Cheetah Hunt Review, Busch Gardens Tampa Intamin Blitz Coaster | Is This a Family Coaster?

Cheetah Hunt is an Intamin multi-launch coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa. This coaster sprawls over midways, carves past rocks, and zips past animal exhibits. Velocicoaster has been receiving a lot of attention as of late, but how does Florida's original Intamin multi-launch coaster stack up?
Video Credits
Cheetah Exhibit (Beautiful MicroPortale)- • Cheetah Hunt e Cheetah...
Cheetah Hunt POV (Busch Gardens Tampa)- • Cheetah Hunt 4K POV | ...
Background Music
Life in the Jungle - Electro Tripping (Copyright Free Music Maker)- • Life In Jungle - Elect...

[@ThemeParkAvenue]

Compared to Maverick, this ride is certainly tame. However, it is pretty thrilling at times. I lean toward it not being a family coaster.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Agreed.

[@spentron1]

Modern Family coaster ;)

[@skinnyd1195]

i do to since it has an inversion

[@Coasterdude02149]

I agree, I don’t feel this is in any way a family coaster

[@JFM_Dimes]

i compare it to hagrids and there actually pretty close

[@pfschuyler]

I love the meandering layout of this ride. Mixed in around exhibits, with the Cheetah theme, with that abstract tower, and twisting through trenches. It has parts that are tightly wound, and others that just stretch out all over, overlapping different areas of the park. It's family coaster-like but a bit more intense, kind of like Hagrids. Makes me realize that there should be another category to coasters, "Memorable."

[@CanobieCoaster]

It definitely has a neat placement.

[@ThemeParkAvenue]

I have some really fond memories of this ride from when I was a kid. I went to the park close to when it first opened and was two scared to ride because the launch sound made me think real cheetahs would try to get me. My brother wanted to ride, but he was half an inch too short.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The launch sound is fantastic.

[@lay10vids]

I was fortunate to ride it last summer. To my surprise, the hill following the final launch gave me the most intense ejector airtime on the entire ride. Although the ride doesn’t have many forces like you mentioned, I couldn’t help but have a huge smile on my face each time I rode it. Out of all of the coasters I’ve ridden, Cheetah Hunt is the only ride(so far) that feels long enough. I obviously wish it would never end, but I feel like it was more than worth the wait each time.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The hill after launch 2 is the strongest airtime moment for me.

[@Blueberrybomb1234]

@@CanobieCoaster The big drop after the wind catcher was easily best for me, I was out of my seat the whole time lol (Car 2, Row 2)

[@ColorStaticOfficial]

Wowww Canobie I never knew that bit about Return of the Jedi, and this was already my favorite operating coaster at the park!! So cool

[@CanobieCoaster]

It is.

[@davidlins5689]

Another great thing about cheetah hunt is it would be a perfect first "upside down" rollercoaster.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It does ease you into inversions.

[@fujicakes_]

Speaking of that, it was mine!

[@AirtimeProductions]

I can’t wait to re-ride this later this year! I just remember this ride being so fun and I did find some airtime on this especially with the drop but it’s been so long that I’ve forgot what most of the ride is like

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

I went into this knowing nothing, and I'm glad I did. With zero expectations, I loved it. It has great universal appeal. It is my 4th favorite in the park, and I can't believe that I'm actually putting 3 B&Ms ahead of an Intamin, but it's a unique situation. I usually rope drop Cheetah Hunt for a few rides before it gets a 90-minute wait on slow weekdays, then spend the rest of the day walking onto the B&Ms.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a perfect compliment to the B&Ms.

[@fujicakes_]

I remember going on this in January with my family. I was scared to ride it because of the sheer size and steepness of the drop (not the inversion for some reason, I felt very safe in the restraints). When we were in the Quick Queue for it, I was very nervous to ride. I ended up riding it with my dad and loving the ride. Heck, I remember being on the MCBR and actually crying tears of joy because I concurred a roller coaster with an inversion. We rode it two more times after that. I really don’t get why some Coaster Enthusiasts rag on this ride. Sure, it’s not the most intense thing out there, but it’s just plain fun from beginning to end.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree it is simply fun.

[@davidlins5689]

Wow I am amazed about the star wars thing, I never would have guessed that! Great review as always.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks!

[@robertannable9584]

CANOBIE!!! MY MAN..... WOOOOOOOOOOO. This looks like a family version of the great Maverick. Great looking ride, aesthetically.

