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Iron Gwazi

Coordinates: 28°02′02″N 82°25′23″W / 28.03389°N 82.42306°W / 28.03389; -82.42306
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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by XxVxX898 (talk | contribs) at 12:40, 20 September 2022 (Changing short description from "Hybrid roller coaster in Tampa, Florida, U.S." to "Hybrid roller coaster in Tampa, Florida"). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Iron Gwazi
Previously known as Gwazi (1999–2015)
An overview of Iron Gwazi
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
LocationBusch Gardens Tampa Bay
Park sectionMorocco
Coordinates28°02′02″N 82°25′23″W / 28.03389°N 82.42306°W / 28.03389; -82.42306
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateFebruary 13, 2022 (2022-02-13)
Opening dateMarch 11, 2022 (2022-03-11)
ReplacedGwazi
General statistics
TypeSteel – Hybrid
ManufacturerRocky Mountain Construction
DesignerAlan Schilke
ModelI-Box Track
Track layoutTwister
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height206 ft (63 m)
Drop206 ft (63 m)
Length4,075 ft (1,242 m)
Speed76 mph (122 km/h)
Inversions2
Duration1:50
Max vertical angle91°
Trains2 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train.
Iron Gwazi at RCDB

Iron Gwazi (formerly Gwazi) is a steel-track hybrid roller coaster at the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay theme park in Tampa, Florida. Originally built as a wooden dueling roller coaster with two separate tracks, Gwazi first opened to the public on June 18, 1999. It was constructed by Great Coasters International (GCI) and was named after a fabled creature with a head of a tiger and a body of a lion. Accordingly, the two sides of the wooden roller coaster's track were named lion and tiger. The roller coasters reached a height of 105.4 feet (32.1 m), featured a maximum speed of 51 mph (82 km/h), and reached a length of 3,508 feet (1,069 m) individually. Following rising maintenance costs and declining ridership, Gwazi was closed indefinitely in 2015.

In 2019, plans to makeover the ride into the steel-tracked Iron Gwazi were officially announced, with Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) hired to retrofit the existing layout with I-Box track utilizing a portion of Gwazi's original structure, and being marketed as the tallest, steepest, and fastest hybrid roller coaster in North America. Originally intended to debut in 2020, its opening was delayed several times. The revamped steel roller coaster soft-opened to passholder members on February 13, 2022, and opened to the general public on March 11, 2022. Iron Gwazi reaches a height of 206 feet (63 m), features a maximum speed of 76 mph (122 km/h), and has a length of 4,075 feet (1,242 m).

History

Great Coasters International construction

Development

Anheuser-Busch announced the closure of its brewery in Tampa in October 1995.[1][2] Subsequently it closed in December and was later demolished,[3] freeing up land in the middle of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.[1][2] The idea for building a wooden roller coaster was selected as opposed to steel because of the growing preference in antiquated attractions.[4] The park also used the selection to stand out from other Florida theme parks use in modern ride technology.[4]

The inspiration for who would build the wooden roller coaster came from Mark Rose, then vice-president of the park's planning and design, as he toured several amusement parks with family.[4][5] The tour of theme parks took a 17-day period with Rose informally selecting five roller coasters towards a prospective designer for a new Busch Gardens attraction. Out of the roller coasters, Rose selected builder Great Coasters International (GCI) for Busch Garden's project based on Wildcat, GCI's coaster at Hersheypark. The selection was confirmed by Busch Entertainment (since renamed SeaWorld Entertainment) officials who signed a contract with GCI.[4][6] The name for the roller coaster was later conceived with the assistance of Washington University in St. Louis.[4]

