Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[Erik Johnson]

This link seems to work as well http://www.cheetahhunt.com

[Sir Clinksalot]

BGT needs to change their FB page to not allow everybody to just write on their wall. Their announcement is going to get buried as soon as it's there. It may even be there already.

[doom1001]

It seems like they want to make the ride look and sound a bit more kid friendly,a cheetah head in front of the train and the name "hunt" in the name just screams kiddie coaster.Cheetaka would have been a cooler name,too many things with the name Cheetah which also happened to be the name of my dog that died last year.You also have to wonder is Cheetah Chase going to be renamed,if they do I would have ridden it with three names,Wilde Maus in BGW,Cheetah Chase in BGT and a possible new one.

[BeemerBoy]

Cheetah Hunt? Awesome. I've always wanted to know what it's like to be a poacher. I hear Cheetah tastes great!

[Maximo37]

Cheetah Hunt? Awesome. I've always wanted to know what it's like to be a poacher. I hear Cheetah tastes great!

 

 

NICE!!!! a cheetah kabob sold at Colony Crown House coming soon...

[jjune4991]

Here's a quote from their facebook page when some one asked if the name was Cheetah Hunt.

 

It sure is, Anthony! We told you not to believe all the rumors...

[Skycoastin Steve]

We have the launch speeds, quoted from BGT's facebook:

 

• Launch 1: 30 mph

• Launch 2: 60 mph

• Launch 3: 40 mph

[Ratmead]

Here's a quote from their facebook page when some one asked if the name was Cheetah Hunt.

 

It sure is, Anthony! We told you not to believe all the rumors...

 

 

That is hilarious. It feels like they changed it last second when they realized they had nothing to announce. Trademarks and concept art are a little more than rumors, a rumor would be, what the hell happened to the other inline twist and corkscrew over the EoA path? Oh yeah, our Cheetaka got neutered.

[The_Mad_Hatter]

Regardless of the name, I'm very excited! Looks like a longer Maverick. Seems very speedy. The animal exhibit art looks very immersive as well. Makes me really want to visit Busch Gardens now...

[BeemerBoy]

While the whole project (minus the name) reeks of 100% awesome, it should be noted that the most important element of that video is the presence of the sky ride.

[Skycoastin Steve]

^^^The coaster is following exactly the path the plans showed when they were leaked several months ago. They wouldn't just change the layout at the last second out of spite because the plans were leaked. If the wrong things were assumed from the leaks, that's not BGT's fault. Remember when everyone KNEW the new ride at Cedar Point was going to be named StratoSaur? That's what people get for assuming.

[Ratmead]

I am not just assuming there was another inline twist and corkscrew over the EoA path. It was in there, I have seen a picture of it and it was labelled with the elements (now of course I do not expect you to believe me, because I cannot post the picture for the security of the source) But if my previous posts say anything, I can assure you I am not here to deceive.

 

I am not saying they changed it out of spite, but they did change things. I suspect they had a few versions of the coaster in varying degrees of intensity. I know I mentioned this on another forum, but this is exactly like SheiKra's inline twist getting removed. I guess it is the downside to seeing stuff before it is official, but that doesn't make it hurt any less.

[Skycoastin Steve]

^Dude, every coaster project at every park goes through changes like that. There could be a host of reasons like difficulty of construction, cost, intensity, or practicality that could cause plans to change on a coaster. If you look at preliminary concept art of a lot of coaster projects, NONE of them are 100% like what was originally portrayed. Maybe the person that stole the plans should have kept this in mind (or not stolen them in the first place).

 

As far as I can tell, the layout diagram that was leaked at least 6 or 7 months ago on Screamscape is precisely what is being shown now in the POV. Lance might have mislabeled where the launches were, but the track layout is identical to what is being built. As it is, this shouldn't have surprised you anyway, as they already gave away about 95% of the layout in the teaser videos!

 

 

 

On another note, some douche bag has started an online petition to change the name of Cheetah Hunt to Cheetaka. To prevent the idiot from getting page hits, I refuse to link to it.

 

Also, BGT just said on their facebook page that the ride is going to have lap bars, which is certainly exciting news.

