No Gwazi In 2021 ?

Hey I got a question for those of you that might have more information that I do: Has there been any word or rumors as to when/if Iron Gwazi will open this year, if at all ??? Seems that Busch Gardens has been dragging their feet and I was just curious if there is some underlying reason that anyone else might have heard. Im asking because Im going down that way in October and wanted to ride it if possible. Thanks for any insights.

They don't want to pay to market it, staff it, and open it. At this point I'd bet on 2022. I wouldn't get my hopes up for this year.

I assumed they would have sent it after Jurrasicoaster opened.

Maybe they don't have to submit final payment until it officially opens. I know RMC was fighting them to get paid last year

Randall302 said:

Maybe they don't have to submit final payment until it officially opens. I know RMC was fighting them to get paid last year

Hmmmm, You might be on to something Randall?!?!? I never considered that, but it could be a good reasoning behind it. But on the flip side if all theme parks were hurting through 2020 and RMC said pay before you play, how did Great Adventure open Jersey Devil ??

I suspect that a whole bunch of new-for-2021 machinery will turn out to be new-for-2022.

Dreier Looping doesn't look like it'll be this year now either.

Richard Bannister said:

I suspect that a whole bunch of new-for-2021 machinery will turn out to be new-for-2022.

Dreier Looping doesn't look like it'll be this year now either.

Well that would suck a big D________Y P_______S, but based what Im seeing so far this season, it might be completely accurate, unfortunately.

Pantheon at that other Busch Gardens is also showing no sign of life, even though it went through all its' testing in May.

Same with IceBreaker at SeaWorld Orlando

BrettV said:

Same with IceBreaker at SeaWorld Orlando

So then thats leading me to believe it might be an issue with Anheuser Busch as a company then. Six Flags and Cedar Fair have opened all their 2020 rides this year to my knowledge. Heck, there is a rumor that Magic Mountain might actually might have begun planning on the 2022 single rail. But again I have no clue to the business dealings or reasonings for Busch so thats why I was asking.

I see a pattern.

Except Anheuser Busch is no longer in the park business, pretty much since InBev bought them out. The parks division was sold to Blackstone who in turn has sold the business to Zhonghong Group, a Chinese investment firm in 2017, who in turn sold it to Hill Path Capital LP, who are apparently the current owners.

Not exactly. It has been a public company since 2013, with various firms acquiring a controlling interest.

They had liens filed on them for non payment to the coaster manufacturers last year. There may still be liens preventing them from opening. SEAS isn’t exactly rolling in cash right now. ( but some fools have soared their stock price to 50% higher than pre pandemic lol)

the simplest answer is the correct one. None of the parks NEED to launch a new ride right now (although I'll come back to San Diego in a sec), as the pent-up demand is filling the parks at full pop. Orlando specifically, and Tampa also, are keeping their powder dry for 2022. Orlando knows they can't compete with Velocicoaster, and any marketing attempt would be wasted. Best to save for next year. It's possible that Tampa might re-evaluate Gwazi for holiday 2021 but doubtful. I know that sounds crazy, and in any other year I would agree, but this is where we find ourselves. For Orlando, the 2021 summer season is locked in. Few East coast visitors are going to go to Florida now, who don't already have plans made. Opening Icebreaker now won't move the needle.

San Diego just reopened Journey to Atlantis, but they have made some silly last minute removal of blackouts and discounts for passholders. That makes me think they may not be doing as well as expected and MIGHT be tempted to release Emperor before 2022.

Yeah, all of the nefarious theories are not true. The company is not where they want to be in terms of staffing, and the marketing result of opening these rides isn't going to resume in the payback they want. It's really that simple. I've heard this pretty consistently all year, not just there but also with Disney. Ratatouille could have opened months ago, but they haven't done it.

CreditWh0re said:

the simplest answer is the correct one. None of the parks NEED to launch a new ride right now (although I'll come back to San Diego in a sec), as the pent-up demand is filling the parks at full pop. Orlando specifically, and Tampa also, are keeping their powder dry for 2022. Orlando knows they can't compete with Velocicoaster, and any marketing attempt would be wasted. Best to save for next year. It's possible that Tampa might re-evaluate Gwazi for holiday 2021 but doubtful. I know that sounds crazy, and in any other year I would agree, but this is where we find ourselves. For Orlando, the 2021 summer season is locked in. Few East coast visitors are going to go to Florida now, who don't already have plans made. Opening Icebreaker now won't move the needle.

San Diego just reopened Journey to Atlantis, but they have made some silly last minute removal of blackouts and discounts for passholders. That makes me think they may not be doing as well as expected and MIGHT be tempted to release Emperor before 2022.

I ask this then - Who said the ride needed to be marketed ? Every coaster enthusiast across the world knows that Gwazi has been RMC-ed into Iron Gwazi. Given its height, people can probably see it from outside the park. BGT isnt like BGW which is hidden and obscured by surrounding foliage and terrain. BGT is pretty much sitting on an open city block and if Montu and Sheikra are visible I KNOW people should be able to see Iron Gwazi. Its like if Jason Statham or Jason Momoa take their shirts off for a photo shoot. Nobody has to tell them theyre hot....EVERYONE knows it already(especially me!!) =)

Since when is amusement park marketing targeted toward enthusiasts?

The park does not market to coaster enthusiasts. They will come regardless, and make up an infinitesimal portion of their profits.

Coasterhound36 said:

Who said the ride needed to be marketed ? Every coaster enthusiast across the world knows that Gwazi has been RMC-ed into Iron Gwazi.

Cool, so what about the other 99.999% of the vacationing public? My own wife doesn't know what RMC is. Or had even noticed Gwazi on any trip to the park in the last few years. Like most everyone, those are the people who need to be sold on the idea that there's something new at a particular park as an incentive to go there.