[cwgator]

Just a reminder:

The announcement is tomorrow (Wed. Oct 13) @ 9am and will be accessed through the park's Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/BuschGardensTampaBay


Unfortunately I have an appontment in the morning and won't get to see it until the afternoon....**Thinks I may postpone...but I don't feel like waiting who knows how long for another....Priorities, priorities....hmmm**

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Nice I cant wait for the announcement. Looks like the coaster has some "twisties" in it like 305? I cant wait to see the layout of this coaster.... I will also be looking out for a No Limits re-creation, if there isnt one already based off the clips/imagination.... Looking forward to seeing this...

[coasterbruh]

Cheetah Hunt...

Doesnt seem to fit in with the "climate" of bgt ride names but oh well.

[CoasterDad]

I'm maybe a little disappointed after watching the virtual ride a few times... was wishing for multiple inversions. I was unimpressed with the Maverick virtual also, BUT once I rode it a few times in person, I was very impressed. I thought Fahrenheit would be much better than it was after watching the virtual ride, but after riding it in person, I wasn't. Busch will probably learn from Cheetah much the way they did with Sheikra, so that when they unveil the BGW offering next fall for 2012, it will be an enhanced version of Cheetah, like Griffin was to its counterpart. Still looking forward to riding next spring. Yeh, Jarvis, I liked the Cheetaka name better and it fits in with their big three at the park...

[jsz1002]

Are there any stats yet?

[Skycoastin Steve]

Here is the official press release.

Busch Gardens Tampa Announces "Cheetah Hunt" for 2011!

Press Release:
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Introduces A New Breed of Speed

New Mega-Attraction Pairs Up-Close Encounters and High-Speed Thrills in Cheetah Hunt and Cheetah Run

Wednesday, Oct. 13 (Tampa, FL) – For more than five decades, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has found inspiration in its animals. Animal care experts have turned that inspiration into adventure with immersive natural habitats like the Serengeti Plain, Myombe Reserve, Edge of Africa and Jungala. Engineers have also turned it into adrenaline, capturing the spirit of the animals in wood and steel with coasters like Kumba, Gwazi and SheiKra.

Now, the next generation of thrills emerges from the crossroads where up-close animal encounters and awe-inspiring rides come together. This spring, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will introduce a new mega-attraction that introduces guests to join the hunt for excitement and experience a new breed of speed.


Cheetah Hunt
The centerpiece of the new attraction is Cheetah Hunt, a Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) Launch Coaster that uses the force of repelling magnets to launch riders from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds – not once, but three times.

This one-of-a-kind, multiple launch-point coaster will board in Busch Gardens’ historic monorail station, which has been completely renovated as part of the new attraction.

The first launch propels the train out of the station and into the grasslands that surround the new area. Moments later, a second burst of speed accelerates riders to 60 mph and up into the ride’s signature tower element that climbs more than 10 stories above the African landscape before plunging 130 feet into a subterranean trench.

Cheetah Hunt covers a lot of ground, setting a new distance record for Busch Gardens’ roller coasters at 4,429 feet of track. After leaving the Crown Colony Plaza area, it races across a portion of the Serengeti Plain, staying close to the ground to give guests the experience of a cheetah sprinting across the plains. Elements such as over-banked turns, air-time parabolas and a heart line roll inversion imitate the agile creature chasing its prey, leaping and pouncing into the Nairobi area, where the train twists through a rocky gorge that was formerly part of Rhino Rally.

At the far end of this three-quarter-mile path, a third burst of speed rockets the train back across the plain toward the station in a thrill-ride experience unlike anything Busch Gardens’ guests have ever experienced.


Cheetah Run
But this one-of-a-kind coaster experience is only a portion of the new realm. Building on Busch Gardens’ unrivaled ability to combine thrills with immersive animal encounters, Cheetah Run will set a new standard for bringing nature and humans together in a really unique way.

