The year was 1959 and Anheuser Busch had opened the doors to its brand new brewery. Along with the business of brewing, visitors could tour the site and visit the charming bird gardens. Today Busch Gardens Tampa is unrecognisable compared to its humble beginnings. It’s celebrating its 60th year with not one but two new additions to the already impressive roller coaster lineup.
The Adrenaline Capital Of Florida
Tampa isn’t in Orlando and Busch Gardens executives quickly realised they would have to differentiate themselves to attract some of the Orlando crowd to their park. Today Bush Gardens is the self confessed roller coaster capital of Florida. It boasts a staller lineup of world class rides that attracts thrill seekers from all over the world.
Tigris Roars Into Life This Spring
Tigris has been under construction for the past couple of years on the former Tanganyika Tidalwave site set within the Stanleyville section of the park. When it opens in a few short weeks it will be the tallest launched roller coaster in Florida topping out at 150ft.
The compact site forced designers to think outside the box and much of Tigris’ action takes place overhead. Riders waiting in the queue line will feel the thrill while they wait their turn to ride. The initial launch will propel riders 50ft up one of the towers before dropping back through the station and launching 80ft backwards up the rear tower, finally reaching 150ft high on the third launch through the station. The top of the ride features a dramatic heartline roll.
The total ride time will be roughly 1 minute and in terms of intensity is somewhere between Cobras Curse and Sheikra. There will be a
Gwazi Returns
A little further down the line, opening in 2020 will be Gwazi. Hybrid roller coaster specialists Rocky Mountain Construction have been brought in to re-imagine Gwazi with all new elements and a return of some of Gwazi’s standout moments.
Built on the site of the former brewery that closed in 1995, Gwazi opened in 1999. High maintenance and a reputation for a rough ride, despite having new track and cars installed, meant ridership declined and the ride was closed in 2015. Since then it has laid dormant, a towering
When Gwazi roars back to life next year it will be the tallest hybrid roller coaster in North America at over 200ft tall. Adding to Busch Gardens already impressive collection of record holding rides, Gwazi will also be the fastest and steepest hybrid roller coaster in the world. It will be the tenth roller coaster in the park cementing Busch Gardens reputation as the roller coaster capital of Florida.
