Sheikra - Poor Name Choice?
Busch Gardens Tampa: Just how will folks pronounce the name of Busch Gardens Tampa's new coaster?
While I am still looking forward to soon riding this seemingly impressive new coaster, I am really starting to wonder about that name. It's not that it sounds bad or silly or anything. it's the fact that it's so easily mispronounced. There seems to be a natural tendency for most people to move the "r" from after the "k" and place it before the "e". They wind up saying it as if it is "Shreeka". I've heard this pronounciation far more times than the correct one. Did BGT intend for it too be so similar because we will hopefully "shreek" while riding it, or was this an unforseen problem with the chosen name?
Am I the only one who has a tendency to get annoyed by such things, or do others feel similarly? Thoughts?
I think it's a horrible choice to name a roller coaster. Why didn't Busch build a coaster like X? I have heard that Busch parks are scared to build prototype coasters because of what happened with the Drachen Fire coaster. What is up with all the 4 seated coasters to? Sheikra looks to me like a 1 time ride!
It looks like a name of a singer..........Wherever! Wherever!
Is it Sheik? (as in Iron Sheik for all you classic wrestling fans) or what. Maybe not the best name choice, but at least they are trying to stay true to the African theme. Then again, Kingda Ka isn't the most exciting name either.
I think you are putting too much into the name instead of the experience of the coaster. Who cares what the name is as long as the coaster rocks. Quit being so troublesome about the name and get to Florida from your cold weather, miserable climates and enjoy the beautiful weather of Florida and what the coaster has too offer!
Mr. Saunders just cannot be happy with anything by B&M, or anything built by Busch it seems. BTW, SheiKra is
8 passengers across, not 4 (Someone who really knew anything about coasters would know that). For reliability, capacity, and general popularlity, B&M is unmatched, and lets not forget, Busch has a collection of some of the highest rated coasters of any parks in the world. Alpengeist, Apollo's Chariot, Loch Ness Monster, Big Bad Wolf, Kraken, Steel Eel, Great White, Kumba, Montu, Python, Scorpion, and Gwazi is a pretty good roster of roller coasters that provide some great experiences with Scorpion and Python being probably the only two weak links in the list. If you look at other parks' coaster lists, you can find at least half of their coasters that you would be fine with missing on a visit, even the vaunted Cedar Point and Magic Mountain. While other parks build bigger and faster, Busch and B&M build better with coasters that are always hits, and remain popular for a long time. Kumba, Busch's lowest rated B&M coaster built in 1993 is still listed in the top 40 of steel coasters, 12 years after its debut, above more recent coasters like Hypersonic XLC, Medussa (east), Silver Bullet, Superman: Ultimate Flight, and Wicked Twister.
I think the name of a roller coaster really doesn't have much effect, but having a unique name like SkeiKra makes it easier to copyright and market. According to Busch, the name was created to evoke the speed and power of an African hawk. Most guests will probably just call it "the red and blue one," "the splashy one," or "the tall one" anyway, so really the name is more trivial than anything.
As far as Busch not wanting to build prototype rides, I think a lot of parks are going away from building first-of-their-kind rides because of the huge risks involved. X has almost singlehandedly broken Magic Mountain. That coaster still cannot run at full capacity for an entire day without some kind of problem, and maintenance on the coaster is costing them a fortune. Both Intamin and B&M are working on 4-D designs, but neither of them have been able to get a park to purchase a design because of park trepidation. I personally would rather pay $20 million for a reliable high-capacity roller coaster similar to another coaster, than $20 million and $50 million of headache afterwords for a prototype coaster that may increase attendance it's first year and then fade five years later. Let the manufacturers build prototypes on their own dime, and once they have perfected the technology, then parks will buy it.
In any case, SheiKra is still a one-of-a-kind experience whether Mr. Saunders wants to admit it or not. There are only 2 other dive machines in the world, and they both are limited to a single drop. SheiKra contains 2 vertical drops, an inversion (Immelman), and a water effect. Plus in typical Busch fashion, the coaster has been located in a well themed area with lots of themed elements in and around the coaster. A far cry from a most other companies who just plop coaster in the middle of parking lots or on a beach with the extent of the themeing being the color of the coaster track. Get with the rest of the world Mr. Saunders and realize that bigger, taller, and faster does not always mean better. If that were the case, Disney would have been out of business by now.
Wow, I was just trying to pose a question about a name. i didn't really mnean to start a whole debate on the ride itself.
I guess it's just a personal quirk then to find it annoying when a name is twisted and mispronounced. it's like when i was a kid, i hated when people (usually girls not that it matters much) would pronounce "Chuck E. Cheese" as "ChuNky Cheese". Is that imporatant in the grand scheme of life? no. but it can still be annoying.
As far as ride names, While i think that if the ride is good enough, people will ride and enjoy anyway, a good name is still important. You want people to be able to remember the name and spread the word so that more people will come experience it. Theming wise, SheiKra seems fine and dandy. I get what they were going for. It just gets a little annoying to me, personally (and I guess I'm the only one), when i walk around the park (or any where else around town) and hear the name mispronounced. If it was only a few times that I had heard it, i wouldn't have given it a second thought, but since a good 75% (or more) of the public that I've heard speak about the ride have made the exact same mistake, that is why i thought it might make an interesting discussion.
