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Falcon's Fury

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Falcon's Fury
File:Falcon's Fury concept art.jpg
(Top) Logo for Falcon's Fury, (Bottom) Concept art of the ride
Busch Gardens Tampa
AreaPantopia
StatusUnder construction
Opening date2014 (2014)
ReplacedSandstorm
Ride statistics
Attraction typeDrop tower
ManufacturerIntamin
ThemeFalcon
Height335 ft (102 m)
Drop310 ft (94 m)
Speed60 mph (97 km/h)
Site area3,600 sq ft (330 m2)
G-force3.5
Capacity800 riders per hour
Vehicles1
Riders per vehicle32
Duration2:00
Height restriction54 in (137 cm)
Quick Queue available

Falcon's Fury is a drop tower currently undergoing testing at the Busch Gardens Tampa amusement park in Tampa, Florida, United States. Reaching a maximum height of 335 feet (102 m), the ride will be North America's tallest free standing drop tower and the first drop tower to feature 90-degree tilting seats (facing riders straight down). Also, riders will experience approximately five seconds of free fall reaching a speed of 60 miles per hour (97 km/h). Falcon's Fury is manufactured by Intamin and was scheduled to open May 1, 2014, however, has now been delayed.

History

Construction of the Falcon's Fury drop tower at Busch Gardens Tampa in July 2013.
Falcon's Fury tower during construction in December 2013.
Falcon's Fury at its final height of 335 ft as of February 2014

Planning for Falcon's Fury began around the time when the park was finishing Cheetah Hunt in 2011.[1][2] After testing the soil in the Timbuktu area (will be known as Pantopia in 2014[3]) found "interesting soil conditions", several steel beams and concrete were determined to be needed in order to reinforce the ground.[2]

Rumors of Sandstorm being replaced by a 200-foot (61 m) drop tower coming to Busch Gardens Tampa first surfaced in the Fall of 2011 after its sister park, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, opened Mäch Tower in August 2011.[4] Survey work was also spotted taking place in January 2012.[4] Two months later, plans were filed with the city to build a drop tower, possibly for the 2013 season.[5] Speculation on the name for the new attraction began when SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, the owners of Busch Gardens Tampa,[6] filed trademark applications for the names Desert Dive and Falcon's Fury on May 2, 2012, and July 11, 2012, respectively, and also when the DesertDive.com domain name was bought.[7][8][9] In November 2012, rumours that the seats would tilt forward emerged after the decision was made to not build a clone of Mäch Tower.[4][9] According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the tower was supposed to be erected in December 2012, however, for unknown reasons, the project was delayed and the erection was rescheduled to the second half of 2013.[10][11]

On May 31, 2013, it was announced that Sandstorm would close on June 2, 2013 to make way for a new attraction.[12] Almost two weeks later, on June 11, 2013, Busch Gardens Tampa announced Falcon's Fury.[13][14][15] Construction began within the month.[16]

On September 20, the tower for Falcon's Fury was shipped from Spain in nine sections and arrived at Tampa near the end of October. Smaller parts of the ride were delivered before hand from several other countries in Europe.[17][18][19] It was planned that one of the nine tower pieces would be erected every other night and take approximately two weeks to complete.[2] The erection of the structure was handled by Adena Corporation.[20] After, the tower will be painted to look like a sunset which will take three weeks.[17]

On November 22, the park announced that the Timbuktu area of the park would be renamed Pantopia to mark the opening of Falcon's Fury.[3][21]

The first tower piece was erected on November 18, followed by the second piece being installed on December 2, 2013.[22][23] Two more pieces were installed by December 6.[24][25] The fifth section was placed by December 21 and the sixth was erected by New Years Day.[26][27] The seventh and eighth tower pieces were installed by January 3, 2014 and January 5, respectively, reaching a height of approximately 300 feet (91 m).[28][29][30] The gondola for the ride was spotted at the park on January 12.[31] The counterweight was installed on January 22.[32] Falcon's Fury was topped off during the weekend of February 1.[33][34][35] Work on the electrical components of the ride then commenced.[35]

At the end of February, Busch Gardens announced that Falcon's Fury would open on May 1.[36][37]

Assembly of the gondola was completed by the end of March.[38] Testing was scheduled to begin in February 2014, however, due to several delays during construction, the first drop tests did not take place until April 15, 2014.[2][39][40]

On April 3, 2014, the park launched a sweepstakes contest for a "Falcon's Fury First-to-Ride Party". A second, similar, contest was launched on April 11, 2014. Fifty random winners from each contest will be among the first people on the ride.[41][42][43]

On April 18, Busch Gardens Tampa announced that due to the construction delays, the official opening of Falcon's Fury would be delayed. Also, several media events scheduled in April and May as well as the First-to-Ride party were cancelled.[39][44][45]

