Busch and B&M sitting in a tree...

[Homer]

Well, we all know Python's days are numbered and that it is soon getting the ax. So, we all know Busch and B&M have been longtime partners since the success of Kumba.

 

Now, we know it will be a few years until BGT would do something massive. We got SheiKra last year and that got rave reviews. What makes 09 special? The park's 50th anniversary. Think of it, Gwazi was built for the parks 40th, Tidal Wave for the 30th, etc. So, there has to be some major addition and something up B&M's sleeves.

 

Rumors are saying that B&M might come up with a unique design. NO, not the 4-D thing, not that "Sidewinder" hoax. But think of it... what would those Swiss geniuses think next?

 

If you ask me, it would have to be something massive and something that would have a layout screaming "holy crap!"

 

Discuss...

[coasterfreak101]

Yeah, the 50th anniversary should be something big. And BGT seems to get new things once every few years. So...who knows?

 

But then again, everyone said that Hersheyparks' 100th anniversary would be HUGE, and everyone said B&M FLOORLESS OMG! But they are getting a few slides to test out their waterpark idea. So ya never know.

 

But I think that Busch will go big, very big. Now I am definately thinking.....and, well, that's never a good thing !

[TheStig]

B&M Rocket coaster! To be honest, I really dont know what BGT will do fo the 50th, but I'm also not 100% convinced that Python is going anywhere. I mean, the just finished re-hab on train 2, and I dont think they would re-hab a train if they were going to just tear it down. But who knows, I could be wrong. Ill be sad to see it go, but thats how things are I guess. But whatever replaces it, will be something to see IMO.

 

Colin C

[DerekRx]

They could be rehabbing the trains to make it more appealing if they sold Python to some 3rd World amusement park. Or maybe they'll just sell 1 train, and then use the other one for parts for Loch Ness Monster.

 

I don't think B&M will ever do a launched coaster, too problematic for them to want to put their name on. What ever BGT gets coasterwise again, it will probably be good, like their last 3 B&Ms.

 

Or maybe it won't even be a coaster, it could perhaps be their own version of DarKastle.

[TheStig]

^Actuially, at Coaster Con this past summer, there was a Q&A with Bob Mampe and he said that B&M really wants to do a launched coaster. Ive got it on video I think, Ill see if I can find it. But yeah maybe they are just sending the trains to BGW and melting down the track...I really don't know, so many things could happen to it.

 

Colin C

[ECZenith]

If it's going to be a B&M, I'd guess a Speedcoaster. Don't know where they'd squeeze it in, but... yeah.

[Homer]

A speed coaster sounds like a possibility. I think Mark Rose said before that he was a big fan of hyper coasters. SheiKra, IMO, wasn't a "true hypercoaster" (although it was 200 ft.).

 

And Colin, post that video... I thought B&M were extremely picky coaster designers anyways.

[JT3000]

 

Or maybe it won't even be a coaster, it could perhaps be their own version of DarKastle.

 

Doubt they build that in BGT. Floridians would just view it as a complete rip-off of Spider-Man.

[TheStig]

Okay I stand corrected in two cases. First, its an audio file, and second, he said that he couldent release any information. But it's the first question and its a really cool interview so enjoy it!

 

Colin C

PCDV0089.zip

Bob Mampe Interview.

[CoasterExpert13]

A speed coaster would be my guest, as they already have a sit-down/looper, an inverted, a dive machine, a corkscrew model, a silver-arrow model, a dualing woodie, and a wild mouse model. Since my last visit in 04', they seem to have plenty of space to fit in a impressive B&M, wether it be a floorless, stand-up, speed coaster, inverted or whatever.

[KrakenKing]

Yeah, 2009 sounds like a good time for them to add another major ride...

 

It seems like the park always does major projects within a span of three years:

 

Kumba - '93

Montu - '96

Gwazi - '99

Rhino Rally - '02??

SheiKra - '05

 

The next year would be '08, but seeing how the 50th anniversary is in '09 I could see them waiting a year.

 

One thing that has me thinking is I really don't see where BGT could fit another major Coaster without ruining the atmosphere of the park itself. I guess if they could do it with SheiKra, the could find a way to do it with another ride.

[Homer]

^ Rhino Rally opened back in 2001, KrakenKing. And I hope Busch does a good rehab of the Congo area if my thoughts are true.

[KrakenKing]

Yeah, I thought that was when it opened but wasn't to sure. If they do a rehab of the Congo area, they better not take anything away from the ride experience on Kumba (Shrubbery and Trenches)

[ParkTrips]

^Actuially, at Coaster Con this past summer, there was a Q&A with Bob Mampe and he said that B&M really wants to do a launched coaster. Ive got it on video I think, Ill see if I can find it.

 

You better provide that video because they HAVE gone on record numerous times in the press discussing how they like to rely on what they know will always work - gravity.

 

fake edit: I now read and yea, I knew they wouldn't have said that.

 

Anniversary's don't neccessarily mean much, I know my park got a coaster this year instead of it's 40th. Dollywood got flats for their 20th. Plenty of parks have gone without big celebrations. Any when did it become a fact that Python is leaving?

[jarmor]

 

Or maybe it won't even be a coaster, it could perhaps be their own version of DarKastle.

 

Doubt they build that in BGT. Floridians would just view it as a complete rip-off of Spider-Man.

 

I dont see how they will think that? I would get the impression that they would welcome it to have an attraction as awesome as spidey with some variation.

 

Jarvis "would welcome a DarKastle attraction to BGT anyway!" Morant

[Imhotep]

Im really hoping for a coaster with NO inversions and tons of next time around. Maybe if they did make a hyper, they can make it go outside of the park like SFoG is doing with Goliath.

 

My gut feeling would be either a Hyper like AC, or something fresh off of the B&M Drawing board.. I guess if anyone could convince B&M into doing a launch, it would be AB because of their relationship.. But Im sure it doesnt work that way with B&M and they will stick to their guns.

[WillMontu]

Personally, I think Florida needs a hyper (or maybe even a flyer). We've got practically everything else (launched, water, floorless, dive machine, inverted, death machine, etc.). We don't have a stand-up either, but nobody's building them these days. I'm also sure it would be a B&M, as even today Kumba has long lines on certain days and Busch has had a long history of building rides such as Apollo, Montu, Kraken, Great White, and Alpengiest among others.