I’m a huge roller coaster fan and even have a sister blog dedicated to 3D printing (this entry appears on both sites). One of the more recent advances in roller coaster technology has been the use of magnetic launches as opposed to the old school lift hill (think click, click, click up the hill). To be fair launch does go back 50+ years with examples like the Tidal Wave coaster I used to ride at Six Flags Great America as a kid. This defunct ride actually used a falling weight and pulley system to launch the train with a deafening “clank” as the weight hit bottom! One of my personal current favorite launch coasters in Cheetah Hunt at Busch Gardens Tampa where the launches are used to mimic the acceleration and movements of a cheetah.
Continue readingRides
Scorpion’s Circular Loop
Scorpion at Busch Gardens has a rare element, a circular loop. It’s one of the few remaining. There was a great article in Vox about loops and the move away from circular to lessen g-forces. As a rider I can’t say I’ve found the loop overly intense, but there is only one and it isn’t that fast. Here’s how the park describes it:
Continue readingIs the Phoenix Rising at Busch Gardens?
This tweet I think captured a lot of people’s feelings when they heard the Phoenix was testing. Could the Phoenix, closed since April 2018, be reopening? There has yet to be any official announcement from the park, but walls have come down and the ride has been seen in action several times including with human analog sandbags. However, there were also rumors that the ride had been offered for sale, so although this could be a prelude to a reopening, it also be a test for a potential buyer. The great folks at Theme Park Express posted these great pics of the ride testing (used with permission).
Continue readingIron Gwazi Opening Day!
In a day many thought would never come, Iron Gwazi is officially opening to the public today! The key word here is “officially” as the soft opening for members has been ongoing for about a month. The park seems pumped and even the city of Tampa is getting into the act.
Continue readingRepainting Coasters at Busch Gardens and the Great Work of Baynum Painting
Years in the hot Florida sun are not kind to paint and especially when it carries high speed objects with all the vibrations and movement involved. From time to time a coaster needs a fresh coat of paint to keep corrosion at bay and the ride looking sharp.
Continue readingHappy Birthday to Scorpion at Busch Gardens!
Our friends at BGT History had a great reminder that May 16th was the birthday of Scorpion. Scorpion is 41 years old and the second coaster built at the park and now its oldest after Python closed in 2006. The coaster fits in a small footprint, but still packs a punch for its 90 second ride. This coaster will always hold a special place for me as this spring it was my 4 year old son’s first real coaster (non Air Grover) when he reached 42 inches.
Falcon’s Fury at Busch Gardens Named #1 Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride of 2020
In the “better late than never” category, it was so cool to see the awards Busch Gardens got last year from USA Today’s 10Best polls including naming Falcon’s Fury the #1 non-roller coaster ride! USA Today described Falcon’s Fury in the official release below:
Continue readingRide Iron Gwazi Today? According to @ThemeParkMedia it was already built and opened years ago.
So you may have seen the unfortunate news that Iron Gwazi will now be opening in 2021:
Past Due Construction Bills on Busch Gardens New Iron Gwazi Coaster?
Sea World (parent company of Busch Gardens) may be feeling the financial impact of coronavirus more than initially thought as it appears to have fallen behind on some bills. Specifically several of its partners such as Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) have filed liens over unpaid bills over many of the company’s new 2020 rides.
Continue reading22 Teddy Bears Ride Roller Coaster
Well hopefully this makes you smile, even though guests may not be riding roller coasters in most theme parks yet, at least some stuffed animals are having fun.
BGT Safari 