Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced today that construction has begun on a new hybrid coaster that will replace the former Gwazi roller coaster.
Once open in 2020, this new coaster will be North America’s tallest hybrid, and the fastest, steepest hybrid coaster in the world.
This new addition will be a wood and steel hybrid coaster manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, and will feature a maximum height of more than 200 feet tall. The coaster will offer all-new thrill elements, as well as use restored elements of Gwazi.
Stay tuned for more details on this brand-new hybrid coaster as they are announced. To learn more about Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, visit BuschGardens.com/Tampa.
I am in my late 50’s and my friends (and more recently family) and I spent a great deal of free time throughout our lives travelling to parks in search of the faster more intense roller coasters. Needless to say, I have experienced many rides, and have always been partial to wooden types. My last trip included taking my son to Busch Gardens-Tampa a few years ago. At the end of the day, we each picked one ride to finish our day. He was not interested in a wooden coaster. I decided to try Gwazi. I sort of wish I had not. I try to consider front row or back row for their own unique experiences and took the back row for this ride. Through all of my roller coaster experiences it was the harshest, hardest ride I think I have ever been on. I think I am still shaken and rattled by it (OK, harsh but also quite the experience). So much so that there were some adults leaving the ride crying-just what an RC ride is supposed to evoke? I tell this story and now see the plan for the Gwazi replacement. Not sorry to see that one go but would certainly look forward to trying the new one when it is operational. Another reason to come back to BG-T. Maybe front row?
what year did you go?
Sadly back when Gwazi was still open, before 2015, i only had the chance to ride it twice, one in the second to last row and once in the front. Both were amazing but for a wood coaster that had been through multiple hurricanes and had the florida humidity to ruin it, it was a wonderful experience. I am so excited for this new hybrid and im hopeful they decide to name this coaster Gwazi II because the original definitely was a fun coaster. Rickety due to wear and tear but still fun non the less. Unsure why those other people had issues with it but depending on the year the other person went, they may have been crying due to it shutting down in 2015.