In the amusement park world, rumors and
speculation are a commonplace, but reoccurrences help to point
out the truth. The rumored attraction is a Bolliger and
Mabillard dive machine to be built in the Stanleyville section
of the park. A dive machine is a roller coaster where a near
vertical drop is used (approximately 87 degrees). The only two
dive machines in the world,
G5 and
Oblivion, are rather short, but sweet rides. Riders are
taken up a steep lift hill, go around a small curve, reach the
drop, are stopped by holding brakes (riders staring straight
down), fall down the drop, which goes underground, and then
climb into an over-banked turn before hitting the brakes.
The idea of a possible dive machine began
sometime in 2003, with rumors appearing on message boards and
Screamscape. However, none of this could be proved. The biggest
piece of possible evidence comes from an e-mail sent to the
member robvia of the
Thrill
Network message boards. In an official e-mail from Christian
Triscornia of Busch Gardens, a large roller coaster is hinted
at:
Dear Mrs. Viands:
Once more we want to thank you for contacting us. I spoke with
our General
Manager, and he informed me to enlighten you with some good
news. You are going
to be an extremely happy guest by 2005. The magnitude of this
project in Busch
Gardens Tampa Bay is definitely a first for roller coasters
aficionados.
Thank you again and we are certain that your refrigerator will
be full of
Anheuser Busch products soon.
Sincerely,
Christian Y. Triscornia
Guest Relations Specialist
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay/ Adventure Island
P.O.Box 9158
Tampa, FL 33674
Phone 813-987-5885
Fax 813-987-5746
E-Mail Christian.Triscornia@BuschGardens.com
Just a few days after this message was posted,
MSNBC
posted a news articles with quotes from Busch Gardens saying
that the rumor was not true. Busch also said that a ride
of the magnitude implied would require the approval of
Anheuser-Busch Board of Directors and that had not taken place.
So who do you believe: Anheuser-Busch officials or rumors that
will not go away? It's a tough choice. Busch Gardens could
easily be trying to cover up a secret project for the time being
and as they said, be focused on the 2004 season. However, the
reports of a dive machine from different sources, even one
inside Busch Gardens, seems to support the fact that a new ride
is going to be built. Bolliger and Mabillard, who would be the
manufacturer, also already constructed six roller coaster for
Anheuser-Busch. The absolute truth will come out sometime in the
2004 season if land preparations, removal of attractions or
building, and construction markers appear in the Stanleyville
area.
If the ride was built, heavy
reconstruction would have to take place in the Stanleyville
area. One of the oldest areas of the park, Stanleyville is full
of trees and other vegetation, as well as buildings and rides.
The ride would mostly dive underground simply because the two
other dive machines do and also to conserve the beauty of the
area. Tunnels would also play a role with the height. As parks
seem not to dare to break the 200' barrier for some reason
beyond a simple beacon, a tunnel could create a 200' + drop
without breaking 200' in the air. From the sounds of it, this
mystery attraction would be the tallest roller coaster in
Florida, however, the likelihood of it being the longest is
rare. The main draw of the ride would be the drop and as the
MSNBC article said, an inversion and a water splash.
Could the ride possibly be something else besides a dive
machine? Well, without any Anheuser-Busch confirmation, any
option is available. However, with as many reports saying that
the ride is going to be a dive machine, it would be a huge
surprise if another style was constructed. Be sure to stayed
tuned incase any other information becomes available and if any
sign of construction begins.
