A trip to Pantopia... But mostly Falcon's Fury

(Oh hey, and this is the 100th post on Amusement Park... Stuff!)

So after months and months of delay and a canceled media event along the way...  Falcon's Fury, the centerpiece for Busch Gardens Tampa's newly rethemed "Pantopia" has finally opened to the public!
Yaayyy!

Sweet, the entrance to Pantopia, formerly Timbuktu.
And Falcon's Fury (running!)
Having waited months and months to try it out I was super excited.

The backside of the entry way, now super colorful and stuff.
The whole area looks pretty fantastic now and I hope it leads to Busch touching up other dated areas around the park.

The midway game area has also been brightly repainted, some of the games have been removed and the area as a whole feels more open now.

The Painted Camel Bazaar gift shop.
On the roof the park has painted the Falcon's Fury logo... only visible to those who ride.

Beer and Pretzel area...but wait for it...

Lemur themed pretzels!

Theming... and such.
Kinda bummed the arcade is gone.. but whatever.

Fun chairs-as-art on the side of one of the buildings.

Lemurs Only!

Phoenix!
Newly painted and still maybe the best Intamin in Florida.
(Sorry Cheetah Hunt)

Bamboo Ferris Wheel... thing

Lemur... lemur.... leeee mur

Kettlecorn

Pantopia Theater

Busch Flyers also received new paint for its load area and queue although the ride itself kept its original colors.
(as did the kiddie train next to it)

Oooooh man! Falcon's Fury!!
"The tallest free-standing drop ride in America"
(even if there are two rides nearly 100 feet taller elsewhere in the US, the park is still using that slogan)

It looks great and its a nice fit for the park
(I just wish it was a little more fun?)

The unique seats for the ride.
(surprisingly roomy) 
The seat belts are magnet locked, unlike other Intamin drop towers and once the ride cycle ends, the restraints remain closed until all 4 belts have been un-clipped. 

Ah, the best trick on a drop tower in a while... Once at the top of the 335 foot tower, the seats are pulled inward toward the tower making the riders face a full 90*s down.... And while tilting seats have been done before, this is the first tower that really forces you to look down.

It's probably the best part of the ride.
And due to the vest style used to hold riders in place, there really isn't a way to hold on or brace yourself.
(Not that I need that.. I ride hands free <3)

Just hanging there, looking straight down and then you drop.
Sadly, the drop itself feels way to controlled and not at all like free fall. Its more like "rushing toward the ground" but there's no floating sensation. Its fun, don't get me wrong.. but its also pretty tame... well, tame for a +300 foot drop tower that tilts 90 degrees. 

Sweet, the ride looks great, the area looks great, and I look. I don't know.. Indifferent?

I've faced the fury six times so far and can't wait to ride it again. I just wish the ride gave a better free fall sensation but its still a fun ride. I'll still take Acrophobia, Lex Luthor, and of course... Hurakan Condor <3 over it, but Falcon's Fury is still fun. It could just have been better.
But its kind of strange.. Every time I've ridden it, the ride has pretty much been a walk-on or a single cycle wait. Everyone getting off the ride seemed to have loved it and come off with a sort of "self-accomplishment" but it seems almost as if a lot of people just won't get in line because of its looks. Its pretty intimidating to watch I guess, if you aren't one for rides and I almost wonder if people are just too scared to even try it.
(I rode with my friends girlfriend and she was pretty terrified but as soon as the ride was over she ran and got back in line. I kinda think most people who skip it would end up liking it if they just gave it a chance)

Oh, and here's a video the park released via YouTube.

Yup