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List of attractions at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

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This is a list of attractions in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Roller coasters

[edit]

Roller coasters currently operating or under construction at Busch Gardens Tampa.

Ride Year Opened Notes Section Ref(s)
Kumba 1993 A 143-foot-tall (44 m) Bolliger & Mabillard steel sit-down roller coaster with seven inversions. It has received a #7 Golden Ticket Awards ranking. Kumba is currently the oldest operating roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Congo [1]
Montu 1996 A 150-foot-tall (46 m) Bolliger & Mabillard steel inverted roller coaster with seven inversions. It has received a #3 Golden Ticket Awards ranking. Egypt [2]
SheiKra 2005 A 200-foot-tall (61 m) Bolliger & Mabillard floorless dive roller coaster with a 90-degree vertical drop. It was the first roller coaster of its kind in the United States, and is also one of the tallest roller coasters in Florida, next to Mako at SeaWorld Orlando. It has received a #13 Golden Ticket Awards ranking. Stanleyville [3]
Air Grover 2010 A single train children's roller coaster with magnetic brakes. Sesame Street Safari of Fun [4]
Cheetah Hunt 2011 Cheetah Hunt, which is paired with an animal encounter called Cheetah Run, is Busch Gardens' first launch coaster, immediately propelling riders from 0 to 60 mph. The ride features three separate launch points throughout the 4,429-foot (1,350 m) track, and includes a 130-foot (40 m) drop and races across a faux Serengeti plain and through a man-made canyon. The layout also includes a mid-ride parabola that gives riders the sensation of weightlessness for three seconds. Crown Colony Plaza [5]
Cobra's Curse 2016 A Mack Rides spinning roller coaster with an elevator lift and a near-miss of an 80 foot (24 m) statue. Egypt [6]
Tigris 2019 A Premier Rides Sky Rocket II model. Tigris replaced the Tanganyika Tidal Wave attraction. Stanleyville [7]
Iron Gwazi 2022 A Rocky Mountain Construction hybrid wooden steel roller coaster that replaced Gwazi. The ride is taller than SheiKra at 206 feet and is touted for holding the record for the world's steepest and fastest hybrid roller coaster, and tallest roller coaster of its kind in North America. The ride soft opened on February 13, 2022, and officially opened on March 11, 2022, after setbacks triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Morocco [8]
Phoenix Rising 2024 A Bolliger & Mabillard family inverted roller coaster that replaced the former Sand Serpent and Phoenix attractions. Pantopia [9]

Water rides

[edit]

Water rides that are currently operating at Busch Gardens Tampa.

Ride Year Opened Notes Section Ref(s)
Stanley Falls Flume 1973 A log flume with a 43-foot (13 m) drop. Stanleyville [10]
Congo River Rapids 1982 A river rapids ride that simulates raging whitewater rapids. Congo [11]

Other rides and attractions

[edit]

Rides and attractions that are currently operating at Busch Gardens Tampa.

Ride Year Opened Notes Section Ref(s)
Serengeti Express 1971 A two-mile (3 km) railroad journey on replica steam trains that traverses the Serengeti Plain. It originally only stopped in Nairobi, but added stations in Congo and Stanleyville after those lands were added to the park. In 2017, the Congo Train Station was closed. However, in April 2022, the Congo Train Station was reopened. Nairobi/Stanleyville/Congo [12]
Skyride 1974 A ride that transports guests from Cheetah Hunt Plaza to the Stanleyville area of the park. The load station shares a building with the Cheetah Hunt roller coaster. It has a turn station at the edge of the Serengeti where the ride makes over a 90 degree turn that guests are not allowed to disembark from. Guests are required to disembark and re-enter in order to make a round trip. The attraction was closed from March 2020 to February 2024. Cheetah Hunt Plaza/Stanleyville [13]
Ubanga-Banga Bumper Cars 1977 A standard bumper cars ride. Congo [14]
Carousel Caravan 1979 A carousel. Pantopia [15]
Gwazi Gliders 2001 A hang glider flat ride for children. Children push and pull bars to raise and lower their gliders. Bird Gardens [16]
Rosita's Djembe Fly-Away 2010 A swing ride. It has the smallest height restriction in the park as children over 44" may not ride. Sesame Street Safari of Fun [17]
Falcon's Fury 2014 A 335-foot (102m) drop tower that upon reaching the top turns you 90 degrees mid air turn to face the rider down. Then, it drops you with a max speed of 60 mph and a freefall time of 5 seconds. It is currently North America's tallest operating freestanding drop tower. Pantopia [18]
Serengeti Flyer 2023 A 68 mph, 135 foot Screamin' Swing attraction. It is the world's tallest and fastest ride of its kind. Nairobi