Even if I can't pronounce the name I can still remember it because it is unique.
The park IS African-themed. The name is certainly better than "African Hawk Coaster." It also educates the public about African wildlife, which is a recurring them in the park and its coasters (Montu is a stretch). At least it is themed to a bird that fits in with the parks topography, instead of a capitalized letter in the alphabet. Plus it just sounds catchy that you rode "Shee-Kraaa" as opposed to "X."
Sounds really funny and it was a bad name however.
But nowadays,people don't care about the name they called the coaster.They can call this coaster a "SHREK".
I think this one will be one of the most beloved coaster in the world.I bet this will be at least the big 5 in TPI.
Don't feel bad about asking this question. You brought up a very good point and topic,Jason. I have learned on these message boards, that there is ALWAYS going to be someone who thinks they know more than the other.They will bash and ridicule. If person "A" hates B&M coasters,so what?? That's HIS opinion. If person "B" disagrees, and loves B&M coasters,that's his opinion. There is no need to refelect your disagreement in a bashing,negative type way. That's my opinion. Anywho...Sheikra is a strange name for a coaster, and I'm not sure yet that it works.I guess trying to stick to the Africa theme,but I would like to hear other ideas.
I don't think it is a bad name, because I can at least remember it. I can't remember half the coasters at Cedar Point by name. Name recognition certainly helps with a coaster's buzz factor (and good luck with Sheikra hitting our top 5 EVER).
Busch Gardens is all about theme. So why not name a ride after a terryifing African Hawk that dives straight down to catch its prey?It discribes the ride pretty well.Think of the meaning and the theme the ride is going for,but the ride itself is very great.
Highly recomended.
Good point. Plus it fits with names like Gwazi, Kumba and Montu. It's a highly original coaster, it needs a highly original name.
From Joe Lane
Posted June 4, 2005 at 12:29 PM
Thought you'd might like to know:
The Hawk Conservancy Trust: "The Shikra breeds from the southern part of Russia, east to South China, south as far as Sri Lanka, and in Africa south of the Sahara from Gambia and Ethiopia to the Cape Province. Its preferred habitat is savannahs or cultivated areas."
In a way, Busch probably tried to help the Sheikra name by adding the 'e' so we made sure to pronouce it 'She-Kra' instead of 'Shy-Kra'.
Despite the importance of name's they don't seem to entirely do their job in the theme park world. In David Koenig's "More Mouse Tails" he writes about how theme park guests tend to take mental vacations along with real ones. " 'They walk in the front gate and their IQ drops about 30 points,' noted one employee."
I guess you'll just have to get over yourself, Jason. :-)
Is 30 points general? Because I would think the drop would be much higher at the Disney parks. Much more stupidity there than the other parks. The SF parks, on the other hand, start off with lower IQs!
From Joe Lane
Posted June 5, 2005 at 8:33 AM
I dunno, Kevin. If there's one absolute in the world, it's that the average person cannot for the life of them park properly at a theme park. ANY theme park.
I've seen parking mistakes at Universal Orlando--that's saying a lot, seeing how UO has probably the simplest parking setup compared to Central Florida's other parks.
To this day I have a great deal of sympathy for parking lot attendants--it seems they have to deal with the lowest of the low when it comes to human intelligence.
That has nothing to do with theme parks, though. That has to do with drivers in general! They can't park at malls. They can't park on the street. They can't park anywhere without screwing it up! And this SUV madness isn't helping. That said, people are probably really bad at theme parks because most of them are driving rentals, which are unfamiliar to them. I know my driving suffers in an unfamiliar car.
Maybe people shoud find rentals their familiar with or figure out how to drive them before going driving around town.
From J Rose
Posted July 20, 2005 at 10:58 PM
Name sounds good enough for me. Can't wait to ride it next week! Btw Scorpion is Not a B&M.It's a Schwarzkopf,very easily identified. Nothing close to B&M's track design.
From Sherly C.
Posted August 10, 2005 at 2:59 PM
The theme is like an Eagle...you know, how eagles fly? drop, swish, drop. Anyways, the rollercoaster was built to imitate that and Sheikra happens to be 'eagle' or a name of an eagle in african stories. It just HAPPENS to have a simmilarity with the english word 'shriek'
From Sherly C.
Posted August 10, 2005 at 3:03 PM
Scorpion just loops. thats pretty much it.
From Sherly C.
Posted August 10, 2005 at 3:08 PM
quote from buschgardens.com:
"As the eighth member of the park’s family of renowned coasters, the name SheiKra evokes the power and speed of an African hawk as it plunges, twists and turns, giving riders a bird’s-eye view of an adventure unlike any other. SheiKra will serve as the centerpiece of Busch Gardens’ newly themed Stanleyville area, which will also include shopping options and the new 500-seat, indoor/outdoor Zambia Smokehouse. The restaurant is situated on the coaster’s perimeter, allowing guests to be a part of the action while dining."
thus, it is the most suitable name ever and i don't think it sounds bad at all.
