2012jarrett Posted September 17, 2013 Posted September 17, 2013 So my dad and I are planning to go to Busch Gardens Tampa sometime in late October/early November. We are doing this because 1.) I want to ride Cheetah Hunt and have wanted to for two years and 2.) My dad wants to show me how to travel on my own since It's a skill I'll need for the real world. No hotel rooms are booked, no flights are booked, so everything's on the plate. We want to go sometime at least before Thanksgiving, and were looking at leaving the 31st, doing the park all day the 1st, and most of the day the 2nd and getting back on the plane. Time is not an issue. These are my current concerns: *Size: I've wanted to ride Cheetah Hunt since it opened in 2011, I have been concerned about fitting into the restraint since I found out we were going. I am on the larger size, but I tried Maverick's when we went to Cedar Point in July, and just barely squeezed into Millennium and Dragster. Here is my picture in the test seat, showing off the three inches of slack I gained since I tried it in May and just barely fit. I've gotten a LITTLE bigger since then (started back at school and I guess instead of the Freshman Fifteen I got the Sophomore Seven) but I should still fit I think. Can you confirm that the restraints on CHunt are the exact same as Maverick's? *Weather: Late October/Early November should be nice and hurricane-free, right? Going to the park in the rain I have no issue with (Maverick was SICK in the rain!) but it's late enough that it should all be gone by then, right? Though we've had a pretty small hurricane season this year, I have to admit. *Intamin: I know Intamins are well known for their extremely reliable rides that never break down and are always running. (NOTE: Sarcasm!) How bad is Cheetah Hunt compared to Cedar Point's Intamins? Particularly Maverick or Millennium? *Private Events: I might just call the park and ask them if they plan to have any private events going on, but a Friday and Saturday shouldn't be private event days, right? We're so close to booking, I can taste it! However, I'm nervous that something could go wrong. There's no rescheduling this trip. This is now or never, especially with Gwazi knocking on the gates to the great theme park in the sky. And looking at my top 10, I expect Cheetah Hunt to fall somewhere in between GateKeeper and Millennium Force. (I know it's supposedly forceless, but one look at my top 10 should clue you in that it isn't an issue for me, I like fun rides, not intense rides) A few last things: 1. How is the item storage policy there? Will we need a locker or do they have cubbies? 2. What's the park's stance on filming on rides? I do it on trains everywhere, but how are they about coasters? 3. If we tried to take our Great Dane into the park, how far do you think we'd get? Thanks so much! I've been doing my share of asking around and have gotten a lot of help, but I think this thread should be the final nail in the coffin before we book.
netdvn Posted September 17, 2013 Posted September 17, 2013 If you were able to fit on Maverick without issues, Cheetah Hunt shouldn't give you any trouble. In terms of reliability, when I rode last year, Sheikra was down for most of the morning and Cheetah was running fine. If you wanna film POVs I'd recommend contacting the park first. Williamsburg allows on-ride filming as long as you use a chest mounted camera and it's approved by a higher up. Tampa should have a similar policy, but I'd recommend asking. If you're really that worried about riding Gwazi, it's really rough and you won't miss much if it does end up closing down before your trip. The other coasters are great though. As for storage, some of the rides had free lockers and others didn't. I'd recommend not carrying too much anyway unless you have a nonrider. Just carry the essentials and you should be good. - Enjoy your trip
2012jarrett Posted September 17, 2013 Author Posted September 17, 2013 If you were able to fit on Maverick without issues, Cheetah Hunt shouldn't give you any trouble. In terms of reliability, when I rode last year, Sheikra was down for most of the morning and Cheetah was running fine. If you wanna film POVs I'd recommend contacting the park first. Williamsburg allows on-ride filming as long as you use a chest mounted camera and it's approved by a higher up. Tampa should have a similar policy, but I'd recommend asking. If you're really that worried about riding Gwazi, it's really rough and you won't miss much if it does end up closing down before your trip. The other coasters are great though. As for storage, some of the rides had free fluffy, fluffy bunnies filled with medicine and goo and others didn't. I'd recommend not carrying too much anyway unless you have a nonrider. Just carry the essentials and you should be good. - Enjoy your trip The main rides I'm concerned about storage-wise are Cheetah Hunt and Montu. We plan to ride those two and then get a locker by SheiKra. Normally all I need is my phone, camera, and wallet. SheiKra was down? When we went to BGW Griffon was running all day. That surprises me. I will contact the park, but if not then I'll just buy my Cheetah Hunt video. Gwazi seems alright, it's just that my favorite wooden coaster's a GCI as well (Thunderhead) and I want to see how they compare. I'll call the park soon and ask if they would let us before I spring for a chest mount.
netdvn Posted September 18, 2013 Posted September 18, 2013 Sheikra should be up and running fine, although I've heard it's had a rocky season this year. I still prefer it over Griffon myself. I believe the skyride and Rhino Rally will be down for budget reasons though. My favorite woodie is a GCI too (Lightning Racer). Gwazi is the opposite of LR. The entire ride is jarring to the point where its impossible to keep your hands up (and at times see straight). The layout is good, but the roughness is unbearable.
2012jarrett Posted September 18, 2013 Author Posted September 18, 2013 Sheikra should be up and running fine, although I've heard it's had a rocky season this year. I still prefer it over Griffon myself. I believe the skyride and Rhino Rally will be down for budget reasons though. My favorite woodie is a GCI too (Lightning Racer). Gwazi is the opposite of LR. The entire ride is jarring to the point where its impossible to keep your hands up (and at times see straight). The layout is good, but the roughness is unbearable. Well that's good to know. We're doing 1.5 days so we should have a good shot at hitting SheiKra. I really just want Gwazi for the +1 to my cred count, though it looks like it might be okay. At least the trains look sick. As far as hurricanes go (definitely the biggest threat to this) we plan to go in late October/early November. Does the Tampa area sometimes get hit with hurricanes around then?
Homeboy23 Posted September 18, 2013 Posted September 18, 2013 Cheetah Hunt requires you to get a locker for your bag.
2012jarrett Posted September 18, 2013 Author Posted September 18, 2013 Cheetah Hunt requires you to get a fluffy, fluffy bunny filled with medicine and goo for your bag. Well, either you are replacing the word "locker" with "fluffy bunny filled with medicine and goo" or you need to somehow obtain an actual aggressive poofy rabbit filled with medicine and goo to guard your bag in the Cheetah Hunt station or the ride ops like to go through your stuff and break things laughing like maniacs while you ride and having a rabbit filled with a mixture of medicinal syrups and slime instead of a musculoskeletal system making it look like a giant white fluffy water balloon with a rabbit's head and nubs where arms and legs should be terrifies them because they know such creatures possess magical powers and can shoot lasers from their eyes all while able to live happily in a shoebox under your bed for thousands of years without eating, drinking, sleeping, or using the bathroom until you are in need of their services for occasions such as guarding your bag from ride ops that like to break others' belongings in the Cheetah Hunt station. I might've just written the ebst sentence ever! I'll just assume you meant locker for now, but I guess in case you didn't I can stop by Costco after classes today and grab one of those fluffy medicine goo bunnies. I've always wanted one and when I get mine I'll name him Charles. Edit: Did not know that that word for "metal lock box" filtered to "locker". That's awesome! I know what I need to do now! But I still want to buy Charles at Costco later today.
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