Kumba’s Revenge

[KbTurtle]

Okay everyone! Now that Kumba has officially closed, what do we think Kumba’s Revenge will be? Also, when do you all think BGT will reveal what is in the box?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

The Son of Beast parallels are concerning but I’m hoping for a giga.

 

[KbTurtle]

The Son of Beast parallels are concerning but I’m hoping for a giga.

What do you mean about the parallels.

I’m also hoping for a giga!

 

[Parkscope Joe]

What do you mean about the parallels.

I’m also hoping for a giga!

They heavily leaned into the crate and "old name but different" vibes. Mostly that.

 

[rabbitsmoon]

I haven't been to BGT since I was a kid, but if it really is a giga, I will for sure be renting a car and driving up next time I'm in Orlando.

Besides the surveys and clues people have already talked about elsewhere, a giga just feels right in terms of filling a hole in the park's lineup while being splashy enough to draw new or infrequent visitors.

 

[DragonSlayer]

I did Leviathan a few weeks ago, which was my first of the B&M gigas. Felt like my face was melting, it was incredible. It’d be a great addition for BGT to get one.

 

[Touchdown]

I did Leviathan a few weeks ago, which was my first of the B&M gigas. Felt like my face was melting, it was incredible. It’d be a great addition for BGT to get one.

What did you think of Alpenfury? That ride was amazing, and was the first coaster since Veliciocoaster to make me feel like a young overly excited enthusiast again. Those elements are just non stop with no time to process what is happening, the first time you ride as you hit the break run it’s nearly incomprehensible what you just rode.

 

[DragonSlayer]

What did you think of Alpenfury? That ride was amazing, and was the first coaster since Veliciocoaster to make me feel like a young overly excited enthusiast again. Those elements are just non stop with no time to process what is happening, the first time you ride as you hit the break run it’s nearly incomprehensible what you just rode.

Agh — I actually skipped it, because I was on my own and had my passport and various other worldly essentials and didn’t quite trust leaving them in a locker. I backed myself to keep important stuff in pockets on Leviathan, Behemoth and Yukon Striker but I was looking at the elements and transitions on Alpen and figured I’d lose everything in the first 20 seconds, lol.

I know exactly what you mean though, I’m trying to think of when I last saw something that relentless and I actually can’t think of a comparison. I enjoyed watching it! Will try to get back another time and ride.

 

[Freak]

Looks like there may be some smoke to those giga rumors. There has been a job application floating around for BGT for the maintenance team that is saying that one of the requirements for the position is to work up to "heights of 385 ft." The tallest structure at the park currently is Falcon's Fury and that's only 335ft. Take that for what you will.

 

[rabbitsmoon]

Making not just a giga, but the tallest full circuit giga in the world is really rad. Do we think this is for 2027? Already salivating over a combined coaster trip to ride this and Hollywood Drift.

 

[Fedic]

Do we think this is for 2027? Already salivating over a combined coaster trip to ride this and Hollywood Drift.

Probably not. Construction is now underway for the water coaster, so I would assume that's the 2027 project.

 

[HandsomePete]

I don’t mean to put bad vibes out there, but United Parks’ cheapness makes me think it could be a shuttle coaster similar to what was heavily rumored for the Drachen Fire spot at BGW.

 

[Fedic]

I don’t mean to put bad vibes out there, but United Parks’ cheapness makes me think it could be a shuttle coaster similar to what was heavily rumored for the Drachen Fire spot at BGW.

That's a great point. If they just spent $22M+ on a water coaster (based on what Holiday World spent on the one they're currently building), is United Parks going to immediately drop the cash for a giga?

 

[Freak]

That's a great point. If they just spent $22M+ on a water coaster (based on what Holiday World spent on the one they're currently building), is United Parks going to immediately drop the cash for a giga?

Especially since family coaster seem to be all the rage with parks lately. They're fairly cheap and have broad appeal. I don't blame them.

 

[Tobias]

That's a great point. If they just spent $22M+ on a water coaster (based on what Holiday World spent on the one they're currently building), is United Parks going to immediately drop the cash for a giga?

Well, it always feels like the next rumor for Sea World Orlando is yet another coaster, so I actually do believe United -would- drop the cash for yet another coaster, no matter the size.

 

[StarTrekGeek]

Especially since family coaster seem to be all the rage with parks lately. They're fairly cheap and have broad appeal. I don't blame them.

I’m gonna say this as someone who believes family coasters are quite important for a well-balanced theme park experience. If their plan is to replace Kumba with a family coaster and nothing else, then I’m genuinely concerned for the future of this park.

It may not have to be anything crazy like a giga (even though I would love the idea personally) as cost is much higher these days, but if you’re replacing an iconic coaster like Kumba, you better hope that the replacement is superior. If not in the thrill category, then at least in the theme category - which I personally haven’t seen these parks have a good track record on, except maybe Verbolten at BGW.