SheiKra Review, Busch Gardens Tampa Dive Machine | North America's Original Dive Coaster

[@metallicnole4514]

Sheikra is an absolute classic

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes it is.

[@rollercoasterheaven2170]

It was my first B&M dive coaster in 2016

[@koasterlover1045]

I just realized that your video reviews of roller coasters are actually my favorite. You dive (pun intended) so deep into not only the rides elements but also the park itself the ride is located in so that you know what the experience is like from stepping to the park gate to having your restraint checked by the ride ops.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thank you!

[@Southeastern_Thrills]

I couldn't imagine SheiKrs without the splashdown. It is absolutely necessary.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a cool visual.

[@charlanator225]

this is a ride i unfortunately missed due to long waits, looks super fun!

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's unfortunate.

[@midsterman727]

It's a great ride, the drops are pretty nice

[@midsterman727]

@@CanobieCoaster I missed montu on my trip.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

This was my first dive coaster. I still love it. Even though I usually prefer the vest restraints, the standard OTSR work well on this one, since the layout and smoothness prevent headbanging concerns. And those restraints allow for excellent airtime on both drops in the back row. My shoulders lift to the top of the restraints every time. And even I grey out slightly at the start of the Immelman. I like that the 2nd half doesn't feel like a repeat of the 1st half. That's what Griffon feels like to me. It's been awhile since I've seen SheiKra without a bit of a line. It's usually over 20 minutes on my school day visits, even when all other rides are walk-ons. My 2017 & 2019 visits saw it have much shorter lines.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I don't mind when a ride repeats if I like the elements, which I do on Griffon.

[@newenglandenthusiast3849]

One of my first inverting coasters!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@davidpalomeque4689]

Went on this celebrating my 13th birthday!! Was my first ever coaster to reach 200 ft! Got a souvenir picture of me on it as I was pounded with Gs at the bottom of the drop.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@CarlileCoasters]

My favorite part of sheikra (other than the drop) was smelling the water beneath me on the splashdown, a core memory indeed.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@alex33952]

It’s a super fan coaster. I believe I saw you at the park on 3/1/24 twice including iron gwazi at the end of the night! Will more Busch gardens Tampa ride reviews be coming? Love the content no fluff just the facts

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes, I was there that day. I'll have some more Busch Gardens content over the next week.

[@typicaluser4116]

Yeah when this ride got a new control panel about a year ago now, I have noticed the friction brakes hit harder at the beginning of the brake but release and typically no longer engage. Kraken is the same way now as well so it might just be a modern day B&M thing.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Oh that would explain why Kraken trims more now.

[@GregBatte]

I have never seen Sheikra run just 1 train and I have been there more than most. 2 trains was the absolute minimum I have ever seen, but they usually do 3 and one load/unload station platform with stacking on slower days.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I've always had 2-4, but a local friend has seen one rarely.

[@ThoosieThoughts]

I've been going a lot this off season, and the first time I had ever seen it running 1 train was in October last year. Since then it's been pretty hit or miss on weekdays. They only had 1 train today and at 4pm the line was all the way down the stairs with an hour as the posted wait time. Kind of crazy to be honest.

[@GregBatte]

@@ThoosieThoughts I just moved away from nearby BGT this past November so that could be why

[@ThoosieThoughts]

@@GregBatte That would probably explain it. I had never seen it on one train before late last year. It's less riders per train, and more popular than the other B&Ms at the park, so it really sucks on 1 train. Hopefully they go back to 2 as the minimum again.

[@iamcristiannn]

I work at SheiKra. If it’s projected to be a slow day then they use only one train to save cycles on the other trains for when the busy days come by then they can have three in circuit

[@ComposerConductor]

I wonder why B&M isn't daring to alter the Immelmann. Does the speed of the trains put too much strain on, say, a dive loop?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Not sure why. I imagine they can navigate other elements.

[@Thrills_And_Chills_WQAQ]

I like sheikra but I prefer pretty much every other thrill coaster at Busch gardens. Hell I’m insane enough to have scorpion over it, scorpion has better laterals and sustains those forces for longer. Really slept on ride, hope you review that too

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

I rank scorpion 8th at the park........

[@inlinechris]

Yea u wild for that one lol

[@Thrills_And_Chills_WQAQ]

@@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od I understand it’s not everyone’s ride but god I love it lol

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'll review Scorpion eventually. Not prioritizing that one right now since I've reviewed similar Schwarzkopf loopers.