[@CanobieCoaster]

True!

[@dougronald561]

Cheetah Hunt was a pleasant surprise for me when I rode it for the first time yesterday. How I differ from most other enthusiasts is that I don’t only appreciate the biggest, baddest coasters. I look for ones that offer a unique overall ride experience, and that’s Cheetah Hunt.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's definitely a unique ride.

[@maxhagenauer24]

This is a perfect family coaster, it packs everything. Airtime, whippy elements, turns, and an inversion but still not to intense for all family's to love. And that windcatcher tower is surely a unique element.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a bit too wild for a family coaster but a fun ride for sure.

[@djsugarc1075]

it’s a thrill coaster for almost* the whole family! i love a nice long ride with fun and smooth elements and i think this ride hits that mark perfectly. it’s not even close to my favorite ride in the park and not worth waiting an hour+ for a reride but i enjoy it a lot! by the way it was super cool to meet you on the voyage dude! have fun on your travels!!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice to meet you and your mom too!

[@Lucky_9705]

This is not a family coaster. The launches are intense, the turns provide some great laterals, and that drop off the wind tower is also a forceful element.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a well-rounded ride.

[@ethanhcomposer]

I wonder-do the animals like this? Nice review, this might become one of my favorite coasters because it’s not too intense and has plenty of scenery

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks!

[@Rocketcoasternerd]

He is not lying about the hang time it’s pretty good for a family coaster

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a nice blend of family and thrills.

[@rlynch1980]

It’s definitely a fun ride - it’s very unique and artfully executed. It’s just when you hear “Intamin Blitz,” you think some of the most intense rides in the world. If you compare it to what it could have been it’s going to be disappointing, but if you take it for what it is it’s a lot of fun. Definitely a less intense ride for families or younger riders, and the GP loves it so I’d consider it a win for the park. Also, I haven’t seen the water features turned on in 3 or 4 years. That was my favorite part of the ride - the visuals were amazing especially the near miss with the waterfall, but their only function was scenery for the coaster, so I’m sure the park realized they were wasting money.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It makes sense from a budget perspective why they'd be off.

[@jtwoolley]

It is wonderful. 😊

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@caseykod4406]

Great video and really fun looking coaster. It is a little weird that it doesn't go as fast as the animal, though. :P

[@CanobieCoaster]

I find it funny.

[@conman366]

Looks way more graceful then the other blitz coasters.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It is.

[@coasterboss1654]

Do you think it’s more practical to hit this ride in the afternoon after the morning rush, kinda like how candymonium at Hersheypark is?

[@CanobieCoaster]

From what I've seen, Iron Gwazi tends to open before the park. If you get an early ride on Gwazi, you can get to Cheetah Hunt before it builds a big wait. It makes sense to do that early since the rides in the back have staggered openings.

[@jaydenchrist6152]

This coaster looks awesome jumping over the freaking skyride.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love its placement.

[@mikeinanir1996]

6:40 it’s filled in about 25% of my visits(I visit once every 2 weeks)

[@CanobieCoaster]

I heard it was fixed recently.

[@randomcoffeetable777]

Honestly I had a lot of fun on it as a night ride in the front towards the end of a long day in the park. It wasn’t super intense or insane but it was just plain to ride. It probably felt a bit faster in the dark vs day time and the trims didn’t hit too hard so the second half still ran pretty fast.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@WCfanboy]

That final twist caught me off guard and delivered some head banging, which wouldn’t be as much of an issue if the ride had lap bars. I feel like the lats are just a bit too abrupt to be comfortable as opposed to say taron’s camelback

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'd prefer lap bars, but I've never had smoothness issues.

[@WCfanboy]

@@CanobieCoaster it wasn’t rough but the lats were sudden

[@CoasterRoaster]

I never really noticed it before watching the pov again recently, but that ejector hill looks crazy good

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love the entrance and exit of windcatcher tower.

[@omarnoble4788]

It's the best part of the ride for me.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

It offers some nice sustained ejector which is nice for a ride lacking in the that

[@patrickwagner98]

I love this ride. Thankfully my rides came with the gorge full of water and it was beautiful. I hope they didn't decide to drain it permanently.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Lucky!

[@patrickwagner98]

@@CanobieCoaster slightly. That was the same day they had Montu closed to be power washed. Still missing that beautiful coaster.

