[cwgator]

Today I went to BGT and saw lots of construction workers, flag markers and spray paint markers along the train side of the path in the Nairobi section from Edge Of Africa to Rhino Rally (pretty much what has already been posted on various other sites. These guys were digging out the tracks for "temporary reconfiguration". The train went down as of yesterday for about a month to complete this portion of the "2011 project".

Here's a few pictures. I posted the reduced sizes here. Click the link below for the larger size.


Taken from Edge of Africa near the Hyena's:

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/hh354/livinlife101_/Busch%20Gardens%20Tampa%20April%2020%202010/SDC13482.jpg


Markers along the train tracks in Nairobi:

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/hh354/livinlife101_/Busch%20Gardens%20Tampa%20April%2020%202010/SDC13494.jpg


Bulldozer sitting on the tracks in Nairobi near train station:




Workers digging out the tracks:

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/hh354/livinlife101_/Busch%20Gardens%20Tampa%20April%2020%202010/SDC13495.jpg


http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/hh354/livinlife101_/Busch%20Gardens%20Tampa%20April%2020%202010/SDC13497.jpg


http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/hh354/livinlife101_/Busch%20Gardens%20Tampa%20April%2020%202010/SDC13526.jpg


I'll check their progress when I go back on Thursday.


Unrelated to the project, but noteworthy was Scorpion under Maintenance:

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/hh354/livinlife101_/Busch%20Gardens%20Tampa%20April%2020%202010/SDC13539.jpg


http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/hh354/livinlife101_/Busch%20Gardens%20Tampa%20April%2020%202010/SDC13539.jpg

[cwgator]

Update 4-22-10

Here is the construction wall put up since I went on 4/20 from the Caravan Crossing shop to the Gorilla Gallery Shop in Nairobi:





More construction:



A couple shots taken of the missing train tracks:





Some guys taking measurements in the Skyride Station:




Some pics from the Skyride showing the stacked tracks/ties and more markers:






Most of this was probably posted on another forum, but thought I would share my pics with you guys here.

[billcollins531]

I think the suspense leading up to the construction of a ride is far greater than the ride itself.



Usually...

[cwgator]

They have done quite a bit of work since my April visit. They have begun to pour footers behind the old monorail building and elsewhere on the layout. I posted a pic below showing one of the huge ones. The skyride stayed open a bit longer than expected as well and shut down officially on June 13 instead of the 1st as planned. It will be closed the remainder of the year while the construction continues on the new coaster. This will hinder some of the pic taking of whats being constructed as up to this point most many have been taken from the skyride. Im sure they have a few (legal) places they can still get great shots of what's going on behind that construction wall. We'll see.

Since I don't get to the park often I have enjoyed the updates on the project through bgtguide.com. Check out the link below for the latest photo update of the construction to date. Also if you scroll down you will see links on the left side to the previous updates and can see the progression.

These are from Thursday June 10:

http://bgtguide.com/bgt/project2011/photosjune10

Another site (well, blog) who has updates is bgtnation on blogspot. This update is from yesterday (Sunday June 13) and that one footer by the new Edge of Africa walkway is HUGE!:

http://bgtnation.blogspot.com/2010/06/project-2011-and-edge-of-africa-pathway.html


(image posted from bgtnation.blogspot.com)

[Skycoastin Steve]

That's a massive footer. Could we be seeing a top hat?

[carowinds4ever]

So, no track or supports have showed up yet? Does anyone have a clue who the manufacturer is?

[cwgator]

The rumor is Intamin. Also rumored to have at least 2 launch sections according to the plans uncovered (see page 1 of this thread for link to the plans). Track and supports have not yet arrived, but there is plenty of time to construct. This time of year is the rainy season in Florida as well, so they are mostly working on the landscape and anything else they can, when they can before it arrives. Since the Skyride is now closed for the construction, things will probably kick into high gear with even more footers and hopefully track sightings. Once someone confirms track is onsite I'll post it here.

The tag line for the coaster is "Feel the Spirit, Feel the Speed" as released in some overseas travel sites like traveldaily.co.uk. Some think it will be like Maverick or even a wing-walker like Furious Baco @ PortAventura (in Spain). Knowing how this company (Sea World Parks & Entertainment) is however it will either be a new experience, a massive improved upon of the forementioned with new elements, or perhaps improvement of another type regardless of whoever the manufacturer is. They generally don't do cookie cutters from other parks (other than similar at their own). It will also likely be emersed into an animal habitat like they did with Manta @ Seaworld.

