I was part of the original Rhino Rally Crew. We spent hours and hours testing the water portions pontoons. Lots of fun times with Sassy Summer, Princess Kelly, Jungle Joe, Frank and the rest. Seems like an eternity ago.

As a Tampa bay resident I’m crying because this was the best ride at BGT and the water section was so amazing and when it closed it was so upsetting. Also I was navigator once and it’s still a shining moment in my childhood.

I loved Rhino Rally growing up. Largely for the water part but also the fact the rhinos could actually come to the truck. Kilimanjaro Safari is obviously superior in setting but the “dangerous” animals are clearly kept away from you. Rhino Rally was much more of a thrill

It continues to baffle me that more people don't know about this channel, it's easily the best of it's kind

I rode it the year it opened! I was just 5 years old and remember the thrill of actually believing we were on a dangerous journey through the African safari. I think my brother and my dad went ahead of us on a different truck and ended up breaking down which honestly just added to the thrill of not knowing if you’re gonna make it lol!

Some of the old trucks sitting on the side of the water portion are still there and the broken bridge still remains for a reminder to the past and great theming as well for cheetah hunt! I miss rhino rally and i wish they would build something else there in the next 5-10 years. I loved those southwest trucks the ride had they look so old school!

I remember riding the original rhino rally as a kid, I’ll never forget it

I had no idea that Cheetah Hunt replaced such a unique and interesting ride. I have actually visited and rode Cheetah Hunt before, and I had no idea! Awesome video!

I used to work on Rhino Rally, back in 2007-2009! Driving those trucks was a lot of fun. Happy to take questions about the ride!

Wow. I hinted at this on a previous comment. Such a good breakdown of the attraction. Being from Tampa, this attraction was such a big part of my teenage years. Still today, when in a car driving over bumpy roads, I find myself saying, "Whoa, this is like Rhino Rally!". The water part was the best part. Great video!

As a Tampa local I really appreciate you covering the gem that is Bush Gardens Florida.

That video was ZERO TO CHEETAH! Great job Sam!!!!

Me and my brother still have Rhino Rally baseball caps. Great memories on that ride!

I remember this ride fondly, i even remember being the navigator at least twice. I remember the original long version of the ride at least, and it was a unique ride. I somewhat remember the shortened version, but it didnt feel the same as the original verson of this ride. I love your videos, and i hope to see a history of Howl O Scream at Busch Gardens soon! 🎃👍🏻

I rode it in both forms- as a diehard Disney fan often my favorites are Disney Park attractions but growing up in Tampa this was the original in my mind. I miss it! Recently went to BG and I was taken aback at just how much the park has changed in 10 years alone!

I remember as a kid my brother wanted to ride Rhino rally, I thought it would be a stupid clone of Kilimanjaro safari at animal kingdom. I reluctantly rode the ride with him after waiting in a super long line. I was so shocked when the whole ride vehicle began floating down the river. It was an amazing ride and honestly was so creative.

Yup, I live in Tampa and have road it many times! It was fun, but they still have a way to book a private savannah tour on a similar style Jeep there. You can even feed the giraffes 🦒

This reminds me of the lot tour at Universal. Fun fact Cheetah's in captivity have comfort dogs to help their anxiety. 😊

I rode Rhino Rally a couple times after the water section was removed. It was fun and was cool to see the animals from views you normally didn't get to see in the park. One time while riding, we had a driver who was absolutely hilarious and made all sorts of corny Jungle Cruise-esque jokes throughout. Had the whole truck laughing.

I was a driver at Rhino Rally from Sept 2001 to August 2002. The water portion was chain driven. 5 chains operated the ride. Engage, chain1, 2, 3, and disengage. The water portion was a great idea, but poorly executed. It would break down daily, and usually required an evacuation. We barely ran 2 carriers (bridge) on the water portion. We've ran up to 4, but seemed to always go back to 2. The rain forest was actually there to rinse the vehicles off before getting to the water portion. Most of the time, back then, the drivers got soaked. Chain 3 started at the overturned boat, and was the fastest section. I guess maintenance had determined that a combination of the rocking and the chlorinated water were creating more wear and tear on the Rovers, and chain 3 and disengage were slowed down. When the track dips and the rover "crashes" into the bridge at the end of the river, drivers incorporated the new programing into their spiel by acting out the crash in slow motion. One of the elephants that was there at the time liked to stand on the ledge, and as we would drive down the hill toward the water filled tunnel, she would throw dirt at the rovers!

