278 replies to this topic

[Ryan Shrout]

^IDK about the inverts. BtR clones are reasonably well themed throughout the ride as are Alpie and Montu.

[netdvn]

*bumpity-bump*

Interesting...BGT Guide has posted a copy of a new building permit described as an "Animal Interactive Area" with "7 frame structures".

Could this be the launching point, loading zone, queue line area of another heavily animal themed coaster...like Manta?

Can't wait till the 25th to see if this all comes together...or not .

Sesame Street Safari of Fun?

This spring, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay welcomes families to an all-new, Sesame Street-themed, sunny, funny play land featuring Elmo, Big Bird and all their friends. Sesame Street Safari of Fun will be filled with kid-size rides, cool water fun, shows and memorable adventures that celebrate the spirit of Africa as Sesame Street and Busch Gardens unite to create a signature attraction found nowhere else. “This new attraction is going to be unlike anything families have encountered before, with unique African-inspired costumes for Elmo, Big Bird and their friends, and exciting adventures for families to share,” says Donnie Mills, Busch Gardens’ executive vice president and general manager. “With the addition of Sesame Street Safari of Fun, Busch Gardens truly has something for all ages, and this new destination in the park is certain to be a hit among families and kids.”

Sesame Street Safari of Fun will provide kid-size rides aplenty to delight kids and kids-at-heart. One highlight is a new junior roller coaster designed for parents and children to ride together. “Air Grover” is full of mini-dives and twisty turns as families soar through the Sahara. “Oscar’s Swamp Stomp” provides cool water fun, and “Bert & Ernie’s Water Hole” is a wet adventure filled with bubblers, geysers, jets, dumping buckets and more. “Big Bird’s 123-Smile with Me” photography studio gives kids the chance to share a hug and a smile with Sesame Street friends, and musical performances bring safari tales to life. The new destination for family-friendly adventure is being created where Land of the Dragons exists, and will double the area’s current size to 2.5 acres.

In addition to the rides and play areas, families will also be able to watch their favorite characters on the big screen. “Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination!” will run in the park’s 4-D theater, located in Timbuktu. The fun-filled, 4-D movie brings Sesame Street Muppets’ adventures to life with zany 3-D gags and special effects like wind, water and jump-out-of-your-seat surprises.
–more–

Families will be able to share breakfast and lunch with Elmo and his friends on select days at an outdoor dining facility adjacent to Sesame Street Safari of Fun. Fill up on hugs from your favorite characters, sumptuous food and family together-time during these unique dining experiences.

Sesame Street Safari of Fun expands upon the variety of unique experiences Busch Gardens offers. With thrilling rides, award-winning shows and exotic up-close animal encounters, Busch Gardens provides unrivaled excitement for guests of every age.

SESAME STREET SAFARI OF FUN

• Size: Approximately 2.5 acres
• Location: Adjacent to Bird Gardens – Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

RIDES and PLAY AREAS

• Air Grover: A junior coaster full of fun turns, mini-dives, perfect for parents and kids to ride together.
• The Count’s Zambezi Rally: A kid-size car ride that takes you on a jaunt through desert and tribal trails.
• Zoe-Patra & the Hippos of the Nile: A splashy flume ride through the famed river.
• Snuffy’s Elephant Romp: Fly around and around and up and down on Snuffy’s fun friends.
• Elmo’s Safari Go-Round: A tribal-inspired carousel with Elmo and his friends.
• Rosita’s Djembe Fly-Away: A swing ride through the jungle that sends kids whirling above the African canopy.
• Big Bird’s Whirly Birdie: It’s funny side up on Big Bird’s delightfully playful Ferris wheel ride.
• Telly’s Jungle Jam: Explore sounds, shapes and shadows in this naturally engaging play area for kids of ALL abilities.
• Elmo’s Treehouse Trek: A 3-story hideaway to play hide-n-seek, discover new levels of fun and get a bird’s eye view of the entire play land.
• Cookie Monster’s Canopy Crawl: Climb, crawl and explore this 3-story net climb.
• Slimey’s Sahara Sand: A fun-filled, sand-filled beachy oasis where kids can frolic in the coolest desert around.
• Oscar’s Swamp Stomp: Stomp, splash and play in Oscar’s delightfully cool water play area.
• Bert & Ernie’s Watering Hole: A wildly fun water adventure filled with bubblers, geysers, jets, dumping buckets and more.
• Sunny Day Theater: Musical performances bring tales of adventure to life.
• Sesame Street presents “Lights, Camera, Imagination!”: A 4-D movie that brings the Sesame Street Muppets’ adventures to life with zany 3-D gags and special effects like wind, water and jump-out-of-your-seat surprises. NOTE: Plays in 4-D theater in Timbuktu area of the park.