Sheikra means "HAWK" in African folklore, and if you think about it, all of their coasters have unusual names, but that makes them unique. When people mistake the name, it only makes people wonder what it is and want to ride it. My favorite saying is, "I want to ride Sherika!" lol
ok. I get it. i'm the only idiot bothered by pitiful prounounciations. As I stated from the very beginning I know what the name means, I understand the theme, I don't have a problem with it. I was just curious what people thought of the high potential for mispronounciation. But, since that doesn't seem to be an issue for anyone but me, I'll let it drop (I actually stopped paying attention a while ago, but the thread just keeps coming up again). It's just a personal pet peeve folks. like when I was a kid and poeple would call my favorite hang out "Chunky Cheese" instead of "Chuck E. Cheese". I'm over it now...
I agree that it's really annoying when its mispronounced ("I wanna ride Sherika") bu I don't think they should make simple names just for people that have dialect issues.
I think the name is a fine choice. But I do have to say that is the BEST coaster ever!
Best coaster ever? LOL, funny stuff on here today!!!
First, I thought you meant the singer Sheikra!! LOL!!! I thought she was singing in Busch Gardens! LMAO!
LOL!!! That would be funny to get Shekira to sing on a stage near Sheikra.
It's called THEMING, that's what most theme parks lack. Anyone can come up with a name like...X. But to actually research a name that fits in with a theme takes work and time and provides a better expierence...it's not hard to pronounce either....sheeeee kraaaaaa
Snarky responses to year old threads are hardly necesary.
having a theme is pointless unless its a ride like TTD, best theme of all time, no question...
From Tom C
Posted July 31, 2006 at 12:59 PM
Ryan, Ryan, Ryan. I feel for you, I really do. For you to think that TTD has the best theming in the world, simply shows how limited your experiences are.
It's great to have a favorite park (Mine is Epcot actually) and it's great to have a favorite coaster manufactuer (Mine is B&M), But if you notice, most of us don't go around bad mouthing other parks or coaster makers. Yes, Epcot is my favorite park, (I'm rather fond of drinking around the world, and I love illuminations), but that dosn't mean it's the ONLY park I'm allowed to love. The great thing about America, is that we (and yes that includes you too...) are entitled to our own OPINION. Just remeber, OPINIONS are not facts.
(Sorry to everone else, jsut had to rant for a moment...)
So that's where they got the name from...
I thought they messed around with the name 'Shrieker'.
Oh well...
Learn something new every day :D
how is the theme for TTD not the best ever? It fits the ride so perfectly and yes I do feel sorry 4 u if u like B&M coasters the best. I'll take into consideration tho of ur age old man. stay off the big thrill rides 4 real, they have super long lines as it is....
You are extremely immature Ryan and its really starting to tick me off.
BTW I hope Griffons better than Sheikra :D
From Sean Rust
Posted July 31, 2006 at 3:56 PM
Yeah...because dragsters fly through the air...
I hope Griffon or whatever wack name they call it is better than Shiekra to. I do live 30 minutes away from BGE so I pray they build something huge and fast but I dont have my hopes up so i wont b let down. and chase my boy u gotta b like 10 yrs old. sux u missed out on TTD, maybe when u turn 18 u will try it hahahaha
I am 14 and Griffon is gonna be a DM no matter what you want it to be. And i regret so badly that I didnt ride TTD but I did ride MF Im not afraid of any rides at all now(except skycoasters) considering Ive experienced basically all standard types of coasters. And ryan you sound more like 6 year old than anything else.
Why don't you and your family take a trip up to the point next year then so that you can ride the new one and TTD since u missed out last time. by the way im 6 1/2 years old so im a big boy....
I go away from this site for 3 FRIGGIN WEEKS and look who's back and already getting into arguments and posting immature responses. (clue: his first name begins with an R..sorry...r, no capital).
Sigh...
aww another wanna be big boy is here, cool, 2 bad i hear he is 2 scared 2 ride the big boy rides.......
big boy my butt your obviously a 3 year old on the inside.
Do we have an age rating on TPI?
On topic, I think Shiekra is a brilliant name choice because when it comes down to it, it's origanal and fits with the type of coaster.
The name fits the coaster, simple, done. Four more messages and we can wrap this silly puppy up.
With the immature oversized dumpster truck driver aside, I think Sheikra was a good name choice, and an amazing ride. Obviously alot better than 'Bottem Spill Dragster'.
Yea on topic Sheikra was cool name sounds cooler than Griffon.
Mark when you become man enough to get on a ride more than twice the size and speed of Sheikra let me know ok..... thanks.
So this will now be archived. Thank goodness for that. I think what we learned is that some people really dig on Sheikra. Its a cool name for a cool coaster. Top Thrill Dragster, though it was the biggest fastest, its not now. We've also learned that some people think a diving bird is much cooler than a mythological creature that was not only a lion eagle mix, but also a symbol for christ. African birds are so cool.
Be good to yourself, and to each other.
This discussion has been archived, and is not accepting additional responses.