Can confirm, this is still abandoned in 2019 and even sadder looking now. You can see the station from the Skyride. I remember riding this as a kid and wish I could ride it again. I'll miss this ride.

I grew up with Busch Gardens and remember going to the parking when it was just the gardens and entrance fee was free. Worked there as a teenager in the 70's, my Mom worked there up until obamacare made them cut out almost all of the part time workers and changing them over to seasonal workers to avoid paying them health insurance and things really started going down hill from there. I was upset and still am since they got rid of Python at least they still have Scorpion. Rhino Rally was OK even when it was fully functional, the fun of the ride relied on the navigator. Cheetah Hunt is the best use of the water section and I agree with the narrator that CH is the best ride in the park. Howl-O-Scream is still the best but I also agree it is sad to see BG struggling.

Rhino Rally opened at the PRIME of my childhood, and living in Clearwater i have a good few fond memories of it. But i was always disappointed when the water part wasn't working or the ride was closed for the day because of difficulties. I never rode it as an Adult, but I'm sure it was just as you said. I actually haven't been to BG in... maybe 5 or 6 years, and even then it was only to go to HOS. Maybe this year when I visit home I'll check it out and see what's different (probably everything lmao)

I remember three things about Rhino Rally. The lines were insane, it was constantly broken, and it was a really cool ride. I only rode it about five times while it ran either because I didn’t want to wait two hours to ride it, or because I would wait and then it would breakdown before I got on. I miss it, but it’s not a huge loss, since it wasn’t a very repeatable ride.

Thanks for this video and great job. I remember rhino rally very fondly but had totally forgotten about the water part. That was so cool. I remember the line always being so long and at one point there was a foot and mouth disease scare and before getting on the ride you had to step in a sanitation tray to clean your shoes. I also remember that the rhinos could get VERY close to your vehicle. I remember one ride where there was a guy taking flash pictures of a rhino and you could tell it was getting agitated and was actually charged The truck. The driver had to repeatedly tell him not to do that and we had to make a quick getaway.

I worked at Rhino Rally for a year in 2001 to 2002. It was a blast back then.

I grew up on this ride! My family had several annual passes from 2002 to 2011. I LOVED it. The lines were usually monstrous though! I’ve always thought it’s closure/modification was a shame.

This was my childhood... I miss this ride so much.

I remember riding this numerous times back then in my extremely early childhood. Extremely saddening to know that this attraction is gone indefinitely.

I love it when there is a greater story for rides.

I love this ride in all it's glory. There was nothing like it in Florida before. It was very unique. I was so sad to see the water section go and then see the dilapidated loading doc from the Skyway system.

I was chosen as the navigator when I rode it back in the mid-2000s. I was probably 10-11 years old at the time and I remember the water part and honestly being slightly scared for no reason. Very fun ride.

Oh my gosh!!! Thank you so much for this! I always knew there was a safari ride where the truck went down a river, but never could remember where it was. I thought for certain that it was at Animal Kingdom at Diz, but I went on Kilimanjaro and it didn't happen, so I was like, "when is the river adventure part?" and now I know why, haha. Awesome history lesson!

Rhino Rally was really good, but Cheetah Hunt is a great launch coaster. It's a must do every visit to BG Tampa.

I was terrified of roller coasters as a youngster and this was my favorite ride. I was so disappointed when I returned in 2011 and it was a sad shadow of what it once was. :(

Great video about my old home and first theme park working experience. Really loved it. One of these days I'm going to do a "replay"/ reenactment of what I was like as a driver. I think I need to get that done in the not to distant future. You've done a great job of recapturing what the ride was like!

I genuinely can't wait for the oppertunity to go to florida and visit every single ride at Busch Gardens Tampa

I rode this when it first opened. Until it happened, I had no idea the truck was going to be floating down the river! It took me by surprise but I thought it was a novel idea and wanted to ride it over and over again. Sadly, the next time I went back looking for it a couple of years later, it had already been shortened and the next time i revisited, it was gone. I really enjoyed that ride.

I went on this ride back in 2004 on a family trip to Florida. Sad to hear the ride is now gone because it was one of the more memorable parts of my trip at the park.

Fantastic video brother !!!!! Keep up the great work

Rhino Rally was a huge suprise and 1 of a kind loved it.

