Cheetah HUNT

Finally, today Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has revealed the name of their newest roller coaster:

CHEETAH HUNT

Surprised? Yes, because the whole project was secretly called "Cheetaka", so everybody thought it was the final name (include myself!)... But it was not. And I like it!

But, let's see some official pictures of the ride (All subject to the copyright of the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment® Company. All rights reserved.), along with some more information from the SeaWorld Parks Blog:

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Today, two of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s world class theme parks announced all-new attractions to open in 2011.  For those planning a trip to Central Florida next year and beyond, the announcements mean new thrills and up-close encounters with exotic animals at both Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Discovery Cove in Orlando.

To learn about Busch Gardens' new attraction, go to www.CheetahHunt.com.

For more than five decades, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has found inspiration in its animals. Animal care experts have turned that inspiration into adventure with immersive natural habitats like the Serengeti Plain and Myombe Reserve. Engineers have also turned it into adrenaline, capturing the spirit of the animals in wood and steel with coasters like Kumba, Gwazi and SheiKra.

Now, the next generation of thrills emerges from the crossroads where up-close animal encounters and awe-inspiring rides come together. Spring 2011, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay introduces a mega-attraction that invites guests to feel the spirit and feel the speed of the cheetah.

Cheetah Hunt:

The centerpiece of the new attraction is Cheetah Hunt, a Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) Launch Coaster that uses the force of repelling magnets to launch riders from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds – not once, but three times.

The first launch propels the train out of its station and into the grasslands that surround the new area. Moments later, a second burst of speed accelerates riders to 60 mph and up into the ride’s signature tower element that climbs more than 10 stories above the African landscape before plunging 130 feet into a subterranean trench.  At the far end of this three-quarter-mile path, a third burst of speed rockets the train back across the plain toward the station in a thrill-ride experience unlike anything Busch Gardens’ guests have ever experienced.

Cheetah Run:

But this one-of-a-kind coaster experience is only a portion of the new realm. Building on Busch Gardens’ unrivaled ability to combine thrills with immersive animal encounters, Cheetah Run will set a new standard for bringing nature and humans together in a really unique way.

Located in the area that formerly housed the Budweiser Clydesdales, this expansive new habitat will give visitors the opportunity to get closer to cheetahs than ever before with elevated, glass-paneled viewing areas. Even more exciting will be the chance to witness the world’s fastest land animal in action. Busch Gardens’ trainers will conduct daily sprints with the cheetahs for an awesome opportunity to see one of nature’s true wonders in full form!

Families can also explore interactive touch screens to learn even more about these big cats and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s work on their behalf. Through the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, the adventure parks have been helping cheetahs in the wild since 2005.

Cheetah Hunt and the Cheetah Run open in spring 2011. Together, they form a unique experience – the kind you’ll only find at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Cheetah Hunt Facts:

Type of ride -- Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) Launch Coaster

Launches -- Launch 1: 30 mph ... Launch 2: 60 mph ... Launch 3: 40 mph

Other elements -- 130-foot drop into an underground trench ... over-banked turns ... "air time" parabolas ... heartline roll inversion.

Track length -- 4,429 feet -- more than three quarters of a mile!

Maximum speed -- 60 mph

Maximum force -- 4 G

Height -- 102 feet

Ride duration -- 3 1/2 minutes (including loading and unloading)

Seats/Train -- 5 trains, 16 passengers per train

Guest capacity -- 1,370 guests per hour

Height requirement -- 48"

Location -- Crown Colony Plaza, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Manufacturer -- Intaride LLC, exclusive U.S. supplier of Intamin rides.

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Here you are the official Cheetah Hunt preview video:

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So, are you excited??? I'm, that's for sure!

What about you? Do you like this new name better than "CheetaKa"? Do you like extreme coasters? I personally do not like them, but this one looks great! The theming will be very nice, and even the supports will be themed.

All pictures and information are subject to the copyright of the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment® Company. All rights are reserved.