In early June 1998, it was reported that Busch Gardens Tampa Bay was considering an on-site expansion for a resort to rival other Florida amusement parks, along with a projected $10 million attraction slated for a 1999 opening.[7][8] On June 16, 1998, the owner of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Busch Entertainment, filed a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the name "Gwazi".[9] Groundbreaking began on July 15, 1998,[10] coinciding with Busch Gardens formally announcing Gwazi.[11][12] The dueling roller coasters were collectively announced as the park's fifth roller coaster, with each track being themed to a lion and tiger respectively.[13][14] It was also announced that GCI would be building the roller coaster.[10][15] Construction of the roller coaster's several hills were photographed in The Tampa Tribune during November 1998.[16] Gwazi was reported to have been re-designed "several times" over the months of construction.[6] By late April 1999, Gwazi was near completion,[17] and in late May 1999, test runs began for the roller coaster.[5]

Operation

To promote the opening of Gwazi, park officials sold "first ride" tickets for a preview event, which was held on June 17, 1999, where 3,500 tickets were sold out of 5,700 to pass-holders. Around 500 guests from the American Coaster Enthusiasts were in attendance.[18][19] Construction of the roller coaster's theming and removing of excess wood were still being completed during the preview event.[19] Gwazi opened on June 18, 1999, as Florida's first dueling wooden roller coaster.[20] It opened one month after another Florida dueling roller coaster: Dueling Dragons at Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure.[21][22] Gwazi was the first wooden roller coaster to open at any Busch Entertainment park.[10][23]

Pictured is the original Gwazi entrance from the plaza area with the adjacent lion lift hill in 2006
A view of the original Gwazi's entrance and lion lift hill in 2006

Despite continued maintenance, Gwazi developed a reputation for delivering a rough ride.[21][24] The lion side of the roller coaster was re-tracked in 2009 followed by the tiger side in 2010.[25] The last part of the overhaul included the installation of four GCI designed Millennium Flyer trains to replace the roller coaster's original Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) trains.[25][26][27] Even with the re-tracking and new trains, Gwazi remained difficult to maintain and ridership continued to decrease.[24] At the end of the 2012 season, the tiger side of Gwazi closed. Soon after the closing of the tiger side, a bridge was built across its loading platform and one of the its trains was relocated onto the lion track.[21][28]

In December 2014, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay confirmed that Gwazi's lion track would close due to low ride attendance, operating costs, and negative guest feedback.[29][30] After 15 years of operation, the roller coaster's last train was dispatched on February 1, 2015, and Gwazi closed indefinitely.[21][31] Gwazi's trains were reused on other rides at other SeaWorld park locations including InvadR at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Texas Stingray at SeaWorld San Antonio.[32][33] Wood planks from the roller coaster were also reused in other SeaWorld Entertainment Parks including SeaWorld Orlando and in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay itself.[34]

Rocky Mountain Construction refurbishment

At the time of closure, Mark Rose, now the vice-president of park services for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, stated although there was no decision for the site, possible attractions were being considered to replace it.[35] Likewise, a park spokesperson discussed that Busch Gardens engineers were proposing possible ideas to add new elements, manufacture steel parts, or demolish the structure completely.[36] Within the interim time of three years, rumors sprouted about the possibility of a remodeled roller coaster, new attraction, or an amphitheater replacing the Gwazi structure.[37]

During a conference held on September 12, 2018, for the announcement of the park's ninth roller coaster, park officials stated that there were future construction plans involving Gwazi slated for 2020.[38][39] On the same day, SeaWorld Entertainment filed a trademark for the name "Iron Gwazi".[40] In December 2018, updated construction applications sent to the city of Tampa listed Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) as the ride manufacturer for an upcoming attraction in the Gwazi area.[41][42] On-site preparations and construction started in late 2018 for the code named attraction "BGT 2020", with a crane being visible from the site in January 2019.[43] The park elaborated that more information about a new attraction was to be announced in March 2019 after the completion of track work for Tigris.[44][45]