Shows

[edit]

Current shows that are at Busch Gardens Tampa as of April 2024.

Show Year Opened Notes Section Ref(s)
Rhythm of Nature 2024 An ice skating show that replaced Turn It Up!/Turn It Up! Remix. Morocco
Icons 2024 Featuring live performances of fan-favorite songs from legendary bands and artists, this show will have guests singing and dancing along in the Dragon Fire Grill Pantopia
Animal Tails 2023 This presentation introduces some of the animals and zookeepers throughout Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. From animals large and small, guests can learn about the importance of conservation and how they can protect Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's animal ambassadors native environment. This show runs twice a day. Pantopia
Welcome To Our Street 2023 A show where the Sesame Street characters put on a welcome show for their new friends but can't decide what kind until creating a spectacular one when realizing they can work together. Sesame Street Safari of Fun [19]
Cirque Electric 2021 Cirque Electric features talented dancers, exhilarating acrobats, a professional hoola hooper and roller skaters. This show is run every Friday-Monday during Summer Celebration at the Stanleyville Theater. Stanleyville

Previous attractions and shows

[edit]

These attractions or shows are either closed or demolished.

Attraction/Show Year Opened Year Closed Notes Section Ref(s)
African Queen Boat Ride 1977 1989 A boat ride (similar to Disney's Jungle Cruise attraction) that included live animals and was located in what is Tigris today. It originally operated as Livingstone's Landing from 1972 to 1977. The ride was transformed into Tanganyika Tidal Wave in 1989 with new boats and a drop section. Stanleyville [20][21]
Kaleidoscope 1986 1990 Kaleidoscope was a Broadway-style musical, transplanted from Busch Gardens Williamsburg, where the show was performed at the Magic Lantern Theater years earlier. The show operated with a swing cast. Accordingly, about twenty performers were available to fill the twelve roles which comprised the show. Many of the performers were required to learn more than one role, and could therefore "swing" into another part as needed. As a result, Kaleidoscope was performed four times a day every day for over five years. Morocco [22]
Swinging Vines 1977 Circa 1991 A wave swinger flat ride that swings its riders around in a circle. Congo [23]
Stanleyville Amphitheater Variety Show 1980 1994 A variety show featuring a collection of circus, animal, and novelty acts which changed on a regular basis. The 30-40-minute show was hosted by a master of ceremonies. Stanleyville [24]
Around the World on Ice 1990 1994 A musical revue show at the Moroccan Palace theater that took the audience to various places around the world, including Egypt, France, and Russia. This show replaced "Kaleidoscope" at the Moroccan Palace Theater. Morocco [22]
Stairway to the Stars 1959 1995 Guests boarded what was said to be the world's longest outdoor escalator for a ride up to an observation platform, on the roof of the on-site Anheuser-Busch beer brewery. From there, guests wended their way back down in a walking tour of the brewery. The elscalator and brewery closed in 1995 and was later demolished. The site of the brewery was later taken up by the Gwazi roller coaster. Bird Gardens [25]
Monstrous Mamba 1976 1995 A flat ride that spun riders around as arms raised the cars up and down. Congo [23]
Dwarf Village 1983 1995 A small children's area that was replaced by Land of the Dragons. It contained statues of dwarves and mushrooms. Dwarf Village [26]
Hollywood Live on Ice 1994 1998 An ice show which included James Bond and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. This show replaced "Around the World on Ice" at the Moroccan Palace Theater. Morocco [22]
Questor 1991 1998 A motion simulator ride cloned from Busch Gardens Williamsburg that revolved around guests going on an adventure with Sir Edison Fitzwilly to search for the Crystal of Zed. It was replaced in 1998 by Akbar's Adventure Tours. The ride was manufactured by Reflectone.[27] Crown Colony Plaza [28]
Veldt Monorail 1966 1999 Allowed guests to get up close with animals on the Serengeti Plain. The ride was removed due to upkeep cost. The station is now used for Cheetah Hunt, an Intamin launched roller coaster. Crown Colony Plaza [29]
World Rhythms on Ice 1998 2003 A live show featuring various dancers performing acts from around the world. This show replaced "Hollywood Live on Ice" at the Moroccan Palace Theater.