[KPfreak519]

"Cheetah Hunt" is a very disappointing coaster name by Busch Gardens standards...

[Electerik]

First thought: Cheetah Hunt is a terrible name.

 

Second thought: Actually, it's not. It fits into Crown Colony quite well, and makes Cheetah Chase seem like the kiddie version of this ride. (You know, like The Beast and Beastie.)

[Ratmead]

You are right about them going through changes, and it is to be expected, but like I said, it doesn't hurt any less, lol. The thing is, the layout that I found on Wichman's site many many months ago is pretty much inline with this alternate Cheetaka layout I speak of. The two inversions that were removed look the exact same from the top down view. Go look at the leaked layout again, in the Rhino Rally it should have been an inline twist, but instead it is the trick track thing. Over the EoA path, it could have been a corkscrew, but now it is like a non-inverting corkscrew.

 

Just to be clear, I think this ride is going to be very very awesome. However it is not what it could/should have been.

 

Also, that is awesome about lapbars, I really wasn't expecting that, apparently neither was the animator. Gonna be pretty crazy to go through an inline twist with just a lap bar, assuming it doesn't get removed.

[robbalvey]

Busch Gardens Tampa Announces "Cheetah Hunt" for 2011!

 

Press Release:

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Introduces A New Breed of Speed

 

New Mega-Attraction Pairs Up-Close Encounters and High-Speed Thrills in Cheetah Hunt and Cheetah Run

 

Wednesday, Oct. 13 (Tampa, FL) – For more than five decades, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has found inspiration in its animals. Animal care experts have turned that inspiration into adventure with immersive natural habitats like the Serengeti Plain, Myombe Reserve, Edge of Africa and Jungala. Engineers have also turned it into adrenaline, capturing the spirit of the animals in wood and steel with coasters like Kumba, Gwazi and SheiKra.

 

Now, the next generation of thrills emerges from the crossroads where up-close animal encounters and awe-inspiring rides come together. This spring, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will introduce a new mega-attraction that introduces guests to join the hunt for excitement and experience a new breed of speed.

 

 

Cheetah Hunt

The centerpiece of the new attraction is Cheetah Hunt, a Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) Launch Coaster that uses the force of repelling magnets to launch riders from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds – not once, but three times.

 

This one-of-a-kind, multiple launch-point coaster will board in Busch Gardens’ historic monorail station, which has been completely renovated as part of the new attraction.

 

The first launch propels the train out of the station and into the grasslands that surround the new area. Moments later, a second burst of speed accelerates riders to 60 mph and up into the ride’s signature tower element that climbs more than 10 stories above the African landscape before plunging 130 feet into a subterranean trench.

 

Cheetah Hunt covers a lot of ground, setting a new distance record for Busch Gardens’ roller coasters at 4,429 feet of track. After leaving the Crown Colony Plaza area, it races across a portion of the Serengeti Plain, staying close to the ground to give guests the experience of a cheetah sprinting across the plains. Elements such as over-banked turns, air-time parabolas and a heart line roll inversion imitate the agile creature chasing its prey, leaping and pouncing into the Nairobi area, where the train twists through a rocky gorge that was formerly part of Rhino Rally.

 

At the far end of this three-quarter-mile path, a third burst of speed rockets the train back across the plain toward the station in a thrill-ride experience unlike anything Busch Gardens’ guests have ever experienced.

 

 

Cheetah Run

But this one-of-a-kind coaster experience is only a portion of the new realm. Building on Busch Gardens’ unrivaled ability to combine thrills with immersive animal encounters, Cheetah Run will set a new standard for bringing nature and humans together in a really unique way.

 

Located in the area that formerly housed the Budweiser Clydesdales, this expansive new habitat will give visitors the opportunity to get closer to cheetahs than ever before with elevated, glass-paneled viewing areas. Even more exciting will be the chance to witness the world’s fastest land animal in action. Busch Gardens’ trainers will conduct daily sprints with the cheetahs for an awesome opportunity to see one of nature’s true wonders in full form!

 

Families can also explore interactive touch screens to learn even more about these big cats and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s work on their behalf. Through the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, the adventure parks have been helping wild cheetahs since 2005.

