I never rode Rhino Rally before the accident, but I find it totally lame now that the water part is gone. Maybe people don't notice if they've never been on it before, but now it's like "eh." Never even has a line anymore. They need to so SOMETHING...I don't know what, but anything is better than the sad, castrated version they're running now.
Rhino Rally before the accident was a great ride. But it only lasted a month before this.
From the Orlando Sentinel:
Theme park ride closed after accident
Associated Press
Posted June 27, 2001, 8:18 AM EDT
TAMPA -- The Rhino Rally exhibit at Busch Gardens was closed after a truck tipped over, causing passengers to fall out into the wild animal habitats.
The custom-built Land Rover fell over onto its right side at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, as it was leaving the rhinoceros habitat and entering the crocodile habitat, said Gerard Hoeppner, spokesman for Busch Gardens.
The 16 passengers got out of the truck while the driver called for help, Hoeppner said.
Two rhinoceroses were grazing in the field, but the passengers were in no danger of animal attack, Hoeppner said. Handlers called out to the rhinos, which headed for their night quarters, ignoring the overturned vehicle, he said.
Saul Soto, 23, of Orlando, and Deidre Shellman, 16, of Tampa, were treated for minor injuries at University Community Hospital, officials said. Both were expected to be released Tuesday night, they said.
The other 14 passengers were unharmed during the accident, officials said.
The ride, which has been open for a month, will remain closed until authorities determine why the Land Rover tipped over, Hoeppner said.
Rhino Rally was inspected shortly before it opened by in-house engineers, who said the ride was safe, Hoeppner said. An independent firm also inspected the exhibit, he said.
Copyright © 2001, The Associated Press
The entire ride was changed and even the speed of water channel and how fast the current took you away changed. It went from a mild thrillride to boring jeep ride. Very sad.