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Busch Gardens Tampa
Tampa, FL
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 Park News - (7/30/10) Howl-O-Scream just launched their new website for their Icon characters this year… the rock band My X. You can check it out at myxrocks.com. While this isn’t the all girl band that was previously rumored, it’s a pretty close alternative, and I’m assuming the same kind of concept will follow suit. At the teaser site you can meet the band, which seems innocent enough, along with listening to a sample track from the band. Much like Ms. Vayne last year, the band’s lead singer, Sylvie, has her own Twitter account to interact with all the fans. You can find her @SylvieMyX.
(7/16/10) I’ve got a bit more Howl-O-Scream info to share today. Screamscape sources have confirmed our previous rumor that an all female rockband are to be the icons this year. The tentative name used for the band was rumored to be The Guillotines, but this is likely to change, as there is already a band around that goes by that same name which you can see here.
Meanwhile our sources have also sent in a list of the names for this year’s 8 Haunts and some of the scare zones. The five rumored Scare Zones (all new I believe) include: Extreme Fanatics, Road Trip, Crazed Love, Snakes & Spiders an something called Light of Doom.
The haunts, as far as we know right now, will include: NightShade Toy Factory, DeConstruction, My Ex: Revenge Rocks! (icon house), Taste of Blood, Trapped In the Walls: Forever, Delta Epsilon Delta, Death Row Vengance, and something special that may be called Alone.
What is Alone? If the early rumors are true, it could be a special ‘upcharge’ Extreme Haunt experience where guests are sent in, one at a time, all by themselves. The rumors about what will take place are pretty wild, so I wouldn’t believe them all just yet, but they range from signing a wavier to allow the Scareactors to actually touch you, to possible fear factor style encounters with creepy crawlies, to being lost in a very complex labyrinth with nothing but a small emergency flashlight… a flashlight that you only are to use if you give up and can’t find your way out without it. The popular common thread so far claims that if you make it out of Alone without help or the use of any kind of aid, you’ll win a T-shirt.
Behind the Thrills and BGT Nation have also posted their own list of haunts and other crazy rumors as well, many of which go along with our own, plus some extra wild and crazy rumors like the one about having the Tigers let loose in the park at night. Yeah… that will never happen… on purpose at least.
(7/15/10) Busch Gardens guests are getting to see two new additions to the park this week… two baby Giraffes which were introduced to the rest of the herd for the first time. The first was born on April 6 and the other on April 24th.
 (7/9/10) RCPro has posted a new update from BGT showing off some new construction along with checking out the new All You Can Eat Pizza & Pasta Buffet inside the Garden Gate Café.
(7/1/10) The latest rumor regarding BGT’s new Howl-O-Scream icons for 2010 sticks with that rock concert teaser the park released already. I’m told that the icons for the year may be some kind of all-girl rock band who perform with deadly intent. Kind of like the Ramones… but much more attractive. More as we find out.
(6/24/10) A few months back you might recall that Busch Gardens Tampa was testing a borrowed GCI Millennium Flyer train on one side of Gwazi. If the latest rumor is true, it must have impressed them (how could it not?) and the park is now rumored to have put in orders for all new trains to replace the current PTC trains. Don’t look for these to go online until at least the end of the year or next spring.
(6/17/10) New construction updates from Busch Gardens can be found at BGT Guide. You can also see some new pictures of Walkabout Way over at BGT Nation.
(6/11/10) Adventure Island has started a new nighttime event this year called Island Nights. From now through to August 14th, three nights a week (Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights) you can enjoy music, live entertainment and food from the waterpark. Island Nights will run from 5 to 9pm where you will encounter stiltwalkers, bands, DJ’s, games, Polynesian dancers and more.
(6/8/10) Another update about BGT’s new Summer Nights entertainment offering can be found this week at BGT Nation.
(6/7/10) Some new construction pictures from BGT as well as a look at the new Kinetix show can be found at Behind the Thrills this week.