The show is now being considered for a re-opening at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Morocco [30]
Crazy Camel 1979 2003 A Chance Rides "Trabant" flat ride replaced by Sand Serpent. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [25]
Dolphin Theatre 1986 2003 A typical animal park dolphin show. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [31]
Python 1976 2006 An Arrow Dynamics designed steel corkscrew roller coaster with two inversions that opened on July 1, 1976, as Florida's first inverting coaster. The ride closed on October 31, 2006, after more than thirty years of operation. The ride was demolished throughout November 2006, with the track being scrapped. The trains, however, were sent to Busch Gardens Williamsburg for use on their Loch Ness Monster roller coaster. The new section "Jungala" has taken the place where Python once stood. Congo [32]
R. L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse 4-D 2003 2006 A 4-D movie about two children spending a night inside a haunted lighthouse. Based on a story written by author R. L. Stine. The attraction opened up in May 2003 as the first film in the newly redone Pantopia Theatre (previously Dolphin Theatre). Timbuktu (Pantopia) [33]
Akbar's Adventure Tours 1998 2007 A motion simulator experience of a wacky tour of Egypt with Akbar (played by Martin Short), encountering markets, pyramids, and more. The ride opened up in May 1998 as the first family-oriented attraction (despite some scare factors) in the Egypt section. As of January 2005, the attraction was closed. In August 2007, the ride has reportedly been demolished, with anything of value going to other simulator rides in Busch-owned parks.[34] Its location is now used as a haunted house location for the park's Halloween event, Howl-O-Scream. The ride was manufactured by Reflectone.[27] Egypt [35]
Land of the Dragons 1995 2010 A small children's area that was replaced by Sesame Street Safari of Fun. It featured rides themed to dragons and had a play area connected to a treehouse. Sesame Street Safari of Fun [36]
Katonga 2004 2010 An African-themed Broadway type show. This show replaced "World Rhythms on Ice" in April 2004 at the Moroccan Palace Theater. Morocco [37]
Sesame Street Presents Lights, Camera, Imagination! 2010 Before 2013 A "4-D" movie starring characters from Sesame Street. It played in the morning at the Pantopia Theater. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [38]
Pirates 4D 2006 2013 A "4-D" movie about pirates, starring Leslie Nielsen. It played in the afternoon at the Pantopia Theater. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [39][40]
Sandstorm 1980 2013 An orbiter ride with three arms that spins riders around. It was removed to make way for the Falcon's Fury drop tower. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [41]
Dance to the Music 2009 Circa 2013 Visitors watch singers and dancers perform Disco era hits from the '70s. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [42]
King Tut's Tomb 1996 2013 A walk through attraction that let visitors explore the replicas of King Tutankhamen's tomb. The entire attraction was converted into the ride station for Cobra's Curse. Egypt [43][44][45]
Critter Castaways 2007 2014 A show featuring familiar pets and exotic creatures with almost 80 animals that was presented in the Bird Garden Theater. Bird Gardens [46]
Rhino Rally 2001 2014 Riders board inside modified Land Rovers and go on an off-road African safari. Originally, the ride contained a water section where the land rovers floated down the river on a collapsed bridge. This portion of the ride closed in 2010, although the area is used as scenery of part of the Cheetah Hunt roller coaster and Serengeti Flyer was added in this area in 2023. Nairobi [47]
Gwazi 1999 2015 A 90-foot-tall (27 m) Great Coasters International dueling wooden roller coaster. It has received a #38 Golden Ticket Awards ranking. Gwazi closed in February 2015. Gwazi's trains are now used on InvadR at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Texas Stingray at SeaWorld San Antonio. It reopened in March 2022 as the wood-steel hybrid roller coaster Iron Gwazi. Morocco [48]
Tanganyika Tidal Wave 1989 2016 A 20-passenger shoot the chutes water ride with a 55-foot (17 m) drop. Most of the theming from the African Queen Boat ride was still intact such as the African Village. The ride's final day of operation was April 10, 2016, before it was left vacant for 2 years until its demolition in 2018 to make way for Tigris. Stanleyville [49]
