After experiencing the all new Rhino Rally at Busch Gardens, Tampa, I am writing to inform you
that it in no way classifies as a "world-class" attraction. Rhino Rally doesn't even come close
to the much built up hype, cool animations of what the ride was supposed to be, and the latest
commercial hinting at an exciting breakthrough, one-of-a-kind ride. Today's public opening stunk
because the water part of the ride was broken most of the day. Once it was working, it was
rather lame. In the animation I saw on TV, you were supposed to drive onto a pontoon bridge
crossing a calm river, when a torrent of water was supposed to come raging towards you and
break apart the pontoons, sending you floating down rapids. Instead, you pull up to a metallic
industrialized bridge with tracks and hooks, only to see the "break-away" section being loaded
into place on roller-coaster type tracks -- thus completely destroying any kind of theme-ing.
The bridge itself is located next to a cliff, which doesn't make much sense either.
Once the pitiful gush of water comes pouring down the cliff, you are ungracefully sent down
the river. The water ride itself is slow and boring. In addition, the smattering of animals you
see through the ride are in no comparison to the legion of animals you encounter on Disney's
Animal Kingdom African Safari ride. There you see at least a dozen hippos, elephants, lions
on rocks, herds of giraffe, zebra, bongo, impala, eland, cheetahs, boars, rhinos, etc... etc...
etc...
With roller coasters roaring in the background, train whistles, gondolas overhead,
and water towers off in the distance, Rhino Rally lacks at being able to emerse you into any
type of African environment. And the myriad of logos (ie: Wendys) plastered over the vehicles,
sucks you back into American commercialism, instead of Africa. The driver's corny jokes and
fake acting also spoil the atmosphere.
All in all, I would rate Rhino Rally a bust. It's a short 8 minute ride to no-where.
Having once been a Busch Gardens fan, I am now converted to the grand-scale quality of Disney.
Disney's Safari ride is excellent in African emersion (ie: you see and hear NO SIGNS of other
rides, buildings, etc..., your driver is usually from Africa, you see tons of animals in their
environment, it's 15-20 minutes long, etc... etc...). Although the Animal Kingdom Safari ride
does have some corny parts to it, it is BY FAR a superior attraction to Busch Gardens Rhino
Rally. Heck, I can see the same Busch animals better from the overhead skyride or trainride.
I agree. After waiting close to an hour only to hear an announcement that the water portion was broken set the tone for the rest of the ride. The Safari part was very weak. Most of the large animals were nowhere in sight. Busch did offer a free day pas
CoasterBoard
