Delirium_Guy Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 The coaster officially opens on May 27th, but like rides of the past....a soft opening isn't out of the question. Manta soft opened a full month before its official Memorial Day Weekend opening. With that said, several hard hat tours commenced over the last few days. TPR has the best pictures. Some information that was learned from the tours: * The cheetah pens are near completion and that there's 7 stalls for 14 cheetahs (12 on property already). * Theming will be incredible. There will be a section called the "Crossroads" where Morocco, Egypt and Edge of Africa meet. Villagers of the Crossroads celebrate the spirit of the Cheetah. Cheetah Hunt's queue will connect this village to the nature of the actual roller coaster attraction through an integrated back story * Cheetah figures at the front will resemble driftwood carvings. * Inside the station, there will be a giant 15 foot high Cheetah Rock that will resemble a cheetah. Villager's celebrate this iconic rock because when found - it resembled the shape of a cheetah. Through chiseling and carving they've managed to carve the head of the cheetah into the top of the rock - the bottom remaining in its natural state. * Mack Rides is installing their air gate systems on Cheetah Hunt. * First launch will now be 38 mph instead of 30. * The Second launch will remain at 60 mph accelerating in under 2 seconds flat. * Third launch will now be 50 mph instead of 40. * The Canyon Section will include a run-in with a waterfall. Riders will be skimming above 18 inches of water. The river will be designed to run at a fast current in the opposite direction of travel to further give the illusion of speed. * The use of trenches in the design of the roller coaster is primarily to inhibit certain aspects of the attraction to pedestrians. Cheetah Hunt was specifically designed to interact with non-riders - and the trenches enable the trains to disappear from sight; thus intensifying the experience for spectators. * Parabola hill is 60ft. tall. * Cheetah Hunt will do a pull through with the front car and ride clearances. * Trains arrive next week. *Track completion expected by end of next week. 13 pieces remaining to be installed. Installation from this point forward will start on the Windcatcher Tower and finish at the crown of the "skyride hill". The ride will jump OVER the top of the Sky Ride Sounds like BGT has one heck of an attraction up their sleeves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast1979 Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 My god, this ride and entire expansion looks incredible! I need to get to BGT when I go to Florida this year! I can't wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 That was one heck of a construction tour, for those who did not click on Delium_Guys link to TPR go back and do so now. WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW !!! I have said since I joined KIC that I much prefer theme over thrills, not saying I do not enjoy or want thrills but theming is the most important aspect that I look forward to on any attraction. The more immerse a attraction is the better. I feel absolutely in love with Manta and for both a great thrill of a pretzel roll and because of the theme but most impressive was the fact it had both. When I ride Manta I feel miles away from civilization and nothing else matters at the time. I knew Cheetah Hunt was going to have both theme and thrill but I must say with this construction tour and seeing it all come together I cannot remember a time that I have been so excited about riding a new coaster since they built Manta. Busch gardens Tampa is definitely raising the bar on this attraction and I can only hope that others will try to compete. I am so impressed in the way it is turning out. I truly want to make a weekend trip around opening and then back during our annual fall vacation and hopefully a third trip next December. So I guess it is true build it and they will come works for me when it comes to this type of attractions. I hear and see many running to new rides that set a new record for thrills and I do get excited but not always ready to make a special trip to ride. Manta and Cheetah Hunt is what makes me want to let the screaming little fanboy out that I keep hidden inside. I am very very excited about coming down to ride this one soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delirium_Guy Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 Jesse, I think you know that I agree with you 100% on that. Busch Gardens has always focused on quality when building new attractions, but I honestly believe it was DarKastle at Williamsburg that really elevated the work that they do now.....that was the single largest investment at either park at the time and it clearly showed. I wasn't working for the company yet, but I know I was blown away by the amount of thought and detail that they put into that attraction, with them being a seasonal park and all. With that sad, the company upped their standards yet again with the introduction of Manta. I think people knew it would be nice, but I don't think anyone really expected what turned out with it. That queue is one of the most beautiful out there, IMHO! Even if Cheetah Hunt turns out to not be the most amazing ride out there, though we'll have to see how it rides in a few months, it is no doubt going to be a great deal of fun because of how it ties into the entire experience and theme. A few more tidbits that was learned.... Some more information that was learned during the tour..... * 5 trains carrying 16 passengers each * 2 trains will load simultaneously like Sheikra * Train depot can hold up to 6 trains but BGT only ordered 5 * Block brakes are set up to carry a maximum 1400 PPH, but expectations are 1200-1400 PPH. * Trains will resemble those on Maverick at Cedar Point but will have a zero car themed to a Cheetah and additional theming all down the side * Cheetah Hunt will use the new soft OTSR's like I305 installed midway through last season. * The zero car was originally mocked up using styrofoam * There are 3 control booths for this coaster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Those new soft OTSR's are a DRAMATIC improvement. I, for one, can't wait to ride this! (and I wish FUN would put those restraints on Maverick) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I haven`t experiences the new OTSRs that are on Intimidator at Kings Dominion. I just know that Maverick has not been one of my favorite rides at Cedar Point, mainly do to its restraints. While the ride has improved a little bit for me since I took a front seat ride on it last September, the restraints on it really take away from the ride, in my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheikra_rocks Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I am going in July! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
House Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I'm glad to hear they finally announced an opening date for this ride, but at the same time am bummed out because I will be down there in April not May. It looks like I may see about going to Universal or Sea World instead of Busch Gardens this year. Whichpark has a better roller coaster count? I know that Universal has the new Harry Potter Castle, is that worth going to over riding the Manta? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast1979 Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 It looks like I may see about going to Universal or Sea World instead of Busch Gardens this year. Whichpark has a better roller coaster count? I know that Universal has the new Harry Potter Castle, is that worth going to over riding the Manta? I've been to both, Universal Studios in 2009 (Before Harry Potter opened) and Sea World in 2010. Both are parks that you don't go to for the coasters like you would KI or CP, they're both immersive experiences that go far beyond the coasters. In my opinion Universal is the better park in both coasters and park overall, but I think you should definitely visit both when you have the opportunity. They're both epic in their own ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheikra_rocks Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 http://www.buschgardenstampablog.com/cheetah-hunt-dont-you-just-love-new-car-smell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyGuy4KI Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 http://www.buschgard...e-new-car-smell Here is the video on the site, would have been nice to get a close up, but still cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TombRaiderFTW Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 I haven`t experiences the new OTSRs that are on Intimidator at Kings Dominion. I just know that Maverick has not been one of my favorite rides at Cedar Point, mainly do to its restraints. While the ride has improved a little bit for me since I took a front seat ride on it last September, the restraints on it really take away from the ride, in my mind. I've been on both I305 (with soft restraints) and Maverick. I've sat towards the back on both. For Maverick, the resulting ride felt painfully close to whiplash. For I305, the resulting ride was by far the most exhilarating experience I've ever had on a steel coaster, period. Mileage may vary depending on your opinion of the rides, but Maverick, for me, would get much closer to being one of my top steel coasters with the soft restraints. (I can't even imagine riding I305 with hard restraints... Talk about pain!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTCO Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 The new trains remind me of those knex orange cars. Ex: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flightoffear1996 Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 ^ AhHA they really do look liek those cars! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheikra_rocks Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 A train has been put on the track. http://www.floridathrills.net/f195/busch-gardens-tampa-project-2011-cheetah-hunt-6661/index88.html Scroll to the bottom to see the Cheetah decals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delirium_Guy Posted March 9, 2011 Author Share Posted March 9, 2011 Trains are looking really nice! Roller Coaster Pro also has an update from yesterday with a look all around the construction site.....mostly painting and theming work that is taking place right now. Trench 2 is finally seeing rebar go down and footings show up.....not sure when vertical construction will resume and how they are going to coordinate it with the shortening of the Sky Ride Towers. Either way, the Park still says they are on track for Memorial Day Weekend for opening! Cheetah Hunt Update 3/8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delirium_Guy Posted March 15, 2011 Author Share Posted March 15, 2011 The final sections of track for Cheetah Hunt were completed this afternoon. Roller Coaster Pro has a large update showcasing the occasion.....they also have updates up for the past few days that show more of the drop off the the figure 8 tower as well as the run through Trench 2. The drop off the tower reminds me very much of the original drop on Ripsaw Falls at IOA.....starts off shallow but then quickly drops off to its steepest point. Just a tad over 2 months until the ride is scheduled to open! I can't wait to see all the pieces tie together and see how the theming and exhibit shape up! Cheetah Hunt Track Completion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahank Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 It's nice to see that construction is finished! I plan on making a trip to the Gardens next week over spring break, so I will be sure to get some construction pictures and hopefully have a nice update for you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfunk Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Not only is construction complete, but the coaster isnow TESTING!!! Sort of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIfan1980 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 * Cheetah Hunt will use the new soft OTSR's like I305 installed midway through last season. The pictures I'm seeing look a lot like the Maverick/original I305 restraints. Am I missing something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOB_TOM Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Saw the layout of this ride while I was at BG a few days ago. The layout looks awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delirium_Guy Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 * Cheetah Hunt will use the new soft OTSR's like I305 installed midway through last season. The pictures I'm seeing look a lot like the Maverick/original I305 restraints. Am I missing something? No, you aren't. This is what was stated during the media tour, however since then the Park has stated on their Facebook that the restraints on Cheetah Hunt will feature a new version of the Maverick bars in that the OTSR is made of a softer silicone material in an effort to improve rider comfort. Time will tell and we'll find out soon enough when we can ride! From the initial vantage point though, it would seem as though they are exactly the same as Maverick and the old I305 restraints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheikra_rocks Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 http://www.bgtnation.net/2011/03/ride-envelope-testing-begins-on-cheetah.html http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/bgt3.22.11/ "Envelope Testing" has begun... (pull through). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdawg1998 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 This looks really fun, but a bit of the same thing as Maverick...except for that amazingly strange turnaround part (or whatever it's called). Hope to go to BG when I go to Florida again sometime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delirium_Guy Posted March 25, 2011 Author Share Posted March 25, 2011 Busch Gardens sent in some pictures to Orlando United regarding the pull through....gives you a better look at the trains Cheetah Hunt Pull Through Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheikra_rocks Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 A look at the train in the heartline.... http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/bgt3.26.11/ A look at theming.... http://www.bgtnation.net/2011/03/cheetah-hunt-theming-update.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahank Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Orlando United posted another nice-sized photo update as well: http://www.orlandounited.com/2011/03/28/cheetah-hunt-construction-update-2/ As did Johnnyupsidedown: http://www.johnnyupsidedown.com/cheetahunt7.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
House Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Is there any chance of a soft opening in April? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTCO Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Yes. HTCO, just doing what terpy does best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erosarrow05 Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 It never gets old!!! (oh wait, or does it?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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