(6/5/10) Busch Gardens Tampa has launched a new teaser website for this year’s Howl-O-Scream event. While it doesn’t say much, it’s safe to say that this year’s event will “Rock” it seems.
(6/1/10) BGT will offer a new nighttime acrobatic show called Kinetix at Gwazi Field that will only run from June 11st through August 15th.
(5/31/10) The latest construction report from BGT can be found over at JohnnyUpsidedown this week. Kumba has reopened and according to Johnny, it is now running with some kind of new wheel on the trains that are now roaring louded than ever. Good stuff! I’m also told that the closing date for the Skyride has been pushed back two weeks to June 13th.
(5/14/10) Lots of new updates today from Busch Gardens Tampa. Check out the latest Kumba rehab and 2011 construction shots over at JohnnyUpsidedown and RCPro.
(5/12/10) The latest Kumba rehab update comes in from BGT Guide this week where they mention that for the first time, Kumba is having it’s rails painted. Yep… the wild beast is going to have a pedicure. Makes me wonder if they’ll paint them the same color as the track or go for something new.
(5/11/10) A Screamscape reader has sent in a couple of photos to show off just how much the ‘cleaning’ of Kumba is making a difference in bringing back
the ride’s bright colors.
(5/5/10) Yesterday we were told that a coupe of Howl-O-Scream haunts were moving to a new home, and today we have the location of their new resting place. A brand new haunt building is expected to begin construction around this location next to Gwazi. From what I’ve been told, the building may actually go in where the road is currently and a new road will be built to go around it. The facility is also expected to serve as a maintenance building during the rest of the year.
Busch Gardens has also confirmed to Behind the Thrills that Katonga will be closing down for good after Labor Day Weekend. When we posted the rumor back in February, the popular rumor then was that the venue would return it it’s roots and bring a new Ice Show to the park. Finally BGT Nation has posted a new video showing off a batch of new Red Kangaroos now on display in Jambo Junction. Very cute... you’ve been warned.
(5/4/10) According to BGT Guide, Kumba is currently undergoing some kind of massive “cleaning” treatment rather than a repaint, in order to bring back the colors and get rid of some of that rusty build-up. In other news, a report from Behind the Thrills talks about a Howl-O-Scream tour given for the Haunt Con event where it was confirmed that a brand new Nightshade Toy Factory haunt would be built in a new location, to continue the story. Reconstruction: The Doctor Is In will also be moving to a new spot, where the story will continue as well.
(5/3/10) According to a post at BGT Nation, the park will launch into it’s Summer Nights promotion from June 11th through August 15th, keeping the park open later hours. A new nighttime show will also arrive called Kinetix, which will perform in the Gwazi field area.
(4/21/10) Busch Gardens Tampa has launched a new SMS text messaging program that sends guests ride wait times, quizzes, scavenger hunts and other helpful bits of information throughout the day. It seems the program is still in a test mode but through be running now through early July. In your worried about getting messages long after you’ve left the park… don’t. All guests are unsubscribed from the service after 12 hours, and you can opt out at any time. Look for instructions on how to sign up at the front gate and give it a try.
Ride Rehabs - The following information is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate. Current information can be found at their ride rehab page.
Skyride – NOW CLOSED through 12/31/10
Phoenix – 8/23/10 through 9/2/10
Bumper Cars – 8/1/10 through 11/30/10
Katonga - Closes Forever After Labor Day Weekend
Sandstorm – 9/7/10 through 9/12/10
Congo River Rapids – 9/20/10 through 10/8/10
Tidal Wave – 10/11/10 through 10/29/10
2010 - Animal Connection - (2/2/10) The local news has posted a bit of news about the new Animal Connection attraction opening in Busch Gardens’ former Clydesdale barn. Guests are invited to stand in front of a green screen and pretend to be park “animal ambassadors” like Jack Hanna or Julie Scardina, reading lines off a teleprompter all the while animal crazyness takes place around and on you. All to purchase a $29.95 video copy of your experience to take home, show off to your friends or just post on YouTube for giggles. Choices of animal guest include a lemur, owl monkey, macaw, marmoset or African bush baby. You can see a few more pictures of it posted to Behind the Thrills this week.
