Cheetah Hunt

[TSSD]

We've hit some "techinical difficulties" with the Videos. I'll keep you guys updated.

Kind of fitting, with all the technical difficulties CH has been having!

 

[tiredoldspook]

Opening day didn't go as planned there is no doubt on that. But the crowd was very friendly(except 1 asshat, but after some kind words to him he decided to calm down) The park has plenty of rides that were running and most of the crowd went and rode and headed back to Cheetah Hunt about 1pm. at qbout 2 we heard warning clear the track, lower track warning clear, Then about 5 minutes later the Train came screaming out of the station and the Crowd went wild, they launched a few more trains then a train with the mechanics and ride ops. The crowd really went wild when they saw people on the ride. Busch came out about quarter till 2 and started handing out bottled water to everyone in line. At roughly 2 the gate opened at the line moved fast to get in through the massive Que.
Busch had planned well on the inside with numerous fans. They had a small glitch about 15 minutes into the first batch of rides but the crowd was mostly upbeat. We waited roughly 40 minutes from when we got in the entrance till loading. The ride is smooth as glass the launches are amazing and the ride over all is very fun. The scenery is second to none as I have never ridden over a river or by a waterfall on any coaster. The speed you see on the video does not give you the true idea of how fast you are going. The 2nd launch up the hill is fantastic and the air time in in different spots is great.
Nope this coaster is not Sheikra or Montu or ever kumba. It stands well by itself and is a great fun ride. Busch built a ride that they can be proud of there is no doubt. I am not sure what people expected but to me it delivered everything i thought it would.

 

[sierrak5]

After four breakdowns and 2 and a half hours of waiting I finally got my first ride on Cheetah Hunt. It is a lot of fun! The first launch sounds slow on paper, but was actually pretty surprising.

That is the longest I have ever waited for a ride and I most likely won't do it again haha. I'll go back when the lines are shorter

Took a ride on the skyride as well and the timing couldn't have been more perfect because we had a CH train hop over us right as we moved under the track. The picture I attempted to take did not turn out well though haha.

 

[Octobers Fade]

Took a ride on the skyride as well and the timing couldn't have been more perfect because we had a CH train hop over us right as we moved under the track. The picture I attempted to take did not turn out well though haha.

happened to me also and here was my rather poor attempt...

 

[atigeg]

I wonder just how long the insane Cheetah Hunt waits will last. It's got the newness factor right now, and it's an enjoyable ride, but not a repeater for me like SheiKra, or even Montu. I can't see waiting for it more than 30 mins. at most. I'm so glad I got to do it on media day; now I'll do the passholder mornings, then be done with it till it's added to quick queue. I do like it, and it has some neat little surprises, but nothing to win me away from the air and float time on my beloved SheiKra. It will work well as a family coster though, and I never tire of seeing the real cheetahs.

 

[Andy]

I wonder just how long the insane Cheetah Hunt waits will last. It's got the newness factor right now, and it's an enjoyable ride, but not a repeater for me like SheiKra, or even Montu. I can't see waiting for it more than 30 mins. at most. I'm so glad I got to do it on media day; now I'll do the passholder mornings, then be done with it till it's added to quick queue. I do like it, and it has some neat little surprises, but nothing to win me away from the air and float time on my beloved SheiKra. It will work well as a family coster though, and I never tire of seeing the real cheetahs.

Once I ride this I can give a better opinion on waits but count on lengthy waits through 2011 and then a die down in late January through mid April 2012. Every time Busch opens a new coaster its waits stay pretty long even during slower times. And the reason I say I would like to ride this is because one I would like to see how rerideable it is and two is how the youth reacts to it. Think about a family of five or six that goes to Montu. On average one kid wants no part, another kid is to short, and one parent has to stay behind to watch the kids. Now Cheetah Hunt on the other hand doesn't have all those crazy inversions and it has a lower height requirement which may inspire those "kids" to ride. All of a sudden a party of two or three goes to five or six. There are so many variables that can contribute to wait times but I think its safe to say Cheetah Hunt will have the longest lines ever at BGT for some time to come.