[@Joypyf]

This previously was high on my bucket list

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a unique one.

[@Theme-Park-Kingdom]

They are constructing an S&S Screaming Swing near to Cheetah Hunt’s S-Bend section. Many believe this section is drained of water due to this.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That would be a nice add!

[@The_over_GA_enthusiast.365]

I went on Easter Day 2024 and I had my rides with the water on and it was really nice I definitely recommend going in 2024 to get rides with the water on

[@CanobieCoaster]

I got the water earlier this year as well.

[@BigDCoasterFam]

27 days and counting till my family and I get to BGT for the first time

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@timk987]

This ride is neither a Family Coaster or a Blitz Coaster. Intamin redid there website prior to Cheetah Hunts opening and dropped the Blitz (and Ball) subcategory for their LSM Launch Coaster model. My best guess is that they realized when they were commissioned for Cheetah Hunt that the intensity didn't compare to that of a blitzkrieg, but saw the market potential for a model that was a step higher than their tire propelled Family Launch Coaster.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's entirely possible

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

I wouldn’t call this overrated but it’s not fantastic my favorite parts are the second launch up to that hill and the heartline roll

[@CanobieCoaster]

Those are great.

[@thatcool-guyplays7831]

100th like!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@pixelythegamer3260]

Have you heard of Storyville gardens, the new theme park coming to Nashville Tennessee in 2025?

[@CanobieCoaster]

I have not!

[@pixelythegamer3260]

@@CanobieCoaster by the looks of it, it will have a log flume, and seems to be a wooden roller coaster, while it’s never identify what’s the second thill ride, it looks like a roller coaster to me, look it up, and maybe, make the video again

[@RockyandTuck]

8/10. But I'm strongly reconsidering maybe giving it a 7

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@StamfordBridge]

For me those hard OTSRs mean raising my arms results in pain through the twists.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I usually hold on with these restraints.

[@StamfordBridge]

@@CanobieCoaster I learned my lesson on my first ride. Don’t have to learn it a second time. 😝

[@me-myself-i787]

This seems like it's not trying to be like VelociCoaster; it's trying to be like Hagrid's. It doesn't have the level of theming that Hagrid's does, but that's to be expected since this is Busch Gardens, not Universal, Disney, Europa-Park, or PhantasiaLand.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's definitely closer to a family coaster than ultra thrill coaster.

[@zerogcoasters]

Cheetah Hunt looks great but I have not ridden it. It doesn’t look as good as maverick (which I just rode), but I don’t think there should be a comparison because cheetah hunt isn’t as thrilling. The ride (cheetah hunt) just looks like a full package though

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's technically the same ride model though which is why comparisons are inevitable.

[@omarnoble4788]

While I definitely wish it was more like Maverick, it's just a fun ride and and wait times seem to suggest it's a big hit.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Absolutely!

[@omarnoble4788]

@@CanobieCoaster Kind of love it because you can basically marathon every other ride at the park in the morning because of it. I skip it most days because I haven't seen it under 100min in a while and haven't rope dropped in a long time. I'll gladly marathon most of the other rides at the park while people are drawn to it. Hope they bring back the water some day. It was a really nice visually. I still miss Rhino Rally. My family was so impressed by it.

[@theduh1011]

Sadly, I haven't seen water in the slalom part of the coaster in a few years :/ even as recent as January this year it was dry

[@CanobieCoaster]

Dang!

[@starryagent9936]

The water’s back!

[@davidpalomeque4689]

What is Cheetah Hunt compared to Incredicoaster? And Cheetah Hunt vs Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure? I’m disappointed in Disney for not having more thrilling rides!

[@CanobieCoaster]

They're all comparable.

[@davidpalomeque4689]

So Cheetah Hunt and Incredicoaster are about the same?

[@coasternamegenerator5611]

I think the pacing was intentional cuz it was made more for families/the general public

[@CanobieCoaster]

And that's fair.

[@jaydenchrist6152]

Idc if it's a family coaster. It doesn't need to be thrilling to be good. If you dont want it I'll take this to my home park six flags great adventure and gladly take it lol.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's fun as long as you go in with the right expectations.

[@starryagent9936]

The water returned just a few days ago

[@CanobieCoaster]

I saw! A welcome return.

