Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[bert425]

6 hours ago, coasterbill said:

I'm fine with this as long as they don't screw with the ride, but I'm also a childless adult who selfishly doesn't care. I feel bad for the kids impacted by this.

yeah. . MUCH better to raise the height restriction than to take away the lap-bars and replace with over the shoulder.

I mean, it sucks for shorter folks (and kids), but I guess this is the best way they could resolve and quickly reopen the ride.

[cfc]

At least they're not putting comfort collars on Scorpion, right?

[coneyislandchris]

For anyone who's wondering exactly why Scorpion was temporarily down and now it's back up again but with a height increase, it appears this is the reason why:

https://www.yourtango.com/news/mom-records-terrifying-moment-her-daughter-began-slip-out-rollercoaster-seat

I can't help but wonder if this will have any impact on the other operating looping Schwarzkopfs that still run with lap bars and a low height requirement, such as Shockwave or Sooperdooperlooper.

[bert425]

^ yeah . . I wasn't gonna give that any more press than it had gotten, so that's why didn't link to the Ticktoc or anything else.

happy they are keeping the lap bar tho.

[YoshiFan]

5 hours ago, coneyislandchris said:

For anyone who's wondering exactly why Scorpion was temporarily down and now it's back up again but with a height increase, it appears this is the reason why:

https://www.yourtango.com/news/mom-records-terrifying-moment-her-daughter-began-slip-out-rollercoaster-seat

I can't help but wonder if this will have any impact on the other operating looping Schwarzkopfs that still run with lap bars and a low height requirement, such as Shockwave or Sooperdooperlooper.

With SDL using Gerstlauer trains and also having a sticker with red and green on it where the lap bar has to be lowered into the green section to be allowed to ride, maybe that will be enough to leave it at 42"?

[prozach626]

Just increase the height limit and offer more family rides. It makes you wonder how many times this has happened. It also gives you an understanding of the importance of height requirements.

  

On 2/23/2023 at 12:23 PM, bert425 said:

^ yeah . . I wasn't gonna give that any more press than it had gotten, so that's why didn't link to the Ticktoc or anything else.

Why?

[bert425]

because not all press is "good" press.

also the park hasn't issued an official statement on the incident, nor has any reputable news source picked it up.

it's not that I don't believe it happened, but when the source is a viral tik-tok?  I choose not to give it more air.

[AmyUD06]

2 hours ago, bert425 said:

because not all press is "good" press.

also the park hasn't issued an official statement on the incident, nor has any reputable news source picked it up.

it's not that I don't believe it happened, but when the source is a viral tik-tok?  I choose not to give it more air.

Smart move.  Nothing on TikTok deserves more air.

[SharkTums]

I don't think this was even a 'height requirement' issue as much as a body shape and child passing out issue!

[YoshiFan]

It looks like Scorpion reopened today.

[Skysthelimit]

We had a really nice time at the park yesterday. It was a bit warmer and busier than expected, but ride lines were manageable. We grabbed QQ because the price is so cheap with the Platinum 50% discount and it was definitely helpful but not mandatory. 
 

S&S Screamin’ Swings are my favorite flat ride and Serengeti Flyer was no exception. We faced Kumba forgetting that most of the safari “action” is on the side facing Montu. It  will be a great 1-2 punch once FF reopens next door. Fills a huge void!
 

The biggest call out is that Kumba and Montu did have 2-trains running all day, which has been fairly inconsistent in recent months. Kumba was a walk on and Montu’s standby looked about 20 mins. 
 

The finally seemed to have fixed Cheetah Hunt’s operations. The sweet spot seems to be 4 trains, two stations with strict bag checks. The line was only about 30 minutes all day, which I think most know used to be unheard of. 
 

Just leaving a picture of Montu, because it’s Montu.
 

And yep, Scorpion is open, running like a dream,  and comfort collar free.

[YoshiFan]

Serengeti Flyer now has 2 different ride modes, a milder version and the standard version. I got to the park around 30 minutes too late to try the new milder ride but hope to try it soon as the original version made me dizzy.

For this time of year crowds were really low. Iron Gwazi was only a 2 train wait when I got to the park and had a posted 5 minute wait when I left.

There were also multiple breakdowns today. Sheikra was closed when I walked past it but did reopen later, Kumba closed a little after 2:00 and never reopened. Cheetah Hunt was closed when I was going to stop at the ride before leaving.

This was my first time riding the Log Flume since it reopened after the refurbishment and I think they did something to cause less of a splash. You used to get soaked and both times I rode today, I barely got any water on me almost like Coal Cracker at Hersheypark.