This is a massive project which includes more than the coaster. It includes a new pathway from the Edge Of Africa to connect it to Nairobi section, new animal habitats, a new depot for the Serengeti Safari and perhaps even more suprises that haven't been leaked yet. The name which it's rumored to be called "Cheetaka" due a permit found. Mind you the park has one cheetah themed coaster (Cheetah Chase) which could easily be rethemed if they wished. Also there was slipped by Jack Hanna in April that there would be a new cheetah exhibit as well coming soon. (I'm sure it was an intentional teaser...lol) Cheetah stuffed animals also have appeared in one of the shops near where the ride is coming up.

[carowinds4ever]

^ I knew about what was uncovered on page#1, I was the one who started the topic. I didn't think it would be B&M because of the rumored launch. I to figured it to be intamin. Also no one has posted any reports of track being built at the B&M plant in ohio.

Well planning a visit to FL. in October, Last time i was at BG was when Montu first opened. Can't wait to see all the changes.

[cwgator]

Here is a "teaser" poster placed on one of the constructions walls in the park featuring the tag-line. It was posted on behindthethrills.com:


(Photo courtesy of behindthethrills.com)

[cwgator]

There is now the beginings of a dedicated page found by some nosey folks (like us...lol)for this project that has a little information. It's mostly teaser video clips for now but the site is at:

http://buschgardens2011.com

OR

http://www.buschgardens.com/bgt/buschgardens2011.aspx

The titles of the teaser video clips are as follows:

Power
Speed
Spirit
Chase
Accelerate
Agility

These give some clues about the coaster.

If you want to go to the site, you may need to use a browser other than IE (got the mobile site on it). I had to use Firefox for it to work. Here is a screen shot of the page using Firefox:




There is also a broken linked page that will be used for updates:

http://www.seaworldparksblog.com/explore/blog/busch-gardens-invites-guests-feel-spirit-feel-speed-2011
(Right now you will get the access denied message when clicking the link above.)

[cwgator]

A new update was posted today on bgtguide.com. They opened the new Edge Of Africa pathway today, connecting it to Nairobi. It will definitely make the traffic flow better for those who dont wish to backtrack around the contruction wall between the Crown Colony House and Morrocan Theater. This provided an opportunity to see more of the footers that have been poured along/near the path. They have planted grass and made the area around the path look great so far. They are also still cleaning out around the skyride/monorail station as well. I'm still pondering whether they plan to re-purpose the old monoral station or if they are going to tear it down and start fresh. Either way I know it will be nice; especially if it's anything like Manta's queue at Sea World.

Here is the link to this update with pictures of the progress:

http://www.bgtguide.com/bgt/project2011/photosjune29

[cwgator]

OK....so many parks are doing something similar this year in offering clues about their new attractios for next year. Some are doing the picture clues (like Carowinds) and others are doing things like teaser videos. Although this doesn't really give any more info that many didn't already know...here is the latest teaser from BGT:

[youtube]TpgQxDkGTcw[/youtube]

I would assume they are waiting until after Howl-O-Scream before making a real official announcement to build up even more excitement from the GP. According to the follks on other forum sites down here, that would be the norm.

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Sounds like the new attraction will be pretty interesting. From what he was saying it will have up close encounters with animals? Do you think the coaster will go through some of the animal habitats or something? Cant wait to see what they are planning, if that plan is acurate that coaster is HUGE.... I may have to check out busch gardens next year...

[cwgator]

Sounds like the new attraction will be pretty interesting. From what he was saying it will have up close encounters with animals? Do you think the coaster will go through some of the animal habitats or something? Cant wait to see what they are planning, if that plan is acurate that coaster is HUGE.... I may have to check out busch gardens next year...

This coaster will definitely be close to animal attractions. They are builing a cheetah habitat which goes with the current name leaked for the ride: "Cheetaka". They also say the queue will be Manta-like and involve going through the habitat on the way to the station. I can't wait to see how this all works out.


EDIT: So I don't keep double posting....

Here is a screen shot posted on another site of more plans that give coaster type.

[cwgator]

A quick update....Rebar has arrived on site so vertical construction can't be too far off. Here is a pic posted on Orlando United via http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/bgt8.29.10/ :