The Abandoned Rhino Rally - | Expedition Busch Gardens Tampa (Cheetah Hunt)
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- expthemepark
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Join us on Expedition Weekly as we look at the now abandoned Rhino Rally ride at Busch Gardens Tampa in Florida. This unique one of a kind safari adventure was a highlight of many trips to the park and slowly became a sad shell of its former self.
Thank you for joining the Expedition. Let us know if you rode Rhino Rally and if it was better than the other Safari ride down the rode at Walt Disney World.
We will see you next time.
www.buschgardens.com
Stories from a Rhino Rally driver SirWillow
/ @sirwillow
Sources
Shane Kelly - • [HD1080] Rhino Rally, ...
Roger D. Smith - • Bush Gardens Tampa Flo...
TapedFromFlorida - • Elaphant in Water on R...
Themeparkfanatic - • Rhino Rally with the o...
Last Rat Standing Productions - • Rhino Rally Queue Busc...
WhataAGaal - • Lauren's Rhino Rally
johan Bergstrom - • Busch Gardens Tampa - ...
MySpacePuta - • Navigator
isxia - • Safari Jeep through Wa...
In The Loop - • Cheetah Hunt Construct...
Stephen W. Geddes - • Busch Gardens Skyride ...
/ elvenage
I was part of the original Rhino Rally Crew. We spent hours and hours testing the water portions pontoons. Lots of fun times with Sassy Summer, Princess Kelly, Jungle Joe, Frank and the rest. Seems like an eternity ago.
That's very cool. I only rode the dry portion but I miss this ride. Thank you for your dedication.
As a Tampa bay resident I’m crying because this was the best ride at BGT and the water section was so amazing and when it closed it was so upsetting. Also I was navigator once and it’s still a shining moment in my childhood.
Danny McSorley My Mom & I always had annual passes throughout my childhood. Soooo many great memories there, it breaks my heart that the park has changed so much. I always see that the parking lot is full, though🤔
Rhino Rally was awesome, you'd think Disney's animal kingdom would make an experience like this
i miss it too :( :(
What's sad is that. Mostly all amusements parks are like this nowadays. It's all about the roller coasters. There's really no family fun rides.
you probably dont give a damn but does any of you know a trick to log back into an Instagram account..?
I somehow lost my account password. I would love any tips you can offer me
I loved Rhino Rally growing up. Largely for the water part but also the fact the rhinos could actually come to the truck. Kilimanjaro Safari is obviously superior in setting but the “dangerous” animals are clearly kept away from you. Rhino Rally was much more of a thrill
Well to be fair they did the same here. They kept the Cape Buffalo further away, the Elephants and Crocodiles were separated from the ride vehicle, and the Rhinos were White Rhinos, the more Docile of the two African Species. Kilimanjaro Safaris does the exact same thing sans the Buffalo as they don't have any. But in the case of the Rhinos, they also showcase Black Rhinos, the more aggressive of the two, and thus they are kept farther away behind hidden barriers and isolated from other animals while the White Rhinos can go up closer and be housed with other animals such as Zebra, Waterbuck, Bontebok, and Ostrich.
@@tny1757 yea white rhinos are much more chill than black rhinos.
It continues to baffle me that more people don't know about this channel, it's easily the best of it's kind
Thank you
Stevie Mallia second that!! Love this channel!
I was bored during my spring break so I watched this channel for all of it
I rode it the year it opened! I was just 5 years old and remember the thrill of actually believing we were on a dangerous journey through the African safari. I think my brother and my dad went ahead of us on a different truck and ended up breaking down which honestly just added to the thrill of not knowing if you’re gonna make it lol!
I remember riding the original rhino rally as a kid, I’ll never forget it
I used to work on Rhino Rally, back in 2007-2009! Driving those trucks was a lot of fun. Happy to take questions about the ride!
Were there ever any accidents?
