Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[PixelRushI wrote the book about donkeys!]

Now Gwazi doesn't get RMC'd . . . . what (if anything) goes in its place?

What would go there....Who knows. What I'd like to see there....A Mega-Lite style coaster.

They already have Cheetah Hunt, which is pretty similar so I think they'd avoid it. But going with the sister-park logic that SeaWorld does, perhaps they could even just take it down and put a new GCI there to fill the lack of a wooden coaster, maybe a more intense kind a la Gold Striker compared to InvadR. It's an interesting situation, but as long as it doesn't stand SBNO for much longer and something happens I'd be happy.

[JcoasterI poke manatees in the butt.]

Cheetah Hunt is similar to a Mega-Lite? Have you ever ridden one?

[bert425Why do I still have a donkey title???]

Cheetah Hunt is similar to a Mega-Lite? Have you ever ridden one?

if you go to the Intamin page, and look up Mega-Lite, the example looks like Cheetah Hunt track. . think that's where the poster is getting the comparison from.

https://www.intaminworldwide.com/project/mega-lite/

tho I don't think they are the same at all.. . maybe in appearance of track only?

ETA: and I love that the Intamin site uses TPR video for the example of Mega-Lite. . .

[PixelRushI wrote the book about donkeys!]

I probably should have spent more time working on the phrasing of that lol. When I say they're similar I mean mainly by association, I can tell the differences. The main thing is that variety and filling gaps in the lineup is better. If they'd like to they can get a thrill ride, but perhaps something different or more unique. Not complaining about the idea

[bgtloverThe only thing better than a naked woman is a naked donkey!]

I honestly don't see them adding another wooden coaster with them getting rid of basically 2 that are still SBNO. Even if it were built with steel supports, I don't see it. If not a giga, I'd be satisfied with an Intamin Mega-lite or Hyper. At least it would stand out against Mako up the road. That way there would be some sort of airtime coaster without inversions that makes up for not having a wood coaster in the park.

Last night Theme Park Review was invited to attend this year's Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa. The event features 7 houses (2 of which are new), 5 scare zones (3 of which are new), 2 shows and 6 rides for guests to enjoy.

Starting with the new houses, here are our thoughts on Howl-O-Scream 2017!

Demented Dimensions - Our favorite house of the event, this house is located next to the Opening Night Critters theater and Sand Serpent, the venue where Zombie Mortuary had been hosted in previous years. This house plays by no rules and follows no singular story. Each room is a different theme, a different effect and a different scare. Howl-O-Scream fans will recognize some repurposed set pieces in this house but it is the entirely new rooms that set this house apart.

Undead Arena: Live - The other new house of the year, Undead Arena is neat in that it starts off with your group being separated into different paths (you meet midway through the house) and focuses more on the need to get out and less on the details of the rooms you're in. The opening trick set the tone for us and while the rooms were a little more bare than other houses', this was still a favorite of ours for the night. Undead Arena: Live operates in one of the pavilions found in Gwazi Park.

The Black Spot - A returning house from the previous year, this pirate-inspired house packed a punch with some great scares throughout the caverns. Inventive flooring and staging of set pieces in the existing caverns made this incredibly effective.

Zombie Containment Unit 15 - The only house not included in the Front of the Line pass because of its capacity and popularity. Best described as a combination between a traditional horror house and a game of laser tag, this year's version is far more tame with its linear path. The gimmick of using laser tag guns is a nifty one but one that ultimately isn't necessary for the enjoyment of the houses' scares and one that when compared to past Zombie Containment Unit houses, is far more simplified than the version that debuted at the event a few years back.

Death Water Bayou - Our returning favorite--the tone, the sets, the effects and the scares are all phenomenal. This is the closest thing you'd find to compare a Halloween Horror Nights house to a Howl-O-Scream offering--one that stands a chance to best its Orlando competitor.

Unearthed - A returning house from last year, this house runs throughout the former Gwazi queue (which is a real treat to walk as a coaster fanatic) and makes great use of the former ride's extended queue. Some great lighting and mechanical set pieces make this a top house of the year, and much better than we remembered from last year.

Motel Hell - A neat house with some fun scares... Our least favorite of the night, but that was more the fault of the other houses being so strong this year.

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

^

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

Great report!

We'll be there next weekend and we can't wait. Howl O Scream is absolutely tremendous.

[DombotBonafide Donkey Expert]

So glad to see The Black Spot back again this year, and holy crap, Undead Arena looks awesome/terrifying. Can't wait!!

[Erik JohnsonFormer captain of the Arrow bus.]

Did anyone else happen to get a ride on SheiKra during HOS? I am not sure if it is new this year, but they have SheiKra riding Zomibies.