Located in the area that formerly housed the Budweiser Clydesdales, this expansive new habitat will give visitors the opportunity to get closer to cheetahs than ever before with elevated, glass-paneled viewing areas. Even more exciting will be the chance to witness the world’s fastest land animal in action. Busch Gardens’ trainers will conduct daily sprints with the cheetahs for an awesome opportunity to see one of nature’s true wonders in full form!

Families can also explore interactive touch screens to learn even more about these big cats and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s work on their behalf. Through the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, the adventure parks have been helping wild cheetahs since 2005.


The Realm
While thrill-seekers race across the plain on Cheetah Hunt, and even non-riders appreciate the beauty and grace of the cheetah in Cheetah Run, the realm surrounding this new mega-attraction offers many more opportunities for adventure and exploration.

Built at the crossroads where Morocco, Egypt and the Edge of Africa all come together, the plaza will be a bustling, colorful celebration inspired by the sights and sounds of the cultures that feed into it. Busch Gardens’ famous Crown Colony House Restaurant will remain a focal point of the area as well with a new, terraced entrance that will feature additional outdoor seating and natural landscaping.

Cheetah Hunt and Cheetah Run open in spring 2011. Together, they form a unique experience – the kind you’ll only find at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Fact Sheet
TYPE OF RIDE:
Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) Launch Coaster

LAUNCHES:
• Launch 1: 30 mph
• Launch 2: 60 mph
• Launch 3: 40 mph

OTHER ELEMENTS:
• 130-foot drop into an underground trench
• Over-banked turns
• “Air Time” parabolas
• Heartline roll inversion

TRACK LENGTH:
4,429 feet – more than three-quarters of a mile!

MAXIMUM SPEED:
60 mph

MAXIMUM FORCE:
4 G

HEIGHT:
102 feet

RIDE DURATION:
3½ minutes (including loading and unloading)

SEATS/TRAIN:
5 trains, 16 passengers per train

GUEST CAPACITY:
1,370 guests per hour

HEIGHT REQUIREMENT:
48”

LOCATION:
Crown Colony Plaza

MANUFACTURER:
Intaride LLC, exclusive U.S. supplier of Intamin rides

[jsz1002]

Here is the official press release.

Sounds awesome! Thanks!

[carowinds4ever]

Looks like it will be great, i loved the marketing for this ride. It seems we will still hold the tallest and fastest and longest coaster.

[Jonathan]

Terrible name, great looking ride. And LAP BARS ONLY!!!

[cwgator]

I too think the name leaves something to be desired.... Guess that's what some of the folks get that thought CheeTaka was a bad name...but it would have obviously been a better choice....Oh well....I'm sitll excited and can't wait to ride!

Here is the POV in case anyone has issues with the website (as I seem to be having...I guess everyone is trying to watch it all at once...lol)

[youtube]exl4tSdY5b4[/youtube]

Here's the Announcement clip as well:

[youtube]8F7SaGNrDlE[/youtube]

[coasterdave]

Another great addition to a great park. The people who thought it up and designed it did a great job in my view!

[Dude]

This looks like its going to be amazing, but has anybody else notice something? BGA now will have 3 coasters that reach MAX: 60 mph. Thats pretty weird in my opinion? Do they like the number 60 or something?

[Skycoastin Steve]

Terrible name, great looking ride. And LAP BARS ONLY!!!

Unfortunately, they just corrected that piece of information on facebook, saying

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!

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Holy cow, I forgot about the announcement Sounds frickin awesome, 3 launched. I like how the 2nd launch is the fastest, it makes it more unique. Sounds like a beast of a coaster and I hope its as awesome as it sounds! May just make a trip to FL next year. When is the ACE event at BGT?

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

I just noticed the name, what happened to Cheetaka? Was that just something someone made up? Lap bars only huh!? Man, intamin MAY have done something right for once, if it doesnt break down. I dont think we have to worry about trims being added to this thing anywhere...