 2010 - Sesame Street: Safari Of Fun & Sesame Street 4D - (7/2/10) A good look at the new Sesame Street: Safari of Fun area as well as other park photos can be seen this week at Amusement Insider.
(4/2/10) Catch a fun look around the new Sesame Street: Safari of Fun attractions over at BGT Nation.
(3/26/10) Behind the Thrills and RCPro have posted a ton of new pictures from the new Sesame Street: Safari of Fun
(8/28/09) Busch Gardens Tampa has confirmed plans to open Sesame Street: Safari of Fun which will replace the Land of the Dragon’s in 2010. The new rethemed kiddie play land will feature an all new roller coaster called Air Grover. Other rides to be included in the land include: Zoe-Patra & the Hippos of the Nile (flume ride), Rosita’s Djembe Fly-Away (swing ride), Elmo’s Safari Go-Round, Oscar’s Swamp Stomp (water play area) and Bert & Ernie’s Water Hole (more water fun). They say that the new Safari of Fun will be twice the size of Land of the Dragons when it opens. In addition to this new kiddie area, the park’s 4D Theater was also confirmed to be showing “Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination!” as well next year.
2010 - Walkabout Way - (6/10/10) Busch Gardens Tampa announced that on Monday they will open a new interactive animal area called… Walkabout Way. Guests can hand-feed Kangaroos, Wallabies, see a Kookaburra and many other Australian animal species. The centerpiece of the attraction is Kangaloom, a large exhibit full of Red & Grey Kangaroos and Wallabies. The new area is listed as an expansion to the Bird Gardens area of the park.
2011 - New Coaster - Semi-Confirmed - (7/22/10) A new update from BGT’s construction site has been posted to BGT Guide, who also reports that they believe the Crown Colony restaurant may also be due for some kind of facelift.
(7/19/10) A new construction update from BGT can be found over at JohnnyUpsidedown and BGT Nation this week.
(7/16/10) A new construction update from BGT can be found at RCPro this week and work has begun on making a third trench for the new coaster.
(7/14/10) BGT Nation has some new pictures of the construction taking place in the park. They also mention some activity at the former Akbar Adventure Tours building, but this is likely to prepare for the Howl-O-Scream haunt going in there.
(7/7/10) New construction progress images at BGT can be found this week at BGT Guide.
(6/30/10) The new pathway from Nairobi to Edge of Africa is now open at BGT. Check out the pictures of it and the new views of the construction site, including footers, over at RCPro and BGTGuide.
(6/28/10) Busch Gardens Tampa has launched a new preview teaser site for the 2011 coaster… aka: Cheetaka. As part of this the park is also posting QR codes on the construction walls that will lead you to this same site and a preview video. QR codes are those square digital barcodes your starting to see here and there that are readable by most barcode scanner programs you can load into your smart phones (Android & iPhones). If you want to view it on your PC, just go to BuschGardens2011.com.
Of course the latest rumors for Cheetaka are quite interesting, claiming that the ride may feature inversions after all as well as a new style vertical tower element. I’ve also heard that the trains put to use here will be a one car longer than what Cedar Point put on Maverick… offering 4 cars (4 seats each) per train.
You can also see some construction updates at RCPro
(6/23/10) A new construction update can be found at BGT Guide this week, but it was also pointed out last week on Johnny Upsidedown’s update that it looks like the first coaster footers have been poured. Now… about this Cheetaka coaster project itself… I’ve heard that perhaps we don’t have all the details on it yet. Perhaps there is a chance that it may have a buried inversion or two in the trenches… as well as a vertical plunge at one point. More as we find out.
