ECZenith's Florida TR

[ECZenith]

10/11/05

 

My girlfriend Ali and I embarked on our 8 day Florida trip around 5 am to TF Green Airport (Providence/Warwick, RI) It's only 2 and a half hours flight time so we were able to hit a park before driving to Tampa.

 

Sea World Orlando

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Sea World is always good for walk-ons on Kraken, my favorite coaster in the Orlando area, and today was no exception. There was a 2 train wait for the front of this awesome B&M floorless coaster, but other than that, no wait time at all.

 

After a few spins on Kraken, we did Journey to Atlantis, the park's Mack water coaster. The theming on this ride is pretty well done, and the coaster track portion is a nice touch. About a 15 minute wait for this one, well worth it. we only got one ride on JTA as we wanted to check out some of the shows and marine life exhibits. Can't wait to visit Sea World's water park in a couple years.

 

We left Sea world around 4 pm and took I-4 West to Tampa. After staying overnight at the Days Inn directly across from the park, we went to BGT on Wednesday 10/12 just in time for opening.

 

Busch Gardens Tampa

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The last time I had been o BGT, Montu was new, so since then Cheetah Chase, Rhino Rally, Gwazi, and of course SheiKra were all new to me. Located in the upper left section (Stanleyville) of the the park, this amazing B&M Dive Machine has changed the skyline. Ever since the opening of Oblivion, and then G5, I couldn't wait until one came to the US. The wait was worth it... This 200' tall, dive looping, double vertical dropping monstrosity is a dive machine done right.

 

There was absolutely no line for the first hour, they couldn't even get the trains full. In my on-ride photo, there's only 8 other riders on the train besides me and Ali. We took 4 rides and then went to Kumba.

 

Kumba is definately one of the roughest B&M's out there as it's starting to show its age, but it's my first ever steel coaster, and with the tunnel and classic standard trains, it's a classic that I still and will always enjoy.

 

Montu had a one train wait for most of the day, I love the trench dives and batwing inversions. A very original inverted coaster, Egyptian theming looks great on this thing.

 

Gwazi had no wait but was rough as hell. I enjoyed the ride but I wish the other side was running. (Only Tiger was running) Do both of these tracks ever duel?

 

Rhino Rally was a nice surprise, another uniqe attraction. For those of you who have never been on it, it's a lot like the Kilamanjaro Safari tours at Disney's Animal Kingdom, with a pontoon bridge that drops into the water and flows down a river. Pretty neat jeep ride.

 

Other rides and attractions we did were...

 

Cheetah Chase (done it already at BGW)

Sandstorm (orbiter)

Haunted Lighthouse (lame "4D" show)

 

Scorpion was closed all day, unfortunately, they've painted it to match Sheikra's color scheme.

 

I love this park, I hope they keep up the great work and keep adding these great coasters. Sheikra is not to be missed. The next three days were spent in Daytona Beach to visit Ali's famiy.

 

The next half of my TR (WDW, IOA, USF) will follow soon with photos from the entire trip.

[jarmor]

Montu had a one train wait for most of the day, I love the trench dives and batwing inversions. A very original inverted coaster, Egyptian theming looks great on this thing.

 

Montu is pretty good but I think I prefer its near clone Top gun over it. THe batwing on top gun seems to be better as well as the lack of the brake run.

 

Gwazi had no wait but was rough as hell. I enjoyed the ride but I wish the other side was running. (Only Tiger was running) Do both of these tracks ever duel?

 

Yep thats one rough coaster but as far as dueling, I have heard several stories as to why it doesnt but to make a long story short...it doesnt anymore. however it would be cool if it did.

 

Haunted Lighthouse (lame "4D" show)

 

You really think that? I thought it was one of the best. I mean how many 4d attractions are out there thats live instead of CGI. And the story line was pretty good. I was very impressed and I like how it uses effects that other attractions of the same nature dont (if you have been on it you know the ones Im talking about )

 

Glad you had fun!

[Erik Johnson]

Yeah Top Gun is the more intense little brother to Montu. I guess I am still partial to Montu since its my first inverted coaster and that's its about 1/4 longer than Top Gun. But Top Gun does have the better batwing with its mist tunnel and its untrimmed the whole way (unless you count the station fly over as "trim like" since it does slow it down quite a bit.) Im glad you had a great time.