Iceploration 2012 2017 An ice, aerialist, acrobatics, and animal show that highlighted various parts of the world. It replaced "Katonga" at the Moroccan Palace Theater. Iceploration was replaced by Turn It Up. Morocco [50]
Motor City Groove 2011 2018 The show presented classics from the Motown era the Stanleyville Theatre. Stanleyville [51]
Opening Night Critters 2014 2018 Featured animals such as dogs, cats, kangaroos, birds, and a horse. The show closed in 2019 and was replaced by Critters Inn Charge Pantopia [52][53]
Jungle Flyers 2008 2018 Three pairs of zip lines with single person suspended vehicles themed like hang gliders. The cables at the loading area raised and lowered to allow the vehicle to leave and then return to the station. Jungala [54]
Phoenix 1984 2018 A swinging boat ride that went completely upside down. It was themed to an Egyptian cargo vessel. Pantopia [55][failed verification]
Wild Surge 2008 2023 A small drop tower manufactured by Moser. Jungala
Sand Serpent 2004 2023 A Mack Rides Wild Mouse roller coaster. Previously operated at Busch Gardens Williamsburg from 1996 to 2003. Pantopia
Bush Flyers 1979 2023 A Chance Rides Red Baron that was replaced by Phoenix Rising in 2024. Pantopia
Turn It Up!/Turn It Up! Remix 2017 (Turn It Up), 2023 (Turn It Up: Remix) 2022 (Turn It Up), 2024 (Turn It Up: Remix) An award-winning ice-skating show featuring ice skaters and some of today's hit pop and rock music where guests can join the party. The show was nominated by USA Today for Best Entertainment Show. Rhythm of Nature replaced Turn It Up: Remix after its last performance on March 31, 2024. Morocco [56]
Scorpion 1980 2024 A steel Schwarzkopf-designed sit-down roller coaster with one vertical loop. Pantopia [57]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Kumba". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  2. ^ "Montu". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  3. ^ "SheiKra". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  4. ^ "Air Grover". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  5. ^ "Cheetah Hunt". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  6. ^ "Cobra's Curse". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  7. ^ Marden, Duane. "Tigris - Busch Gardens Tampa (Tampa, Florida, USA)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  8. ^ "Iron Gwazi". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  9. ^ Marden, Duane. " (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  10. ^ "Stanley Falls". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  11. ^ "Congo River Rapids". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  12. ^ "Serengeti Railway". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  13. ^ "Skyride". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  14. ^ "Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - Ubanga-Banga Bumper Cars - Attraction & Ride Details - ParkInfo2Go". www.parkinfo2go.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  15. ^ "Grand Caravan Carousel Review | Busch Gardens Tampa". Total Orlando. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  16. ^ "Gwazi Gliders Review | Busch Gardens Tampa". Total Orlando. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  17. ^ "Sesame Street Safari of Fun". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  18. ^ "Falcon's Fury". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  19. ^ "Welcome To Our Street". buschgardens.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  20. ^ "BGTNation | Busch Gardens Tampa Nation: Park History". www.bgtnation.net. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  21. ^ @BGTHistory (November 1, 2018). "#ThrowbackThursday - November 1976 When #Tigris @Busch Gardens #Tampa opens in 2019, it will be the fourth attraction on that plot! Before Taganykia Tidal Wave, before African Queen Boat Ride, it was Livingston's Landing! (Also known as Livingstone's Landing)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  22. ^ a b c "Moroccan Palace: A History in Photos | Busch Gardens Tampa". www.buschgardenstampablog.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  23. ^ a b "Busch Gardens' 1970s Rollercoasters and Thrill Rides Made the Tampa Park Famous – Super Forty". superforty.com. April 16, 2009. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  24. ^ McMorrow-Hernandez, Joshua (April 27, 2015). Tampa Bay Landmarks and Destinations. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781439651063.