Ride experience

Falcon's Fury will have a two shaded queue lines: the standby queue (that can hold guests for approximately 45 minutes) is for guests without passes and the Quick Queue is for guests who have a pass that allows them to bypass the queues for most of the major attractions at the park.[37][46][47] At first, the Quick Queue system was not be used for the ride, however, the decision was later changed.[34][48] Riders must also be at least 54 inches (137 cm) to ride.[49]

Once riders are seated, the gondola will rise to the top of the tower at a slow speed that will take approximately one minute.[50] Though the tower will stand at 335 feet (102 m), the gondola will stop 25 feet (7.6 m) lower. Then, the seats will tilt 90-degrees forwards, facing riders straight down towards the ground. Then, a computer will randomize the wait time at the top anywhere from one to five seconds. When the time is reached, the seats will be released into a five second free-fall reaching a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour (97 km/h).[2][13][15][51][52] At approximately half way down the tower, the seats will begin to rotate back to the horizontal position.[17] By the time the seats are fully rotated back to their horizontal position, the gondola will reach the magnetic brake run will cause riders to experience approximately 3.5 Gs.[16][17][50][53] After coming to a full stop at the base of the tower, riders will disembark and the next riders will board.

Characteristics

Both the tower and gondola are being manufactured by Intamin.[52] The ride uses an area of approximately 3,600 square feet (330 m2).[17]

Tower

Falcon's Fury's tower will be 335 feet (102 m) tall, the tallest free standing drop tower in North America.[15][54] The structure is made of nine sections (including the machine house).[16] The foundation for the tower reaches a depth of 205 feet (62 m).[2][18][19] Also, the tower can bend 3 feet (0.91 m) in any direction from the top so it can withstand hurricane force winds.[55][56] An eddy current brake system (magnetic brakes) will be used on the tower in order to slow the gondola down.[2][16][17][53]

Inside, there is a 68 ton counterweight made up of hundreds of lead weights to pull the gondola up the structure.[57] Each piece of the tower weighs approximately 75 to 105 tons with the entire structure weighing a total of 519 tons.[2][16][18][19] The machine house (located at the top) weighs about 77 tons.[16] The structure will be painted yellow, aqua and burnt red with a second red color to be painted at a later time.[2]

Gondola

Falcon's Fury's one gondola will have 32 seats placed around the tower in the shape of an octagon. Each of the eight sides will seat four riders. The seats will feature carbon fiber wings to prevent the riders arms and legs from moving while in the vertical position. The Gondola will only reach a height of 310 feet (94 m); 25 feet (7.6 m) lower than the top of the tower. When it is at the top, the seats will tilt 90-degrees facing riders towards the ground. This feature will be the first ever used on a drop tower.[15][16][51][52]

Reception

Initial reception following the announcement of the ride was positive. Theme park enthusiasts such as Lance Hart from Screamscape said, "Instead of selling your picture [...] they should sell baby wipes and clean underwear at the exit", and that the ride could be the most frightening drop tower in the world.[58][59][60] Robb Alvey from Theme Park Review mentioned that the ride can easily be the world's best drop tower and later ranked it as one of the top 14 new attractions for 2014.[61][62] Also, Brady MacDonald from the Los Angeles Times ranked the ride as the seventh most anticipated new ride for 2014, however, in April 2014 updated the list ranking Falcon's Fury in 17th.[63][64]

