Scott And Carol Present: TEA Knows Best

On Sunday Mike mentioned Busch Gardens Tampa's new Jungala section winning the prestigious Thea Award for Best New Theme Park Land. We were lucky enough to experience Jungala in person and would like to present 20 reasons why we agree with TEA.

20 Lots of really, fun, interactive things to do!

#19 People always seem to be dropping in.

#18 In fact, they're flying in from all over.

#17 How many places can you find pretty ladies holding furry animals?

#16 Or sharing a little turle talk

15. You can get a bird's eye view.

#14 Of bird's of a feather flocking together.

#13 You can be all wet!

#12 Or just hang out.

#11 you might want to monkey around,

#10 Or climb a tree (house.)

#9 Scale a net mountain,

#8 Or just lounge in the shade

#7 You can hide out,

#6 Or, work on y.our tan

#5 Wash a few windows,

#4 How about a bit of window shopping?

#3 Or a game of Hide & Go Seek!

#2 Embarassing your friends is fun!

#1 Or smile & say have a nice day!

With apologies to 3 Dog Night we leave you with Jungala (sung to the tune of Shambala.)

Wash away my troubles, wash away my pain With the fun in Jungala

Wash away my sorrow, wash away my shameWith the rain in Jungala

Everyone is helpful, everyone is kindOn the road to Jungala

Everyone is lucky, everyone is so kindOn the road to Jungala

How does your light shine, after a day at Jungala?

Congrats to BGT for the award & success of Jungala!

Scott & Carol

Park Odds & Ends

Whilst away in Vegas my in box became full of some neat items directly from parks. Let's have a look shall we?

Kings Island is still getting the word out that Diamondback is open by sending out this beautiful photo of the ride. Even with all the coverage we've had from the park over the past 2 weeks I must say: go ride it!

Jack Hanna from Jack Hanna�s Animal Adventures is inviting Sesame Place guests on an expedition into the minds and bodies of some of his favorite animal friends! Hanna will be accompanied by some of the world�s most fascinating animals, like a cheetah, Parma wallaby, hyacinth macaw, and many more that will leave guests marveling. On Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10, Sesame Place visitors will have the opportunity to listen and learn from the animal whiz himself with three interactive shows at 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., and 2:45 p.m. in the Big Bird Theater.

Mr. Hanna will also visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in April and May. Hanna will join families for an unforgettable Serengeti Night Safari on April 26, and he will make a special appearance at park sleepovers on April 25 and May 2. These new adventures with Hanna have been added to an already exciting lineup of animal shows and autograph signings that he will host on April 26 and May 3. For more info see BuschGardens.com.

As the most ambitious park enhancement project in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's 50-year history, Jungala has earned the prestigious Thea Award for Best New Theme Park Land, and has remarkably enhanced the 365-acre adventure park with even more up-close animal interactions, world-class rides and lavish live entertainment.

�The prestigious Thea Awards recognize and honor excellence in the creation of outstanding visitor experiences, attractions, exhibits and places,� said Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) President Nick Farmer of Farmer Attraction Development, Leicester, UK. �The Thea Awards focus international attention on innovation within the Themed Entertainment and Experience Design Industry.�

Congratulations to Busch Gardens for their prestigious award!

A Disturbing Ride? No Way!

Best known for songs like �Down with the Sickness� and �I�m Alive,� Disturbed is scheduled to perform in Tampa on April 10 and Orlando on April 11.

During the band�s visit to Busch Gardens on Thursday, Disturbed guitarist Dan Donegan and bass player John Moyer experienced SheiKra, North America�s first dive coaster, which sends riders through a breathtaking three-minute journey 200 feet up, then 90 degrees straight down.

�Floorless� cars give riders an unobstructed view of the 70 mph rush, and SheiKra was the first dive coaster to incorporate an Immelmann loop (a simultaneous loop and roll), a second, 138-foot vertical drop into an underground tunnel and a water feature finale, all packed into a half-mile of steel track.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure park, featuring an unparalleled combination of animal encounters, live entertainment and world-class thrill rides. As one of the top zoos in North America, Busch Gardens brings you face-to-face with more exotic and endangered animals than any destination outside of Africa.

Busch Gardens Tampa Celebrates its 50th

Busch Gardens, located in Tampa, FL, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a special 100 ft. long 'memory wall' that takes a unique look back at the first half-century of the park.

Employees looked the park over for unique items to display on the wall, coming up with everything from old postcards to interesting costumes from days gone by. The display will run through the end of the year and will be available for viewing tomorrow.

This article mentions that it will display some interesting concept artwork for attractions over the years which perks up my ears - hopefully someone will be able to grab shots of those!