Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT BGA) Discussion Thread

[ernierockerWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

If any TPR members can get some photos of Gwazi in action, it would make for a great front page update!

[tiger01Jar-Jar Binks smells like Donkey]

I found this on Youtube...


YouTube Videolink

[Midgetman82Is my pee supposed to be this color?]

^So did Mr. Starr two pages back.

Can't wait to hear more how this coaster does.

[ernierockerWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

^John and I have a major update from today's media event, including our own rides on the revamped Gwazi. Photos and video to come soon!

That will work too!

[pianojohnWhat I do and who I am]

Just got back from Media Day for Gwazi's new trains. In a word: awesome! The coaster is much improved both in smoothness and re-rideability. (Is that a word?)

Adam and I got to ride front and back seat on Tiger (Blue) and back seat on Lion (yellow). We agreed that Tiger was a bit smoother than Lion, but they were both great. No more jack hammering around turns or lower back compression on the drops. And the trains themselves are truly beautiful with the dark wood running boards and the open sides. All in all a major win for BGT!

We also managed to take a lot of pics of Cheetah Hunt (or as I like to call it TCFKAC....The Coaster Formerly Known as Cheetaka) and got some interesting shots. Also, we counted about 4 open construction gates which enabled us to get pics of.....big piles of dirt! And track too!

Enjoy the pics and video. Not much coaster footage as they don't allow on ride cameras and Gwazi is pretty much hidden from the main paths at BGT.


Click to download video to your computer or iPod/iPhone

[jedimaster1227Open Up Happiness]

As John mentioned above, we were given the opportunity to give Gwazi's new Millennium Flyers a try before the general public was able to do so (officially). The ride did soft open for a period of time following the event, but it only ran one side at a time while the final decals were applied on the trains.

The trains reminded me when I enjoyed Gwazi so much at a younger age (it was my first wooden rollercoaster)... While the trains certainly make the ride more smooth, it hasn't taken the edge off of the coaster. It still feels like a wooden rollercoaster, but with these trains, it feels more like the GCIs we've come to enjoy. The trains navigate the track more naturally, and shimmy much less than the PTCs did when attempting to find the right angle for each shift in the twisting track.

Overall, the fact that Busch Gardens Tampa has revitalized a twelve year old coaster, re-tracking much of it in the process, is a true testament to the park's commitment to their quality attractions. It is easy to admit that Gwazi may have become more rough over the years, but with the Millennium Flyers onboard, the ride almost entirely as if it had opened only yesterday, which means they must be doing something right!

[jedimaster1227Open Up Happiness]

While there, we stopped by Cheetah Hunt to see where progress had gotten since my last visit.

[Pirouettes907The Future Mrs. Big Mike!]

Wow, those trains are beautiful! I love the artwork on the front, and I agree, the dark wooden running boards just make it look polished and complete.

I've never ridden Gwazi, although from the sounds of it, I may have done my spine a favor. Glad to hear the ride experience is improved and looking forward to more reports!

[SharonWI Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

John, thanks for your expertise in my story for the SP Times on the Gwazi revamp. Here's a link to our review. You are quoted.
http://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/blog/102/first-look-we-rode-revamped-gwazi-busch-gardens/

[Joe CoolPiers' latest smashpiece]

Thanks for sharing this report. Those are some sexy looking trains.