(6/21/10) A teaser poster for the 2011 attraction has been posted in the park with the tagline, “Feel the spirit. Feel the Speed. Coming Spring 2011”. While this could very well still be a hint about the rumored Cheetah theme, another rumor coming in from BGT Guide shows off a piece of artwork said to have been designed as a proposed promotion for the ride in Puerto Rico which clearly shows off a Cheetah theme. Of course it also shows off a photograph of a wooden coaster as well, which this ride definitely will not be, so you can only trust this one so far. Still, the artwork used here does look professionally done.
Meanwhile you can also find some new construction pictures posted over at BGT Nation. More as we get it.
(6/14/10) A new construction update has been posted to BGT Guide.
(6/8/10) A new construction report can be found at BGT Nation, RCPro and BGT Guide this week.
(6/3/10) RCPro has posted a new update from the park showing off the construction for Walkabout Way and the new Kangaroo exhibit. Meanwhile BGT Guide has posted an update looking at the latest version of the Park Map that has completely removed the Skyride all together. And finally you can look at even more pictures over at Theme Park Review who has captured some shots of the track on Rhino Rally’s river portion being removed.
(6/2/10) A new construction update can be found over at BGT Nation.
(5/25/10) The latest construction pictures from BGT have been added to RCPro and BGT Guide this week, as new progress is made on the train tracks, the trench is getting ready to be dug out, the new bridge is taking shape and more.
(5/24/10) New construction updates from Busch Gardens Tampa can be found this week at RCPro, Theme Park Review and BGT Guide.
(5/21/10) A new construction update can be found at BGT Guide.
(5/19/10) The latest construction updates from Busch Gardens Tampa can be found at BGT Guide and Behind the Thrills this week.
(5/11/10) A new construction update from BGT can be found at BGT Nation.
(5/7/10) An update at Theme Park Review gives off some quotes from an interview with BGT’s General Manager who confirmed that a new Kangaroo animal exhibit was on the way to the Bird Garden area… right about where they just moved that big Kangaroo topiary. Hmm… funny that…
(5/6/10) A rather extensive construction photo update has been posted to BGT Guide this week… pretty much all you need to know right is there in a photo. One thing that isn’t however… that new Kangaroo topiary that was near the stable area has, according to this update at RC Pro, been moved over to the Bird Gardens area. Is there a reason for this? First all those new little roo’s show up in Jambo Junction, then the topiary gets moved.
Looking at the other two new topiaries that showed up at about the same time… we’ve still got the Cheetah and a Giraffe. We know a brand new safari tour depot was confirmed on those leaked blueprints and the Giraffe’s are a major part of the safari tours. This pretty much leaves the Cheetah as the icon clue for the new coaster, which has been rumored to have a cheetah related theme all along along with the trademark registration for “Cheetaka”, along with all those other Australian names. (Kangaloom, Kookaburra’s Nest, Walkabout Way). I’d say the long standing rumors about a new Australian themed animal area are also starting to hold water.
(5/4/10) Don’t’ say I didn’t warn everyone a few months ago, but it’s official… BGT Guide has confirmed with the park that the water finale of Rhino Rally is now closed for good… as in FOREVER. Meanwhile BGT Nation and BGT Guide have posted new construction updates as the ground clearing continues. Look out for some shots of official
”2011 Attraction” plans carelessly left out on a table somewhere. Oh… if only the photographer had a claw on a long arm…
(5/3/10) Another construction update from the massive BGT 2011 and Beyond project can be found over at BGT Guide this week. Lots of digging is going on all over the place and quite a bit of new train track has also been laid.
(4/30/10) A bunch of new construction updates for Busch Gardens can be found this week at BGT Guide, BGT Nation and RCPro.
(4/28/10) A great look around BGT’s construction sites can be found posted to BGT Guide this week with a series of shots taken from the Skyride. Another set of pictures can also be found at Behind the Thrills, which includes a look at Scorpion where they have put the top of the lift hill back in place.
As for the rumors about the ride’s possible name… it’s been pointed out that in addition to the new Cheetah topiary, they have added two more… a Kangaroo and a Giraffe. More hints perhaps?
