JULY 2011 Busch Tampa Introduces New Intaride LSM Triple Launch Coaster STORY: Scott Rutherford [email protected] TAMPA, Fla
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AIMS NEWS & NOTES - PAGE 38 TM Celebrating Our 15th Year Vol. 15 • Issue 4 JULY 2011 Busch Tampa introduces new IntaRide LSM triple launch coaster STORY: Scott Rutherford [email protected] TAMPA, Fla. — Central Florida is well known as the theme park capital of the world. While Orlando is the undisputed nexus of this thrill-centric universe, Busch Gardens Tampa (BGT) is a glittering satellite on the Sunshine State’s west coast. BGT’s entry into the 2011 thrill ride market is Cheetah Hunt, a 4,429-foot-long IntaRide triple launch LSM steel roller coaster designed to mimic the speed and agility of the world’s fast- est land mammal. The centerpiece of Like it’s namesake inspi- Busch Gardens Tampa’s ration, Cheetah Hunt is an 2011 expansion is eerily quiet beast. Aside from Cheetah Hunt, an Inta- Alabama Adventure has opened Buzzsaw Falls, a Shoot- the brief, high-pitch whine of Ride LSM triple launch the-Chute ride from N.H.-based Skytrans Mfg. The ride the launches, Cheetah Hunt coaster that uses the opened on May 28 to great response, despite the area works its magic in near silence, force of repelling mag- still in recovery from an April 27 EF5 tornado. charging with absolute power nets to propel riders COURTESY ALABAMA ADVENTURE and precision. It doesn’t mat- from 0 to 60 mph in a ter if the train is leaping over matter of seconds. The Alabama Adventure obstacles, streaking through 4,429-foot-long coaster darkened trenches or skim- features three separate ming over the water, specta- launches and this signa- opens Buzzsaw Falls tors don’t hear this cunning ture ‘dream catcher’ feline coming until its already 10-story tower element. STORY: Pam Sherborne position of being able to pro- upon them. AT/SCOTT RUTHERFORD [email protected] vide some needed relief for the To accommodate Cheetah entire community as residents Hunt, BGT engineers con- taking guests on a high-speed quick launch right out of the BESSEMER, Ala. – Ala- continue the healing process verted the historic monorail tour of the park’s Serengeti station that sends the train bama Adventure Water & of the EF5 tornado that passed and Skyride station (located Plain, which is home to sev- around a graceful fan turn Theme Park opened its new less than three miles from the in the Crown Colony Plaza eral of Busch Gardens’ large and into the first of five sub- attraction, Buzzsaw Falls, park on April 27. The tornado, area) into the coaster’s queue- free-roaming animals. terranean trenches. It’s here May 28, to a great response. which started in Tuscaloosa, ing, load/unload station and that Cheetah Hunt kicks into Now, park officials have Ala., continued its destructive maintenance facility, which is The Cheetah Hunt overdrive as the longest set of found themselves in a unique 4See ALABAMA, page 5 located on the lower level. The experience LSMs fire, rocketing the train ride covers a lot of real estate, The ride begins with a 4See BUSCH, page 5 Visit SUBSCRIBE TO It’s Coming! www.GoldenTicketAwards.com for complete details Dated material. material. Dated AMUSEMENT TODAY September 16-17 RUSH! NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: PLEASE June 27, 2011 Mailed Monday, (817) 460-7220 PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. com PAID amusementtoday @ US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 2011 Golden Ticket Awards • Holiday World & Spashin’ Safari • Santa Claus, Indiana 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY July 2011 NEWSTALK OPINIONS CARTOON LETTERS AT CONTACTS EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] CARTOON: Bubba Flint Busch Tampa did it right It’s so nice to see a U.S. theme park doing the right thing. At a time when many of the nation’s themers are buried in opening rides, coasters and other attractions themed to superheros, cartoon characters or mov- Slade ies, it’s nice to see a park giving a ride and area a theme that has nothing to do with licensed characters. Such is the case with the new Cheetah Hunt launch coaster and Cheetah Run area at Busch Gardens Tampa, where the park has used nature as its latest theming backdrop. Video panels and interactive touch-screen stations help educate visitors of the plight of cheetahs in the wild and why their numbers have dwindled to between 10,000 and 12,500 worldwide. Guests also now learn about Busch Gardens’ partnership with the Cheetah Conservation