BGT 1/26/02

Sorry this is late, but I just got home from Tampa a hour ago.

Well we got there just as the park was opening, and I was quite annoyed already with my family. I had a hard time convinsing them that Montu was the the right, even though you can see it from Bucsh Ave, which we were on less than 10 minutes before. Eventually we got there, and all of us but my grandpa (who doesn't ride anything he doesn't have to) waited one train for front row (every row was empty but front and back at the time.) The first half is great, but the after the breaks it just doesn't pick up enough speed for my tastes. Because of that, I don't like it as much as B:TR, the only other inverted I've been on. Don't get me wrong, I love the ride, the first half blew me away, but the second half doesn't do it for me. After a front row ride, we rode it again last row.

After the skyride (which can easily scare grandmas) we rode Kumba, front row, followed by 2nd to last row. I love that thing, I want it for myself. I was expecting it to be close to Iron Wolf-rough, but it was suprisingly smooth. In the back, I could see the train vibrate quite a bit, but it didn't produce any headbanging anywhere. I was suprised at how much track was at ground level, from pictures I've seen it looks like it hardly ever is there.

After that, we headed toward Scorpion, but first I went on two flat rides, Pheonix (looping starship) and Sandstorm (I don't know what it is, except a spinning ride that acts like a trioka). When we did get to Scorpion, I was surpised at how cramped the station was. I waited 3 trains for front row, and as soon as I got on it, I got off. It looks longer than it is. It's nothing more than continous positive Gs, but not high Gs, maybe 1.5-2.5 Gs. I found it interesting how the chain goes all the way to the back of the station. Anyone know if most Schwarzkopfs do this?

We headed towards Rhino Rally and decided to wait, even though the line sign said it was a 45 minute wait. The line moved very fast, and we thought it wouldn't take more than 10 minutes... then came the loading platform. What a mess! It couldn't be done more inefficiently! We must have waited in a line of 10 people for a half hour. Every 3 trucks that went by were full, one of the other 3 would go out on the course empty, and the other one would come empty, with slow loading, or half full. So after everyone being irritated with the crew on the ride, we got on. What a disappointment. The stupid guide didn't say anything funny (which was meant to be funny, making me want off as soon as we left). The rhinos didn't do a thing other than lay against a wall in the shade, and the water portion was so boring I could have slept through it. After that waste of time, I ate a funnel cake, then we went on the train.

We ended up getting off in Stanelyville (I think) and started walking toward Gwazi. After having another little "chat" with my family, I convinsed them that the bridge going over the monkeys (orangotangs, I think) was the way there (stupid family... even with a directional sign they didn't think it was the way we had to go.) On the way we stopped at the bird aviary. The lorikeets are cute, I want one of my own. They only pooped on me once, and now the shorts I was wearing are officially the Busch Gardens shorts.

Eventually we did get to Gwazi, though. The loading crew here was also horrible. The second train on both sides always was sent out empty so they wouldn't stack with people every time, and loading took a long time too. Rode Lion first (I think, well, it was the one without the left-right-left-right stuff.) Right out of the station, my dad's Hawaii cap flies off, and I can't help but laugh. I found it rough, but enjoyable, even though there was no airtime. Same goes for the Tiger side.

We headed back towards Montu and got one more ride on it, and then left the park at 3, which really made me mad. I waited 4 years to go there, and then because my dad was a fill-in-your-own-word, I had to leave when I could have easily walked back to the hotel later in the day, which was only a mile away.

It was a good day there, but could have been better if I would have had somebody that wouldn't doubt my sense of direction, faster crews on Gwazi and Rhino Rally, and people who were willing to stay all day. BTW, if your looking for a good hotel near the park, goto Best Western All Suites Hotel Behind Busch Gardens Near USF (long name, huh?) My hotel room didn't have a Kumba view, but did have a Kumba sound, and they have free breakfast.

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No Python!?
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Out of the coasters i've ridden here is wat i rank them overall:(ive been to canobie lake and SFNE)
1. S:RoS 2. Yankee Cannonball 3. Riverside Cyclone 4. Canobie Corkscrew 5. Thunderbolt 6. Galaxy 7. Mind Eraser 8. Dragon coaster 9. poison ivy's tangled

Nope, it was down for anual maintanance. I was looking forward to it to see if it had the pop of airtime on the first drop like Demon.
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You're not missing much. It's not a real comfortable ride.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

I didn't ride python either when I went. I got in line, and it wasn't moving, so I got out. I figured it couldn't be that much different from GE's version.

When I went to BGT, I wanted to ride Python only for the coaster count and the cool color sheme. I waited, and waited and waited to get on that ride. Finally, I was in the station with one slow a** loading crew checking the harnesses two times. It was rough, quick, and I rode in the front so I didn't get a pop of airtime. The only good thing of the ride is if you sit on the right side of the train. It will go by the station and you feel like you are going to hit the station.
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Good Times!! Good Times!!
-Patrick