Busch Gardens Parks Change Names

Both Busch Gardens parks recently changed their names in time for the summer season. Busch Gardens Williamsburg has become Busch Gardens Europe, while Busch Gardens Tampa has become Busch Gardens Africa. The new names should help the general public easily identify the preexisting themes that the parks have. Busch Gardens new advertising campaign is also changing, trying to identify the parks as "more than just coasters." Busch Gardens parks are known for their above average food, great shows, detailed theming, and world class thrill rides. The parks have also been awarded on numerous occasions for cleanest park and best park environment.

Batman: The Chiller Reopens at Six Flags Great Adventure

After more than 2 seasons of being down, SFGadv has finally reopened Batman:The Chiller. This the second track of a duel track ride. The other tracks name is "Robin:The Chiller" that is rarely closed. The ride was opened in 1998 and is manufactured by premier rides. If you have never seen The Chiller, think of it like a standard Boomerang coaster on steroids. It is longer, faster and much more intense. The ride has a LIM launch system (similar to rides like "Rock 'n' Roller Coaster" at Disney MGM) that reaches speeds up to 70 mph.

Update: Although employees at Gadv said that the ride would be open today, it did not run. The train for the ride is in the loading station, indicating that the ride is very close to opening. Many enthusiasts are now anticipating the ride to open on Sunday, just in time for Six Flags' Spring Break week.

Update 2: I visited the park on Sunday (pictures and Trip report to come). One of the employees told me that Batman would be open by mid morning, however the ride did not open all day. The reason for the delay may have to do with the New Jersey state inspectors having to approve the ride. New Jersey has been notorious for having extremely strict regulations for roller coasters and amusement parks in general.

Update 3: On Friday May 5, The Batman side of Chiller was running properly.

Sylvester McMonkey McBean's Very Unusual Driving Machines Is Finally Confirmed!

A few years back, when Islands of Adventure was getting ready to open, Sylvester McMonkey McBean's Very Unusual Driving Machines was going to be one of their signature attraction, set in the Dr. Seuss area of the park. Guests enter the driving machines and can ride above all of Seussland on the track that runs along the tops of many of the buildings in the Seussland area of the park. The ride will appeal to families more than thrill seekers, it should travel at a moderate pace with no huge twists or turns. The ride never opened due to safety concerns, however, the park appears to have worked out all the problems, and the ride is set to open early this summer. Islands of Adventure is located right next to Universal Orlando. The park has theming on par with Disney, along with world class coasters, water rides, and dark rides. Many theme park enthusiasts consider IOA America's best theme park.

Link of the Month

This is a new section of the blog that I am starting today, at the beginning of every month I will pick one of my favorite coaster websites and deem it link of the month. Aprils site of the month is: RCDB.com
This site is the ultimate database for coasters. The site contains an unbelievable amount of coaster stats along with pictures and links to fansites. This is probably the most comprehensive coaster site on the web.