Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[Canobie Coaster]

^ If I remember correctly, Tempesto required riders to use a fanny pack if they didn't have a zippered pocket. So in the past, it seems like Busch (the Williamsburg one at least) was doing it with good intentions rather than trying to make some extra cash.

[A.J.]

Apparently one of their readers told them that the new policy has gone into effect already and that they are walk-of-shaming people who attempt to leave items on the platform, but I'll believe THAT when I see it first-hand.

 

This new loose articles policy is awful if true - not only are they money-grabbing by forcing you to rent lockers, but now that everyone has to rent one, it means that there will likely be scenarios where entire banks of lockers are sold out. What does the park expect people to do then? Walk all the way back to Kumba to rent their locker, then all the way back to Cheetah Hunt to get in the queue?

 

If this policy is "successful" I can see SeaWorld Orlando doing the same in short order.

 

^ If I remember correctly, Tempesto required riders to use a fanny pack if they didn't have a zippered pocket.

This has also been the case for Tigris since it opened.

 

EDIT: Hello word filter, my old friend. It's been too long. Has anyone had any noodles today?

[bert425]

^ when we were at SWO a few years back, they were forcing folks to use the bunnies for Kracken & Escape from Pompeii.

 

on the TPR FB page, someone who was at BGT yesterday responded to me and said that things that fit in pockets (I specifically asked about zippered pockets), were being allowed on ride, and not having to be stored.

 

if that holds? I recommend cargo shorts with zippered pockets - they served me well on the USA trip, and in Japan last year.

[A.J.]

on the TPR FB page, someone who was at BGT yesterday responded to me and said that things that fit in pockets (I specifically asked about zippered pockets), were being allowed on ride, and not having to be stored.

 

if that holds? I recommend cargo shorts with zippered pockets - they served me well on the USA trip, and in Japan last year.

That's how I've done it since I started going on a regular basis. Personally though, I'm just not a fan of possibly having to go all the way back out to my car to grab my camera bag if I can't get a locker rental because they're all sold out!

[Bamwa]

on the TPR FB page, someone who was at BGT yesterday responded to me and said that things that fit in pockets (I specifically asked about zippered pockets), were being allowed on ride, and not having to be stored.

 

if that holds? I recommend cargo shorts with zippered pockets - they served me well on the USA trip, and in Japan last year.

That's how I've done it since I started going on a regular basis. Personally though, I'm just not a fan of possibly having to go all the way back out to my car to grab my camera bag if I can't get a fluffy, fluffy bunny filled with medicine and goo rental because they're all sold out!

 

What is behind this forum's term for lockers? Someone help me understand. I'm out of the loop on this one. Just a Rob-ism? Why why why?!

[Bamwa]

Dang autocorrected even. Now even more curious.

[bgtlover]

^ when we were at SWO a few years back, they were forcing folks to use the bunnies for Kracken & Escape from Pompeii.

 

on the TPR FB page, someone who was at BGT yesterday responded to me and said that things that fit in pockets (I specifically asked about zippered pockets), were being allowed on ride, and not having to be stored.

 

if that holds? I recommend cargo shorts with zippered pockets - they served me well on the USA trip, and in Japan last year.

 

Journey To Atlantis has a separate load and unload station. That's why loose articles aren't allowed on it. They also hadn't allowed bags in line at Manta or Mako either (both just have the little bins big enough for small items, like glasses and hats). Manta does however have lockers in the station by the exit (or did last time I noticed).

[A.J.]

Manta's always been the same as far as I've noticed - lockers next to the queue entrance, and small open bins on the unload side of each station.

[jedimaster1227]

Last night Theme Park Review was invited to a VIP preview of this year's Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival. This event returns for another year of great food and drink options, concerts and other entertainment--and of course, it is just one more reason to enjoy the park's many coasters and experiences. During this preview event (which was presented as a surprise for annual passholders alongside invited VIP guests), we had a chance to sample options from all of the food cabins, as well as enjoying an Eaglemania concert (described as "the world's greatest Eagles tribute band") and a special fireworks show (not something that will be offered regularly throughout the event).

 

As has been true for the past food festival events between SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, the best way to enjoy the event is to get a sampler lanyard and try as much as possible. With each year the event has grown to include more flavors, more food cabins and more overall to enjoy, and the beauty of these lanyards is that it allows you to pay less per item if you commit to a certain number of items on a lanyard.

 

The sixth annual Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival can be enjoyed on weekends from February 29th through April 26th. For more event info including concert details, events menus and more visit: https://buschgardens.com/tampa/events/food-and-wine-festival/

Tonight we’re Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to preview this year’s Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival offerings!

It is hard not to visit the Food and Wine Festival event spaces of the park without Iron Gwazi catching your eye.

The structure absolutely changes the skyline of the park.

It looks like the attraction is getting very close to being ready to open!

Another look at the awesome new sign!

RMC goodness incoming!

Some de-vine fun...

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens really do a fantastic job of taking care of their passholders. This surprise passholder preview is another example of such care.

It's a most wonderful time of year.

Forgive me for oogling over this coaster for much of the report...

On the topic of Iron Gwazi, check out this insane maneuver on the new coaster!

It looks so great!

