Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[Jew]

Laughing at the people who now say “gee, NOW this really makes me want to visit BGT for the first time!” As if it wasn’t already one of the best parks in the world

 

There are a lot of people who would prefer that their Orlando vacations stay in Orlando. Can't say that I blame them for that with Orlando having so much on its own.

 

This ride will DEFINITELY bring me back, but I've opted to skip the park on my visits the last few years.

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

I was expecting some big things from this, but I was honestly not expecting it to dethrone Steel Vengeance's records. So exciting for BGT!!

 

This thing will look and feel MASSIVE on the Tampa skyline. Sheikra already feels twice as big as it really is and this is going to top that. Can't wait to start seeing it take shape.

[robbalvey]

Dear SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment:

 

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has Tempesto, and would like one of these RMCs, too.

 

Thank you.

 

BGT's already stellar coaster lineup is just getting better.

BGW also has a GCI they could convert!

 

#WhoCaresIfItJustOpened

[larrygator]

Dear SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment:

 

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has Tempesto, and would like one of these RMCs, too.

 

Thank you.

 

BGT's already stellar coaster lineup is just getting better.

 

Dear CFC,

 

We would love to accommodate your request, but Kingsmill

 

thank you,

SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment

Edited March 2, 2019 by larrygator

[cfc]

^Aw, they can already see Griffon from the Kingsmill golf course. A big RMC's not gonna hurt 'em.

[bert425]

^Aw, they can already see Griffon from the Kingsmill golf course. A big RMC's not gonna hurt 'em.

 

World's 1st *Subterranean* RMC ???

 

 

#2021 rumors

[ytterbiumanalyst]

They could always go the Gold Striker route and build a noise tunnel over that golf course.

[DoinItForTheFame]

Damn!!! We visiting the park one year to early.

[djcoastermark]

^ Don't worry. You are going to have a blast even though the next coaster is not ready. BGT is really a cool place that is all about the experience of the moment. Not of the future, but what is there will wow you, and will keep calling you back like a mythological Siren. It has for me and I live here.

[A.J.]

Damn!!! We visiting the park one year to early.

Don't feel bad, I missed out on Lightning Rod. That's going to change in 2020, hopefully.

[AndrewA86]

^ Don't worry. You are going to have a blast even though the next coaster is not ready. BGT is really a cool place that is all about the experience of the moment. Not of the future, but what is there will wow you, and will keep calling you back like a mythological Siren. It has for me and I live here.

 

Yes this. I was there last month and it was a blast!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[coasterBro]

Dear SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment:

 

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has Tempesto, and would like one of these RMCs, too.

 

Thank you.

 

BGT's already stellar coaster lineup is just getting better.

 

In fairness, you're getting some cool multi-launched thing with a 315ft spike.

 

But both Busch parks have exceptional coaster lineups.

 

 

On an unrelated note, I for one am glad to see that the (obviously inaccurate) fan-created No Limits layout that the rest of the enthusiast community is currently fawning over/arguing about isn't being entertained here.

[Philrad71]

OMG...this is unbelievably awesome news!!!

 

My favorite park just keeps kicking it up notch after notch!

[JeromyL]

Dear SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment:

 

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has Tempesto, and would like one of these RMCs, too.

 

Thank you.

 

BGT's already stellar coaster lineup is just getting better.

 

Thats exactly what I was thinking!!!

[Kw6sTheatee]

I used to live around these parts. I love Busch Gardens Tampa so much, I’m very biased towards it because this place was my childhood! I haven’t been back in nearly four years, but that will change when I get to return in April.

[HowieP]

THANK GOODNESS!!! Gwazi is FINALLY getting the RMC tracking!

[Dombot]

OH. MY. GOD.

Edited March 5, 2019 by Dombot

[anonymouscactus]

My first job in Florida was Gwazi ride operator (they were going to give me Rhino Rally but I still had a NY license at the time) .... not at all sad at all to see it go, lol, but it's what started me down the career path to SeaWorld! And subsequently out of the industry all together, lol.

 

That ride was horrendous to operate, especially in the heat. Bye, Felecia!

 

Can't wait to make it back in 2020 8)

[DILinator]

After years of remaining steadfast in my declaration that Gwazi would eventually get the RMC treatment, at long last the naysayers have been silenced!

 

As for BGT, what more can be said that hasn't already! The park is simply phenomenal, and one of the best in the entire country, hands down! I already considered it my favorite place in Florida, yes, even more than Disney and Universal, and that was before Tigris and now this. I was already planning on returning to Florida sometime in 2020 with my kids for a vacation, and Disney trip, as most of them have never been, and BGT is definitely going to be on the itinerary as well!