Fund in South Africa and how CCF’s efforts have helped EDITORIAL: Scott Rutherford, [email protected] build defense for cheetah populations, both in their Summertime, sweet summertime native lands and around the globe. Busch Gardens supports the conservation of The off-season has passed and of those very special places. that special time of year those A warm ocean breeze and the excited cry of a cheetahs via the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens of us in the amusement indus- wheeling gull fills the morning air as I write this Conservation Fund, which has donated almost try live for is finally upon us. on the fifth-floor balcony of a classic 1950s hotel $100,000 to cheetah efforts in Africa since 2005. Though I dearly love the crisp overlooking the broad expanse of white sand and nights of autumn and look for- blue-green water that make up the Wildwood, Guests go to theme parks to be entertained and ward to colorful foliage and the New Jersey landscape. In the distance, the silhou- to enjoy a story told through exhibits or through a promise of holidays to come at ette of a wooden roller coaster and a Ferris Wheel themed ride experience. Busch Gardens has done Rutherford year’s end, it is this time I most on Morey’s Piers both rise up through a light fog just that with their new Cheetah Run area where enjoy. Long days of endless blue that will soon burn off. At rest in the rising sun, skies over crowded midways and fairgrounds those rides and all the others patiently wait for the guests see cheetahs up close and get to see a sample is our reward for the cold and snow many of us stroke of noon when they will awaken and accept of their speed. Thrillseekers are entertained as well endured during the downtime. their first eager passengers of the day. on the Cheetah Hunt coaster, which simulates the Whether you’re “Goin’ down the shore” or Next stop on this working vacation is Seaside headed to “The beach,” those and other similar Heights and its two piers followed by visits to burst of speed for which cheetahs are known. phrases evoke the same emotional response: a other amusement centers on the Jersey shore and Thank you to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for feeling of anticipation and simple joy at the points north. And then we hit that hallowed strip telling us an entertaining story. Your attention to prospect of finding something amusement-related of ocean-side real estate in Brooklyn where it all detail is a breath of fresh air. —Gary Slade for entertainment at the ocean. The true seaside began – Coney Island. That legend by the sea is amusement park is a destination that exempli- making a comeback thanks to the efforts of those fies all that is summer. While inland parks and stalwarts who’ve stuck it out over the dark years, Gary Slade is the founder and publisher of Amusement traveling shows are wonderful in their own right, and the newcomers eager to make their own mark. Today. His love for amusement parks began at age six there’s something special about parks that hug This summer is starting off just the way I like it. when he first visited Pontchartrain Beach Amusement the coastlines. I’m fortunate to be employed in a So here’s to wishing everyone fair skies and Park and Six Flags Over Texas. His long newspaper career capacity that requires me to experience many such good luck. helped lead to the launch of AT in 1997. locations. And now my job has brought me to one Have a great season! AMUSEMENT TODAY STAFF Gary Slade, Founder Tim Baldwin Sammy Piccola Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Editorial Accounting / Circulation (817) 460-7220 [email protected] (817) 460-7220 [email protected] [email protected] Deliveries Member of: Pam Sherborne 2012 E. Randol Mill Rd, Suite 203 IAAPA, AIMS International, PAPA, Arlington, Texas 76011 NEAAPA, NJAA, OABA, WWA, Stacey Childress Editorial Sue Nichols NAARSO and IISF Web & Graphic Design [email protected] Advertising (817) 889-4441 (615) 662-0252 Subscription rates are: 1 year (14 issues) $50 in the USA; $70 elsewhere; 2 years (28 issues) $90/$130; [email protected] Scott Rutherford [email protected] 3 years (42 issues) $130/$190. Send check or money order (U.S. funds only, drawn on a U.S. bank) to Amusement Today, P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005-5427. Your cancelled check is your receipt. Editorial Please allow up to six weeks for your subscription request to be processed and the first issue mailed. John Robinson / W.H.R. 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