Photo TR: Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando

[B-RadG]

Over my Spring Break I was able to go to two parks in Florida so I chose Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando. Overall they were amazing parks.

First up, SWO.

SeaWorld Orlando was a really really nice park. The operations for the most part weren't amazing but weren't as bad as Kings Dominion's. I rarely eat at parks so I don't know how the food was. I guess this was just my stupidity but even with a map it took me a while to figure out where I was going, like I couldn't figure out where I was on the map I also got the Quick Queue Unlimited which REALLY helped with the lines.

Manta (10/10)-

Manta was my first Flying coaster and I honestly didn't know what to expect. I didn't expect that I'd like the flying position that much but it was honestly an amazing feeling. I rode five times in the back row and once in the front, and all were amazing. The back provides Gs that make you feel like you're going to melt through the back of the seat during the Pretzel Loop. The front kinda held you upside down for a second on the entry to the Pretzel Loop while waiting for the rest of the train to catch up. The entire ride was completely smooth, it didn't have any little spots that most B&Ms have. The ops were good about not making you sit in the odd position on the brake run for too long. The only problem is that Manta breaks down a lot. It went down thrice during the day and at one point they said it wouldn't open for the rest of the day (it reopened right as we were leaving)

Kraken (8/10)

I had heard that Kraken was forceless (as usual for a B&M Floorless) and from riding Hydra and Dominator I was expecting it to have a rattle. I was wrong in both respects because not only was it completely smooth and it actually had forces. I love straight drops as opposed to twisting drops because of the airtime and Kraken gently floated you down the first drop. None of the trims were being used and the MCBR didn't touch it. I loved the second loop because it's unique in that most rides don't have a vertical loop after the MCBR and it had a handchopper going into the tunnel. Aside from some lame transitions (before the MCBR, before the final brake run) Kraken is what a B&M Floorless should be.

Journey To Atlantis (6/10)

Journey To Atlantis was a unique ride. Part log flume, part roller coaster, part dark ride. Since I hate Escape From Pompeii I wasn't expecting to like Journey To Atlantis' dark ride part, but it was really cool. I hardly count it as a credit, though. I didn't get wet at all cause I was in the back row. Overall a solid ride with amazing theming.

Ride Count-

Manta x6

Kraken x3

Journey To Atlantis x1

Shamu Express x1

 

Now for the pictures! You know you're excited.

 

My future number 2. Don't tell Intimidator 305.

 

"LET'S WAVE AT THE GUY THAT'S CREEPIN ON US!"

 

Ooh there's another coaster god...

 

Hey... don't mantas fly in water? WHERE IS THE WATER!

 

I hope I don't get raped going down this deserted alley on my way to have to shamefully walk past the entire queue up to the station...

 

Hooray for palm trees!

 

Artsy lift hill porn shot.

 

These people are all being shoved against their will against something. The seat, you pervs.

 

See this just screams smooth B&M. Or whispers. No B&M roar for Manta.

 

This could only be better with a train.

 

RAWR DON'T CREEP ON ME!

 

A Corkscrew that doesn't interlock. Are you sure this is a B&M?

 

About to dive into the Kraken's cave... which had this odd waterfall in the ceiling. Hopefully the Kraken emptied his bladder before riders got on.

 

Procedure- stick camera lens through hole in fence, get odd looks, take picture.

 

I freaking love B&M Corkscrews.

 

Lift hill MOTOR porn. Suck on that.

 

Coming out of the Kraken pee cave. I was too ADD to wait for a train.

 

Shut up I told you I freaking love B&M Corkscrews.

 

Yes for the almost-not-a-credit credit!

 

SUCKERS.

 

The Virginian in me adores this.

 

Shamu Express. I ran into a TPR member operating it... I can't for the life of me remember his name. If it's you and you're reading this please say hi.

 

MAGNET BRAKES ON A KIDDIE COASTER!

 

I love the uni-footer.

 

Sea Carousel. I don't have anything nifty to say. Just pretend like I did.

 

Manta from when I couldn't find my way around!

 

This little duck ignored me when I yelled at him to tell me how to get back to Manta.

 

Kraken broken down? BLASPHEMY! B&Ms are supposed to be reliable.

 

$4 per ride my booty!

 

Dive Loops are good when they're not "Inverted Dive Loops". Yeah I'm talking about you, Hydra.

 

Another one of them fancified lift hill porn shots. This would be in like Playboy or one of those classy ones.

 

Flat Fish Coaster.

 

Y'all are about to be OWNED...

 

not quite NINETY DEGREES!

 

Shouldn't you be at a hotel in Vegas?

 

Up-support shot of Manta's shmexy first drop.