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced Gwazi's replacement as a hybrid roller coaster conversion by RMC on March 1, 2019. The roller coaster was touted as being the steepest, fastest, and tallest hybrid roller coaster in North America.[46][47][48] Permits uncovered in March 2019 reported that the roller coaster would be around 210 feet (64 m) tall.[49] Placement of the roller coaster's track began on August 10, 2019.[50] Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced the name for the roller coaster, "Iron Gwazi", on September 12, 2019.[51][52] Iron Gwazi was claimed to be 206 feet (63 m) with a 91 degree drop, and speeds up to 76 miles per hour (122 kilometers per hour).[53] During the 2019 International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Exposition on November 19, 2019, RMC revealed the trains for Iron Gwazi.[54][55]

Iron Gwazi as pictured in July 2020 under construction, the façade of the main queue building from the entrance plaza can be seen. The lift hill is on the right with a construction crane on the left
Iron Gwazi under construction in July 2020

A media construction tour was held on January 30, 2020, to detail the progression of site construction.[56][57][58] Track work for Iron Gwazi was completed on March 8, 2020,[59] and testing began a day later on March 9, 2020.[60][61] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the initial opening date was missed and construction was halted on March 16, 2020, at the testing phase.[62] RMC filed a lien against SeaWorld in May 2020 for $3.5 million out of $9 million the company says it was still owed for work on Iron Gwazi, delaying further construction.[63] In SeaWorld Entertainment's preliminary second quarterly reports, as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all attractions scheduled to open in 2020 were to be postponed to 2021.[64][65] In September 2020, the park updated its website to reflect a new anticipated opening date for Spring 2021.[66] In November 2020, the park released a point-of-view shot of the roller coaster.[67][68]

Busch Gardens announced a new expected opening time frame of March 2022 for Iron Gwazi on August 23, 2021, pushing the grand opening back a second time.[69] On January 20, 2022, the park announced that Iron Gwazi would open on March 11.[70][71] On February 9, 2022, Busch Gardens hosted a media day for the roller coaster.[72][73] A soft-opening began on February 13, 2022, for passholder members,[74] later opening to the general public on March 11, 2022.[75][76]

Characteristics

Wooden roller coaster

Gwazi as captured from the park's transportation Skyride with the full layout
A view of the original Gwazi from the Skyride in 2006

Gwazi's footprint covered 8 acres (3.2 ha) of land once occupied by the Busch Brewery.[10][14] Gwazi was Great Coasters International (GCI)'s third project.[77] The individual wooden tracks reached a length of 3,508 ft (1,069 m).[28][78] The maximum height of each side was 105.4 ft (32.1 m).[28] When originally constructed, Gwazi used 1,250,000 board feet (2,900 m3) of treated southern yellow pine. The structure used two million bolts, together with 4.4 million nails for the tracks that consisted of 20-foot long, 2-by-12 planks in eight layers.[5][79] The structure of Gwazi was said to withstand winds of up to 100 mph or 160 km/h without riders.[5]

The wooden roller coaster was originally supplied with six-car Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) trains.[28] The PTC six-car trains were arranged with two seats across in two rows allowing for twenty-four riders per train.[28] According to designer Mike Boodley, brand new Millennium Flyer trains were offered, but Busch Gardens was unwilling to take a chance on an unproven train design.[25] Following the 2011 season, Busch Gardens replaced the PTC trains with GCI Millennium Flyer trains.[25][28] The four GCI trains featured twelve cars, with a single row of two seats across allowing for twenty four riders a train.[28] Both PTC trains and the Millennium Flyer trains featured a lap bar restraint system.[5]

The two tracks of Gwazi were commonly known as lion and tiger, with yellow being the primary color of the lion trains and blue being the primary color of the tiger trains.[21][28] The theme of Gwazi centered around the struggle between different territorial wildcats, the African lion and Asian tiger. The plaza surrounding the area was similarly themed to each cat, with the lion side including a desert atmosphere and the tiger side including landscaping and streams.[10][23][28]

Steel roller coaster

A view of Iron Gwazi's various support structure and track from a footpath in 2022
A view of Iron Gwazi from a footpath in 2022