DINING

• Dine with Elmo and Friends: Share breakfast or lunch with Elmo and his friends on select days at an outdoor dining facility adjacent to Sesame Street Safari of Fun. Fill up on hugs from your favorite characters, sumptuous food and family together time during these unique dining experiences.
• Snack-n-Getti Tribal Treats: Take time for all kinds of tasty treats to keep your energy up for more adventures!

SHOPPING

• Abby Cadabby’s Treasure Hut: A bazaar of unique items, including tons of safari treasures. They’re waiting in Abby Cadabby’s cool hut – full of Sesame Street Safari of Fun gifts you can’t find any place else.
• Cookie Monster’s Trading Post: Looks like Cookie Monster’s cravings have gone beyond sweets! Check out his trading post full of safari-inspired fun gifts.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES

• Air Grover Ride Photos: Take home a photo of your awesome ride on Air Grover – a priceless memory of this coaster ride that had you soaring up and diving down through the Sahara.
• Big Bird’s 123-Smile with Me: All your favorite Sesame Street friends are here to meet and greet, share a laugh, a hug – and a photo.

[Ryan Shrout]

I love the size of this. A bit dissapointed that this isn't a coaster announcement but still, it'll be a great addition for the park.

[BJ KoasterKooK]

Well...darn...it wasn't like we weren't aware that a "Safari of Fun" wasn't going to be following Williamsburgs' "Forest fo Fun" in the near future.

I guess I had let my BIG hope of a "major" announcement on the 25th color my thoughts on the "Animal interactive area with 7 frame structures" being part of a potential new big coaster going in...poo.

Do we dare hold out hope that on the 25th there will come more of an announcement than just more details on this kids area?!? For one, I sure do hope so.

[Ryan Shrout]

Well, there really aren't that many more details they can give us on SoF. They've painted a really great picture of what this area will be like. I'm kinda suprised its going to be as big as it is.

[steel-Rock]

I met a guy who works over at B.G.A. He is with the animals. I mentioned that I saw on the internet that someone has taken pictures of many survey flags that have appeared around the savanna area. He said that he didn't know of anything that was going to be done with that area. He didn't look or act like he was trying to cover anything up. This is just food for thought before we go jumping into anything. (Prepare for the worst - hope for the best.)

[Daniel Westfall]

It's on their website already, so it's official. Also, like 'Kook said, everyone pretty much knew it was coming.

[BJ KoasterKooK]

Well, there really aren't that many more details they can give us on SoF. They've painted a really great picture of what this area will be like. I'm kinda suprised its going to be as big as it is.

That's very true also, so will there be a 'huge" announcement on the 25th, or not?


If not, then "SoF" is the big, next deal for BGT. Yet...if there is still an announcement coming on the 25th, what else would be impressive enough to make this announcement worth while?

Other than a "huge"......well.....ya know where I'm heading and hoping

[netdvn]

Safari of Fun was announced months ago... I'm kinda surprised that the news hasn't gotten here in time.

At this point, I haven't heard much about the "huge" announcement on the 25th aside from some of the survey flags mentioned countless times before. If it is gonna be a coaster it's probably most likely a B&M leftover from old management. And since Tampa has built almost all of their models except for the hyper, I feel it's gonna be a hyper.

