By Ken Storey
There have long been rumors of a drop tower style ride coming to Busch Gardens Tampa. The rumors point to the fact that a drop tower is one of the few major thrill rides not found at Florida’s leading thrill park. These rumors seemed all but confirmed on Tuesday May 28, 2013 when Busch Gardens sent out an email to media contacts announcing the park was “dropping big news” on June 11, 2013.
There have long been rumors of a drop tower style ride coming to Busch Gardens Tampa. The rumors point to the fact that a drop tower is one of the few major thrill rides not found at Florida’s leading thrill park. These rumors seemed all but confirmed on Tuesday May 28, 2013 when Busch Gardens sent out an email to media contacts announcing the park was “dropping big news” on June 11, 2013.
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| Image of the email confirming the June 11 media event, not the clouds featured in the email. |
Two days later on May 30 ParkRumors.com published Federal
Aviation Administration documents filed in January, 2012 where the theme park is
seeking approval for a new 330ft tower.
The ride itself would be 304’ tall with approximately a 26’ tall machine
cabinet on the top. According to the FAA documents the ride tower will
feature a dual-red paint job.
Theme park rumor and news website Screamscape.com pointed
out in February, 2013 that Busch Gardens rehab schedule included the four
carnival style rides found in Timbuktu section of the park. Sandstorm was listed on that rehab schedule
but unlike the other rides that had no re-opening date Sandstorm was listed as
opening later in the year. Then in April
Sandstorm’s rehab schedule went from one week of downtime to closing on June 3
and being listed in rehab until December 31.
Today Busch Gardens Tampa confirmed that the ride found in the park
since 1979 is in fact leaving the park.
Sunday, June 2, 2013 will be the last day Sandstorm will operate in the
park. The email confirming Sandstorms
departure noted “Following the Sandstorm’s departure, Busch Gardens Tampa will announce future plans for Timbuktu.”
Sandstorm is now rumored to be heading to Busch Garden’s Sesame
Street themed sister park Sesame Place in Pennsylvania. The new drop tower will supposedly feature
tilting seats. Current rumors point to
an opening in early 2014. Most of these
rumors should be confirmed on June 11.
We were part of the small group of media invited to the private event
on June 11 and will cover all the news announced at the press event.
