Rhino Rally facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rhino Rally |
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| Ride statistics | |||||||||||||
| Attraction type | Safari ride | ||||||||||||
| Manufacturer | Vekoma | ||||||||||||
| Theme | Safari | ||||||||||||
| Duration | 5 minutes | ||||||||||||
 Quick Queue available |
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Rhino Rally was an exciting safari-themed ride at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida. It opened on May 23, 2001, in the Nairobi part of the park. The adventure lasted about 5 to 6 minutes. Riders were supposed to be on a regular safari trip. But then, it turned into a thrilling search for a lost driver named Scooter Roberts! The ride closed on September 1, 2014, because it often had problems and needed repairs.
Contents
The Story of Rhino Rally
Rhino Rally was designed to make you feel like you were on a real safari adventure. You would hop into a special safari vehicle with a driver. The goal was to explore wild landscapes and see amazing animals.
The ride's story changed over time. At first, it was just a safari. Later, the adventure became a mission to find a lost driver named Scooter Roberts. This made the ride even more exciting!
What Happened on the Ride?
Your safari vehicle would travel through different areas. These included dusty roads, bumpy terrain, and even a water crossing. The ride was known for its sudden twists and turns. It felt like a real off-road journey.
Along the way, you would see animatronic (robot) animals. These included rhinos, elephants, and other safari creatures. The drivers would often tell jokes and stories, making the trip fun.
History of the Ride
Rhino Rally first welcomed guests in March 2001 for a "soft opening." This was a test period before the official launch. The grand opening happened on May 23, 2001. Park leaders were there to celebrate the new attraction.
Managing Ride Lines
When Rhino Rally first opened, it was very popular. People waited in long lines to experience the safari. To help with this, Busch Gardens tried a temporary "express" system. This allowed guests to return later and skip the main line.
This system was stopped for a while but came back in 2010. It became part of the park's "Quick Queue" system. This allowed guests to pay extra for faster access to popular rides.
Changes for Safety
In June 2001, an incident happened where one of the ride vehicles tipped over. Some guests had minor injuries. After this, Busch Gardens temporarily closed the ride. They made important changes to make it safer.
The park made the ride paths wider. They also redesigned the safari vehicles. These changes helped ensure everyone had a safe and fun adventure.
The Water Crossing
Rhino Rally originally had a big water crossing section. This part of the ride was open from May 2001 until May 2010. It was a unique feature that added to the safari feel.
However, the water section often had problems and caused the ride to break down. When this happened, vehicles would take a different path on land. This detour meant they skipped the water part.
Why the Water Section Closed
On May 1, 2010, the water section of Rhino Rally closed for good. This was to make space for a new roller coaster called Cheetah Hunt. After this, the ride focused only on the land-based safari adventure. The story also changed to finding Scooter Roberts.
Why Rhino Rally Closed Permanently
In January 2015, Busch Gardens announced that Rhino Rally would close forever. The ride had faced ongoing maintenance issues. The area where Rhino Rally was located is now being used for new park developments.
Images for kids
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The sign for Rhino Rally at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
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The entrance to the Rhino Rally attraction.
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The Quick Queue logo, showing faster access to rides.
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