This morning we drove across to Tampa to visit Busch Gardens. Things got off to a bad start when, as we entered the park, all the rides were closed due to a thunderstorm. As they reopened we joined the queue for Gwazi, their wooden coaster. Unfortunately we'd got right to the front when they again suspended operating because of the weather. As the rain stopped we waited for the ride to restart... and waited some more. Eventually, about 15 minutesafter blue skies appeared, they loaded a train and dispatched it, only to then immediately cease operation again. 20 very boring minutes sat by the airgates later, we eventually got on the ride... and two minutes later got off with a headache - my goodness that thing rattles you around!
Making the most of things while the weather held, we walked round to Sheikra, their vertical drop coaster. This was very good indeed, so much so that we got off and immediately went around for another go! Their log flume was rather dated-looking, but had an unusual "fast" bit, where after a short drop, rather than a splash, the log entered a channel where it flowed at a high speed!
After this we decided to stop for lunch; immediately after this the rides ceased operation *again* for the weather so we took a bit of time out to look around the tiger and cheetah enclosures, as well as seeing the elephants. Eventually things got up and running again, so Tom rode Falcon's Fury while I... didn't. I'm not that good with heights, so being face-down 300ft up is not a great draw for me.
Scorpion was a nice little old-fashioned Schwarzkopf looping coaster, which looked like something straight out of Rollercoaster Tycoon. At this point there were only about 2 1/2 hours before the park closed and we'd not done that many rides thanks to the weather, so decided to rush around the remaining coasters and major rides.
Kumba was a rather fun sit-down coaster, and after that we had a splash around on the Rapids (though didn't get *that* wet!)
Cheetah Hunt was a nice alternative to the standard Intamin launch coasters we get in the UK, multiple launch sections and some nice twisty bits through caverns and waterfalls. Montu was a very nice inverted coaster - we did that one twice, once at the front and once at the back, then went back for a second go on Cheetah Hunt!
By this point we were tired (and conscious of tonight's dinner reservation time) so I drove back. As is traditional, it rained while I was the one driving back! I'm writing this while we kick back and relax in our room before heading over to the Polynesian Resort for our dinner.
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