Some of the old trucks sitting on the side of the water portion are still there and the broken bridge still remains for a reminder to the past and great theming as well for cheetah hunt! I miss rhino rally and i wish they would build something else there in the next 5-10 years. I loved those southwest trucks the ride had they look so old school!
I rode it in both forms- as a diehard Disney fan often my favorites are Disney Park attractions but growing up in Tampa this was the original in my mind. I miss it! Recently went to BG and I was taken aback at just how much the park has changed in 10 years alone!
As a Tampa local I really appreciate you covering the gem that is Bush Gardens Florida.
I remember three things about Rhino Rally. The lines were insane, it was constantly broken, and it was a really cool ride. I only rode it about five times while it ran either because I didn’t want to wait two hours to ride it, or because I would wait and then it would breakdown before I got on. I miss it, but it’s not a huge loss, since it wasn’t a very repeatable ride.
Wow. I hinted at this on a previous comment. Such a good breakdown of the attraction. Being from Tampa, this attraction was such a big part of my teenage years. Still today, when in a car driving over bumpy roads, I find myself saying, "Whoa, this is like Rhino Rally!". The water part was the best part. Great video!
I still vividly remember the first time I experienced the water section and not knowing anything about it. So good
Oh my god, same here!
As a kid, all bumpy roads were “Rhino Rally” to me! And I was scared of it until I was 7! My parents freaked me out when I was younger, saying there were crocs near the boat!
Can confirm, this is still abandoned in 2019 and even sadder looking now. You can see the station from the Skyride. I remember riding this as a kid and wish I could ride it again. I'll miss this ride.
I rode Rhino Rally a couple times after the water section was removed. It was fun and was cool to see the animals from views you normally didn't get to see in the park. One time while riding, we had a driver who was absolutely hilarious and made all sorts of corny Jungle Cruise-esque jokes throughout. Had the whole truck laughing.
I remember as a kid my brother wanted to ride Rhino rally, I thought it would be a stupid clone of Kilimanjaro safari at animal kingdom. I reluctantly rode the ride with him after waiting in a super long line. I was so shocked when the whole ride vehicle began floating down the river. It was an amazing ride and honestly was so creative.
I had no idea that Cheetah Hunt replaced such a unique and interesting ride. I have actually visited and rode Cheetah Hunt before, and I had no idea! Awesome video!
Thanks for this video and great job. I remember rhino rally very fondly but had totally forgotten about the water part. That was so cool. I remember the line always being so long and at one point there was a foot and mouth disease scare and before getting on the ride you had to step in a sanitation tray to clean your shoes. I also remember that the rhinos could get VERY close to your vehicle. I remember one ride where there was a guy taking flash pictures of a rhino and you could tell it was getting agitated and was actually charged The truck. The driver had to repeatedly tell him not to do that and we had to make a quick getaway.
This reminds me of the lot tour at Universal. Fun fact Cheetah's in captivity have comfort dogs to help their anxiety. 😊
I was a driver at Rhino Rally from Sept 2001 to August 2002. The water portion was chain driven. 5 chains operated the ride. Engage, chain1, 2, 3, and disengage.
The water portion was a great idea, but poorly executed. It would break down daily, and usually required an evacuation.
We barely ran 2 carriers (bridge) on the water portion. We've ran up to 4, but seemed to always go back to 2.
The rain forest was actually there to rinse the vehicles off before getting to the water portion. Most of the time, back then, the drivers got soaked.
Chain 3 started at the overturned boat, and was the fastest section. I guess maintenance had determined that a combination of the rocking and the chlorinated water were creating more wear and tear on the Rovers, and chain 3 and disengage were slowed down. When the track dips and the rover "crashes" into the bridge at the end of the river, drivers incorporated the new programing into their spiel by acting out the crash in slow motion.
One of the elephants that was there at the time liked to stand on the ledge, and as we would drive down the hill toward the water filled tunnel, she would throw dirt at the rovers!
Me and my brother still have Rhino Rally baseball caps. Great memories on that ride!