 

[tiredoldspook]

I agree on rerides it is fun there is no doubt. Sheikra and Montu have a scare factor but this Coaster is fun. I can't wait to get there for HOS and get some more rides in. Well unless like HHN they decide to focus on the event and close there newest ride.

 

[sierrak5]

I wonder just how long the insane Cheetah Hunt waits will last.

If it wasn't for all the technical difficulties my wait probably would've been just a little over an hour as opposed to the crazy two and a half hours today. So it's not too insane if you think about it in that sense.


On another note, does anyone else LOVE the restraints on this ride? I felt like I had so much more freedom compared to the B&M OTSR.

 

[Octobers Fade]

The wait times will be long for a while, even with the shorter lines last night it was taking time to get people in and out of the cars. Some people just don't have a clue as what the procedures are and hold up the process. I watched a lady get in with her purse and lots of guys with baseball hats...
The ride, for me anyway even though the trenches aren't themed , has lots of re ride potential. Its like several different rides in one. You have the launches, Bunny hill, and the slalom. I look forward to riding for years to come.

 

[atigeg]

Yes, it definitely has big re-rideability potential. I could happily ride SheiKra all day, but if the lines were down on Cheetah Hunt I would probably do a marathon every now and then. It might not be the biggest thrill in the park, but it's definitely fun. Can't wait for Quick Queue and platinum re-rides although I know that's a long time away. At least it has a little air and float to whet my appetite, as well as unbeatable scenery, and the launches work into it so well. Gonna be there every Sunday morning for pass time if it's not too crowded.

The restraints are much more comfy than I thought they would be, but I like SheiKra's better because when the ops are being merciful, my butt pops all the way out of that seat and my shoulders get slammed. That's the way air time should be!

 

[Craziiboiialex]

I should have went.... hahahahahaahahah!! Butt ima go soon. :sneaky:

 

[macpctech1989]

I have a curious question....does anyone know how much Cheetah Hunt has cost to build??? I've researched everywhere to compair it to something like Top Thrill and Maverick and found NOTHING!!! lol

 

[Splatter]

If you are speaking in terms of just the coaster, than around the 20 million dollar range, give or take a few.

 

[macpctech1989]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, considering Maverick was about $21M....Busch Gardens just didn't announce it like Cedar Point does, lol

 

[Andy]

Total project cost is in the range of 22-24 million.

 

[Octobers Fade]

With the amount of work that went on there that sounds like a bargain.

 

[Andy]

^ Indeed it was, reusing the monorail building in the manner they did shaved off 10 percent when you factor in the entire project was considered a remodel and not a new project which would of cost loads more through taxes and fees alone. Add in construction costs for an entire new station, queue, coaster barn, and gift shop and you can see how much was saved. Busch Gardens seems to be able to do more with less. Take Sheikra for example, the cost of the coaster came in at 13.5 million with the entire Stanleyville overhaul coming in at just over 16 million. Then look at Manta and what was done to that area. Its been said its total project cost was somewhere between 35-40 million dollars.

And I dont know what to say about Rockit, 45-55 million.

 

[tiredoldspook]

Maybe with Rockit they paid for all those song rights and teaching there employees to say Lets go Rock Stars.

 

[Octobers Fade]

^ Indeed it was, reusing the monorail building in the manner they did shaved off 10 percent when you factor in the entire project was considered a remodel and not a new project which would of cost loads more through taxes and fees alone. Add in construction costs for an entire new station, queue, coaster barn, and gift shop and you can see how much was saved. Busch Gardens seems to be able to do more with less. Take Sheikra for example, the cost of the coaster came in at 13.5 million with the entire Stanleyville overhaul coming in at just over 16 million. Then look at Manta and what was done to that area. Its been said its total project cost was somewhere between 35-40 million dollars.

And I dont know what to say about Rockit, 45-55 million.

For that?!!!!

 

[Andy]

Yeah I don't know why

But that was the budget and needless to say it went over it. Pretty crazy to think that Rockit could of end up costing Universal 55-60 million when in turn they completed the FJ for 85-90 million. Sorry I am off topic.