 

The amazing non-edible Pretzel!

 

Hey look! It's the neglected Kraken. Sorry Kraken. You're just not as amazing as Manta.

 

Stupid dark station.

 

Heh... attention ops. Never leave your panel unattended unless you wish for me to creep on them.

 

Yes. I dove deep. And I took a picture of the screen. Don't tell anyone. Shhhh.

 

So all in all, SeaWorld Orlando is an amazing park. Even though I didn't see any of the shows. Intricate theming, amazing coasters, and friendly staff.

Up next (meaning when I can get off my lazy butt to post it) BGT PTR.

 

ADMIN EDIT: I added "Photo TR:" to the front of this thread's title. In the future, please remember to add this to the front of all picture trip reports you post. Other than that, keep up the good work!

Edited April 16, 2010 by jedimaster1227

[sam06pr]

The shows are the best at SW...well before the whole incident...

Nice tr!

[B-RadG]

Now for Busch Gardens Tampa. Oh yes.

 

Like SeaWorld Orlando, I was really expecting BGT to be a lot like BGW. I've been to BGT before, granted I was 5 and only rode Python, but I didn't remember much. We got to the park a little after opening because of the stupid Tampa traffic and got the Quick Queue, which is actually a good deal. Much to my dismay, there was an announcement that Kumba would be closed all day. The park was ridiculously nice. The only downfall was crappy operations. Not terrible, but not what you'd expect from a Busch park. Gwazi Tiger could dispatch 2 trains in the time Lion dispatched one and Montu triple stacked while the ops texted. Oh well.

Kumba (10/10)- Upon giving up hope and making SheiKra my 50th credit, I saw Kumba testing while on SheiKra and was rather mad. So Kumba is absolutely amazing. I had heard that it was rough but honestly it's not at all. The loop kicks all of B&M's other loop's butts. The Zero-G Roll throws you out of the seat for the entire rotation. There's random floater air (the turn before the cobra roll, turn up to the MCBR) and it's just an all around creative, forceful, and fun ride. It's the epitome of what a B&M should be.

Montu (9/10)- I love B&M Inverts and aside from a few things this was no exception. Montu kicks butt. I love the Zero-G and the Batwing, while not what I'd expected (it was my first Batwing), was still an awesome element. Now the MCBR is the only fault. It kills everything but the final 2 inversions. You lay awkwardly on your side after coming off the MCBR and the loop is godly, but then after that you dick around until the Corkscrew.

SheiKra (7/10)- I was expecting a whole lot more from SheiKra given my love for Griffon, but it wasn't as amazing as I thought it would be. It shuffled, which was a shock as Griffon doesn't. SheiKra is also not forceful at all. Just a meh ride, unique and all but not so much thrilling and super-omg-orgasming-in-my-pants fun.

Scorpion (7/10)- I really didn't know what to think of Scorpion while waiting in line. They only have one train, which I guess is logical cause they can't replace them. Anyhow Scorpion is really powerful to be so small! I wasn't expecting that loop to throw me forward as badly as it did. Aside from some aggressive (not really rough but not smooth) parts in the helices, it was an epic ride.

Gwazi Tiger (4/10)- Ugh... I loved it so much when I rode it first thing in the morning. It was smooth and I was like "Everyone who said this sucks is wrong!!" and it was an amazing coaster. I rode it once again after the day went on and holy sheet. I have NEVER thrown up because of a ride but I've also never been shaken and beaten as badly as Gwazi did.

Gwazi Lion (4/10)- Like Tiger I rode it first thing in the morning and it was rough as all get out then so I didn't wanna risk another ride later in the day.

Air Grover (4/10)- Like its brother in Williamsburg, it's a fun kiddie ride and had an op with epic spiels. Nothin else much to say.

 

Ride count-

Kumba- 6

Montu- 4

SheiKra- 2

Gwazi TIger- 2

Gwazi Lion- 1

Air Grover- 1

Stanley Falls Flume- 1

 

Oh hello there 50th credit.

 

Yay for German kiddie coasters.

 

"Air Grover will be flying in in approximately 25 seconds. Your flight will reach an altitude of about 20 feet and reach a speed of 24 mph"

 

Tent or station?

 

I gather this bird doesn't like me. I took his picture and he turned around and shat at me.

 

I wanna ride Shakira. She's big.

 

Little Supports Big World.

 

Stupid Brad didn't know that he was standing in the splash zone.

 

Meh. YOU'RE FORCELESS. Stop trying to be cool like your younger brother.

 

But you're sexy

 

Hehehehe not this time splash, not this time.

 

OMG. UP-TUNNEL SHOT!

 

OMG!! Tunnel being penetrated by Shakira.

