It's official: It's CheeTaka Cheetah Hunt at Busch Gardens Tampa

October 13, 2010 at 6:11 AM · And...... It's not CheeTaka apparently. Looks like it is named Cheetah Hunt. For reference: www.cheetahhunt.com and the BG Facebook page.

October 13, 2010 at 6:29 AM · Looking at their FB page, it will be called "Cheetah Hunt".

October 13, 2010 at 8:03 AM · I was thinking more along the lines of a Cheetah on a Hunt...

October 13, 2010 at 8:28 AM · I would think that the name "cheetah hunt" is meant to be the cheetah hunting other animals.

October 13, 2010 at 8:43 AM · Yeah, I took it as 'cheetah on the hunt' too, especially when you look at the front of the car (which is a stylized cheetah.) Since the car itself is a 'cheetah', and the thing goes 60mph, then I would guess it would be a cheetah on the hunt.

The facts on this, from http://www.seaworldparksblog.com/busch-gardens-tampa-bay-discovery-cove-orlando-announce-2011-additions

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.

October 13, 2010 at 9:39 AM · I agree, what came to mind was Cheetah Hunt-ing. I don't see why Mr. Robert went the other way with it.

I like the close to the ground concept (a lot), like the pits and the passes under the bridges, especially the second one which looks like the car(Cheetah) is going faster. The close to the ground section is my favorite part when riding Kumba. So I'm really excited!

I wonder since the ride isn't that tall if it would be perceive as that scary. Thus maybe more people would venture to ride it. Cause I know a lot of Disney-lovers took one look at Sheikra and said: No, No! Will the Mouse-only lovers venture to Tampa to ride this? I know Seaworld Parks are hoping they do, but I don't...

-Francisco-

October 13, 2010 at 10:24 AM · I agree, it's the Cheetah doing the hunting. I can't wait to ride it. I like that the launches aren't that fast. Us older folk need to preserve as much gray matter as possible.

October 13, 2010 at 11:12 AM · While the name change is a clever deception from enthusiasts, I think Cheetakah is a much better name than Cheetah Hunt. Looking forward to riding this some toime in the future though!

EDIT: Also, now looking at the facts, I don't think it lives up to those expectations, "launching" at times 30 or 40 mph and standing a little over 100 ft, it will look small compared to the other coasters in BGT, but all of this aside, I still want to ride it!

October 13, 2010 at 11:13 AM · I find the name appalling! The coaster looks great, but why use a name that could be interpreted to hunting animals? Whether or not that is what the name refers to is not revealent- the only things that matters is how people perceive it. I read the name and thought it meant that we the guests were on a pretend HUNT for cheetahs. What a horrible name for an attraction at a zoo!

October 13, 2010 at 11:30 AM · Certain sections of the track look aufully similar to Maverick over at Cedar Point, but that was an intamin coaster as well, so I can understand them using the same elements for different rides, like the curving track through the rock-themed walls and the 2 heartlined rolls one after another, and the nearly-staight-up hill.

October 13, 2010 at 12:39 PM · Ugh... I don't care about the name sounding like us hunting cheetahs because I wouldn't mind owning a few more cheetah-printed clothing items (I JOKE!!!!)

But the name "Cheetah Hunt" just sounds so... ugh... plain. Horribly plain and bland especially when compared to the names of other Busch Garden roller coasters (SheiKra! Kumba! Montu! RAWWWWRRRRRRRrrrr)

And I've whined about this already... there's ALREADY a mini coaster in Busch Gardens named "Cheetah Chase!!!!!" What next... "Cheetah Jump?" "Cheetah Run?"

October 13, 2010 at 1:13 PM · Actually, there will be a 'Cheetah Run' alongside Cheetah Hunt, it's the animal enclosure where that they are putting in to accompany this coaster.

Personally, I am 'eh' on the name. I kinda liked CheeTaka, because I agree, Busch Gardens does name coasters so damn well. Now, they will have Montu, Kumba, ShieKra, Gwazi, and Cheetah Hunt. One of these things is not like the other.

On the other hand, Robert mentioned how CheeTaka reminded him of GymKata, an awful movie from back in the day. And that killed the name for me. Thanks for that one, Robert.

October 13, 2010 at 3:57 PM · This video is hysterical! I love how they keep having to edit the words "Cheetah Hunt" into the video.

They should have left well enough alone.

October 13, 2010 at 4:26 PM · Tasty! Kinda reminds me of Maverick @Cedar Point. Just change the name to Cheetaka good lord!!

October 13, 2010 at 7:00 PM · So does Cheetah hunt mean no more water portion of the Rhino Rally? or were did they just stop doing that section of the ride while they were doing construction? I would say that taking that part of the ride out of Rhino Rally would severly lesson the experience..... and although I think Cheetah Hunt sounds awesome, Rhino Rally seemed like it was made for all people (not just thrill seekers) so I hope it's not going downhill due to the new project.

October 14, 2010 at 8:24 PM · I think I did read that the water portion of Rhino Rally is no more. I guess it maybe it was too problematic to keep and so Cheetah Hunt takes priority. Cheetah Hunt (Cheetakah) looks awesome. It does look like it's more of a thrill ride though. I guess Busch Gardens is a thrill park and they are just going to lean heavy toward thrills. They have some great kiddie rides, but I don't think the middle ground is their strength. They are nice parks I'm sure, but looking at thier roster I guess it's just more for thrillseekers. Having said that, the ride looks awesome. The multiple launches, track length, and views from the track would be the biggest perks of it in my book.