Yup, I live in Tampa and have road it many times! It was fun, but they still have a way to book a private savannah tour on a similar style Jeep there. You can even feed the giraffes 🦒
I grew up with Busch Gardens and remember going to the parking when it was just the gardens and entrance fee was free. Worked there as a teenager in the 70's, my Mom worked there up until obamacare made them cut out almost all of the part time workers and changing them over to seasonal workers to avoid paying them health insurance and things really started going down hill from there. I was upset and still am since they got rid of Python at least they still have Scorpion. Rhino Rally was OK even when it was fully functional, the fun of the ride relied on the navigator. Cheetah Hunt is the best use of the water section and I agree with the narrator that CH is the best ride in the park. Howl-O-Scream is still the best but I also agree it is sad to see BG struggling.
I remember this ride fondly, i even remember being the navigator at least twice. I remember the original long version of the ride at least, and it was a unique ride. I somewhat remember the shortened version, but it didnt feel the same as the original verson of this ride. I love your videos, and i hope to see a history of Howl O Scream at Busch Gardens soon! 🎃👍🏻
That video was ZERO TO CHEETAH! Great job Sam!!!!
Thanks Rob!
I remember riding this numerous times back then in my extremely early childhood. Extremely saddening to know that this attraction is gone indefinitely.
This was my childhood... I miss this ride so much.
I worked at Rhino Rally for a year in 2001 to 2002. It was a blast back then.
Rhino Rally opened at the PRIME of my childhood, and living in Clearwater i have a good few fond memories of it. But i was always disappointed when the water part wasn't working or the ride was closed for the day because of difficulties. I never rode it as an Adult, but I'm sure it was just as you said. I actually haven't been to BG in... maybe 5 or 6 years, and even then it was only to go to HOS.
Maybe this year when I visit home I'll check it out and see what's different (probably everything lmao)
I love this ride in all it's glory.
There was nothing like it in Florida before. It was very unique.
I was so sad to see the water section go and then see the dilapidated loading doc from the Skyway system.
I grew up on this ride! My family had several annual passes from 2002 to 2011. I LOVED it. The lines were usually monstrous though! I’ve always thought it’s closure/modification was a shame.
Oh my gosh!!! Thank you so much for this! I always knew there was a safari ride where the truck went down a river, but never could remember where it was. I thought for certain that it was at Animal Kingdom at Diz, but I went on Kilimanjaro and it didn't happen, so I was like, "when is the river adventure part?" and now I know why, haha. Awesome history lesson!
I was terrified of roller coasters as a youngster and this was my favorite ride. I was so disappointed when I returned in 2011 and it was a sad shadow of what it once was. :(
Rhino Rally was really good, but Cheetah Hunt is a great launch coaster. It's a must do every visit to BG Tampa.
I love it when there is a greater story for rides.
I was chosen as the navigator when I rode it back in the mid-2000s. I was probably 10-11 years old at the time and I remember the water part and honestly being slightly scared for no reason. Very fun ride.
I really enjoyed R.R as a teen. I emjoyed the beginning phase of it. The waterfall was rad
I went on this ride back in 2004 on a family trip to Florida. Sad to hear the ride is now gone because it was one of the more memorable parts of my trip at the park.
Some of my best memories were with my brother, and mother on this ride. Damn, the nostalgia is real. As a kid though this ride felt very real. Thanks busch gardens. I spent years going to the parks because they had special offers for military families. I pretty much only drink busch light so I feel like I give back as an adult. I haven't been back to busch gardens in years. I really miss it.
Rhino Rally was my absolute favorite thing at Busch Gardens!!! I remember we used to go there every year when I was younger, and I ended up being the navigator for 3 years in a row. I’m truly honored to be able to have been a part of that ride during its “golden years” and I’m so sad that more kids like me won’t be able to experience it in the future! :(
I miss this sooo much!!!! My childhood ❤️❤️❤️
Hey, Burgess Meredith is narrating the commercial at the start - nice!
