You’ve seen the commercials with the screaming faces and the slow-motion splashes. But honestly, if you’re planning a trip to Tampa, the reality of busch gardens in florida rides is a lot more nuanced than just "big coasters." People tend to think it’s just a secondary park to Disney or Universal. It isn't. Not even close. If you actually like high-force thrills, this is the heavy hitter of the Sunshine State.
It’s a massive 335-acre landscape where 200-foot steel structures tower over giraffes and zebras. Sorta surreal, right?
The Heavy Hitters: Why Iron Gwazi Changed Everything
For a long time, the conversation about Florida thrill rides started and ended with the Orlando parks. Then came Iron Gwazi in 2022. If you haven’t ridden it, you’re basically missing out on what many enthusiasts call the best coaster in the world. It’s a hybrid—meaning steel tracks on a wooden frame—and it replaced the old, shaky wooden Gwazi that used to give everyone a headache.
The stats are kind of stupid when you read them on paper. A 206-foot peak. A 91-degree drop. 76 miles per hour.
When you’re at the top, looking down at that 91-degree angle, you aren’t just looking down; you’re looking inward under the track. It’s the steepest, fastest hybrid in North America. The airtime is aggressive. It doesn't just lift you out of your seat; it tries to launch you into the atmosphere. Honestly, it’s the only ride I’ve been on where I felt like the coaster was actually winning the fight against physics.
Beyond the Hybrid
Then there’s SheiKra. It’s a dive coaster.
Basically, the train is wide—eight seats across—and it hangs you over a 200-foot cliff for about five seconds. You’re staring straight down at the concrete. Then it drops. Total 90-degree verticality. The splashdown at the end is a classic, but the real star is that initial "hold" at the top. It never gets old.
The 2024 Newcomer: Phoenix Rising
Busch Gardens just added Phoenix Rising in the Pantopia section of the park. It’s an inverted family coaster.
Don't let the "family" tag fool you into thinking it's boring.
- Height Requirement: Only 42 inches, which is great for kids who aren't ready for the big stuff yet.
- The Twist: It’s the first coaster in the park with on-board audio.
- Speed: It hits 44 mph.
- Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), the same folks who built the legendary Montu and Kumba.
It swings. It feels like you're actually flying over the Serengeti Plain. It’s a smooth, "swinging" sensation rather than a "jerk you around" sensation.
The Old Guard: Montu and Kumba
If you’re a purist, you go for the classics. Montu (1996) and Kumba (1993) are the backbone of this park.
Montu is an inverted coaster, meaning the track is above your head and your feet are dangling. It has seven inversions. The "Batwing" element in the back half of the ride pulls massive G-forces. You’ll feel the blood rushing to your feet. It’s intense in a way modern coasters often aren't.
Kumba, on the other hand, is getting a bit of a "classic" reputation—meaning it’s a bit rougher than it used to be. But that roar? You can hear it from the parking lot. It was one of the first coasters to feature an interlocking corkscrew. Even 30 years later, that layout is a masterclass in pacing.
Why Cheetah Hunt is the Real Fan Favorite
Ask a local what their favorite busch gardens in florida rides are, and they’ll usually mention Cheetah Hunt.
It isn't the tallest. It isn't the fastest. But it’s the longest at 4,429 feet.
It uses three separate launches to mimic a cheetah chasing its prey. The first launch is a pop. The second launch is the big one, blasting you up the "Windcatcher Tower." The third launch happens mid-ride to keep the momentum going. It’s a "straddling the line" ride—intense enough for thrill-seekers but smooth enough that your grandma might actually enjoy it. Sorta.
🔗 Read more: Upper Black Eddy PA: Why You’ve Probably Been Missing Bucks County’s Best Escape
Dropping and Swinging: The Non-Coasters
Not everything is a roller coaster.
Falcon’s Fury is a 335-foot drop tower. But here is the catch: when you get to the top, the seats pivot 90 degrees. You are facing the ground. Face-first.
Then you drop.
It’s terrifying. There’s no other way to put it.
Then you have Serengeti Flyer, which opened in 2023. It’s a "Screamin’ Swing." Think of a giant playground swing set on steroids. It goes 68 mph and reaches 135 feet. The negative Gs at the top of the arc make you feel completely weightless. It’s located right in the Nairobi area, so the view of the animals while you're upside down (or nearly upside down) is actually pretty cool.
The Water Factor
Florida is hot. Like, "melting into the pavement" hot.
You’ve got two main ways to get wet:
- Congo River Rapids: A classic rafting trip. You will get wet. Someone in your raft will get soaked. It’s a law of nature.
- Stanley Falls Flume: A traditional log flume. It’s older, but the final drop is surprisingly steep.
What People Get Wrong About the Lines
Most people think they need a Quick Queue (the park's version of a fast pass) every single time.
You don’t.
If you go on a Tuesday in October, you can walk onto almost everything. But if you’re there on a Saturday in July? Yeah, you’re going to want that pass. Cobra’s Curse is a weird one—it’s a spinning coaster with an elevator lift. Because of how it loads, the line moves slower than you’d think. It’s a great ride, especially the part where you face the 80-foot stone snake head, but don't wait 90 minutes for it.
Realities of Ride Maintenance
It’s worth noting that Busch Gardens is an older park. Sometimes rides go down for "technical difficulties." Falcon's Fury and SheiKra are notorious for occasional downtime. Always check the official app before you hike across the park to the back corner of Stanleyville only to find a closed sign.
Actionable Strategy for Your Visit
If you want to maximize your time with busch gardens in florida rides, do not start at the front of the park. Everyone stops at Cheetah Hunt because it’s the first thing they see.
Instead, head straight to the back for Iron Gwazi as soon as the gates open. The line only grows throughout the day. After that, hit SheiKra and Tigris (a triple-launch coaster with a terrifying "slow roll" at the top). By the time the crowds reach the back of the park, you’ll be heading toward the front to hit Montu and Cobra’s Curse while everyone else is stuck in the 2-hour Gwazi line.
Pack light. The park is strict about loose articles. Most big rides require you to put your bags in a locker, which costs a couple of dollars. If you can fit your phone and keys in a zippered pocket, you’ll save yourself twenty bucks in locker fees over the course of the day.
Check the weather. Lightning within 10 miles will shut down every major outdoor ride. In Florida, that happens almost every afternoon in the summer. Plan your "must-ride" list for the morning hours to avoid the inevitable 3:00 PM thunderstorm lockout.