2016 BGT Coaster Confirmed

[Hatetofly]

Sucks that they couldn't keep up with the maintenance. It's really a unique coaster (or pair of them) and it would be good to still have something like it in the park... if it were in good shape. I don't know much about coaster construction and engineering, but could there still be a chance to save it with extra steel supports and a new steel track? Hybrid it up? So they don't have to scrap the whole thing, you know?

That's the thing, they probably feel like they have invested enough back into this and have decided to cut its losses completely. I was at Grand Opening for Gwazi and it has my respect but its just time to move on and bring in an attraction that can boost attendance.

 

[maxairmike]

The all wood structure is ultimately the biggest issue, and cost. Simply substituting and adding some steel supports would not be enough to save it or keep it in good enough shape. Now that I think about it, I don't even know if a vanilla Iron Horse treatment (just the tracks) would be enough, because you still have the underlying issues with the wood structure and the brutal Florida climate. I think to truly save it, they would need to replace almost all of the structure with steel, and then go from there with the tracks. Replacing the structure might keep it from needing RMCC to come in for an Iron Horse treatment, but would also be a massive cost. Likely to the point where they could build a brand new wood coaster, and at that point, just go steel and be done with wood maintenance issues.

 

[Felipe]

Well, I'll just count myself lucky for having experienced both sides a few years ago, and hopefully should be heading out to BGT soon and give this one last spin. I've had my SWO+BGT pass for about half a year now, and still have not managed to get to BGT yet :look:

And looking forward to what's next!

 

[Stagefrenzy]

It's been mentioned before but seeing as they only have one coaster running it also takes part of the dueling thrill out of it.

 

[Hockeyman55]

I wont miss Gwazi. It was fun while it lasted but hasn't really aged all that well. Im really eager to see what BGT has up their sleeve as to what will be replacing this.

 

[rhino4evr]

all I can say is that when I was at BGT, Gwazi was a total ghost town the entire day. It's just not popular enough to keep, the average guest dislikes it. The fact that they spent all that money on the new RV and people still dislike it shows that it really just needs to go. Bring on a new steel beast. Gwazi is prime theme park real estate.

 

[Hockeyman55]

all I can say is that when I was at BGT, Gwazi was a total ghost town the entire day. It's just not popular enough to keep, the average guest dislikes it. The fact that they spent all that money on the new RV and people still dislike it shows that it really just needs to go. Bring on a new steel beast. Gwazi is prime theme park real estate.

I wonder if they would go ahead and do something sort of like Uni did with the Rockit and the Hollywood Bowl and build a ride along with a venue of some type.

 

[Octobers Fade]

I wonder if they would go ahead and do something sort of like Uni did with the Rockit and the Hollywood Bowl and build a ride along with a venue of some type.

They do shows and concerts right beside Gwazi.

 

[DanB89]

They do shows and concerts right beside Gwazi.

Hmmmm...I never thought about that until you reminded me. If they're up for the capital investment this could really be a chance to revitalize the entire front-of-park experience.

 

[Hockeyman55]

They do shows and concerts right beside Gwazi.

Thats why I was thinking if it would be something they would ever do.

 

[KRAKENvsMANTA]

all I can say is that when I was at BGT, Gwazi was a total ghost town the entire day. It's just not popular enough to keep, the average guest dislikes it. The fact that they spent all that money on the new RV and people still dislike it shows that it really just needs to go. Bring on a new steel beast. Gwazi is prime theme park real estate.

This. Just rode Gwazi a few days ago, and it was depressing. Not sure what was worse: seeing a coaster limping along on one leg(a very rough one at that), or the sheer lack of enthusiasm by the ride ops? I know Gwazi was always a slow loading ride, but damn, those guys were completely miserable.

With that said, I underestimated the amount of room Gwazi occupies. There's plenty of space for something magnificent. The possibilities are intriguing.

 

[Capacity]

I never got to ride Gwazi dueling which always upset me. Maybe guests would like it more if operations could figure out a way to load trains efficiently and duel the two tracks.

 

[maxairmike]

I never got to ride Gwazi dueling which always upset me. Maybe guests would like it more if operations could figure out a way to load trains efficiently and duel the two tracks.

I can't resist…you do realize this is a SeaWorld Parks park, right? I can't help but shake my head most days I visit SWO (BGT is marginally better, but still obviously SeaWorld), and the ride op in me almost lost it when I rode Manta in San Diego. Although they were actually almost hitting intervals on Manta a few weeks ago, which almost gave me a heart attack.

 

[Nick]

It's sad how inefficient the Sea World Parks are. I honestly hate to say it, but most Six Flags parks are more efficient than Sea World's parks. And it's nothing against Six flags, but Sea World should be better than that. Busch Gardens is a bit better on this side than Sea World, but not by much. They should be so much better than they are.

 

[Capacity]

I can't resist…you do realize this is a SeaWorld Parks park, right? I can't help but shake my head most days I visit SWO (BGT is marginally better, but still obviously SeaWorld), and the ride op in me almost lost it when I rode Manta in San Diego. Although they were actually almost hitting intervals on Manta a few weeks ago, which almost gave me a heart attack.

I've been known to insult SeaWorld on here so I was trying to be nice. I get so agitated when I'm in a SeaWorld park and have to wait twice as long to ride a ride because their operators are so slow.

 

[Hatetofly]

We could see demo start directly following Howl O Scream on a new immersive land complete with a B&M Coaster...

 

[Hockeyman55]

We could see demo start directly following Howl O Scream on a new immersive land complete with a B&M Coaster...

:happy:

Im praying for hyper but having a feeling its a wing rider.

 

[Hatetofly]

:happy:

Im praying for hyper but having a feeling its a wing rider.

The only way it won't be a Wingrider is if SeaWorld ends up getting it. Regardless between the two parks someone will have a Wingrider by 2016 at the latest. I can't see SW and BGT opening up coasters the same year so I'm thinking BGT in 2015 and SW in 2016. But with Universal throwing down in 2014 with Potter all bets are off to timelines.

BGT 2015- Wingrider or Hyper
SW 2016- Launched Coaster, Hyper, or Wingrider.

 

[Hockeyman55]

The only way it won't be a Wingrider is if SeaWorld ends up getting it. Regardless between the two parks someone will have a Wingrider by 2016 at the latest. I can't see SW and BGT opening up coasters the same year so I'm thinking BGT in 2015 and SW in 2016. But with Universal throwing down in 2014 with Potter all bets are off to timelines.

BGT 2015- Wingrider or Hyper
SW 2016- Launched Coaster, Hyper, or Wingrider.

This makes me all sorts of happy :whoo:

 

[Octobers Fade]

Two coasters oh yeah!
Sadly replacing one doesn't up the coaster count for BGT but then again I won't ride Gwazi anyway.