(4/26/10) New construction updates from BGT can be found this week at Theme Park Review, BGT Nation and RC Pro. It has also come to light in several places that one possible name for this new attraction could be Cheetaka. The company has already secured the name to the Cheetaka.com website domain and I’ve found a Trademark application online for it just filed on April 18th, 2010. Of course this still doesn’t mean that this is the final name for sure just yet, as in the past the Busch parks have trademarked different possible attraction names well in advance, only to later drop them upon picking the final name. I’ve also discovered a trademark filings for Kangaloom on March 10th, Kookaburra’s Nest (March 10th), and Walkabout Way on March 19th.
The odd thing is that all three of these other filings have a very Australian theme, which really fits possible attractions for Aquatica more, unless they are thinking of adding an Aussie themed land to BGT. As for Cheetaka… while it fits the long rumored Cheetah theme we’ve heard talked about, I’m still unsure of how they will pull that off without confusion between it and the Cheetah Chase coaster.
(4/23/10) Johnny Upsidedown was on the scene this week at Busch Gardens Tampa, putting his excellent photo skills to use to document the start of the park’s next big project. Check it all out here.
(4/16/10) A reader used a Google measurement tool to trace the new 2011 coaster layout in order to get an estimated overall track length for the new ride. They’ve come back with an estimated length of around 4,653 feet. If I’m not mistaken, this would make it the second longest coaster in the South-East US… with only Intimidator at Carowinds beating it with 5,300 feet, and just above Goliath at Six Flags over Georgia which clocks in at 4,480 feet.
(4/14/10) Doing a little research of my
own, I found well over 700 pages of extra PDF documents regarding the new 2011 plans for Busch Gardens Tampa, including one in particular that actually contained what seems to be the entire plans for the new launched coaster itself.
I put it all together, highlighted all the important parts, detailing at least two primary launch track segments (though the ride may start off with a mini launch after the station, but I’m not sure), details runs through the canyon walls of what is currently Rhino Rallys water finale, runs through trenches in the ground under existing train tracks, new pathways, transfer tracks and much more. Check it out!
(4/14/10) BGT Guide has posted an incredible find… detailed plans filed by the park showing off new plans for pathway access and bridges that seem to create a new entrance into the Edge of Africa area between the train station and Rhino Rally. The plans also show off pretty much the large area I described as being affected months ago, ranging from demolition work in the water portion of Rhino Rally down through the Skyway station and all the way out and into the parking lot where a new temporary pathway will be located to allow guests to access the Egypt area of the park while everything in between will be under heavy construction. Check it out!
(4/2/10) Okay, I’m fessing up… that Gold B&M track photo added yesterday was just an April Fool’s joke. It was actually a picture of Manta track, repainted by our friend JohnnyUpsideDown. Thanks Johnny!
As for the real project... according to a fairly good source the new coaster in development will be from Intamin and feature not one… not two, but THREE launches. As we’ve heard before… SPEED is the overall theme concept pushing this ride.
(3/5/10) I’m told that BGT has placed the frame for a new topiary of a Cheetah out near the old stable area. Given that this area may be very close to rumored station for the 2011 coaster, everyone is wondering if this is a hint as to the theme of the ride. I’ve got to admit, I’ve heard that the coaster could very well have a Cheetah theme too, which was thought to go along with the coaster’s multiple launch zones and overall theme. The popular rumor is that this new coaster was inspired by Maverick at Cedar Point, and will be low to the ground and very fast. You can see a picture of the new topiary at Florida Thrills.
As for the rest of the rumors… well several sources have confirmed hearing that the water portion of Rhino Rally is on the way out. To make up for it, new animal display areas will be added to Rhino Rally, which will expand further out into the Serengeti instead. As for the old water portion of the ride… we’ve heard from a couple of people that sections of it may be reused for the new 2011 speed coaster project to house one of the themed launch zones. For whatever reason, this themed area may involve some water, putting some of the Rhino Rally equipment to use somehow. As for the Rally… I’ve also heard speculation that new vehicles may be under consideration. The old fleet is certainly showing it’s age, and I’m told that management was always reluctant to replace them due to the damage caused daily by the water portion of the ride. With the water portion on the way out… new Rally trucks could be on the way in.