 

 

The Realm

While thrill-seekers race across the plain on Cheetah Hunt, and even non-riders appreciate the beauty and grace of the cheetah in Cheetah Run, the realm surrounding this new mega-attraction offers many more opportunities for adventure and exploration.

 

Built at the crossroads where Morocco, Egypt and the Edge of Africa all come together, the plaza will be a bustling, colorful celebration inspired by the sights and sounds of the cultures that feed into it. Busch Gardens’ famous Crown Colony House Restaurant will remain a focal point of the area as well with a new, terraced entrance that will feature additional outdoor seating and natural landscaping.

 

Cheetah Hunt and Cheetah Run open in spring 2011. Together, they form a unique experience – the kind you’ll only find at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

 

Fact Sheet

TYPE OF RIDE:

Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) Launch Coaster

 

LAUNCHES:

• Launch 1: 30 mph

• Launch 2: 60 mph

• Launch 3: 40 mph

 

OTHER ELEMENTS:

• 130-foot drop into an underground trench

• Over-banked turns

• “Air Time” parabolas

• Heartline roll inversion

 

TRACK LENGTH:

4,429 feet – more than three-quarters of a mile!

 

MAXIMUM SPEED:

60 mph

 

MAXIMUM FORCE:

4 G

 

HEIGHT:

102 feet

 

RIDE DURATION:

3½ minutes (including loading and unloading)

 

SEATS/TRAIN:

5 trains, 16 passengers per train

 

GUEST CAPACITY:

1,370 guests per hour

 

HEIGHT REQUIREMENT:

48”

 

LOCATION:

Crown Colony Plaza

 

MANUFACTURER:

Intaride LLC, exclusive U.S. supplier of Intamin rides

 

Photos

 

 

 

 

 

Videos

 

Coaster POV:

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=10101307531447_1_6onq[/coastertube]

Cheetah Hunt Promo Reel:

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=10101308114759_1_jokn[/coastertube]

Mike Boos Talks Cheetah Hunt:

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=10090108240178_1_lxc0[/coastertube]

Edited October 13, 2010 by cfc

[The_Mad_Hatter]

48" height restriction and no OTHR's? what's to complain about!

[larrygator]

It seems like they want to make the ride look and sound a bit more kid friendly,a cheetah head in front of the train and the name "hunt" in the name just screams kiddie coaster.

 

Awesome - a launched kiddie coaster!

[robbalvey]

48" height restriction and no OTHR's? what's to complain about!

And to add something completely new and different that we really haven't seen before. I really do applaud Busch Gardens Tampa for doing something "different!"

 

The ride really does have potential to be awesome!

 

And you Williamsburg people take note! This kind of ride just may be running through the trees of the old BBW site! Looks like a pretty good trade up to me!

 

 

--Robb

[SharkTums]

First off, love the ride, think it looks like it could be quite the winner! Very excited that Busch did this and can't wait to see a version at BGW as well!

 

On the other hand, I do not at all understand the Cheetah Hunt name?!?! For a park that is so dedicated to the celebration and conservation of animals using the word HUNT just sounds so terrible.

 

Forget the fact that there's already a Cheetah Chase ride at the park and the GP will be stupid, or that the name Cheetah Hunt doesn't exactly live up to the quality of big ride names that we've come to expect from this chain of parks...but using the word HUNT just seems so out of character!!! Kumba, Montu, Sheikra, Kraken, Manta, Loch Ness Monster, Big Bad Wolf, these were all celebrations of real and folkloric animals...to now call something a Hunt?!!?

 

Very surprised by the name, but love the ride so I guess that's what it really comes down to.

[scottjenkins]

Oh My SEX!!!

 

It looks like a cross between Maverick and a terrain hugging Mini Lite............... My Florida holiday next year is looking VERY interesting!!

[vekoma_fan]

this will be a awesome addition to the park itself, but I agree with the whole name thing

[ElToroExtreme]

The ride looks Fantastic! Great job Busch for bringing in something really different!

[moinab]

I see your point, Elissa, but I was thinking of it as the cheetah being the one doing the hunting, as in the coaster is the cheetah, launching across the grassland, after its prey.

 

Certainly open for confusion, though.