bring more appeal to the parks.

[Ed Farmer]

Hmm, a resort, you say? Busch Gardens could use an on-site hotel...

 

Not so sure I'd want to stay in a hotel in that area. I took an Uber from the park to the Hard Rock Casino...it didn't exactly look like an appealing area with lots to do besides BGT.

Nonsense. All the liquor stores and check cashing places one could ever wish for!

[Philrad71]

^ Not to mention that you can buy a cheap newspaper from a homeless person at just about every stoplight.

[chargersmichael]

They could build the hotel in the upper north corner of the undeveloped land! The views don't have to face the unappealing areas! It could face the Serengeti Plain and there could be a whole immersive environment so that you can't really see over and what is unappealing. They could add a separate hotel entrance to the park from there and then you would have first dibs on Kumba!

 

Oh wait...Kumba...it is over by that side of the park and it is really loud...maybe a hotel over there wouldn't be the best idea because of how loud it is...it could cause complaints.

[Guy T. Koepp]

^^Don't forget about Recycleasaurus! What would Tampa be without Recycleasaurus?

[ETapley0687]

I like the idea of a Animal Kingdom styled resort by the train on the right of the park. As far as parking goes, take a page from Universal and build a parking garage that'll be able to service the parks and potential resorts.

[Philrad71]

^^Don't forget about Recycleasaurus! What would Tampa be without Recycleasaurus?

 

Damn...not sure how that one slipped by me!

 

But is he as cool as Niagara Falls' own Totes McGoats?

Here's to hoping that I don't get shot by a crack dealer & dumped over the Horseshoe Falls!

[Guy T. Koepp]

^Nothing can be that cool!

[Philrad71]

^ Thought so.

 

Perhaps Totes could get a 2nd gig at Marineland? It would be cool to see him throw himself into the Orca tank & then watch the Orca recycle him.

[Cyrbuzz]

Here's a few pictures from Busch Garden's Christmas Town. They did a really nice job all around the park.

[Cyrbuzz]

A few more shots from Christmas Town. My son loves this park as do I. He actually got to ride Sheikra for the first time,he rode it 4 times and had a blast.

[coasterbill]

God, this park really does an outstanding job with special events. We were blown away by Howl O Scream and it looks like their Holiday event is awesome too.