Jump to content

List of attractions at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 2601:703:380:e420:845b:80d1:96e1:b398 (talk) at 03:48, 15 September 2020 (Roller coasters). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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

Roller coasters

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

Ride Year Opened Notes Section Ref(s)
Scorpion 1980 A steel Schwarzkopf-designed sit-down roller coaster with one vertical loop. It is Busch Gardens's oldest roller coaster that is still operating. Pantopia [1]
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. Congo [2]
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 [3]
Sand Serpent 2004 A steel Mack Rides wild mouse roller coaster originally from sister park Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia. This coaster used to be known as Cheetah Chase. Pantopia [4]
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 Sea World Orlando. It has received a #13 Golden Ticket Awards ranking. Stanleyville [5]
Air Grover 2010 A single train children's roller coaster with magnetic brakes. Sesame Street Safari of Fun [6]
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 [7]
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 [8]
Tigris 2019 A Premier Rides Sky Rocket II model. Tigris replaced the Tanganyika Tidal Wave attraction. Stanleyville [9]
Iron Gwazi A hybrid wooden steel roller coaster is currently under construction by Rocky Mountain Construction that will replace Gwazi. The ride will be 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 is expected to open sometime in spring 2021, due to setbacks triggered by COVID-19. Morocco [10]

Water rides

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 [11]
Congo River Rapids 1982 A water ride that simulates raging whitewater rapids. Congo [12]

Other rides and attractions

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. As of 2017, The Congo Train Station was closed. Nairobi/Stanleyville [13]
Skyride 1974 A ride that transports guests from the Crown Colony section to the Stanleyville section. It has a middle station where the ride makes over a 90 degree turn that guests are not allowed to disembark from. Crown Colony/Stanleyville [14]
Ubanga-Banga Bumper Cars 1977 A standard bumper cars ride. Congo [15]
Carousel Caravan 1979 A carousel. Pantopia [16]
Phoenix 1984 A swinging boat ride that goes completely upside down. It is themed like an Egyptian cargo vessel. As of today, it is standing but not operating. Pantopia [17]
Gwazi Gliders 2001 A hang glider flat ride for children. Children push and pull bars to raise and lower their gliders. Bird Gardens [18]
Jungle Flyers 2008 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(Closed As Of 2018) Jungala [19]
Wild Surge 2008 A Moser "Spring Ride" family bounce tower ride. A faux rock structure goes around the ride that guests can ascend allowing them to view the ride from above. Jungala [20]
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 [21]
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 freestanding drop tower. Pantopia [22]

Shows

Current shows that are at Busch Gardens Tampa as of March 2019.

Show Year Opened Notes Section Ref(s)
Turn It Up! The Hottest Show On Ice Summer 2017 A new award-winning ice skating show featuring ice skaters and some of today’s hit pop and rock music where guests can join the party. It replaced Iceploration after 5 years of exploration and education in the Moroccan Palace. It also won the IAAPA Brass Ring Award for most popular sports stage show in its debut year. Morroco
Let's Play Together 2017 A heartwarming show all about the beauty of friendship. "Let's Play Together" celebrates that being different is a big part of being friends. . Sesame Street Safari of Fun [23]
Critters Inn Charge 2019 This brand NEW animal show features dogs, cats, pigs and a miniature horse which invites guests and families to their conservation celebration to share how important it is to protect our planet from the dangers of pollution and destruction of habitats across the world. Pantopia
Rock A Doo Wop 2017 Before the days of iPhones, CDs, and Music Videos, songs of the “Do Whop” were sung on every street in America. Join this blast from the past party with a live band and performers singing songs from the 19th Century at Dragon Fire Grill. Pantopia

Previous attractions and shows

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) located in what is Tigris today. Most of the theming is still intact from the old ride. The ride was transformed into Tanganyika Tidal Wave in 1989 with new boats and a drop section, and nowadays houses the Tigris Ride. Stanleyville [24]
Kaleidoscope 1986 1990 The Moroccan Palace Theater was built to accommodate the show.

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 [25]
Swinging Vines 1977 Circa 1991 A wave swinger flat ride that swings its riders around in a circle. Congo [26]
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 [27]
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 [25]
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. Bird Gardens [28]
Monstrous Mamba 1976 1995 A flat ride that spun riders around as arms raised the cars up and down. Congo [26]
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 [29]
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 [25]
Questor 1991 1998 A motion simulator ride in which the narrator was on the search for amethyst crystals. It was replaced in 1998 by Akbar's Adventure Tours. The ride was manufactured by Reflectone.[30] Crown Colony Plaza [31]
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 [32]
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 [33]
Crazy Camel 1979 2003 A Chance Rides "Trabant" flat ride replaced by Sand Serpent. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [28]
Dolphin Theatre Before 1993 2003 A typical animal park dolphin show. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [34]
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 forever 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 [35]
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) [36]
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 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.[37] 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.[30] Egypt [38]
Land of the Dragons 1995 2010 A small children's area that was replaced by Sesame Street Safari of Fun. Sesame Street Safari of Fun [39][40]
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 [41]
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) [citation needed]
Pirates 4D 2006 2013 A "4-D" movie about Pirates, starring Leslie Nielsen. It played in the afternoon at the Pantopia Theater. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [42][43]
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) [44]
Dance to the Music 2009 Circa 2013 Enjoy the sounds of the Disco era as singers and dancers perform hits from the '70s. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [citation needed]
King Tut's Tomb 1996 Winter 2013 A walk through attraction that let visitors explore the replicas of King Tutankhamen's tomb. However, Tut's tomb, which opened when the 'Egypt' section was introduced to the park, closed during the winter of 2013 season. Tut's Tomb will be converted into the ride station for Cobra's Curse. Egypt [45][46][47]
Critter Castaways 2007 2014 A show featuring familiar pets and exotic creatures with almost 80 animals in all. In the Bird Garden Theater. Bird Gardens [48]
Rhino Rally 2001 2014 Originally a one of a kind Vekoma River Adventure ride. 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 is now closed although the area is used as scenery of part of the Cheetah Hunt roller coaster. Nairobi [49]
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 September 2015. Gwazi's trains are now used on InvadR at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Texas Stingray at SeaWorld San Antonio. It is due to reopen in 2020 as the wood-steel hybrid roller coaster Iron Gwazi. Morocco [50]
Tanganyika Tidal Wave 1989 2016 A 20-passenger shoot the chutes water ride with a 55-foot (17 m) drop. Replaced the African Queen Boat ride Stanleyville [51]
Motor City Groove 2011 2018 Classics from the Motown era presented in the Stanleyville Theatre. The show was closed due to low attendance. Stanleyville [52]
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. After 5 years, Iceploration was replaced by Turn It Up. Morocco [53]
Opening Night Critters 2014 2018 Featured animals such as dogs, cats, kangaroos, birds, and a horse. Show closed by new years of 2019 and the theater was reopened for Critters Inn Charge Pantopia [54][55]