Rhino Rally was a huge suprise and 1 of a kind loved it.
I genuinely can't wait for the oppertunity to go to florida and visit every single ride at Busch Gardens Tampa
I rode this when it first opened. Until it happened, I had no idea the truck was going to be floating down the river! It took me by surprise but I thought it was a novel idea and wanted to ride it over and over again. Sadly, the next time I went back looking for it a couple of years later, it had already been shortened and the next time i revisited, it was gone. I really enjoyed that ride.
wow. the water section is very impressive, but they must have known the huge maintenance costs!
Great video about my old home and first theme park working experience. Really loved it. One of these days I'm going to do a "replay"/ reenactment of what I was like as a driver. I think I need to get that done in the not to distant future. You've done a great job of recapturing what the ride was like!
Thank you so much! And thank you for helping out with my questions haha.
Loved the original Rhino Rally!
The original Rally was sooo cool!
Growing up in Florida I got the opportunity to go to the parks a lot growing up and even now. I remember the original rhino rapids and the the oldest version and I remember Disney version and honestly rhino rapids original version is truly missed and parts of the track can still be seen today if you’re looking closely on the train at Busch gardens by the open plains they have for safari excursions.
It's good to see at least one of my subscribed abandoned channels doing BGT. I spent the biggest part of my life there, going on the weekends with my friends and family. My two favorite rides were this and Gwazi, I remember when they opened and closed it it was too soon for both of them. I know everyone keeps hoping for an RMC treatment of Gwazi since it still stands but being a FL local I know, nothing survives years of sitting outside in FL humidity, especially wood, without being maintained. They would have to start over and that doesn't seem like something BG would do.
I've lived in Tampa off and on my whole life. I consider it my hometown and have a relative who is a BG employee so I get to go pretty much whenever I want if I'm in the area. I only got to ride Rhino Rally once when the water portion was running and my grandmother was riding it as well. It was a pleasant shock for her when the bridge broke. She's since passed but it's one of my fond memories. As far as the water portion breaking goes what I've heard from employees including my relative is that after the attraction opened they discovered that any time lightning struck ANY portion of the water it would completely fry that portion of the ride and they'd have to do maintenance. Anyone who has lived in Tampa for a long enough period of time can tell you it's lesser known as the lightning capital of the world. It has more lightning strikes per square foot than any other city on the planet. So it ended up being a HUGE problem.
I road Rhino rally a few times, but the only time that the water section was operational was the very first time I did it in the summer of 2001. I was even chosen to be the navigator on that ride as well. Our driver was a hilarious zany guy wearing a long blonde wig. I still remember it fondly.
Glad I got to ride this before they removed the water section - it was so much better with it. Also liked that the drivers weren’t as serious as on say, Kilimanjaro Safaris - they were more like Jungle Cruise skippers and allowed to make jokes.
I miss rhino rally! Disney's safari is nowhere near RR and never will be. Rhino rally was humorous without using too many puns *cough cough* jungle cruise. It was such a fun ride.
Rhino Rally was my favorite ride there as a kid. I was really disappointed when they took out the water section which in my opinion was the best part. I think they really killed the ride when they did that, the lines weren't nearly as long. I didn't think the replacement ride Cheetah Hunt was necessary, however I do really like it. Its just not the same though.
high matience and a coaster is alweays more popular sepically cheeath hunt
I had the opportunity to ride Rhino Rally 2 days before it closed. I blew that chance.
Wow, I was expecting you to say something like the bridge would rock and almost collapse, but floating away? Thats so cool!
It was cool. It would really scare some people. That's when I would start really yelling and freaking out lol. I worked as a driver on that ride for at least 2 years. Once Tom Cruise was on my ride, his son was the navigator. Good times.
Never got the chance to visit this...thanks for putting this together!
This is so cool! I never knew something like this was attempted. It kinda reminds me a bit of the Jaws ride.
Anyone else notice the landrovers had UK plates
yes i also seen that
Brits are weird!
