"Cheetah Hunt" Confirmed!

So the new coaster at BGT has finally been confirmed today (and with a shocking name change):

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

Turns out the ride will not be called Cheetaka after all, but instead will be called "Cheetah Hunt." Article here:

Busch Gardens Tampa officially announced their new 2011 attraction this morning, Cheetah Hunt. The new high speed roller coaster will also have a related animal exhibit called Cheetah Run. The attraction is set to open Spring 2011.

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.

http://www.orlandounited.com/?p=308

And here's some concept art they posted:



1. Cheetah Hunt's second launch and the Cheetah Run animal exhibit



2. Launch Tower with the Realm entrance



3. Some concept art that reminds me of Manta concept art



4. Cheetah Run exhibit

And here are the stats (according to layout):

First Launch (with heavy theming)
Over-banked turn
First Trench
Second Launch
103 ft. Launch Tower (Circle-8)
130 ft. drop into second trench (27 ft. underground!!)
Second Trench (goes under train)
Airtime
Third Trench (goes under new path)
Heartline Roll
Two straightaways
Waterfall near-miss
Trick Tracks
Third Launch
"Parabola" hill
Airtime
Airtime
Final Brake Run

The old monorail building also, from the looks of it, has an Egyptian-style theme.

Okay, so this coaster is REALLY exciting. Glad to see its finally confirmed (despite the name change. I think the new name is somewhat decent. I mean, hey, it's better than "Dragon Challenge" or "Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit" =P)! =D

And from the looks of things, it also confirms INTAMIN AG as the manufacturer (as rumored), making it the first Intamin coaster installation in Florida (=D), and will have the cheetah theme that has been rumored all along. And the Crown Colony area will become "The Realm." For some reason, I sensed a SheiKra-style retheme of this area for quite some time, ever since the coaster has been rumored (BTW, in case you don't know, there was an orangutan exhibit in SheiKra's place before SheiKra went up. They were removed in 2004 (though I think they came back with Jungala in 2008) to start SheiKra construction. Along with that came a retheme of the Stanleyville area).

Now it's official... I'm going to BGT next summer!!!! =D

And I also print-screened what may be the coolest silhouette scene I've ever seen (no pun intended):



CHEETAH HUNT FTW!!!! =D