References

  1. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Scorpion". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  2. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Kumba". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  3. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Montu". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  4. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "SandSerpent". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  5. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "SheiKra". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  6. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Air Grover". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  7. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Cheetah Hunt". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  8. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Cobra's Curse - Coming Soon!". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  9. ^ Marden, Duane. "Tigris - Busch Gardens Tampa (Tampa, Florida, USA)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  10. ^ Wynee, Sharon Kennedy (March 1, 2019). "Busch Gardens will add two new roller coasters by 2020, including this just-announced Gwazi replacement". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  11. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Stanley Falls". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  12. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Congo River Rapids". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  13. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Serengeti Railway". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  14. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Skyride". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  15. ^ "Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - Ubanga-Banga Bumper Cars - Attraction & Ride Details - ParkInfo2Go". www.parkinfo2go.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  16. ^ "Grand Caravan Carousel Review | Busch Gardens Tampa". Total Orlando. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  17. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Explore Pantopia". SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  18. ^ "Gwazi Gliders Review | Busch Gardens Tampa". Total Orlando. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  19. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Jungle Flyers". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  20. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "The Wild Surge". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  21. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Sesame Street Safari of Fun". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  22. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Falcon's Fury". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  23. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Let's Play Together". buschgardens.com. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  24. ^ "BGTNation | Busch Gardens Tampa Nation: Park History". www.bgtnation.net. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  25. ^ a b c "Moroccan Palace: A History in Photos | Busch Gardens Tampa". www.buschgardenstampablog.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  26. ^ a b "Busch Gardens' 1970s Rollercoasters and Thrill Rides Made the Tampa Park Famous – Super Forty". superforty.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  27. ^ McMorrow-Hernandez, Joshua (April 27, 2015). Tampa Bay Landmarks and Destinations. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781439651063.
  28. ^ a b "Busch Gardens History". www.tampapix.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  29. ^ "Dwarf Village, Busch Gardens, FL". Enchanted America. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  30. ^ a b O'Brien, Tim (May 4, 1998). "Wide variety of planned capital improvements". Amusement Business. 110 (18): 20.
  31. ^ "Questor: The Newest Attraction At Busch Gardens". Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  32. ^ "Novelty Monorails-Busch Gardens, Tampa". www.monorails.org. Archived from the original on January 28, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  33. ^ "World Rhythms On Ice @ Busch Gardens Tampa in Florida - Theme Park Critic". www.themeparkcritic.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  34. ^ "Dolphin Theater @ Busch Gardens Tampa in Florida - Theme Park Critic". www.themeparkcritic.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  35. ^ "Python - Busch Gardens Tampa (Tampa, Florida, USA)". rcdb.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  36. ^ "R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse @ Busch Gardens Tampa in Florida - Theme Park Critic". www.themeparkcritic.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  37. ^ Busch Gardens Africa Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  38. ^ "Akbars Adventure Tours @ Busch Gardens Tampa in Florida - Theme Park Critic". www.themeparkcritic.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  39. ^ "Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - Land of the Dragons - Attraction & Ride Details - ParkInfo2Go". www.parkinfo2go.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  40. ^ "Land of the Dragons at Busch Gardens Tampa". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  41. ^ "After 8,842 performances, Busch Gardens' longest-running show, KaTonga, closes Monday". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  42. ^ "Busch Gardens Tampa Replacing Dolphin Show". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  43. ^ "Pirates 4-D at Busch Gardens Tampa". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  44. ^ "Sandstorm ride makes final spin at Busch Gardens". Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  45. ^ "New attraction coming to Busch Gardens' 'Egypt' area". Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  46. ^ Inc, Tampa Bay Publications. Tampa Bay Magazine. Tampa Bay Publications, Inc. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  47. ^ "Busch Gardens Tampa - 1996 Park Brochure - courtesy of live2tell75". www.themeparkreview.com. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  48. ^ "Animals staying after closing of Busch Gardens' Critter Castaways". Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  49. ^ "Busch Gardens Rhino Rally Closed from Today Onwards!". www.totalorlando.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  50. ^ "Busch Gardens' Gwazi roller coaster's clickety-clack goes silent (w/video)". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  51. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Tanganyika Tidal Wave". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  52. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Motor City Groove". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  53. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Iceploration". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  54. ^ Entertainment, SeaWorld Parks &. "Opening Night Critters". seaworldparks.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  55. ^ "NOW OPEN: Opening Night Critters! | Busch Gardens Tampa". www.buschgardenstampablog.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.