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Phoenix Rising (roller coaster)

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Coordinates: 28°02′18.67″N 82°25′20.58″W / 28.0385194°N 82.4223833°W / 28.0385194; -82.4223833
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For other uses, see Phoenix Rising.
Phoenix Rising
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
LocationBusch Gardens Tampa Bay
Park sectionPantopia
Coordinates28°02′18.67″N 82°25′20.58″W / 28.0385194°N 82.4223833°W / 28.0385194; -82.4223833
StatusOperating
Opening dateJuly 21, 2024
ReplacedSand Serpent
General statistics
TypeSteel – Inverted
ManufacturerBolliger & Mabillard
ModelInverted Coaster – Custom
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height80 ft (24 m)
Length1,831 ft (558 m)
Speed44 mph (71 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration1:26
Height restriction42 in (107 cm)
TrainsSingle train with 10 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 20 riders per train.
Quick Queue available
Phoenix Rising at RCDB

Phoenix Rising is a family inverted roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida, United States. The roller coaster, which opened on July 21, 2024, was manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, and is the park's tenth roller coaster. Phoenix Rising mimics the sensation of the legendary phoenix taking flight. The roller coaster reaches a height of 80 feet (24 m), and has a maximum speed of 44 mph (71 km/h) during a 1-minute 26 second duration.[1][2]

Phoenix Rising is located in the Pantopia section of the park next to Scorpion, Falcon's Fury, and Carousel Caravan.[3][4][5] The trains contain on-board audio with echoing “caws” being heard during the experience, with four distinct thematic options, each representing a different phoenix: Ignis (protecter of the desert realm), Glacius (protecter of the mountaintops and glaciers), Terra (protector of the rainforests), and Aqua (protector of the ocean realm).[6] It is the most recent expansion and attraction at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.[7]

History

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Phoenix Rising during construction

Planning for Phoenix Rising began in early 2022, with the aim of creating a family-friendly roller coaster that would stand out in the park's lineup.[8] Construction officially began in late 2023, with the installation of the first support beams and track sections.[9]

The ride occupies the land formerly used by the Sand Serpent wild mouse coaster and the Phoenix looping starship.[10] The construction process involved significant groundwork, including the installation of concrete footers and foundations.[11] By early 2024, the ride's track and support structures were completed, and testing began shortly thereafter.

The ride was one of the most anticipated roller coasters of 2024.[12] On July 17, 2024, Phoenix Rising opened up to passholders and media members. The ride opened to the general public on July 21, 2024.[13]

Characteristics

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The 1,831-foot-long (558m) Phoenix Rising stands as North America's tallest and longest inverted family coaster.[14] The ride features a series of twists, turns, an over-banked curve, and drops over the Serengeti Plain, providing an exhilarating flight experience.[15] With a height requirement of just 42 inches (107 cm), it is one of the park's most accessible attractions.

The ride operates with a single train, containing 10 cars, with each car seating 2 riders in a single row for a total of 20 riders per train.

Three screens in the dispatch station display an animated phoenix which flies around before the coaster starts. The animated phoenix is different each time and matches with the different colors from the banners in the queue.[16][17]

Ride experience

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Queue

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Guests enter the vibrant area of Pantopia, where the queue takes place. The queue begins with an outdoor area featuring switchbacks and a viewing area of the ride. Guests then navigate through a themed corridor adorned with murals depicting the legend of the phoenix. The dispatch station contains three LED screens to the right of the trains, which display an animated phoenix flying around before the coaster starts. The animated phoenix is different each time and matches with the different colors from the banners in the queue.

Layout

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The train leaves the station with a small right-handed-turn, tracking towards the chain lift hill. Once at the top, the ride dives down into a twisty drop. Riders experience a series of additional twists and turns before the ride takes an over-banked curve that brings riders close to flipping upside down above the rides' entrance sign. The ride sharply swings right for several beats then swings left for another few beats before returning to the loading dispatch station. On-ride speakers allow riders to hear the flaps of a phoenix's wings.[17]

Phoenix Rising at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay contains no full inversions, following the family-friendly coaster theme.[18]

Reception

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Phoenix Rising has been well received by guests and critics alike. The ride has been praised for its family-friendly design and immersive experience. Stewart Clark, Park President of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, stated, "We are thrilled to officially open Phoenix Rising to our guests and pass members. With a height requirement of just 42 inches, it’s an adventure the whole family can enjoy together".[19][20]

See also

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  • Montu, another inverted roller coaster located at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

References

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  1. ^ "Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Unleashes Phoenix Rising: 2024's Most Anticipated Coaster Now Open to All Thrill-Seekers". Yahoo Finance. 2024-07-22. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  2. ^ "Busch Gardens Tampa opens Phoenix Rising, an inverted family roller coaster - CoasterBuzz". coasterbuzz.com. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  3. ^ "Scorpion". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  4. ^ "Falcon's Fury". seaworldparks.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  5. ^ "Grand Caravan Carousel Review | Busch Gardens Tampa". Total Orlando. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  6. ^ "We got a peek at Busch Gardens Tampa's new rollercoaster, Phoenix Rising". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  7. ^ Marden, Duane. " (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  8. ^ Mitchell, Bea (2024-07-18). "Busch Gardens Tampa Bay soft launches new Phoenix Rising coaster". Blooloop. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  9. ^ Stevenson, John (2024-02-26). "Phoenix Rising Construction Update at Busch Gardens Tampa - Coaster101". Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  10. ^ printingddd (2024-07-21). "Remembering the Original Phoenix that Lead to the New Phoenix Rising at Busch Gardens". BGT Safari. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  11. ^ Roseboom, Matt (2023-10-02). "Suspended swinging family roller coaster coming to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  12. ^ Chen, Eve. "'The big and the bad' meet family friendly: 2024's most anticipated new roller coasters". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  13. ^ Bay, Busch Gardens Tampa. "Get Ready to Rise as Phoenix Rising Set to Open for Pass Members at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Starting on July 17 and Opening to All Guests on July 21". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  14. ^ "Family Coaster Phoenix Rising Now Open at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay". ABC Action News Tampa Bay (WFTS). 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  15. ^ Leoni, Britt (2024-07-29). "More Explores: Ride the tallest inverted rollercoaster in North America at Busch Gardens!". WZVN. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  16. ^ "Busch Gardens debuts new Phoenix Rising roller coaster". FOX 13 News. 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  17. ^ a b "Phoenix Rising soars at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  18. ^ "FIRST LOOK: Phoenix Rising at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay". 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  19. ^ "Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Unleashes Phoenix Rising: 2024's Most Anticipated Coaster Now Open to All Thrill-Seekers". Yahoo Finance. 2024-07-22. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  20. ^ Briar, Briar (2024-07-22). "Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's New Coaster 'Phoenix Rising' Now Open". Nerds & Beyond. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
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