sheikra_rocks

UPDATE! Cheetah Hunt has started to go vertical! http://www.floridathrills.net/f195/busch-gardens-tampa-project-2011-cheetah-hunt-6661/index53.html Scroll down to see the pics in the thread.

I rode it 7 times in a row with a walk on wait time. I found it one of the most enjoyable roller coasters I have ever ridden. I really wish it would have been my 100th instead of Patriot. Also, they did not ADD trims to it. They moved the trims from the air time hill to the drop.

As an Ex Rhino Rally driver. I can say it is one of the hardest rides to operate in a theme park. Not only do you have to drive the vehicle and act. You also have to keep guest, employee, and animal safety in mind during the entire time you are giving your tour.

My theory is.... Cedar Fair may be waiting to see how the Texas Giant conversion goes before they make a final decision. I do believe steel track like Texas Giant or Gemini will be the only thing to save this ride.

I said "I overheard". Didn't say someone actually told me.

I was there in 1996.... FOF was the new coaster that season. I remember the whole queue was used at Top Gun. What a great reminder of the year I made my first visit to Kings Island.

I think you may be on to something.... I actually overheard a different employee than from your story say something about a new steel coaster this past weekend.

This was probably taken from the steps up to the station. They are in plain view. These are laying under the storage area / brake run.

Flight Deck.... I would say either clearance checkers OR basket like attachments to raise people up to check the track.

I have to agree with you 100%. To add to number (3), There is not an "oops" moment ANYWHERE on this ride.

Patriot was good (My #100) rode it twice. First ride of the day, first train, in the front row, then again in the last row. It was lacking the intensity of all the other inverted roller coasters. All the other inverted roller coasters I have been on (see my list on page 1), they all have some massive forces except Patriot. Montu in the back row left side gives you airtime on the drop when the car tried to swing from under you. The Batwing and the corkscrew finale on Montu are my favorite parts of the ride. Afterburn at Carowinds is a mini version of Montu. Except, it drops to the right instead of the left. The most intense inverted has to be Fire Dragon at IOA. The immelman / helix combo is very intense! Talon is an awesome ride. I love every second I am on it. Will be on the list of places I go next summer. Dorney and Kings Dominion.

I don't know why everyone wants a Batman clone at Kings Island. Montu is the best inverted roller coaster. It is living proof that you do not have to build your ride on flat ground or on top of a parking lot (i.e. Raptor) Montu has great forces, great elements, it gets you pumped, then winds down. You think you are done then you dive into the ground and BOOM, another inversion right before the final brakes. My rankings for the inverted coasters I have ridden: 1: Montu 2: Talon 3: Alpie 4: Afterburn 5: Dueling Dragons Ice 6: Dueling Dragons Fire 7: Patriot 8: Batman TR SFOG 9: Batman TR SF STL 10: Raptor

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a blast. I am ready for a dive machine at Kings Island.

I went today. Did not ride Diamondback. Walked around 90% of the time. Parked way out past Top Gun! Seen Gould Gone Wild. They are much better singers than the Signed Sealed Delivered and the other hoochie mama cast on the other side of the tower. Rode the train. Had a cheese coney. The big mess was single rider line at Diamondback. They were taking 20 people at a time. Someone said it took over an hour in the single rider line. Also, people were lining up behind single riders thinking it was the regular line. I am so glad I got my 14 rides in on Friday night!

Honestly I waited for Diamondback from the main entrance of the RiverTown Junction, through the entire queue and timed it at 50 minutes to the loading gates. No one FORCES anyone to wait in ANY of the lines. You wait in line because you choose to. There is nothing stopping you from leaving the line at any time.

To quote a famous person, "You can't fix stupid." Someone has started a petition about changing the name. The name is CHEETAH HUNT. The cheetah (trains) are hunting for prey throughout the plains of Africa. How is that hard to understand? You are riding on the back of the cheetah as it hunts for it's prey. Kind of like Diamondback. You are riding on the back of the snake through Rivertown. It isn't that hard to understand. Perhaps it is, who knows.

I thought they were "like rear ends. Everyone has one, and most of them stink."

Number 1: HAUT at Kings Island is scary. Hall-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa is SCARY. People come running out of their mazes to get away. That is what I like when I go through. The more bloodier the better! Number 2: JUST KEEP WALKING! IGNORE the scare actors, eventually they will get the hint and think "hmmm, I can't scare this person." they will leave you alone if you just keep walking and don't acknowledge them. Number 3: I get there early enough to actually watch the scareactors run out from the garage doors at the front gate. To me that is amusing. It kind of sets to tone for the night. Number 4: I ONLY ride Diamondback. I also enjoy the occasional person who tries to scare us when we are walking to and from Diamondback. Number 5: Raptorguy, don't go. That is one less person in front of me in line for Diamondback. BTW, I went last night (10-15-2010) and got 10 rides in on Diamondback. Number 6: The fog is AMAZING on Diamondback. Finally: YOU BETTER NOT RIDE The Beast DURING HAUNT THIS YEAR! If anyone needs me I'll be at Diamondback.

Full details of the ride can be read here. http://www.bgtguide.com/bgt/cheetahhunt

Busch Gardens confirmed on their facebook page: "For all you Fans who are asking about Cheetah Hunt's restraint system, the new ride will incorporate over-the-shoulder restraints similar to those found on many other IntaRide coasters such as Maverick and Kingda Ka. Thanks for asking!" Also this will be BGT's longest roller coaster. 4400+ft 0-60 130ft drop from 110ft into the second trench http://behindthethrills.com/2010/10/new-rollercoaster-cheetah-hunt-coming-to-bgt-in-spring-2011/

Perhaps Cheetah Chase will receive a new name to fit into the desert theme, which is what Timbuktu is. OOH OOH!! Sidewinder would be a perfect name for a Wild Mouse coaster in a desert theme!

I like the nice balance of rides and animals that BGT has.

Is it just me, or does anyone else have a feeling that clip 5 will be an off ride shot?

Busch Gardens VA and Busch Gardens Tampa involve diners in the shows. Busch Gardens Tampa is currently running "Dance To The Music" in the Dessert Grill formerly known as Das Festhaus. People get there early enough to get their food, and eat while they watch the show. That is the entire point of the building in the first place. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2SsiCl-sSM I have not seen the entire show at BGW, but I came in when the dancers were gathering audience members to do the chicken dance. People would go up and dance, then resume eating.

If only they put "Themed food" and "Themed Shows" to say, oh Jeez, maybe OKTOBERFEST!