Update: Jungala - Now Open at BGT

[Mike T]

http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/BGT.%204.14.08/004.jpg (http://www.rollercoasterpro.com/updates/BGT.%204.14.08/index.shtml)

Jungala opened at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Saturday April 5th, 2008 and has become an instant hit amongst families. Could Busch have possibly set an industry standard with this addition? Take a look for yourself!

[Gemini78]

I'm loving the tiger pictures! I really want to hit up a decent zoo with my new camera after looking through that update. Wonderful job.

[Dan]

Great update, Mike! Jungala looks unbelievable! Exactly how big is it compared to the other areas of the park? Everything is so well-done, from the buildings to the foliage to the play areas to the waterfalls...I think Busch hit the nail on the head with this on. It looks like so much fun!

On a side note, I like the way the park has decided to deal with disruptive and rude teenagers. Anyone over 13 needs an adult with them. Very clever.

[p0tat0]

Wow


Fantastic

[The Storm Runner]

Thanks, Mike; that looks spectacular! All of the details and exotic-looking foliage makes it very unique and 'wild.' And to think that we were all complaining when news hit about the removal of Python... Even though I never rode Python, I'm sure this is way more popular and satisfying. :smile: Thanks!

[Mike T]

Great update, Mike! Jungala looks unbelievable! Exactly how big is it compared to the other areas of the park?

Jungala is roughly 4 acres. But the area seems much bigger because its more like 4 acres long, not exactly a square parcel.


On a side note, I like the way the park has decided to deal with disruptive and rude teenagers. Anyone over 13 needs an adult with them. Very clever.Where do you see that Dan?


Thanks, Mike; that looks spectacular! All of the details and exotic-looking foliage makes it very unique and 'wild.' And to think that we were all complaining when news hit about the removal of Python... Even though I never rode Python, I'm sure this is way more popular and satisfying. :smile: Thanks!

Python still has a very active roll in this part of the park. As part of the efforts in making the area environmentally friendly, Busch melted down Python's steel and used it for the rebar that forms the thematic detail of Jungala, thus recycling.

[Dan]

Sorry Mike, I miswrote in two ways. One of the signs says anyone over 13 needs to have a child with them, probably referring to one ride or area. I simply applied it to the whole area by accident. My mistake.

4 acres...not too large. Well, seems like a great investment on Busch Gardens' part. Definitely more of an attraction than Python was, as Nick said. That's pretty cool, reusing the steel. Good for the environment, and the budget!

[Mike T]

Actually, the reason the project was so expensive (16.2 million dollars) was because of them being environmentally friendly. It costs more to recycle and re manufacture that steel. Also, Busch used a lot of local contractors to build Jungala, instead of finding the best deal from around the country. This saved on the amount of CO2 that was emitted into the atmosphere. Theres a lot of steps that the park took that they could of skirted around and saved money on, but they wanted to be true to their word as an eco-friendly corporation.

These signs were set up all over Tree Top Trails. They inform visitors of what was recycled...
http://figment1986.smugmug.com/photos/279295585_7SLKL-M.jpg

Credit: Robert Ashburn: Floridathrills / Figmentsmedia

[Maxamillious]

Honestly, I think this deserves the Update of the Year award. Crisp pictures, professional and informational captions, coverage on a fantastic addition to a fantastic park. Mike, your really setting the bar high for amusement industry content and media. :smile:

So thank you, I throughly enjoyed every aspect of this update. :smile:

[Mike T]

I appreciate the kind words. Jungala is a lot of fun, and I wouldn't have a hard time spending my entire day in those 4 acres out of the 350 acres that Busch Gardens is. I think what makes it great is that you never see the same thing twice; and rather than sitting down and strapping into a ride, it's up to you to create your own adventure. I didn't get to ride much during my trip, yet its one of the best visits I've ever had at the park.

I strongly feel that Busch has set the bar for everybody in the industry with this addition. There's nothing really new or innovative about it, but how they went about designing and constructing it is what makes it brilliant. It's like they took the thematics that you're used to viewing, and using them as interactive elements within the area. I even spoke with a few people from the Disney college program while I was there, some who were working at the Animal Kingdom. They were pretty surprised with how close you could get to the wildlife.

And if you think about it, had Busch not taken all of those steps to be environmentally friendly (even the cups and straws at the Jungala eateries are biodegradable materials) the price of this addition wouldn't seem so steep. Something like Jungala is perfectly do-able at regional parks, its just a matter of wanting to invest in it. Personally I'd love to see a park like Six Flags Fiesta Texas with something similar.

[Sam]

This is one of those rare cases which the removal of a roller coaster for a family area can be forgiven.

[crZythrill3r]

Ahh, I can't wait to visit BGA again.

Jungala looks amazing, I didn't think it was going to be that big of an expansion!

[Arez]

Nice update Mike. Jungala looks great, Busch Gardens sure does a great job with planning new additions.

-Alex