BGT 4/17/03 - Dumb Crews

Ahh yes, my second trip to the Tampa area. Last year, it was almost the same time, just after easter. after leaving our condo at 8:30, we made it to Busch around 9:15. Parking lot wasn't full, and last year it was much worse. I was happy. However, that smile turned upside down when I saw what was believed to be one train op on Montu.

Anyone who can, get E-tickets for any Busch park. Even though you need I.D., it's much faster and you get right into the park (plus a discount). As me and my dad made our way into the park, I picked up the pace as I walked towards Montu.

Last year, I rode the beast 2 or 3 times, and i got my front ride as well. I enter the queue, and I'm greeted with about a 10 minute line. Keep in mind this is one train op, so about 2 minutes pass and they add another train. I rode it twice, middle rows. Can you say slow crews? They were walking around like they had stones for feet. Oh well, at least they got the crowd moving. I knew I was coming back so I didn't care. The ride hasn't changed, and the Trim was off before the batwing. Great loop, but except for a little pop before the mcb, there is really no airtime at all on this ride. Anyways, I found dad and then I made my ways over to Kumba.

Is it just me, or are their TONS of British people at this park? On Montu, Kumba, and Gwazi, I was near huge packs of either British or Australian people. I don't have anything against anyone, just thought I'd mention it.

So me and my dad take the skyride over to the Congo area, passing Rhino Rally's 60 minute wait. I get to Kumba, which last year I unfortunatly only rode 2 times. After 5 times this year, and one train waits, it was hard to leave. This is one of my favorite coasters ever not because of it's elements or it's B&M-ism, but the fact that its actually semi-rough and gives you an insane ride every time. Highlights include, well, the whole ride! Once again, the crews were a little slow and I kinda got irritated. Oh well.

It was time to get dad on a ride, so we made our way to Python. One tain operation yielded a 10 minute wait, but it was a good thrill for him. Standard corkscrew, this ride isnt pleasing or bad, just really short. The crews were again, really slow.

Now, I was getting hot, but Stanleyville Flume was reporting an hour wait, and forget Congo or Tanganyka, I wanted to get spritzed, not obliterated with water. I sttod on the edge of the Tanganyka's bridge, and got a little splash. Then, there was no line for the (I want to say Pirate) inverting swinging ship. No line, not a bad flat. Next up, we ate lunch at the Moroccain Cafe, near the entrance. Decent food, but the hamburger was a little dry.

I hit scorpion last year, so I figured I'd just go for Gwazi. Last year, the ride had a huge wait which prompted me to simply pass it up. This year, it was a walkon for both sides. but I wasn't that impressed. Sure, there are pops of air and good laterals, but I felt the lion side was much too shakey for comfort, and tiger was kind of "lagging". However, I did get a dueling ride! Crews were actually decent here, and got trains dispatching simultaniously (sp).

I made my way back to Montu to find walkon's. Four more rides, plus a front seat ride, and I was about ready to call it a day. We left around 4, and I felt I accomplished enough for the day. Overall, my second visit was enjoyable and the park was very clean. My dad, and even myself prefer BGW, but it's nice to taste the African side once and a while.

Thanks for reading!

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How much more floorless can they get?

Great TR...did you read mine... I went the day before you did.

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#1 Canobie Lake Park Fan!!! My top 7 coasters:
1. S:RoS @ SFNE 2. Montu 3. Yankee Cannonball 4. Kumba 5. Gwazi 6. Cyclone (SFNE) 7. B:DK

The pirate ride your speaking of is called the Phoenix

The Pheonix is like the only intense flat there...

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#1 Canobie Lake Park Fan!!! My top 7 coasters:
1. S:RoS @ SFNE 2. Montu 3. Yankee Cannonball 4. Kumba 5. Gwazi 6. Cyclone (SFNE) 7. B:DK

I visited BGT in late February and had a great time... There wasn't a ride in the park that had more than a station wait. I was able to ride Kumba 4 times in a row! I did notice that the ride ops were slow, but because lines were non-existant there was no reason for them to be speedy. Overall BGT is phenominal and in my top 3 theme parks.

P.S. On Gwazi sis they regularly dispatch trains at the same time or was it only on occasion?

I went a month ago yesterday and loved it. Rode Montu, Kumba, and Gwazi 6 times each. Scorpion and Python were both down. You should go to BGT druing mid-march because there's no crowd and very hot spring break babes!

No one passes up Scorpion unless it can't be helped... :)

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Sometimes I wonder whether Vekoma would be better off just changing their name...
Never Has Gravity Been So Uplifting.

Agreed...passing up Scorpion is a mistake, no matter what the line or crowds are like. Rhino Rally, on the other hand...

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SRM 2003-Look for the guy with my name on his chest

There is ONE ride on Earth with slower-moving lines than RR...and it's PP....perhaps alliteration and capacity are mutually exclusive...;)

I never fail to get at least one or two trips on Scorpion, more if they don't force me to walk *all* the way around the games area...there's a convenient gate that allows for a reasonably short walk, but it's usually locked for some reason...

Kumba and Montu....as advertised...:)

But the big surprise...Gwazi now stands proudly among its GCI *brethren*...:):)
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"Brian, there's a message in my AlphaBits, it says 'ooooooo'"
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