Don’t leave Busch Gardens Tampa Bay out when it comes to expansion! Busch Gardens has revamped part of the park to coincide with the opening of its new 335-foot drop tower, Falcon Fury! If you are planning to visit Central Florida and purchasing discount theme park tickets, this is one you won’t want to miss!
Busch Gardens Falcons Fury at New Pantopia
Busch Gardens visitors were treated this past weekend, when the park quietly allowed riders on the new Falcon’s Fury — a good sign the drop ride will officially open soon. Several hundred visitors — and even the rock band All American Rejects — on Saturday were the first non-employees to ride the long-awaited 335-foot drop tower ride that was originally scheduled to open in early May at the Tampa theme park.
Because of construction issues, the highly anticipated ride missed the busy summer vacation season, but park officials have promised it will open soon.
The park’s timeworn Timbuktu area has been recreated into the new Pantopia. The jewel-themed area will have a newly re-designed theater, new bakery and food spots. The reinvention of existing theme-park lands has occurred in Orlando parks in recent years, too. Islands of Adventure created the Wizarding World of Harry Potter out of former Lost Continent space, and Magic Kingdom closed Mickey’s Toontown Fair to build new parts of Fantasyland.
“It’s a good move for Busch Gardens,” said Dennis Speigel, president of the International Theme Park Services trade group.
“Pantopia is a celebration of the spirit of animals, it attracts adventurers from the four corners of the earth, explore ancient lore and display fantastic architecture,” says Busch Gardens, President Jim Dean. Visitors will be led on a magical journey into secret passageways, each one a discovery of legends that drawn explorers from faraway places to Pantopia.
The centerpiece of Pantopia will be the amazing Falcon’s Fury, which park officials say will be the tallest freestanding drop tower in North America. It will take riders 300 feet into the air, tilt their seats 90 degrees forward and then plummet for five seconds of free fall.
The OTC Genius is such a fan of thrill rides, and plans on riding Falcon’s Fury as soon as it is opened. Falcon’s Fury is replacing the Sandstorm ride. Attractions including Scorpion, Phoenix, Bush Flyers, Desert Runners and the Kiddie Train will remain in the area.