  25. ^ a b "Busch Gardens History". www.tampapix.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  26. ^ "Dwarf Village, Busch Gardens, FL". Enchanted America. September 16, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  27. ^ a b O'Brien, Tim (May 4, 1998). "Wide variety of planned capital improvements". Amusement Business. 110 (18): 20.
  28. ^ "Questor: The Newest Attraction At Busch Gardens". August 9, 1991. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  29. ^ "Novelty Monorails-Busch Gardens, Tampa". www.monorails.org. Archived from the original on January 28, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  30. ^ "World Rhythms On Ice @ Busch Gardens Tampa in Florida - Theme Park Critic". www.themeparkcritic.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  31. ^ "Dolphin Theater @ Busch Gardens Tampa in Florida - Theme Park Critic". www.themeparkcritic.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  32. ^ "Python - Busch Gardens Tampa (Tampa, Florida, USA)". rcdb.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  33. ^ "R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse @ Busch Gardens Tampa in Florida - Theme Park Critic". www.themeparkcritic.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  34. ^ Busch Gardens Africa Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  35. ^ "Akbars Adventure Tours @ Busch Gardens Tampa in Florida - Theme Park Critic". www.themeparkcritic.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  36. ^ "Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - Land of the Dragons - Attraction & Ride Details - ParkInfo2Go". www.parkinfo2go.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  37. ^ "After 8,842 performances, Busch Gardens' longest running show, KaTonga, closes Monday". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on September 9, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  38. ^ Entertainment. "Sesame Street Presents Lights, Camera, Imagination!". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2011. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  39. ^ "Busch Gardens Tampa Replacing Dolphin Show". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  40. ^ "Pirates 4-D at Busch Gardens Tampa". Theme Park Insider. Archived from the original on July 25, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  41. ^ "Sandstorm ride makes final spin at Busch Gardens". June 2, 2013. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  42. ^ "Dance to the Music". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2011. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  43. ^ "New attraction coming to Busch Gardens' 'Egypt' area". Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
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  45. ^ "Busch Gardens Tampa - 1996 Park Brochure - courtesy of live2tell75". www.themeparkreview.com. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  46. ^ "Animals staying after closing of Busch Gardens' Critter Castaways". January 22, 2014. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  47. ^ "Busch Gardens Rhino Rally Closed from Today Onwards!". www.totalorlando.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  48. ^ "Busch Gardens' Gwazi roller coaster's clickety-clack goes silent (w/video)". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  49. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Tanganyika Tidal Wave". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  50. ^ "Iceploration". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  51. ^ "Motor City Groove". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  52. ^ "Opening Night Critters". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  53. ^ "NOW OPEN: Opening Night Critters! | Busch Gardens Tampa". www.buschgardenstampablog.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  54. ^ "Jungle Flyers". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  55. ^ "Explore Pantopia". SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  56. ^ Today, USA. "Experience the magic: 10 best entertainment offerings at US theme parks". 10.best.usatoday.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  57. ^ "Scorpion". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
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