Iron Gwazi uses the land once formerly occupied by Gwazi.[80] Iron Gwazi occupies the same station that once housed both Gwazi tracks.[81] The steel roller coaster was designed, manufactured, and constructed by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC).[82] Alan Schilke designed RMC's I-Box track.[24][53] Andrew Schaffer, the director of design and engineering for the park, stated "about 25% of the original wooden structure has been re-utilized, and 75% of the foundations".[80] An additional 375,000 board feet (880 m3) of lumber was added to support the structure.[83] The lift hill of the roller coaster is made from steel instead of reusing the wooden structure.[84] The steel track reaches a total length of 4,075 feet (1,242 m).[53]

The roller coaster is themed to the crocodile, similar to naming of other attractions at the park with animal theming.[80][85] The queue area has educational elements about the species and conservation. The queue area includes reptile-inspired graphics and paint throughout the themed area.[80][86] Iron Gwazi operates with two RMC trains, each train featuring six cars, with each car arranged in two-seats across in two rows allowing for a total of twenty four riders a train.[53][87] Each car utilizes a lap bar restraint.[88] The lead car features the head of a crocodile and its trains are painted in green, purple, and blue while the track features a purple color scheme.[80][89]

Ride experience

Gwazi

The ride experience of both the lion and tiger side of Gwazi followed similar paths as dueling roller coasters. Gwazi was touted for being the first dueling roller coaster with six fly-bys.[90][91] A fly-by is where the two roller coasters pass each other in opposite directions at high speeds, giving the impression that the two will collide.[21] At the time, Gwazi was promoted as the largest and fastest dueling wooden roller coaster in the Southeastern United States.[92] Altogether, one cycle of each ride took around two and a half minutes.[28]

Lion

The lift hill of the lion track as it ascends 105.4 ft (32.1 m) and turns to the right towards the 91.8 ft (28.0 m) drop
Lift hill of the Lion track

Departing from the station, the train traversed forward before dipping into a right U-turn to pass the other train. The train slightly climbed to the left before ascending the 105.4 ft (32.1 m) lift hill. Once at the top, the train entered a pre-drop turning right before descending the 91.8 ft (28.0 m) drop and reaching its maximum speed of 51 mph (82 km/h) near the bottom. The train slightly banked right before ascending into a left-banked turn through the lift hill of the tiger side, exiting downward and entering a right-banked turnaround. The train then banked up into a left turn before traversing downward into the outer region of the layout making multiple slight banked right turns. Afterward, the train entered a series of hills parallel to the opposite train, passing by the station before banking to the left into a downward spiral. The train descended before ascending into a slight right turn, transitioning into a left turn and into the brake run. Completing the course, the train then made a right turn and then a slight left before entering the station.[6][28][93]

Tiger

Departing from the station, the train traversed forward into a slight right turn before dipping into a U-turn to the left to pass the other train. The train slightly climbed to the left before ascending the 105.4 ft (32.1 m) lift hill. Once at the top, the train entered a pre-drop turning to the left before descending the 91.8 ft (28.0 m) drop and reaching its maximum speed of 51 mph (82 km/h) near the bottom. The train slightly banked right before ascending into a banked right turn and into a drop. Continuing the banked angle, the train then climbed before dipping down and then climbing into a left-banked turn. The train made a series of curves before turning towards the outer region of the layout in multiple slight banked left turns. The train then entered a series of hills, running parallel to the opposite train passing by the station and entering a right-banked downward spiral. The train descended slightly before ascending into a slight banked left turn, transitioning to a right turn and into the brake run. Completing the course, the train then makes a left turn and then a slight right before entering the station.[6][28][94]

Iron Gwazi

The lift hill of Iron Gwazi with various parts of the layout imaged
Lift hill of Iron Gwazi track

