Apparently, Sheikra has been having several problems, and is closed a lot lately (atleast when i went) and here is what screamscape.com generated as a problem:
In a follow up to yesterday’s report about SheiKra having several evacuations this week, a Screamscape source backed this up claiming that they’ve run into some technical issues with the ride ever since transforming it into a Floorless coaster, and in a one month span of time they’ve had to perform about 28 evacuations. They claim that the problem lies with the sensors installed in to the station to handle the parking of the train in just the right spot to allow the floor panels to rise into place. If the train is off slightly the ride ops can back it up manually into the right spot and all is well, but lately the trains have been missing their mark by feet rather than inches whenever the ride is running in two station mode. This sends an error message to the ride computer that a train has slipped out of it’s block and possibly into another train’s block, causing a system ride shutdown. No I wonder how fast they'll solve this problem and how much dough they need to cough up.
I know, I dont, but I have noticed that the ride has been broken for my visit there and this is the only logical thing I found, and they are right about all the problems are due to the ride becoming a floorless because there were not so many problems with this ride before.
Go the Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA instead- I was just there on Monday and rode the newest and biggest floorless dive coaster- Griffon! It ran all day with no problems- what a rush!
i would go to busch gardens europe but how am i gonna get there being 13??!! i got family in tampa but if sheikra is not running i'll be beyond angry. but i cant wait. havnet been to BG Africa in a year. need to relive montu kumba gwazi scorpion and SHEIKRA!!!!!
batcave wrote:Weather the rideworks or not, it still has an awsome tv ad.
The commercial played on the radio in Orlando to Tampa is pretty good too
http://themeparkcritic.com/scripts/profile/ViewProfile.asp?ViewID=2909 A furious storm once roared `cross the sea, catching ships in its path, helpless to flee. Instead of a certain and watery doom, the winds swept them here to Typhoon Lagoon!
SheiKra has had problems since it has reopened. It did break down a lot in the past 2 months I've been there. The problem with the sensors is correct, and I wouldn't doubt that the system will be reconfigured to adjust the blocks.
http://themeparkcritic.com/scripts/profile/ViewProfile.asp?ViewID=2909 A furious storm once roared `cross the sea, catching ships in its path, helpless to flee. Instead of a certain and watery doom, the winds swept them here to Typhoon Lagoon!
I see there are a lot of people here who visit BG Tampa, figure this would be a good place to ask. I am heading there in October. I am planing on going to the park for 2 days with my gf. Any one know good hotels near by? Any good discounts for tickets? What are some of the best things at the park to ride/see?
I always stay in orlando and take the free* bus to BGT so I know of no good hotels, but BGT is in a slightly ghetto area, but nothing to awful I know there are alot of chain hotels in the general area.
Generally Busch parks dont discount the gate at all, you may find a coupon in a brochure rack or something but it'd be minimal, your best bet if you dont have a season pass and if you are visiting orlando is to get the Flex Ticket it's like $220 or so but you get 10 days of unlimited admissions to BGT, IOA, USF, Wet n Wild and Seaworld, and if you get the flex ticket that makes that bus free, it leaves from seaworld in the morning and leaves BGT around closing, otherwise it's a reasonable $10 (at least last time I was there).
As for stuff not to miss, every coaster in the park is pretty cool, at least I like them all, Gwazi can be temperamental but Kumba and Montu are excellent, Scorpion is a whole lot of fun also. Also I'd say take advantage of the Sky Ride, it saves alot of walking and has awesome photo opportunities. Rhino Rally is a no miss also though hit it early or late in the day when the line is shortest. Rest of the flat rides in the park are nothing special and are run below average.
If you are 21 I highly reccomend visiting the Hospitality House for some free beer, and also Beer School is awesome and that includes some beer tasting and if you are interested in it you actually do learn quite a bit about beer, how it was invented and how it's made now, also at the end you get a Diploma (free souvinear) also I believe that's where you get a coupon for a free gift that you redeem in a gift shop, it's generally a Bottle opener in the shape of a Bud bottle, not great but it's free and it does open bottles
If you are interested in animal exhibits they have quite a few of those for various animals, I personally am not into that and didn't check out much else besides the croc pit which is near the front entrance.
Last time I was there was 04 so some stuff may be slightly different (like the addition of Sheikra) but should be a good general idea. Hope it helps
Favorite Wood Coasters: The Voyage, Ravine Flyer II, Thunderhead, Balder Favorite Steel: Voltron Nevera, Steel Vengeance, Expedition GeForce, Olympia Looping Parks visited: 232, Coasters Ridden: Steel: 894, Wood: 179, Total: 1073
Ride Montu, amazing invert, kumba, amazing sit down and shei kra. Scorpion if a short line. Rhino ralley is fun. if your not shy sit shotgun.
In Congo do kumba and congo river rapids, if lines not to bad. i'd sit front row kumba.
In Stanleyville ride sheikra in either the back, or front. the only other thing i enjoy in stanleyville is the log flume. Ohh, and smile on sheikra!
IN Egypt there is nothing but montu, so ride that, front row is best and worth the wait.
In timbuktu there is sandstorm a spinning ride, scorpion, and cheetah chase. Scorpion and cheetah chase are worth short waits, but there nothing spactacular.
Hospitality house is freet beer.
Ride gwazi, both the lion and the tiger, its of to the left when you come in.
if you want a real short line for montu i suggest going to egypt first, then doubling back threw timbutu, and ride scorpion and cheetah chase if the lines or short. then go to cong and ride kumba, and if you want the rapids, then come threw stanlyville, ride sheikra and then go back and do whatever you want.
if you want to hit sheikra first then ride gwazi, lion or tiger first, then sheikra, then walk threw congo and do kumba, then go threw timbuktu and ride scorpion or cheetah chase if the lines are short, then well, stop and see the gorillas, there is a baby one thats about 2, then go to egypt, ride montu, and then reride watever you want, and on you way out finish with gwazi, and ride the side you didnt last time.
a trip on the skyride is recomended as well. you can see the animals and the coasters really well. and it gives you a walking break.
pickin' on the new kid... 
