Since Busch Gardens Tampa and Williamsburg are sister parks, they have similar attractions. When BGW built the mega looper Drachen Fire in 1992, Tampa added the even bigger Kumba in 1993. Even though they were made by different companies (and there is a rumor that Bolliger and Mabillard were supposed to build Drachen Fire), they represented very similar attractions. Then in 1996, BGT opened Montu, the largest inverted roller coaster in the world at the time. It was very successful, and in 1997, Alpengeist, an even bigger inverted roller coaster, appeared at BGW. In 1999, the parks went separate ways with BGT getting dueling wooden coasters (Gwazi), and BGW getting a hyper coaster (Apollo's Chariot). But as we discussed in the last rumor mill, BGT just doesn't have the available room for an out and back hyper. Could that be the reason why the two parks didn't not get the same kind of attraction?
In 2005, BGT added the Bolliger and Mabillard dive machine SheiKra, the largest dive machine in the world. So, what's next at BGW?

  In 2006, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is definitely up to something, and from what I've heard, it is supposed to be a Bolliger and Mabillard dive machine. Last weekend, a couple of high-up officials from BGW were checking out SheiKra in action. The ride would not be a SheiKra clone, but rather a different version, similar to what happened with Montu and Alpengeist. And if the height balloon test was any indication, this BGW coaster would be taller. From what I've heard so far, there will likely be a second inversion and possibly modified trains.

  With the success of SheiKra at Busch Gardens Tampa and the attendance boost it gave the park, it is no wonder that Busch Entertainment Corporation wants to repeat that at Williamsburg. The parks are far enough apart that they will not take attendance away from one another. And as with any Busch coaster, it surely will be a quality experience that will be unique in some ways.

  I'm pretty confident in this matter that BGW will be getting a dive machine, as long as the ride is approved. Of course, something else could happen, so take it for what it is worth. But with the similarity of previous editions, it just seems right that BGW would add a dive machine. We'll just have to stay tuned to new developments.

  A quick Tampa note: the latest rumor for Congo is that Python will be removed for a kid's play area. Something that I thought of was that maybe this new area in the Congo will replace the Land of the Dragons, and a new expansion will take place where the Land of the Dragons once was. That area is right next to Gwazi park, a large empty space that is used a few times a year for special events. With no room to go on the Serengeti, that could be the next spot for any future expansion.

  Well, that's all for now. If anything else pops up, we'll try to get the scoop on it.