AND Right hand drive
Remember it well. Loved the water ride part.
Busch Gardens Tampa is currently in a very sad state of disarray. It is nothing but a mere shadow of its former glory, and the significant drop in attendance last year sure reflects that. The park is not well maintained, there are closed attractions left abandoned for years because the park can't afford to even demolish, the animals look sick and miserable, and the employees make people in Paris look friendly and hospitable. I'll admit some of their special events like Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town can be fun but are totally underwhelming compared to what Orlando theme parks offer. It's a real shame because BG was one of my favorite parks growing up and one of the reasons why I was excited to move to Tampa was so I could go to it more often.
Citizen of Corona
So agree with you. It's sad to go there anymore The employees are the worst...sullen and rude.
i agree with this too. they are missing some of their special rides that are gone now and kinda all the other rides are ones you could pretty much find something close in Orlando parks. me and my family use to go every year to bush gardens but in recent years we haven't had the desire to go but also the fact that more and my sister are older now so we usually end up doing something else. bush garden's isnt what it use to be.
Im hoping the 2019 announcement is RMC Gwazi it would really boost attendance from enthusiasts. I know a lot of people would think oh its still the rough ride but hey RMC fixed Mean Streak so there is hope.
The reason is because the current owners are not putting much money into BG. I grew up with Busch Gardens and remember going to the parking when it was just the gardens and entrance fee was free. Worked there as a teenager in the 70's, my Mom worked there up until obamacare made them cut out almost all of the part time workers and changing them over to seasonal workers to avoid paying them health insurance and things really started going down hill from there. I was upset and still am since they got rid of Python at least they still have Scorpion. Rhino Rally was OK even when it was fully functional, the fun of the ride relied on the navigator. Cheetah Hunt is the best use of the water section and I agree with the narrator that CH is the best ride in the park. Howl-O-Scream is still the best but I also agree it is sad to see BG struggling.
Busch gardens doesn't have the money for an RMC redo.
I agree with you!! I love Cheetah hunt but I do miss the Rhino Rally in original form. I think I rode it on one visit after the water was cut out and it just wasnt the same. Great history of attraction! ~Dawn
Yeah it was a ride basically closed before it had even closed.
Yes i remember this, the water bridge part was the best.
I loved Rhino Rally! It was so much fun and the driver's were always a blast.
Agreed!
Rhino Rally has always interested me. I wish I could have rode it.
Fantastic video brother !!!!! Keep up the great work
I remember being the navigator when I first rode it… what a cool experience
That ride was my favorite when I was younger
I remember go on this one time, and it was a blast going through the water section
Yes,so sad for Rhino rally, also gwazi.They need to utilize these areas, could build amazing things!
Well, Gwazi is getting the RMC makeover, which opens next year sometime. Park hasn't announced the name of the new version yet though.
Iron gwazi 2020
There's a similar attraction called Magma 2.1 still operating at Movieland in Italy (Caneva World) which I've ridden and highly recommend. Although I rode Cheetah Hunt, sadly I never saw this rally attraction that had to be removed to make way for it.
Great video .. even Kilimanjaro safari is half as good as it used to be .... used to like the poaching theme , made it a little bit more adventurous , you learn a good bit and it was thrilling.
At least they still use the bridge effect every now and again.
I was there 7 months ago .. the bridge was not rocking at all . hope it gets repaired .
@@BLThackrey The bridge isn't broken. The vehicle in front of you has to go the correct speed to make it work. Many don't due to just time constraints or they don't feel like it. The car behind has to then go the right speed to "reset" the bridge for the third truck.
@@katelynchester6690 Thanks for the info . It is a brilliant bit of fun and gives you the thrill of adventure, pity the cast members have to keep deadlines above guest experience .
Ayyy Busch gardens Tampa Bay!!
I remember riding this and also waiting in a very long line for it as well!
I love this rids so dad to see all the wonderful rides slowly disappear
I'm assuming that the land rovers were all UK sourced, as I believe the ride vehicles were converted by Severn Lamb from Warwickshire England. Who i think have made a few vehicles for the mouse too.