However after reading about all the rumors going around and how Busch can't build anything over a certain height anymore, I foresee a Jr. Hyper similar to Hollywood Dream or Goliath North. Or maybe Busch can get a little creative and build a twister-style Jr. Hyper (cross between Raging Bull and one of the Jr. Hypers) to save on space and stay under the height restriction.

[Ryan Shrout]

Anything in FL being built over 200ft has to have a special height variance granted. It's been done before (SheiKra) so that wouldn't be a problem really, its just some red tape.

[at5626]

A junior hyper twisty will have lots of trims...

Just saying...


Sounds like a good idea though!

[LeoRoy1902]

Another thing I just noticed is the space left over by the former brewery being demolished. Gwazi took up some of the space, but there's still a considerable amount of grassland just sitting there.

[netdvn]

Click here for info on the "big" announcement that was made yesterday.

No it's not a hyper, it's a free Preschool Pass.

You really wouldn't think that any park would announce a huge coaster this late in the off season without track/support pieces appearing and construction starting would you?

(Maybe for a 2011 opening date, but even that's too early to unveil a new coaster.)

Edited by netdvn, 26 February 2010 - 09:42 PM.

[Daniel Westfall]

Or you could just check out our front page for the news story we did on it already

[netdvn]

There's a front page????

... I always access the forums directly so I'm a bit slow on things.

[Daniel Westfall]

Or click the News and Releases link on the left Navigation bar. Here's the link

[steel-Rock]

Click here for info on the "big" announcement that was made yesterday.

No it's not a hyper, it's a free Preschool Pass.

You really wouldn't think that any park would announce a huge coaster this late in the off season without track/support pieces appearing and construction starting would you?

(Maybe for a 2011 opening date, but even that's too early to unveil a new coaster.)

Florida doesn't have an "off season". When the weather warms up there, maybe we should look at the B&M plant near Cincinnati, OH. In the past, the Busch Gardens and SeaWorld parks liked that builder.

[BJ KoasterKooK]

Well....after all the buildup, I'm still xtremely disappointed overall. At least at this time.

Sure, we all knew "SoF" was coming soon, and the free preschool pass ia a big deal for families with small 'youngins...but, it still leaves me underwhelmed and lacking knowing 'ol A-B probably had bigger plans that aren't coming to fruition...at least yet. But...that's the deal for 10', and perhaps something for 11' will yet be made known later on this year.

And netdvn, while your right in general about a "normal" time frame announcement for a more northern market and season, steel-Rock hit it on the head for any Florida park...a new ride can be announced, even at a "teaser" level at this time.

Based only on memory , I do believe the old A-B and BEC had "leaked" some info by this time in 04' about the new, big attraction coming to BGT, and indeed, I think they started construction on SheiKra's area in ...May of that year, for a Spring 05' opening.

Perhaps Ryan or steel-Rock being both locals and fanatics could either confirm or correct my thoughts and statements, thanks.

I do believe that going from A-B, to InBev, to Merlin ownership, along with such a weak economy, has all affected future park investments in at least slowing them down to pushing big additions back a year or two, imo. This includes BGW, SWO, and the rest.

[BJ KoasterKooK]

*another double-dip double post*

Looks like "Behind the Thrills" is onto something new to speculate about. Seems they "found" some new Anti-Rollbacks around Gwazi and took some pics of them.

The most obvious thought to me is why would you need "new" rollbacks for "old" trains? Perhaps these anti-rollbacks would go on with new trains (finally), and wouldn't it be great if these were the MF trains we've all bantered on about before?

Man...I'm definitely digging for some good news here, aren't I?

[Ryan Shrout]

I refuse to get my hopes up for anything involving a Busch park for the time being.