Taking a nod from some of the newest Busch park creations, they want this coaster to have an extensive queue that will include animal habitats and displays along the way. Realizing that the Edge of Africa area is right next to the proposed new station building, don’t be surprised to see some of this area redesigned and repurpose to serve as the queue for the new coaster. To allow for this and possibly to send traffic around the construction area, we may see a new pathway built to take guests from the pathway near Rhino Rally and the Train Station over to the Edge of Africa.
So the bottom line here is that this whole unknown project that is just starting may very well turn into several projects that we’ll see open up over the next 2-4 years. A new coaster, a greatly expanded and changed Rhino Rally experience as well as an expanded Edge of Africa, and possibly much more. The train for example, could be changed too. Various survey markers near the Skyway station are apparently labeled “C/L Rail”, where C/L stands for Center Line, indicating a possible new layout for how the train will wind through this area of the park.
(1/27/10) According to one source, Busch officials had at one time taken a particular interest in Hersheypark’s Storm Runner, so whatever they’re planning may use that concept as a starting point perhaps.
(1/26/10) While we don’t know much about BGT’s next big coaster, a popular rumor going around says that it very well could be an Intamin creation this time around. Kind of shocking considering that Busch has always stuck with B&M for their big coasters, but then again… the reason they may be looking outside the normal channels is that this may be a launched coaster experience. Of course, they could have just as well gone with Premier Rides as well, since I know they were looking to work with them for that indoor/outdoor coaster project that was put on hold for SeaWorld San Diego. Busch has worked with Intamin in the past, but typically only on their older water rides such as the Rapids or Tidal Wave. However Busch had seemed to move away from Intamin to work with Mack Rides instead for virtually all of the water rides built in the last decade (ie: All three Journey To Atlantis rides). Another question I would have to raise involve Intamin’s somewhat snug coaster restraints compared to others, a factor that could cause some problems in the tourist heavy Central Florida market which seems a fairly large share of overweight guests. I’m not even going to get into the technical aspects here, before we know what kind of launch system we’re talking about, as Intamin has made some reliable launch systems... and some not so reliable. Stay tuned!
(1/14/10) The latest buzz about the proposed BGT 2011 coaster is that it may very well venture out over the premium parking lot as well as run all the way out to Rhino Rally. Sounds huge… which is a great thing. On the flip-side however, I’ve also heard that this will not be a B&M Hypercoaster… and may not be a B&M coaster at all. Hmmm…. I’ll have to ponder that for a bit.
(1/12/10) One of our readers has sent in a couple of great shots they happened to get at Busch Gardens Tampa last month, catching a group of land surveyors in action checking out the land next to Rhino Ralley on the Skyway station side. Hmmm… coincidence?
This leads into our next rumor about the BGT 2011 coaster project, claiming that it may actually stretch all the way from the old Skyway/Monorail building over to Rhino Rally’s water ride section. In fact… one rumor claims that the park may actually be ready to give up on the wet portion of that ride all together, opening up the site to future development. Hmmm… coincidence? More to come!!
(1/11/10) Screamscape sources tell us that Busch Gardens Tampa has tentative plans in place right now to close down the Skyride in June for up to 7 months. Apparently, if all goes well, this will be to make way for a large project for 2011. So… why close the Skyride? Apparently one of the ideas on table is to reuse the old Monorail side of the shared building to possibly serve as a station for the new attraction. More on this as we dig it up.
2011 - Adventure Island Expansion - Rumor - (6/30/10) Behind the Thrills posted a nice rumor about Water Country adding a new waterslide for the 2011 season. In fact, the rumor seems to indicate that both Water Country and Adventure Island in FL will see new attractions added in the same year. If I’m not mistaken, it’s been forever since Adventure Island actually added a new slide, so just about anything major would be an improvement.
While we’re talking about Adventure Island, check out the BGT Guide report on the new Island Nights event at the park this summer.
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