See also

References

  1. ^ Johnson, Virginia (February 6, 2014). "Media tours Busch Gardens' newest attraction". Bay News 9. Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; February 15, 2014 suggested (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Fais, Scott (November 13, 2013). "Fury Rising: Busch Gardens ready to assemble Florida's tallest thrill". Bay News 9. Archived from the original on November 20, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Busch Gardens' Timbuktu becomes Pantopia". The Tampa Tribune. November 22, 2013. Archived from the original on November 24, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c "Busch Gardens Tampa (Screamscape)". Screamscape. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  5. ^ "Plans Confirm Drop Tower for Busch Gardens Tampa in 2013". Park Rumors. March 5, 2012. Archived from the original on August 15, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  6. ^ "SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment". SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 14, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2014. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; April 13, 2014 suggested (help)
  7. ^ "Desert Dive". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  8. ^ "Falcon's Fury". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Rudie, Preston (May 31, 2013). "Drop tower could be next Busch Gardens thrill ride". WTSP. Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  10. ^ SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment (January 2012). "Case 2012-ASO-1842-OE". Federal Aviation Administration. Government of the United States of America. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  11. ^ SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment (June 19, 2013). "Case 2013-ASO-5240-OE". Federal Aviation Administration. Government of the United States of America. Archived from the original on April 12, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  12. ^ "Sandstorm Ride at Busch Gardens Closes". ABC News. Associated Press. June 3, 2013. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  13. ^ a b "Busch Gardens in Tampa announces Falcon's Fury; new drop ride will be tallest in North America". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Associated Press. June 12, 2013. Archived from the original on June 13, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  14. ^ "Falcon's Fury, world's first face-down drop ride, coming to Busch Gardens in 2014". Attractions Magazine. June 11, 2013. Archived from the original on August 17, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  15. ^ a b c d Thurston, Susan (June 11, 2013). "Busch Gardens announces plans for Falcon's Fury, a 335-foot 'drop tower'". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
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  19. ^ a b c Bevil, Dewayne (October 29, 2013). "Busch Gardens: Big pieces for big-drop ride arrive". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  20. ^ "Adena Corporation Homepage". Adena Corporation. Archived from the original on January 22, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  21. ^ "Busch Gardens unveils plans for new 'Pantopia' section". My Fox Tampa. November 22, 2013. Archived from the original on November 24, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2013.
  22. ^ "BREAKING: First Falcon's Fury Tower Section Installed". BGT Fans. November 18, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  23. ^ "BREAKING: Second Falcon's Fury Tower Section Installed". BGT Fans. December 2, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  24. ^ "Third Falcon's Fury Section Installed". BGT Fans. December 4, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  25. ^ "Fourth Falcon's Fury Tower Section Installed". BGT Fans. December 6, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  26. ^ "Fifth Falcon's Fury Tower Section Installed". BGT Fans. December 21, 2013. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  27. ^ "Sixth Falcon's Fury Section Installed". BGT Fans. January 1, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  28. ^ "Seventh Falcon's Fury Section Installed". BGT Fans. January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  29. ^ "Eighth Falcon's Fury Tower Section Installed". BGT Fans. January 5, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  30. ^ Tribou, Richard (January 9, 2014). "Nice drop: Busch Gardens videos simulate new ride as if you were in Orlando, Miami". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on January 22, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  31. ^ "Falcon's Fury Carriage Sections Have Arrived". BGT Fans. January 12, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  32. ^ "Busch Gardens Tampa Twitter Counterweight Update". Busch Gardens Tampa/Twitter. January 22, 2014. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  33. ^ "Falcon's Fury Topped Off". BGT Fans. February 3, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
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  35. ^ a b Bevil, Dewayne (February 5, 2014). "Timbuktu turns into Pantopia at Busch Gardens". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on February 10, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
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  37. ^ a b "Anticipated Falcon's Fury to open May 1 at Busch Gardens". Tampa Bay Times. February 28, 2014. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  38. ^ "Falcon's Fury Construction Update #20". BGT Fans. March 20, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  39. ^ a b Jackovics, Ted (April 18, 2014). "Opening of new Busch Gardens ride delayed". The Tampa Tribune. Archived from the original on April 18, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; April 19, 2014 suggested (help)
  40. ^ "BREAKING: Falcon's Fury First Full Height Test Drop". BGT Fans. April 14, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  41. ^ Fred, Stephanie (April 3, 2014). "Want to be among the FIRST to ride Falcon's Fury?". Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Archived from the original on April 9, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  42. ^ Turner, Matt (April 1, 2014). "Falcon's Fury First-to-Ride Sweepstakes Official Rules". Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Archived from the original on April 9, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  43. ^ "Second Facebook Giveaway". Busch Gardens Tampa / Facebook. April 11, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  44. ^ Bevil, Dewayne (April 18, 2014). "Busch Gardens: Falcon's Fury may be delayed". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on April 18, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  45. ^ "Opening day of Falcon's Fury at Busch Gardens might be delayed". Tampa Bay Times. April 18, 2014. Archived from the original on April 18, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
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  50. ^ a b "Falcon's Fury Drop Ride Construction Tour Feb 5th 2014 Busch Gardens Tampa". themeparkreviewtpr / YouTube. February 5, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
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  52. ^ a b c Thurston, Susan (June 12, 2013). "MORE TO SCREAM ABOUT: Busch Gardens' next big ride plans 310-foot drop". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  53. ^ a b MacDonald, Brady (December 12, 2013). "Theme parks add new twists to towering thrill rides". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  54. ^ "World's most daring drop tower?". Park World Magazine: 18. July 2013.
  55. ^ "Busch Gardens' new 335-foot tall ride is hurricane proof". 10 News. February 5, 2014. Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  56. ^ Thurston, Susan (February 5, 2014). "Busch Gardens to open Pantopia-themed area anchored by Falcon's Fury". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; February 15, 2014 suggested (help)
  57. ^ "Construction continues on Falcon's Fury at Busch Gardens". 10 News. January 22, 2014. Archived from the original on January 22, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
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