 

Hehehe not THIS time either, splash. I'm smarter than you. Maybe not. But that's not my point.

 

CLACKCLACKWHOOOOOOSH. Yes that's the sound the people made.

 

Ya spelled Shakira wrong, fools.

 

Heartline? I think yes.

 

Oh hey look. Kumba decided to wake up for me. Roar.

 

Despite all the rust... Kumba is a sexy roaring beast. Which is why you're going to have to deal with my 56,103,450 pictures of it.

 

Ugh... speed settings...

 

Ooh look it's a picture that absolutely nobody anywhere has EVER seen before.

 

LOOK MA! NO SUPPORTS!

 

For those of you with minds like mine... you may find it humorous that a long yellow thing is going through a circular thing.

 

Why can't all B&M's be like you?

 

I am ashamed of myself.

 

Gah. Sexyness. Sexy Swiss steel. Say that five times fast.

 

COBRA ROLL THROUGH THE TREES!

 

You Floridians suck for having a kick-butt B&M so close. Yes, Alpengeist I still love you and your neutered self.

 

I'm getting good at this artsy shot stuff.

 

Dive Loopage.

 

Oooooooh. Heartline again. Yeah go away I don't have a caption.

 

HAHA. Random floater is simply amazing. It's like... sex... but not sex.

 

Okay last shot for a while. I promise.

 

I love Germans.

 

Laterals are pretty sexy too.

 

Shakira through the Scorpion!

 

You know you love some side-brake.

 

These people are yelling "OH MY GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGs!"

 

Random trees need love too.

 

It's not the size, it's how you use it. That's Anton for you.

 

Fine Gwazi... you get some love. Not as much as Kumba. Cause Kumba doesn't suck.

 

So photogenic... yet so violent.

 

Can I get a hell yeah for being stacked in the shade and not sizzling in the Florida sun?

 

Haha idiots.

 

Right here I think I rather would have been kicked in the crotch.

 

Best. Log. Flume. Everrr.

 

If you know what part of Kumba this support holds up... EMAIL DAN! (mrt0ad13@aol.com)

 

Yeah no. I rode you at BGW and I am not waiting an hour.

 

I SPY A STUNT PILOT INVERSION!

 

TAKE THE TUNNEL. TAKE IT.

 

Seeeeeeee? I am good at the artsy shots.

 

Mmmmm. Lift hill porn. Just to get in your daily dose.

 

My psychic prediction... these people will be going up the lift in the next picture.

 

BOOM! I'm magical! Beat that!

 

Big loop.

 

Little loop. I like the little one better than the big one. Yeah shut up pervs. I didn't mean it like that.

 

Zero-G rolls make me happy.

 

Hey can I go get my hat now? Sure why not *splat*

 

So to get to Kumba I must take one step forward, four steps right, one step back, and one step to the left... cool BGT. Way to make me not get to Kumba.

 

And I leave you with a picture of Shakira being shined upon by the coaster gods.

 

That's it folks! Til June!

 

Comments are much appreciated.

[the ghost]

Awesome TR, I have never been to Busch Gardens Africa, but I have been to Europe, and if Africa is nearly as landscaped and beautiful(it looks like it is) then I gotta get to this park sometime. Kumba really needs a paintjob. Also, its soooo weird that Gwazi seems to be the only GCI people really hate, is it just cause of the trains? I've only been on Terminator, but for a woodie it was smooth as glass.

[tiger01]

Awesome TR. Which B&M sit down is better Kumba or Kraken???

[Koolkid]

^ Kumba

[sam06pr]

Montu does have horrible operations. Gwazi, well is not so much their crew but the procedures. Kumba and Sheikra's operation is better but SheiKra's crew sometimes slag. Scorpion, sometime is great and sometimes is bad.

[alpengeist04]

Kumba (10/10)- Upon giving up hope and making SheiKra my 50th credit, I saw Kumba testing while on SheiKra and was rather mad. So Kumba is absolutely amazing. I had heard that it was rough but honestly it's not at all. The loop kicks all of B&M's other loop's butts. The Zero-G Roll throws you out of the seat for the entire rotation. There's random floater air (the turn before the cobra roll, turn up to the MCBR) and it's just an all around creative, forceful, and fun ride. It's the epitome of what a B&M should be.

 

I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

I really enjoyed the trip report B-RadG, especially the Kumba pics.

 

 

Which B&M sit down is better Kumba or Kraken???

 

Kumba, hands down.

[B-RadG]

Awesome TR. Which B&M sit down is better Kumba or Kraken???

Well Kraken is a Floorless. But Kumba is better.

 

Sheikra's operation is better but SheiKra's crew sometimes slag.

