BGT: The Future

Busch Gardens Tampa announced their 2014 addition: the long-rumored drop tower installation, called Falcon's Fury. It will stand 335 ft tall (making it the 6th tallest drop tower in the world, counting Zumanjaro going up in SFGAdv, and the 3rd tallest in America, also counting Zumanjaro). It is replacing Sandstorm and will open next Spring. I'm really excited for this installation!

Looking at the future, 2015 and beyond, one has to wonder what could possibly be the next coaster installation in the park. Rumors are actually spreading about the next coaster already. Unfortunately, however, these rumors seem to point to another coaster departing from the park.

Yes, if rumors are true, Gwazi will be getting removed in the coming years. At this point, Gwazi's maintenance budget has taken a huge toll, and the ride has been stripped to running only one side (Lion). It even got to the point where some of the trains have been dismantled and a bridge has been built over the old Tiger station last year. Very sad to see, but it's the truth.

So what could possibly replace Gwazi? While I am one of the few who like Gwazi, I think if they replaced it with a better coaster, I will be pleased! I've narrowed it down to three options: B&M Wing, B&M Giga, and RMC/Intamin Wooden.

B&M Wing

I think this is least likely, because I think a Wing Coaster will fit better in SeaWorld Orlando. Though it'd be cool to see a keyhole inversion over the Serengeti Express (with the "keyholes" themed as rockwork). Maybe the ride could be themed as some bird of prey, though it could be redundant with SheiKra being themed to a bird of prey. Then again, Gwazi has lions and tigers, and Cheetah Hunt has... cheetahs.

B&M Giga

There is one type of coaster Florida has been lacking for a long time: a coaster designed for nothing but AIRTIME. The only problem is space, but I suppose it could run through the service roads behind SheiKra. I think it'd look better in the Rhino Rally plot, interacting with Kumba (similar to Shambhala running through Dragon Khan, and Leviathan running through Dragon Fire) and running to Congo River Rapids and back. That or behind Jungala and running through Rapids and Kumba (interacting with it) and towards the employee lot by Kumba and back. I think it's possible for it to be a giga, because Busch has proven that they can go above 300 ft with Falcon's Fury. Also, Central Florida has a demanding theme park audience. A giga will bring in the money!

RMC/Intamin Woodie

This is my favorite choice! After riding El Toro last summer, I have fallen in love with Intamin Plug n' Plays! Also let's face it: the general Floridian view of wooden coasters isn't too spectacular (though I'm not sure about White Lightning at Fun Spot. I personally enjoyed it and other woodies). If an El Toro-type ride comes, this could change this less-than-stellar view. Florida needs a great and large wooden coaster!

I also think a Rocky Mountain coaster is possible. There has been a recent popularity in these rides, starting off with "Iron Horse" conversions, like New Texas Giant at SFOT (2011), Iron Rattler at SFFT (2013), and Medusa: Steel Coaster at SFMexico (2014), to full-on coaster installations, like Outlaw Run (SDC) (2013) and Goliath (SFGAm) (2014). I would also love to see one of these rides in Florida, and this can also fill in the airtime criteria!

Well, we'll see how this turns out! With Universal going all out with additions left and right, BGT is going to have to find some way to combat back!