 

Star Wars Land, or RMC Gwazi... Even as a huge Star Wars fan, I genuinely don't know which addition I am more excited for!

[Dombot]

Okay, I think I'm breathing again. Let me just say a few things.

 

This is probably the most amazing news ever. Gwazi was my ride back in the day, I probably rode it more times than most could tolerate. It was my first "big" coaster, so seeing the ride close almost half a decade ago (!!!) was very bittersweet. On one hand, I knew the ride wasn't very popular despite the recent addition of the new trains. On the other hand, yeah, it was time for a change. Whatever went in that spot, I'd be pretty happy.

 

This... is beyond what I expected. Like, miles above.

 

Even when the park confirmed they were "re-doing" Gwazi, I thought it would be a pretty basic conversion; y'know, take the track out, keep some of the support (or rebuild what's unsalvageable, what with the ride sitting dormant for that long), add a few inversions, good to go! Even if it wasn't the best RMC, it'd still probably be my favorite in the park. But this... this is incredible. I mean, it's a hyper coaster with a beyond-vertical drop. What even. I'm so excited for this, 2020 can't come soon enough.

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

After years of remaining steadfast in my declaration that Gwazi would eventually get the RMC treatment, at long last the naysayers have been silenced!

SAME!!! I was saying this back in 2015 when I worked at BGT and no one believed me. I just wish I could see the reactions when the people who thought I was crazy find out I was right about this after all. Okay I might still be crazy...

[jlp94]

Hey everyone,

 

So as some of you know, I'm visiting Busch Gardens Tampa on Friday the 29th, and I need advice! We'll be staying the whole day from open to close (10:00 to 7:00), so keep that in mind when responding.

 

1. What is the best order to hit up the coasters and thrilling flat rides?

 

2. What are the best restaurants for lunch and dinner? (best snacks in the park would be a nice bonus too )

 

3. "Magic" seats or the best rows/seats on coasters? I love trying multiple seats for the best possible ride so I always ask those questions when trip planning.

 

Thanks!

[A.J.]

Cheetah Hunt and Cobra's Curse often get the highest wait times. Cheetah Hunt is close to the front, and Cobra's Curse is new hotness family coaster. Consider doing one of those two right as you enter.

 

The others? It's hit-or-miss, really, with the exception of Kumba, which rarely has a wait longer than a few train loads. Scorpion moves slowly because they only ever run one train. SheiKra can sometimes move slowly if they are only staffed for one station platform. I personally have never had any issues just going around and doing the coasters in a loop, and that's on a weekend.

 

Kumba and Montu are really great on outer seats because they have elements that whip you around. SheiKra is pretty freaky in a front row outer seat because you're basically hanging over the edge with nothing anywhere.

[Too Fast For Comfort]

Cheetah Hunt and Cobra's Curse often get the highest wait times. Cheetah Hunt is close to the front, and Cobra's Curse is new hotness family coaster. Consider doing one of those two right as you enter.

 

The others? It's hit-or-miss, really, with the exception of Kumba, which rarely has a wait longer than a few train loads. Scorpion moves slowly because they only ever run one train. SheiKra can sometimes move slowly if they are only staffed for one station platform. I personally have never had any issues just going around and doing the coasters in a loop, and that's on a weekend.

 

Kumba and Montu are really great on outer seats because they have elements that whip you around. SheiKra is pretty freaky in a front row outer seat because you're basically hanging over the edge with nothing anywhere.

 

Yeah, Shiekra probably is best in the front, but the the middle and back aren't that bad. The train does have stadium seating, so you get a pretty great view no matter where you sit. It can also be kind of cool sitting over people and watching their reactions. Drop coasters are just pretty underrated all the way around.

 

Pretty spot on analysis of the wait times. Monday through Friday the park is pretty dead. But all of the sudden it gets Disney level crowds on the weekends and holidays. If you're traveling through, definitely make sure to prioritize going Monday-Friday. Also, for being a big 365 park in Florida, the operations and staffing is pretty pathetic. They really can't get a dispatch out without stacking and they'll leave a bunch of empty seats. Surprising considering the fact that they fully staff each ride with greeters, crowd control, and restraint checkers.

[Kw6sTheatee]

I would also recommend doing the train ride and/or skyride to get around the park. They are both very fun rides that I loved as a kid. Kumba is definitely worth doing in the back, it’s incredibly intense! So is Montu. I’m thankfully going to be able to revisit my childhood stomping grounds (this park) in April 2019, after nearly 4 years of not being back.