After leaving the station, the train takes a left turn before dipping under the queue line, and then takes another left turn to climb the 206 ft (63 m) lift hill. Once it climbs the hill, the train goes down the 91 degree drop and reaches its maximum speed of 76 mph (122 km/h) near the bottom of the 206 ft (63 m) drop. It then climbs up another hill and makes an over-banked left turn before another descending left turn. Afterwards, the train makes a banked right turn leading into a downward barrel roll, and then takes an over-banked left turn. It then continues into a series of banked turns. The train then passes through a zero-g stall before climbing a small hill, then takes a long right turn. It finally makes one final left-banked turn before hitting the brake run. Upon completion, the train makes a left turn passing the car barn, and one final right turn before entering the station.[53][87][95] One cycle of the roller coaster takes about two minutes.[53]

Comparison

Statistics Gwazi[28] Iron Gwazi[53]
Years 1999–2012 (Tiger)
1999–2015 (Lion) 		2022–present
Manufacturer Great Coasters International Rocky Mountain Construction
Designer Mike Boodley Alan Schilke
Track Wood Steel
Height 105.4 ft or 32.1 m 206 ft or 63 m
Drop 91.8 ft or 28.0 m 206 ft or 63 m
Length 3,508 ft or 1,069 m 4,075 ft or 1,242 m
Speed 51 mph or 82 km/h 76 mph or 122 km/h
Duration 2:30 1:50
Inversions 0 2
Max vertical angle — 91.0°
Trains PTC (1999–2011) GCI (2011–2015) Rocky Mountain Construction

Incidents

Main article: Incidents at SeaWorld parks

In 2006, a 52-year-old Palm Harbor, Florida, resident collapsed and shortly died after riding Gwazi and being rushed to a local hospital. It was determined that the roller coaster (which was functioning properly) had aggravated an existing condition of high blood pressure.[96][97]

In 2022, a guest riding Iron Gwazi during the roller coaster's preview hit their hand on a beam prompting Busch Gardens to remove two unspecified beams. The guest refused medical treatment after reporting the incident.[74][98]

Reception and legacy

Gwazi received generally positive reviews upon its debut. In a St. Petersburg Times report, guests reaction to the roller coaster was positive with many taking into account its twists and turns, air time, and smoothness.[99] A writer for The Tampa Tribune, Levin Walker, similarly noted that among guests the roller coaster was praised for its speed and initial drop, with some commenting upon the partial rattle accustomed to wooden roller coasters.[100] An editor for Park World, Paul Ruben, stated that Gwazi had "everything a good coaster should have," and adding "it never slows down" which makes it a "good coaster".[99]

The opening of the Gwazi in 1999 coincided with several other major roller coasters debuting in the Florida-theme park market, including that of Dueling Dragons and The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure and the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney-MGM Studios.[101][102][103] Likewise, Gwazi was one of several wooden roller coasters that opened in North America during a resurging interests in older-styled attractions.[104] Dueling Dragons and Gwazi were mentioned comparatively because of their similar dueling aspect.[105][106][107]

Iron Gwazi received initial positive reviews from critics upon its debut. A writer for the Tampa Bay Times, Sharon Kennedy Wynne, described the new roller coaster as "glass-smooth" while noting its numerous air time moments.[88] A writer for the Orlando Sentinel, Dewayne Bevil, remarked about the steel roller coaster's anticipation and sustained pacing.[89] American Coaster Enthusiasts members praised the roller coaster's speedy maneuvers, smoothness, and its ability to be re-ridden.[88] A writer from Theme Park Insider, Bobbie Butterfield, commented that from any seat, "Iron Gwazi is a winner".[87] Butterfield further praised the signature "barrel roll drop" and later air time moments.[87]

Awards

Prior to its closure, Gwazi had received several placements from Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards. In its debut year, Iron Gwazi received the Best New Roller Coaster distinction by the Golden Ticket Awards.[108]

Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters
Year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2010
Ranking 34 (tie)[109] 44 (tie)[110] 38[111] 43 (tie)[112] 46[113] 40 (tie)[114] 46[115]
Golden Ticket Awards: Top steel Roller Coasters
Year 2022
Ranking 4[116]

See also

References

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