Some of my best memories were with my brother, and mother on this ride. Damn, the nostalgia is real. As a kid though this ride felt very real. Thanks busch gardens. I spent years going to the parks because they had special offers for military families. I pretty much only drink busch light so I feel like I give back as an adult. I haven't been back to busch gardens in years. I really miss it.

Glad I got to ride this before they removed the water section - it was so much better with it. Also liked that the drivers weren’t as serious as on say, Kilimanjaro Safaris - they were more like Jungle Cruise skippers and allowed to make jokes.

Growing up in Florida I got the opportunity to go to the parks a lot growing up and even now. I remember the original rhino rapids and the the oldest version and I remember Disney version and honestly rhino rapids original version is truly missed and parts of the track can still be seen today if you’re looking closely on the train at Busch gardens by the open plains they have for safari excursions.

I agree with you!! I love Cheetah hunt but I do miss the Rhino Rally in original form. I think I rode it on one visit after the water was cut out and it just wasnt the same. Great history of attraction! ~Dawn

Rhino Rally has always interested me. I wish I could have rode it.

wow. the water section is very impressive, but they must have known the huge maintenance costs!

Never got the chance to visit this...thanks for putting this together!

Yes i remember this, the water bridge part was the best.

I road Rhino rally a few times, but the only time that the water section was operational was the very first time I did it in the summer of 2001. I was even chosen to be the navigator on that ride as well. Our driver was a hilarious zany guy wearing a long blonde wig. I still remember it fondly.

Wow this looked like a really cool attraction. Sure would have been fun to ride. Thanks for sharing.

Loved the original Rhino Rally!

This is so cool! I never knew something like this was attempted. It kinda reminds me a bit of the Jaws ride.

I loved this ride!

Hey, Burgess Meredith is narrating the commercial at the start - nice!

Remember it well. Loved the water ride part.

The original Rally was sooo cool!

I remember riding this and also waiting in a very long line for it as well!

I've lived in Tampa off and on my whole life. I consider it my hometown and have a relative who is a BG employee so I get to go pretty much whenever I want if I'm in the area. I only got to ride Rhino Rally once when the water portion was running and my grandmother was riding it as well. It was a pleasant shock for her when the bridge broke. She's since passed but it's one of my fond memories. As far as the water portion breaking goes what I've heard from employees including my relative is that after the attraction opened they discovered that any time lightning struck ANY portion of the water it would completely fry that portion of the ride and they'd have to do maintenance. Anyone who has lived in Tampa for a long enough period of time can tell you it's lesser known as the lightning capital of the world. It has more lightning strikes per square foot than any other city on the planet. So it ended up being a HUGE problem.

I had the opportunity to ride Rhino Rally 2 days before it closed. I blew that chance.

It's good to see at least one of my subscribed abandoned channels doing BGT. I spent the biggest part of my life there, going on the weekends with my friends and family. My two favorite rides were this and Gwazi, I remember when they opened and closed it it was too soon for both of them. I know everyone keeps hoping for an RMC treatment of Gwazi since it still stands but being a FL local I know, nothing survives years of sitting outside in FL humidity, especially wood, without being maintained. They would have to start over and that doesn't seem like something BG would do.

Excellent

Rhino Rally was my absolute favorite thing at Busch Gardens!!! I remember we used to go there every year when I was younger, and I ended up being the navigator for 3 years in a row. I’m truly honored to be able to have been a part of that ride during its “golden years” and I’m so sad that more kids like me won’t be able to experience it in the future! :(

I remember go on this one time, and it was a blast going through the water section

Wow, I was expecting you to say something like the bridge would rock and almost collapse, but floating away? Thats so cool!

I really enjoyed R.R as a teen. I emjoyed the beginning phase of it. The waterfall was rad

My favorite ride at my favorite childhood park ;(. I was so mad when I found out that it actually closed and Cheetah Hunt (OF ALL THINGS) replaced it, furthermore fueling my infamous disgust for the coaster. My favorite part was when the car crossed the bridge, stopping, and then it crashed down into the water. *Press F to pay respects for Rhino Rally* Anyway, thanks Expedition Theme Park for explaining how my favorite part of the ride worked! You’ve earned another subscriber.

I miss rhino rally! Disney's safari is nowhere near RR and never will be. Rhino rally was humorous without using too many puns *cough cough* jungle cruise. It was such a fun ride.

