Antinos
Slut for Spinners
Last year's trip report thread seemed to be fairly successful so I might as well do it again for this summer! Although I'm honestly still planning out my 2018 season, I have already visited four parks thus far, starting with Busch Gardens Tampa.
My last visit to BGT was in 2003. Python and Rhino Rally were still main attractions and we didn't even know that SheiKra was coming. I'm not quite sure what kept me away for so long but I've been itching to go back since I graduated college. Luckily, my buddy Dan (he went to Holiday World with us last October) recently overcame his fear of heights and has since been on a mission to mow through North America's amusement parks as quickly as possible. Since August 5th, 2017, he's logged ~170 coasters and is gunning for 200 by April (he has Silver Dollar City planned for next week and Texas planned for the week after). In addition to BGT, we also visited both Fun Spot locations and Sea World to increase our cred haul. Needless to say, I didn't need to convince him to do this trip.
Looking at my own creds...I realized after booking everything that this trip would put me at 398 coasters. I'm currently working on planning 399 along with multiple contingencies such that Steel Vengeance ends up as 400.
Cobra's Curse - I started off my season with a pleasant surprise. Cobra's Curse was not the mediocre spinning coaster that I thought it would be when it was first announced. Instead, it was a fun, unique ride with three distinct parts to it: forward facing, rearward facing, and spinning. The dual elevator lift is completely fascinating from an engineering perspective. The general concept is similar to Pilgrim's Plunge's double lift, but instead of leaning, the lifted track section actuates sideways via a secondary set of rails on the elevator, similar to a 4D coaster. Although the theming was a bit silly, it was well done like one would expect from a Busch park. Lesson learned though - stop being such a snob and take a closer look when one of these mid-tier thrill rides are announced.
Montu - I really hate to give the B&M bashers that vocalize "they don't build 'em like they used to" any footing to stand on, but honestly they're right. From start to finish, Montu is a fast paced, unrefined hauler of ass that punches you in the face in such a way that you get on your knees for more. The forces, the flowing layout...it's all wonderful. Each transition is excellently crafted to maintain the intensity while seamlessly joining elements together. Montu is certainly a gem.
Falcon's Fury - Mother of sweet baby Jesus. I'll be honest - it was a bit too much. The ride starts off like a typical drop tower and offers a fantastic view of the surrounding area, but then your seat is tilted back and your mind is fully focused on how your restraint is literally all that's holding you 300 feet in the air. It isn't a pleasant thought. The freefall is excellent, even if the seats swing back into place a smidge early. Lex Luthor has the edge over this, but damn homie...it isn't ****ing around.
Sand Serpent - Honestly one of the best wild mice I've been on. It offered a smooth, comfortable ride for a mouse.
Scorpion - Good ol' Schwarzy is still real good! Happy to see the park still maintaining the ride.
Kumba - I can say the same for Kumba as I said for Montu. It was hauling some serious ass and taking no prisoners whatsoever. It's honestly better than The Incredible Hulk. Kumba has the length that some other rides lack but it pairs it with a pace and flow that's unrivaled to this day. The ride doesn't die after the interlocking corkscrews and instead maintains that incessant intensity as it dives below the brakes and into the final helix. Kinda shocking that so few of these ride types were built.
SheiKra - Fiiiiiiiiiiiiinally got to ride such a revered ride. I preferred it to Griffon and maybe even Valravn (I'll save that judgment for another six weeks). The drops were outstanding and the helix around the lift really set the ride apart from Griffon. Aesthetically, the ride is in a league of its own. The red track is so striking against the deep blue supports, light blue Florida sky, lush green foliage, and beige midways and structures surrounding the ride. Busch did an outstanding job at blending the whole ride into its surroundings - much better than Griffon. Excellent ride!
Air Grover - It was kinda shameful...kinda. +1
Cheetah Hunt - Like SheiKra, I was impressed by how the park masterfully concealed certain parts of the ride and showcased other parts. The first launch is perfectly hidden above the entrance plaza by a structure that simply looks like a foot bridge. The turn into the second launch is fairly nondescript due to the surrounding foliage and the second launch actually starts in a tunnel below the midway. I really appreciate the attention to detail that the park clearly spent a lot of time on, and I also appreciate the concept of the ride and how it mimics a cheetah hunting its pray...but the ride itself was exactly what I expected. The ride did have intense launches and good airtime entering and exiting the figure eight, but the rest of the ride held a conflicting identity. The rest of Cheetah Hunt is mainly gentle S-bends and the heartline roll is simply out of place right in the middle of it all. The ride flowed...I simply wasn't jazzed by the execution as much as I love the concept.
Overall thoughts - I certainly won't wait another 15 years before I return. Busch Gardens Tampa has a SOLID ride lineup and an amazing atmosphere. The Busch parks really have not lost their luster at all and are still well worth the admission price. I'm already looking forward to my next trip.
Note: There is a neat taproom about two miles north called World of Beer. They have over 500 beers to choose from and an excellent menu. Check it out if you're ever visiting the park - it's a great way to kill some time the night before your visit to BGT or a nice way to take a load off after running through the park all day.
I'll post my review of both Fun Spot locations soon!