[@dreams2reality410]

Great ride. Love the views from the top of the lift hill. Just wish they didn't trim the 2nd drop.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The views are fantastic. The drop still has good air despite the trim.

[@clairefunnell8481]

This ride does look like real fun. Yukon Striker all the way. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Yukon as well.

[@thedude4063]

Had my best coaster ride on it. Sheikra downpour ride

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@Thuggysmurf]

Sheikra is my favorite American dive coaster. The ride itself is not better than Valravn or Griffon, but the view is outstanding and those other dives typically have waits. Valravyn with Fast Lane is still usually 10-15 minutes of wait time. For whatever reason (maybe visiting only on off-season weekdays), Sheikra has always been a walk-on for me, usually with an opportunity for multiple re-rides, and the ride operators are always nice. It's just a great overall experience, assuming the ride is open.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like Yukon Striker and Griffon more.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

On my visits to Cedar Point, Valravn's fast lane has often been as long or longer than the regular line, usually spilling far down the midway. On my fast lane day in 2021, the fast lane line went passed Blue Streak, as the staff scrambled to assemble an extended queue. That was common for most rides, which is why I haven't done fast lane since.

[@Manic_Drone_Idiom]

I feel like B&M's dive coasters are largely underappreciated. Despite the limited inversion offerings, I still love these machines. And Sheikra is a classic. Griffon might have a slight edge or two, but Sheikra was the FIRST.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think it's just enthusiasts that bash these rides. Most guests love them.

[@metallicnole4514]

The general public loves dive coasters because they are thrilling and scary

[@maverickheartlineroll]

Where do u think iron menace will place for u among dive coasters

[@CanobieCoaster]

Probably towards the middle.

[@mateoalvira3514]

Canobie Coaster would say: In terms of pacing, SheiKra's first half is near perfect for a dive coaster. The ending is pretty lackluster though after that second drop. I really like how &M tweaked the finale for Griffon to add some extra airtime pops to rectify this issue. As for smoothness, SheiKra tracks very well. This ride is smooth and I could ride it all day long. So what would I rate SheiKra?

[@CanobieCoaster]

See the review.

[@rollercoasterheaven2170]

It’s a shame not many of these dive coasters have a splashdown

[@CanobieCoaster]

It is quite cool offride.

[@rollercoasterheaven2170]

@@CanobieCoaster yeah

[@ThrillReport]

Quick Question, Would you consider doing longer review videos that took a deep dive into the history of the park and the ride itself? Something like what ET Ryan does, but with your own spin on it? I would love to see that.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I plan to keep my reviews around this length so I can focus on a bunch of different rides.

[@midsterman727]

Actually a pretty great ride, I'd rank it 4th (Montu was closed) behind Kumba, Cheetah Hunt and Iron Gwazi

[@CanobieCoaster]

Sorry Montu was down.

[@mitchellries256]

Fun fact, this was the very first roller coaster from Boliger and Mabliard that I've personally ridden.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@cookimaus1]

Amercia is my favorite country!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@cookimaus1]

@@CanobieCoaster I was pointing out the typo in the thumbnail :p

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

It's weird the original dive is still one of the best

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

in America*

[@marcusmcgraw3519]

That’s cuz dive coasters are a novelty and generally unrewarding aside from the first drop and the holding brake. There’s never much to experience in the layout. Iron Menace is a great example of how little dive coasters have progressed over the years

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

@marcusmcgraw3519 damn I'm surprised it took so long for someone to complain about iron menace

[@marcusmcgraw3519]

@@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od oh don’t get me started on it lol. If you want a lack of originality and a ride that ends while you’re waiting for it to truly begin, then look no further. I have no idea how it’s over 2000 feet long

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

@marcusmcgraw3519 thoosies complain to much

[@Adrians_films]

Do you like baked potatoes

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

The ones at TGI Fridays are 🔥

[@maverickheartlineroll]

Yes, particularly texas roadhouse 😋

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@WhatAG23]

Ah yes, north amercia’s original dive coaster

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@marcusmcgraw3519]

This is a good coaster... for a dive coaster. So basically it's the equivalent of being the smartest kid on the short bus

[@CanobieCoaster]

I enjoy dive coasters. They fit in well at parks.

[@marcusmcgraw3519]

@@CanobieCoaster they do function well in terms of what they provide for the GP. Given that they’re not as costly of investments as some other coasters either, I understand why parks want to put them in