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RMC Gwazi just became a whole lot more realistic

For those that just want to read the on-topic part:
When Gwazi, Busch Gardens Tampa's former dueling GCI Wood Coaster, closed back in February 2015, many people have been wondering the fate of the ride. While the Coaster community was keeping their fingers crossed that we would see a RMC in Florida, things have been silent when Cobra's Curse was officially announced. This weekend, Mark Rose, Director of Ride Design and Engineering, stopped by and someone asked him about Gwazi. He was short, but stated that work on Gwazi will begin sometime next year and that it would NOT be bulldozed down, as they have plans for the site. For obvious reasons, he could not say anything else. Only time will tell to see what happens, but based on the trends in SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, we won't see an addition to that site, probably not until at least 2018 if we are lucky, but realistically around 2019/20. The park probably has site plans narrowed down, possibly to a RMC conversion, a B&M Mega/Giga Coaster, or something brand new out of the box. But Gwazi's site is huge and can make room for nice expansion in the future. (On a side note, if Mako becomes extremely successful at SeaWorld Orlando next year, a B&M airtime machine would be a no-brainier.)
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ECG said:
For those that just want to read the on-topic part:
When Gwazi, Busch Gardens Tampa's former dueling GCI Wood Coaster, closed back in February 2015, many people have been wondering the fate of the ride. While the Coaster community was keeping their fingers crossed that we would see a RMC in Florida, things have been silent when Cobra's Curse was officially announced. This weekend, Mark Rose, Director of Ride Design and Engineering, stopped by and someone asked him about Gwazi. He was short, but stated that work on Gwazi will begin sometime next year and that it would NOT be bulldozed down, as they have plans for the site. For obvious reasons, he could not say anything else. Only time will tell to see what happens, but based on the trends in SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, we won't see an addition to that site, probably not until at least 2018 if we are lucky, but realistically around 2019/20. The park probably has site plans narrowed down, possibly to a RMC conversion, a B&M Mega/Giga Coaster, or something brand new out of the box. But Gwazi's site is huge and can make room for nice expansion in the future. (On a side note, if Mako becomes extremely successful at SeaWorld Orlando next year, a B&M airtime machine would be a no-brainier.
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The two highlighted phrases seem somewhat contradictory. Surely if you're not going to demolish the ride it will either be a wooded retrack/reprofile or an RMC? Not a new steel coaster.

Glad to hear that they haven't forgotten about it though. Would be sad if they bulldozed it so I am in the RMC hope camp for once as I think it is a good candidate for the make over.
 
If it was just a normal retrack, they probably wouldn't have closed it and gave notice for a final ride. Four RMC's are planned for 2017, I would not be surprised if Busch is on the list of parks to receive one.
 
SilverArrow said:
The two highlighted phrases seem somewhat contradictory. Surely if you're not going to demolish the ride it will either be a wooded retrack/reprofile or an RMC? Not a new steel coaster.

Glad to hear that they haven't forgotten about it though. Would be sad if they bulldozed it so I am in the RMC hope camp for once as I think it is a good candidate for the make over.
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You eased me a job. I[m also confused - so, is Gwazi actually getting an RMC makeover or is the site being used for a new coaster?!
 
Don't know how they want to tear it down? Give a ton of enthusiasts access to hard hats, axes, chainsaws, and sledgehammers. Problem solved!

I doubt it would be a hyper in this spot with Mako just 1.5 hours away. Maybe a brand-new RMC topper track or a wing coaster?
 
Yeah that seems like a really bizarre thing to say.

I guess it basically translates to "we don't have the money to take it down".
 
Maybe they just don't want to tear it down till they have the funds to build a replacement? It's a big space and to leave that empty will look worse than a rotting cred.

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^From a personal standpoint, my home park had a massive rotting wooden cred looming over it for three years. All it ever did was stand there looking like a dominating mess of ugly with the occasional RMC or GG rumor popping up every few months or so. In 2013 after they winched it down the place felt way nicer. SoB was always kind of looming over Action Zone quietly as a reminder of a huge engineering fail that just couldn't be ignored. After it was gone Action Zone felt really bland but the park as a whole looked way nicer without it.

My stupid ex who worked in merch also said she'd always get other stupid people asking her where the entrance was and when she told them it was closed they would either say something else stupid or throw a fit. Guests will inquire why they can't ride what looks to them like a perfectly good coaster.

But hey, look at Twisted Twins. I'm sure we're all glad they didn't just tear down that eyesore! :D
 
Believe it or not, there are real logistics involved with tearing down a roller coaster.

Ensuring there is safe clearance for demolition, proper containment of debris, space for wrecking crews, appropriate work haul to take debris away, and a land fill/processing facility able to receive all of that lumber; this all requires good planning, and even permitting depending on local jurisdiction and building codes.

What's more, with Busch Gardens saying they want to reuse the area, you must also be careful to not disrupt too much, so as to make site prep less difficult for whatever attraction is to come next.

So I wouldn't think this is out of aesthetic concern on the delay for tearing it down, as there are plenty more factors that could cause the hold up. Indeed, it can cost millions to tear down a roller coaster, so you want to be sure it's done right.
 
I believe their original closing statements suggested that they didn't have the money yet or at least that it was a big task (obviously) to plan. I hope they can keep a woodie at the park somehow because despite it's roughness it felt like it completed the line up.

I'm sure the coaster was a lot of people's first woodies (certainly was mine and my only one for a few years) and so losing the only woodie at any of the big Florida parks (OK now we have white lightning which is a excellent little cred, but not quite the same) would be a shame.

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