SheiKra's crew was actually managing to stack all 5, I forgot to mention that.

 

Kumba really needs a paintjob. Also, its soooo weird that Gwazi seems to be the only GCI people really hate, is it just cause of the trains? I've only been on Terminator, but for a woodie it was smooth as glass.

I kinda like the rusty look on Kumba, personally.

Gwazi has a really good layout and I'm guessing that it's just PTC's crappy trains that ruin it.

[Jay20016]

Awesome TR. Which B&M sit down is better Kumba or Kraken???

 

Long time lurker... figured I'd finally register to post something...

 

 

 

I'd have to go with Kumba simply because it has been what I've stacked all other normal, looping coasters against since I started riding these things. From the drop onward, it just doesn't really relent. The only real breather section is just before the cobra-roll and even that has a bit of airtime. While it certainly has looked better (didn't they paint this just 2 or 3 years ago?) it's still the coaster that I remember from eons ago. Night time rides plus the fact that with Sheikra and Montu, it never has a line are things that help elevate it for me.

 

I like Kraken, don't get me wrong... but it just seems a bit familiar. Drop, Loop, Diving Loop, Zero-G... Pretty much everything up till the brake run is Kumba-lite. The little pop of air you get on the far right seat coming off the brakes is fun, as is the use of terrain on the 2nd half of the coaster, but... it still lacks a bit of something that Kumba has.

[dandaman]

Shamu Express. I ran into a TPR member operating it... I can't for the life of me remember his name. If it's you and you're reading this please say hi.

 

JOE!

 

 

(At least, I assume it was him.)

[B-RadG]

Shamu Express. I ran into a TPR member operating it... I can't for the life of me remember his name. If it's you and you're reading this please say hi.

 

JOE!

 

 

(At least, I assume it was him.)

 

Nope not quite, I believe it was an older guy.

[coasterbilly]

Kumba is indeed amazing! Proves that the original is better then the sequels nice report, I haven't been down there since Sheikra or Manta so I definitely need to get back down there to experience them, I will take your word on Sheikra vs. Griffon, Griffon blew my mind especially with the width of the trains

[sam06pr]

 

Sheikra's operation is better but SheiKra's crew sometimes slag.

SheiKra's crew was actually managing to stack all 5, I forgot to mention that.

 

 

Something needs to be done about that. People need to take their time and go to guest relation and complained about this more often. I sign up for it

[B-RadG]

Something needs to be done about that. People need to take their time and go to guest relation and complained about this more often. I sign up for it

 

It's honestly no biggie really unless you're in a big time crunch. Operations aren't as bad as they could be but aren't spot on, either.

[doom1001]

Awesome TR. Which B&M sit down is better Kumba or Kraken???

 

Nothing against Kumba as I still think it's an amazing ride,but I have to go with Kraken,I love the drop and it being a floorless there's very few rides that I prefer over a front row ride on Kraken.With that said Kumba's pacing of the ride is amazing,it's a more intense non-stop ride and it has one thing Kraken doesn't and that's the howling noise that ride makes,certain times I just like to stand on the bridge leading to it's queue and just listen to it.Any clue when BGT will paint it,it's been needing it for so long.

[Lenaapple1974]

Great PTR! I especially love the comments... and the Kumba pics!

 

I have to say, that out of the coasters I have been on so far, Montu, Kumba - and even Kraken all were unbeatable! I couldn't even describe it to others, but I clearly knew that there is something about them... the way you glide... beats other similar coasters. I sadly did not get to ride Sheikra due to a downpour my last trip, and only got to ride the others once each. I will get to Griffon first... and as it seems, should not be such a bad thing! I was not planning on going back to BGT, but you have made me want to. With the new coaster coming as well...I guess it is a must!!!

 

Thank you for sharing

 

 

Lena "eventually I will finish my Orlando PTR from last year" Messana

[alpengeist04]

^^Kumba will be down in May (3rd-27th), so I'm sure it will get a fresh coat of paint then.

 

I'm actually heading to the park on Tuesday to get a few rides in before it closes for rehab.

[kumba830]

So to get to Kumba I must take one step forward, four steps right, one step back, and one step to the left... cool BGT. Way to make me not get to Kumba.

 

Ahaha! Loved the PTR.

Good photos and witty captions, as well as plenty of Kumba love!

[Ben Burnett]

Something needs to be done about that. People need to take their time and go to guest relation and complained about this more often. I sign up for it

 

It's honestly no biggie really unless you're in a big time crunch. Operations aren't as bad as they could be but aren't spot on, either.

 

I’m surprised their supervisors don’t freak about that. If we stack on Griffon, we better be running the rest of the hour.