My favorite ride at my favorite childhood park ;(. I was so mad when I found out that it actually closed and Cheetah Hunt (OF ALL THINGS) replaced it, furthermore fueling my infamous disgust for the coaster. My favorite part was when the car crossed the bridge, stopping, and then it crashed down into the water. *Press F to pay respects for Rhino Rally* Anyway, thanks Expedition Theme Park for explaining how my favorite part of the ride worked! You’ve earned another subscriber.
You need to do a blog about the swan boat ride that used to take you around Disney world it started at Tomorrowland went through frontierland and ended back in tomorrow and it was a crowd killerthey were for boats and I used to always get crowded but it was a decent relaxing ride you also need to talk about the double decker buses to pick up truck fire trolley that used to take gas from main Streetto Cinderella's castle at one time it was just 8 in the morning till 11 and then they totally got out of it and no one knows what happened to them there was a total of 5 vehicles
Im glad i got to experience rhino rally when it had the water you appreciate getting wet when its scorching hot
I rode the original version. Loved it. Sad to see it gone.
I rode this as a kid. It was so cool!!!
man I miss this!
Man I remeber riding rhino ralley with the bridge part when I was much younger. I had always loved that ride but its sad its closed now
This ride was my childhood, must’ve rode it 100 times cause I live so close. The water part was the best.
My favorite childhood ride
I remember this growing up. years ago they offered a private full tour of the african safari area, leaving from the rhino rally area, but it was too expensive to me. I wish I could have taken that trip. Like some others have said, even on the main course It was Exhilarating and thrill enducing, the wild animals were not fenced in and could have approaced the vehicle at any time...This probably would not be allowed today.
I loved the original Rhino Rally
I have one idea in mind for you and Busch Gardens Tampa. It’s called Rhino Rally: The Quest of Rhino Island. It takes place in the 1930s where the Rhino Expedition Company has landed on Rhino Island on a quest to the rhinos. The guys let you join the quest. When you enter the ride, you board large Jeeps that takes you on the quest. The ride features live rhinos and 3D screens. So what do you think? You can share your thoughts and feelings about it.
Damn this ride was prime childhood days!
Only got as far as the station area in 2004 when it was stopped as a massive storm moved in and had to stand under the canopy over the station area as it rained so hard you couldn't see anything else across the park and the lightning was hitting all around us it was an amazing storm the staff were trying to keep people calm and were pushing the water out with squeegees.The park shut early after the storm past.
What an awesome looking ride, it truly seemed better than the Kilimanjaro Safari ride, it seemed cool, and I would have loved it, especially because the breakaway bridge reminds me heavily of the plot of "Toby and the Flood" from Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends where Toby the Tram engine is on a bridge when it breaks apart and he floats down the river. This appeared to be a genuinely awesome ride, and I'm sad I never went there to ride it. Shame they closed it for a roller coaster no matter how cool. Roller Coasters are a dime a dozen (not really, but you know what I mean), and a truly unique ride this this should never have been lost.
My home park and I miss this ride every single day I visit :(
Great ride, I love Cheetah Hunt, but when the water part was functioning properly Rhino Rally provided a break from all the coasters
i used to have annual passes for busch gardens when i was younger and we went like all the time. we took a couple of years off and recently got them again and when i saw rhino rally i had no idea it had closed i was so sad it was my favorite ride
I loved rhino rally as a kid, I remember I had a safari hat with the logo on it!
Lived outside of Bay area in mid 2000's & had annual pass to BG. Absolutely better than Kilimanjaro Safari.
My family went on the Rhino Rally not knowing anything about it and were pleasantly surprised!
I even got to be the navigator.
Ha ha it feels like this was made for me after my last comment...(I know it isn’t) 6 visits to Busch whilst it was operating and never got to experience the river feature once, it was always down.
Maybe it was! :D
That ride was awesome I miss it