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BGT - Future of Rhino Rally / Gwazi

Martyn B

Martyn B

CF Legend
I remember when I got back from Florida and I was looking through someones trip report (think it may have been ATTACKHAMMER) and he posted pics of Rhino Rally.... and I was lik "****, how the **** did we miss that?" So I had a look at the park map, and there was no mention of it on there and there was no sign of it at all around the park.

Apparently it has closed, but may reopen at christmas time:

Busch Gardens Tampa has confirmed with Screamscape that Rhino Rally “is closed for extensive maintenance, including an enhancement of the animal habitats. It will reopen in time for the busy holiday season, though I don’t have an exact date yet.”
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Obviously I have only been once, but I couldn't see any sign that Rhina Rally even exsisted anywhere in the park...

Also, I thought something strange was going on with Gwazi when I visited in September. Both sides were suppsoed to be open (going by the online schedule), yet Tiger was closed, and I couldn't even find where you enter the queue for the Tiger side... no signs or anything for it.... And now this from Screamscape:

I had first heard about this back in September, but I thought I’d give it time to work itself out… but apparently this is not been the case. For whatever reason Gwazi Tiger is said to be closed indefinitely, and we know it has been closed since the end of the busy summer season. Only the Lion side is up and running, and the park is running both Lion and Tiger themed trains on the Lion side of the track.
What isn’t known is if Tiger is closed for a rehab of some kind (are they actually doing any work to it?) or did the park close it down for budget reasons after the summer was over? Anyone out there who can fill us in a bit more on what is going on with Gwazi? I know early in 2012 I did hear a rumor about possibly wanting to test out some Topper Track on Gwazi, but so far the reports seem to indicate that Tiger is just closed and no signs of a major overhaul
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Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

I've been to Busch Tampa many times, and I was really excited when I read what Rhino Rally was MEANT to do. I went during the year on construction, so that was exciting. Then the next time I went the ride was down. The time after that only half the ride was open (the boring safari bit), the time after that it was down, the time after THAT is was down, and last time I went only the boring safari bit was working.

And now the good bit has gone completely because Cheetah Hunt. Good riddance I say, stupid piece of crap.

Same with Tiger, it's hardly ever been running all the times I've been. But I've got the cred so meh.

What is it with Florida and their failure with duelling coasters XD
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

We done the full ride and you really missed nothing tbh.

And same Jordan got both sides of the coaster :)
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

Right in the back corner of the Africa bit, next to the elephant enclosure.
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

Yeah, I was so bitter when I couldn't find it on the map back in September. I was really looking forward to it and comparing it to the one at Animal Kingdom. The only thing I could find was basically the safari bit which you paid lots of money to do. I assumed at the time they had got rid of calling it a ride and made it an exclusive extra thing.
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

^Nah, that's a totally different thing altogether. There was a time when the 2 co-existed but they're not the same thing, the up charge safari was always an up charge.
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

I assumed at the time they had got rid of calling it a ride and made it an exclusive extra thing.
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Yup, me too.

We were thinking about doing it, but I dont think there were enough people in the park to fill one of trucks!
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

Yes indeed it was ATTACKHAMMER who posted the picture. Rhino Rally was ok was good to have a sit down out of the sun! Got both the Gwazi Creds so meh although Tiger was my favourite.
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

^Same here, I managed to, on my second day ride the lion side when the coasters were duelling (although out of sync slightly), and the day before it was closed, although nothing pertaining with repairing the ride was evident.

If I'm honest, I'd be glad to see Gwazi receive a little "love", since although I adore the rough aspect of the rides, it detracts me and the GP from liking it. A few segments of topper track would do the job perfectly! Perhaps, they're running one train simply to save money :--D

As for Rhino rally, it really is diminutive when compared to Animal Kingdom's, it's short, but I guess it's a little fun.

At least none of the B&M's are closed....:--D
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

Perhaps, they're running one train simply to save money
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That could never be the case. When I was there it was walk on all day, yet they were running 2 trains for some reason, even though each train was departing with around 4 people!
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

I have no knowledge of where Rhino Rally was, either. I went in winter of 09/10. Why is it that it was so... well, hidden? It seems odd that so many people don't know where it was.

NO one likes Gwazi, even normal people. I'm surprised they haven't taken it out on the basis of it attracts no one.
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

Joey said:
NO one likes Gwazi, even normal people. I'm surprised they haven't taken it out on the basis of it attracts no one.
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Those who actually did like it hate it now that it has Millennium Flyers, from what I've witnessed. I haven't ridden the thing since '06 but from Coaster Critic's review and other people's it doesn't seem like I've missed much in the last 6-7 years.

Rhino Rally was neat, not on the level of Animal Kingdom's but it was neat nonetheless. Do agree though that it was incredibly hard to find xP.
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

I'm really surprised that you guys couldn't find Rhino Rally. It was literally next to the elephant enclosure. Yes it was at the arse end of the park, but if you were in the zoo bit you couldn't really miss it, there was a great **** off banner with Rhino Rally in massive red letters XD
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

Me and Maddie had an excuse, we couldn't find it because all of the banners and such had it missing, couldn't find the damn thing, it seemed the course was being used for some kind of special pay extra safari, or has this always been there?
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

I dint recall elephants, either... Lol.

Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk 2
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

Joey, are you sure you actually went to BGT? XD
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

The elephants aren't at the back of the park either..... I cant remember where they were, but I'm certain they weren't at the back.

And to be fair, there wasn't really a divide with the park/zoo. To me it was just a park with random animal enclosures dotted around. And as I said, there was nothing to suggest Rhino Rally had ever exsisted, no banners, signs, nowt!
 
Re: Rhino Rally / Gwazi Tiger - Down for the count

map_.jpg


Seeing as there's nothing behind them, I'd say they're at the back of the park. Literally top middle. Yes Kumba goes a bit further back to the left, but they're still at the back of the middle. And oh look, there's Rhino Rally right smack bang in the middle of them.
 
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