March 26th, 2004

  A dive machine for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 2005? More and more evidence is building that the rumor may be true. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Mike Yeager, a park manager at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. According to Yeager, a new roller coaster, a Bolliger and Mabillard dive machine, is going to be built in the Stanleyville section of the park in 2005. Also on the subject, he said, "We have to fight for tourists with other parks in our area so we have to keep building bigger and better rides."

  To make room for the new attraction, Mike Yeager said that animals, restaurants, train tracks, and a picnic area will have to be relocated. This coincides with the rumor of a new sitdown restaurant in Stanleyville will be built to replace those moved for construction. At the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA) trade show in Orlando last year, Busch Gardens looked into a vertical lift hill to save space for the attraction. And to create one of the "best rides in America", the park has looked into different inversions and movement techniques, such as linear induction motors (LIMs). Yeager believes the final track design has been decided upon, but the details have not been released to him at this time. However, he does tell us that it will be well worth the wait. "I can't wait for this. It will be truly amazing, what they have plans for," Yeager added.

  Several other improvement projects are set to take place at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The new tunnel for the parking lot tram is very close to being complete. Also, a new park refurbishment project is planned for late summer.