Today was media day which officially marked the final Cheetah Hunt & Cheetah Run Update! This one is a HUGE one! Cheetah Hunt which is Florida's first triple-launch coaster! First off, we got to ride Cheetah Hunt! It was an amazing experience and I recommend it to everyone! To better explain the experience here is our Cheetah Cam POV showing our reactions to our first ride:
Also opening Friday is Cheetah Run, Cheetah Run is an exhilarating animal exhibit. It shows off the grace, agility and speed of over a dozen cheetahs including everyones favorite little guy, Kasi! Check out our interview with Mike Boo's VP of Zoology at Busch Gardens below. Be sure to check out our interviews with both Jim Dean, Park President & Mark Rose, VP of Design & Engineering afterwards!
Also apart of the Crossroads of Culture are some fantastic entertainment offerings. First off are the Belly Dancers which roam around the area, Storytellers which tell guest the stories of the crossroads & also stilt walkers among much much more!
Thanks for viewing and be sure to visit Cheetah Hunt & Cheetah Run which open to the public tomorrow, May 27th!
Nature’s most graceful predator comes to life Friday, May 27, in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s newest mega-attraction, Cheetah Hunt. As Florida’s first triple-launch coaster, Cheetah Hunt creates yet another world-class family attraction by using state-of-the-art technology to deliver three adrenaline-fueled surges of speed inspired by the world’s fastest land animal.
Cheetah Hunt was designed with Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) technology, using the force of repelling magnets to accelerate riders to speeds up to 60 miles per hour. Inspired by the sprint of the cheetah across the grasslands after its prey, Cheetah Hunt surges with heart-pounding bursts of speed at multiple launch points to surprise and excite guests. These surges propel riders up the iconic 102-foot Windcatcher Tower, down into four subterranean trenches, over Busch Gardens’ historic Skyride, around a rocky canyon rushing with whitewater currents, and through a heartline roll inversion. Check out this POV of the ride:
With a ride time of more than 90 seconds from first launch to final brake, Cheetah Hunt’s 4,429 feet of steel track holds the record as Busch Gardens’ longest coaster, and its 13-acre footprint makes it the most expansive thrill-ride in the park’s history.
“Cheetah Hunt will be an iconic coaster for Busch Gardens. It’s the longest coaster yet, and families are sure to enjoy its repeatability,” said Jim Dean, Busch Gardens President. “With amazing views to both watch it and ride it, three launch points and a one-of-a-kind animal habitat, Cheetah Hunt and Cheetah Run solidify Busch Gardens’ portfolio of family experiences.”
Also part of this new mega-attraction is Cheetah Run, home to 14 of the agile cats who inspired the project. The new habitat is reminiscent of the ruins of an ancient temple, and features more than 11,000 square feet of grassland, natural rock formations, shaded alcoves, a waterfall and a 220-foot path for the cheetahs to do what they do best – run.
Several times each day, Busch Gardens’ animal care experts will conduct sprints with the cheetahs, using a motorized lure system to stimulate the cats’ natural instinct to chase. Glass- panel viewing windows allow guests to get closer than ever before to these highly endangered animals.
Together, Cheetah Hunt and Cheetah Run further cement Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s reputation as Florida’s thrill-ride leader and as one of North America’s premier zoological institutions. Busch Gardens is home to more than 2,500 exotic and endangered animals, and offers adventure-seekers eight world-class roller coasters, as well as many other thrill rides, original live shows, and a full calendar of special events, concert series, holiday celebrations
and age-appropriate experiences for the whole family.
Today we headed out to Busch Gardens Tampa to see what was new with Cheetah Hunt & Cheetah Run! First off, there are a ton of new advertisements for Cheetah Hunt using the "Zero to Cheetah" slogan! It sounds great and the advertisements are very visually appealing!
Lots of filming has been going on in the Crossroads of Culture. It is probably for b-rolls, commercials and other uses. More walls have come down with only a few left up! Cheetah Gifts is almost complete too. It was receiving more signs and cool looking banners inside and by the entrance! The bridge of the first trench got some details added too it recently and also looks great!
Cheetah Hunt has transformed tremendously! It is looking amazing and I can't wait to get a better look at it! Walls are down and signs are up. There is one sign with cheetah facts and another with the times the cheetahs will be running! The architecture and landscaping looks beautiful!
Thanks so much for viewing and be sure to check back next Thursday for a HUGE update from Cheetah Hunt & Cheetah Run's media day! It will consist of tons of pictures, and a POV, interviews and more!