Good video 😄👍

i used to have annual passes for busch gardens when i was younger and we went like all the time. we took a couple of years off and recently got them again and when i saw rhino rally i had no idea it had closed i was so sad it was my favorite ride

I miss this sooo much!!!! My childhood ❤️❤️❤️

I loved Rhino Rally! It was so much fun and the driver's were always a blast.

There's a similar attraction called Magma 2.1 still operating at Movieland in Italy (Caneva World) which I've ridden and highly recommend. Although I rode Cheetah Hunt, sadly I never saw this rally attraction that had to be removed to make way for it.

This ride was my childhood, must’ve rode it 100 times cause I live so close. The water part was the best.

Wow, I remember this! Thanks the the share. I also viewed the complete ad to help with your monetized efforts

Im glad i got to experience rhino rally when it had the water you appreciate getting wet when its scorching hot

Man I remeber riding rhino ralley with the bridge part when I was much younger. I had always loved that ride but its sad its closed now

I remember being the navigator when I first rode it… what a cool experience

That's a really clever effect. The roller coaster is great but it probably doesn't have such a 'wow factor'. Nice video!

That ride was my favorite when I was younger

I rode this as a kid. It was so cool!!!

I loved rhino rally as a kid, I remember I had a safari hat with the logo on it!

I rode the original version. Loved it. Sad to see it gone.

man I miss this!

I'm assuming that the land rovers were all UK sourced, as I believe the ride vehicles were converted by Severn Lamb from Warwickshire England. Who i think have made a few vehicles for the mouse too.

Love this and I rode this

Rhino Rally was my favorite ride there as a kid. I was really disappointed when they took out the water section which in my opinion was the best part. I think they really killed the ride when they did that, the lines weren't nearly as long. I didn't think the replacement ride Cheetah Hunt was necessary, however I do really like it. Its just not the same though.

me and my family go top bush gardens for Thanksgiving every year and i always loved going on rhino rally. I've been on it in both of its different stages of life and i was kinda sad that they got ride of it. kinda a nice and "calm" ride to ride on between roller coasters. I'll miss it very much but at least for now they still have the sky buckets still going, although they have been becoming closed more and more for maintenance so who knows how long that will last. Also at least for my family we like Kumba and montune the best. I'm also sad that the wooden roller coaster is now history too.

we have this at chessington in the uk ! but not the floating section it takes you into the cave and you get a surge of water wash over the truck

Got to experience both versions. I was surprised when the waterfall part was missing on my final ride. At least my son got to ride shotgun for his birthday visit one time.

Another really good video there, When you bringing us more videos about Efteling in Holland , And when will you start the one for Phantasialand in Germany :-)

That ride was awesome I miss it

What an awesome looking ride, it truly seemed better than the Kilimanjaro Safari ride, it seemed cool, and I would have loved it, especially because the breakaway bridge reminds me heavily of the plot of "Toby and the Flood" from Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends where Toby the Tram engine is on a bridge when it breaks apart and he floats down the river. This appeared to be a genuinely awesome ride, and I'm sad I never went there to ride it. Shame they closed it for a roller coaster no matter how cool. Roller Coasters are a dime a dozen (not really, but you know what I mean), and a truly unique ride this this should never have been lost.

You need to do a blog about the swan boat ride that used to take you around Disney world it started at Tomorrowland went through frontierland and ended back in tomorrow and it was a crowd killerthey were for boats and I used to always get crowded but it was a decent relaxing ride you also need to talk about the double decker buses to pick up truck fire trolley that used to take gas from main Streetto Cinderella's castle at one time it was just 8 in the morning till 11 and then they totally got out of it and no one knows what happened to them there was a total of 5 vehicles

I like the nice touch of the Katanga canyon theme at the end.

Great video .. even Kilimanjaro safari is half as good as it used to be .... used to like the poaching theme , made it a little bit more adventurous , you learn a good bit and it was thrilling.

I love this rids so dad to see all the wonderful rides slowly disappear

you know every time I ride cheetah hunt I questioned myself if the back section was the only rhino rally water part. ( I only went on the water section once when i was operation) now I know thank you!

Yes,so sad for Rhino rally, also gwazi.They need to utilize these areas, could build amazing things!

Only got as far as the station area in 2004 when it was stopped as a massive storm moved in and had to stand under the canopy over the station area as it rained so hard you couldn't see anything else across the park and the lightning was hitting all around us it was an amazing storm the staff were trying to keep people calm and were pushing the water out with squeegees.The park shut early after the storm past.