[@JJJJ-he8bz]

The coaster itself was very underwhelming. However the layout is executed brilliantly. It feels like you’re running though Africa.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It has great placement.

[@Paolo8772]

I think I'd prefer it to Maverick, but not Steel Vengeance or Millennium Force. That's just my opinion.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's fair.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

Cheetah hunt probably has the world record for the longest valley

[@CanobieCoaster]

After the main drop?

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

@CanobieCoaster yup

[@Mattia_Genuardi]

I think there needs to be a categorization between "extreme", "thrill" and "family" coasters... This is no family coaster... it has some intense launches, some moments of positive and negative Gs and an inversion. On the other hand, these elements may not be so intense to be considered an "extreme" coaster. This leads Cheetah Hunt to be a thrill coaster: A coaster that can be enjoyable for adrenaline seekers, but also for children who are afraid of bigger and badder coasters.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'd agree.

[@ryangryglewicz4274]

RCDB has that classification system along with "kiddie"

[@dytamic]

manta with loopty loop

[@CanobieCoaster]

Not exactly.

[@upsidedown_]

It's way to tall imo for a family coaster and it also has an inversion... if I was a kid I would be scared to death lol and airtime even EJECTOR on a family coaster?😂

[@CanobieCoaster]

I don't think it's a family coaster.

[@upsidedown_]

@Zacheroni damn how do peoples see this as a family ride iI would be scared just seeing it as a kid

[@upsidedown_]

@@CanobieCoaster I know :P

[@MattMcIrvin]

I think some coaster enthusiasts, the type who call this a family coaster, can get sufficiently jaded that they forget what a huge gap there is between themselves and the average theme-park visitor. To most people this looks like a pretty intimidating ride. A friend of mine once referred to Canobie's Untamed as a nice little family coaster (somewhat jokingly I think). On one level I can see where he's coming from--it's not a huge or world-beatingly intense ride, but that thing has a vertical lift, beyond-vertical drop and three inversions. That in itself puts the thing miles beyond the comfort zone of anyone who isn't somewhat a thrill-seeker.

[@MattMcIrvin]

My criterion for "family coaster" is whether my family would willingly go on it and enjoy it. This coaster, they would not ride under any circumstances. The inversion is a complete deal-breaker. I don't think they'll even go on rides that have a backwards section.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's fair.

[@MattMcIrvin]

(The rule of thumb is that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is the absolute upper limit of their comfort zone. Interestingly, RCDB actually puts that one in the "Thrill" category.)

[@officialchase02]

People are crazy to think this is a family coaster cause that drop does not make it a family coaster

[@CanobieCoaster]

Agreed.

[@mcoodlesfilms9364]

See everyone keeps arguing if its a Family Coaster or a Thrill Coaster, and to that I say, Why not both? A Family Thrill Coaster! Starting with Cheetah Hunt and Oscars Wacky Taxi

[@CanobieCoaster]

Whatever this ride is, it's fun.

[@Rocketcoasternerd]

If you ride this it’s much more fun at the front of the train.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like it a little better in the back to be honest.

[@Rocketcoasternerd]

@@CanobieCoaster cool I’ll try that next time I go

[@braxtonradcliffe8448]

I just rode this recently and thought it was the most forgettable ride there

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's fun.

[@braxtonradcliffe8448]

Im not sure if I just went on a bad day or something cause when I went on there was only a weak bit of air going up into the wind catcher and that was it for me. But I was also in one of the middle rows so that could have also affected it.

[@Rocketcoasternerd]

@@braxtonradcliffe8448 it’s best at the font row or the back I rode yesterday and I lucky rode in the front

[@MillenniumForceMan]

I just don’t understand why the park didn’t make it insane like maverick

[@starryagent9936]

At least Busch Gardens Williamsburg made theirs extreme

[@amityollie]

So the coaster can attract families and thrill seekers, there’s more to it than insanity if you know what I mean

[@CanobieCoaster]

It seems popular to most while I wish it was more intense as an enthusiast.

[@MillenniumForceMan]

@@starryagent9936 at least BGT opened theirs the year they were supposed to

[@supremefan]

The gen public doesn't want those types of coaster sadly. Coasters like this & Hagrids proves that as the wait times are long and never seem to be letting off.

[@ChickenTruck69-dl8ck]

Most Overrated Coaster Imo Restraints Are Worst Then Skyrush Imo

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Skyrush's restraints too.