Roadmap:
My last visit to BGT was in 2003. Python and Rhino Rally were still main attractions and we didn't even know that SheiKra was coming. I'm not quite sure what kept me away for so long but I've been itching to go back since I graduated college. Luckily, my buddy Dan (he went to Holiday World with us last October) recently overcame his fear of heights and has since been on a mission to mow through North America's amusement parks as quickly as possible. Since August 5th, 2017, he's logged ~170 coasters and is gunning for 200 by April (he has Silver Dollar City planned for next week and Texas planned for the week after). In addition to BGT, we also visited both Fun Spot locations and Sea World to increase our cred haul. Needless to say, I didn't need to convince him to do this trip.
Looking at my own creds...I realized after booking everything that this trip would put me at 398 coasters. I'm currently working on planning 399 along with multiple contingencies such that Steel Vengeance ends up as 400.
Cobra's Curse - I started off my season with a pleasant surprise. Cobra's Curse was not the mediocre spinning coaster that I thought it would be when it was first announced. Instead, it was a fun, unique ride with three distinct parts to it: forward facing, rearward facing, and spinning. The dual elevator lift is completely fascinating from an engineering perspective. The general concept is similar to Pilgrim's Plunge's double lift, but instead of leaning, the lifted track section actuates sideways via a secondary set of rails on the elevator, similar to a 4D coaster. Although the theming was a bit silly, it was well done like one would expect from a Busch park. Lesson learned though - stop being such a snob and take a closer look when one of these mid-tier thrill rides are announced.
Montu - I really hate to give the B&M bashers that vocalize "they don't build 'em like they used to" any footing to stand on, but honestly they're right. From start to finish, Montu is a fast paced, unrefined hauler of ass that punches you in the face in such a way that you get on your knees for more. The forces, the flowing layout...it's all wonderful. Each transition is excellently crafted to maintain the intensity while seamlessly joining elements together. Montu is certainly a gem.
Falcon's Fury - Mother of sweet baby Jesus. I'll be honest - it was a bit too much. The ride starts off like a typical drop tower and offers a fantastic view of the surrounding area, but then your seat is tilted back and your mind is fully focused on how your restraint is literally all that's holding you 300 feet in the air. It isn't a pleasant thought. The freefall is excellent, even if the seats swing back into place a smidge early. Lex Luthor has the edge over this, but damn homie...it isn't ****ing around.
Sand Serpent - Honestly one of the best wild mice I've been on. It offered a smooth, comfortable ride for a mouse.
Scorpion - Good ol' Schwarzy is still real good! Happy to see the park still maintaining the ride.
Kumba - I can say the same for Kumba as I said for Montu. It was hauling some serious ass and taking no prisoners whatsoever. It's honestly better than The Incredible Hulk. Kumba has the length that some other rides lack but it pairs it with a pace and flow that's unrivaled to this day. The ride doesn't die after the interlocking corkscrews and instead maintains that incessant intensity as it dives below the brakes and into the final helix. Kinda shocking that so few of these ride types were built.
SheiKra - Fiiiiiiiiiiiiinally got to ride such a revered ride. I preferred it to Griffon and maybe even Valravn (I'll save that judgment for another six weeks). The drops were outstanding and the helix around the lift really set the ride apart from Griffon. Aesthetically, the ride is in a league of its own. The red track is so striking against the deep blue supports, light blue Florida sky, lush green foliage, and beige midways and structures surrounding the ride. Busch did an outstanding job at blending the whole ride into its surroundings - much better than Griffon. Excellent ride!
Air Grover - It was kinda shameful...kinda. +1
Cheetah Hunt - Like SheiKra, I was impressed by how the park masterfully concealed certain parts of the ride and showcased other parts. The first launch is perfectly hidden above the entrance plaza by a structure that simply looks like a foot bridge. The turn into the second launch is fairly nondescript due to the surrounding foliage and the second launch actually starts in a tunnel below the midway. I really appreciate the attention to detail that the park clearly spent a lot of time on, and I also appreciate the concept of the ride and how it mimics a cheetah hunting its pray...but the ride itself was exactly what I expected. The ride did have intense launches and good airtime entering and exiting the figure eight, but the rest of the ride held a conflicting identity. The rest of Cheetah Hunt is mainly gentle S-bends and the heartline roll is simply out of place right in the middle of it all. The ride flowed...I simply wasn't jazzed by the execution as much as I love the concept.
Overall thoughts - I certainly won't wait another 15 years before I return. Busch Gardens Tampa has a SOLID ride lineup and an amazing atmosphere. The Busch parks really have not lost their luster at all and are still well worth the admission price. I'm already looking forward to my next trip.
Note: There is a neat taproom about two miles north called World of Beer. They have over 500 beers to choose from and an excellent menu. Check it out if you're ever visiting the park - it's a great way to kill some time the night before your visit to BGT or a nice way to take a load off after running through the park all day.
I'll post my review of both Fun Spot locations soon!
Roadmap:
- Kokomo's Family Fun Center (hoping to ride their coaster while I'm in the neighborhood for the FRC Michigan State Championship in four weeks)
- Cedar Point (Opening weekend)
- King's Island (TBD)
- Michigan's Adventure (TBD)
- Craig's Cruisers (TBD)
- Indiana Beach (TBD)
- Six Flags Great America (TBD)
- Indianapolis Zoo (TBD)
- Canobie Lake (TBD August)
- Funtown (TBD August)
- Palace Playland (TBD August)
- Story Land (TBD August)
- The Great Escape (TBD August)
- Seabreeze (TBD August)
- Darien Lake (TBD August)
- Waldameer (TBD August)
- Holiday World (TBD October)
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