We’re enjoying food and drinks at Busch Gardens with a fantastic view of Iron Gwazi!

Unreal to see in person, especially if you saw Gwazi operate here previously.

The Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls looked great!

There are menu options for every palate at the Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival!

The “Boujee Bacon” at the Hog Heaven booth is a bacon-lover’s delight!

Food cabins dot the park with options for most tastes.

Freshly prepared chicken coming up!

I'm gonna stare at this for a while.

The festival path is quite pretty at night.

They have coaster-inspired cocktails at the Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival! Which one would you choose?

I went with the Tigris Tea (left) and the Iron Gwazi Gimlet (right) and both were quite tasty.

Pretty...

The new Coca-Cola® Canopy: is set to open on March 14th.

The Coke Fusion food cabin returns with some Coca-Cola-infused flavors...

The Sticky Coke® Wings are awesome!

Pretty and clever!

The Short Rib & Cheddar Tostadas are fantastic!

More delicious food awaits your order!

The Bison Slider is a returning favorite of ours.

The Griddled Cheese Cake Handheld also makes a triumphant return to the event, and it is just as delicious as it was in previous years!

Live art demonstrations also take place during the Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival.

The end of the night brought more opportunity to admire Iron Gwazi in all its splendor.

Eaglemania, an Eagles tribute band kicked off the Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival with a performance in the park!

Quite a fun show!

Just look at this beautiful monster.

An awesome fireworks show featuring the music of this year’s Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival concert acts marked the perfect close to a great evening of corks and coasters!

Special thanks to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for hosting us for this VIP preview event! We can't wait to come back to try more delicious menu items at the event!

Edited March 1, 2020 by jedimaster1227

[xVicesAndVirtues]

I need some time alone with those nighttime photos of Iron Gwazi...

 

Great report! I love everything this park is doing lately and the other day we walked past the booths as they were being set-up, and some of the food options are really looking great!

[Waltrane]

So I’m curious...did you like what you saw of Iron Ahwaz I? I’m sensing you might have liked it a bit. That maneuver looked insane. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a quick steep drop like that.

[JJLehto]

Great report!

I was lucky to catch the Wine & Food fest before and wow, what an experience.

Great photos!

 

I will be going to the Tool show (judge me all ya want) April 19 in Tampa, hoping this will be open by then! A huge RMC so close is driving me nuts

[mark549]

I think Iron Gwazi's opening will be delayed now. Safety of park staff, RMC crew, customers / guests, everyone is more important than the construction schedule.

 

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2 people ‘presumptively tested positive’ for coronavirus in Manatee, Hillsborough Co.

 

Mar 1, 2020

[cfc]

Looks like lots of good stuff at this year's festival, which fires me up for the Williamsburg version. Thanks for the fresh photos of Iron Gwazi, too.

[coasterbill]

I think Iron Gwazi's opening will be delayed now. Safety of park staff, RMC crew, customers / guests, everyone is more important than the construction schedule.

 

Yeah, we should just shut down all of Tampa for a few months. None of the 1.7 million people living in those two counties should show go to work.

[Hilltopper39]

BGT and Seaworld parks in general always do a great job with their festivals and this event looks really good as well. I'd love to get to it a day before it closes, hopefully Iron Gwazi opens before it ends and I can check em both out.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

I think Iron Gwazi's opening will be delayed now. Safety of park staff, RMC crew, customers / guests, everyone is more important than the construction schedule.

 

Yeah, we should just shut down all of Tampa for a few months. None of the 1.7 million people living in those two counties should show go to work.

Yeah really. Kind of tired of the panic over Covid-19 when there are waaaay more serious things to be concerned about, like this year's flu that the vaccine isn't really helping with, or climate change, or a thousand other concerns that are far more pressing.

[sixFLAGSman!]

Here's a nice aerial view of Iron Gwazi. Photo is by Midway Mayhem.

[coasternut79]

Here's a nice aerial view of Iron Gwazi. Photo is by Midway Mayhem.

My God!

[jarmor]

Is that an uphill inversion after the first drop?

[thrillseeker4552]

^I believe it is just a steeply banked incline. It basically looks like Steel Vengeance’s outer banked hill but sharper and steeper.

[southpuddle]

For a while I thought that steel box frame was a temporary structure to help support that section of track on the up-slope of the second hill during construction, but it looks like it might be staying. It’s just odd looking.

Edited March 3, 2020 by southpuddle

[coasternut79]

^I believe it is just a steeply banked incline. It basically looks like Steel Vengeance’s outer banked hill but sharper and steeper.

Right, if you look closely it's just super inclined to the left almost to the point of inversion but not quite before whipping rapidly to the right to enter the outer bank turn. Should be an awesome element.

[grsupercity]

It is basically a whole new coaster at this point lol. I would love to see how this structure compares to the old Gwazi

[WolfBobs]

It is basically a whole new coaster at this point lol. I would love to see how this structure compares to the old Gwazi

 

I was thinking this too when the de-construction of the old Gwazi structure was pretty much complete. There can't be much more that 20% of the original ride left. This is probably the most "ground-up" conversion we have seen so far.

 

I'll be in Tampa in November, can anyone predict the weather, crowd size and if this ride will be open by then? /s