[BJ KoasterKooK]

^Ha...while I definitely feel your overall discouragement and attitude until Merlin actually does something new and big, I gotta keep my hopes up for the future of these parks. I guess they've meant too much to me and my family, not too mention all my years with A-B.

I think I have more "agnst" than anything else for their future. (meaning BGW, BGT, & SWO overall)

[netdvn]

Click here for info on the "big" announcement that was made yesterday.

No it's not a hyper, it's a free Preschool Pass.

You really wouldn't think that any park would announce a huge coaster this late in the off season without track/support pieces appearing and construction starting would you?

(Maybe for a 2011 opening date, but even that's too early to unveil a new coaster.)

Florida doesn't have an "off season". When the weather warms up there, maybe we should look at the B&M plant near Cincinnati, OH. In the past, the Busch Gardens and SeaWorld parks liked that builder.

Florida technically does have an "off season", which generally goes from early-September to late-December, early January to around Easter/Spring Break, and from Easter/Spring Break to mid-May (give or take a few holidays in between). Even though the parks are open year-round, the parks are usually dead around this time due to school/work, etc so it counts as an off season.

And netdvn, while your right in general about a "normal" time frame announcement for a more northern market and season, steel-Rock hit it on the head for any Florida park...a new ride can be announced, even at a "teaser" level at this time.

You're right about that... But even then, it still would've been a little late for a 2010 announcement... That's what I was trying to go for. Rockit was announced around the same time in 2008, but was planned to open summer of last year.

[BJ KoasterKooK]

And netdvn, while your right in general about a "normal" time frame announcement for a more northern market and season, steel-Rock hit it on the head for any Florida park...a new ride can be announced, even at a "teaser" level at this time.

You're right about that... But even then, it still would've been a little late for a 2010 announcement... That's what I was trying to go for. Rockit was announced around the same time in 2008, but was planned to open summer of last year.

Hey netdvn, oh my goodness, I hope you didn't get the idea that I (or anyone?) was talking about a big coaster edition for this year, in 2010...no, no.

That's why in past posts I've mentioned SheiKra's construction starting in the Spring of 04' for an 05' opening;

or the thought that just perhaps both BGW and BGT will be getting a new coaster being built then opened the same year...meaning next year in 11'.

As also stated, Safari of Fun is the big deal for this year...but any announcement for a (real) coaster will most definitely out-shine any other construction going on, at least on a site like this one, of course.

Naw, I am looking for a 2010 announcement for both Busch parks getting something big in 11', the replacing of BBW @ BGW and ??? @ BGT.

[Ryan Shrout]

Do you think it's possible that the Busch parks under the new management of Merlin/Blackstone will try and wait till SFI lets out all their big announcements regarding the 50th anniversary additions and then announce their new rides to try and steal the spotlight?

[BJ KoasterKooK]

^ Sure, it's possible, and of course, I truly don't know what they're thinking or going to do.

I would point out that it is still more the ownership of Merlin that I'm concerned about, as the basic management "team" that A-B and BEC had in place probably is still intact for the most part. And A-B was notorious for perfect timing in drawing attention to themselves for their big projects in the past.

And my goodness, the rumor's never end about BGT's future projects at this time. "Florida Thrills" has posted a new pic of a frame of a cheetah for a new topiary to go in out near the old stable area.

This area seems to be the strongest start area for a loading station for whatever new coaster that may or may not be going in next year (hopefully?)

This"cheetah" also seems to be the most popular rumor theme for the next coaster that many feel will have multiple launch zones, be low to the ground (certainly not the Hyper we've been opining about), very fast, and be inspired by Maverick @ CP.

Supposedly, they are even shutting down the water part of Rhino Rally, for continued maintenance issues, and somehow incorporate that water area into the new rides layout.

Please take all of this with a grain of salt...but it certainly should inspire much discussion about next years' hopeful new ride.

Go to Florida Thrills and Screamscape (if you dare ) to see and read more on all this.

Hmmm, a Maverick-esque type ride themed to a Cheetah...could be very epic, if you know what I mean