Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[jedimaster1227]

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced that Kumba is officially reopening after its extended closure. Pass member previews take place over the next few days with the opening to the public on Saturday, September 27th, 2025. 

https://buschgardens.com/tampa/roller-coasters/kumba/ 

FEEL THE ROAR RETURN

Kumba reopens this weekend!

• Pass Member Preview: Wednesday - Friday September 24–26
• Fun Card Preview: Friday September 26
• Public Opening: Saturday, September 27, 2025

The Legend Returns to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! Get ready to feel the roar of Kumba, one of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s most iconic roller coasters, as it officially reopens to the public on Saturday, September 27, 2025. Experience Kumba’s signature high-speed loops, twists, and non-stop thrills that have made it a must-ride Florida theme park attraction for decades.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Pass Members get exclusive early access to ride Kumba from September 24–26, 2025, before the general public. Don’t miss your chance to be among the first to relive this legendary thrill ride!

Roar into Kumba! High-speed thrill coaster

Named for the distant roar of the king of the jungle, see why this legendary roller coaster still reigns on so many lists of favorites. After the thrill of an initial 135-foot drop, you will plunge into a diving loop, feel a full 3 seconds of absolute weightlessness while spiraling 360 degrees!

Touting one of the world's largest vertical loops, enthusiasts have consistently voted Kumba®, one of the world's best roller coasters! It is said that if you can hear the roar of a lion in the distance, you have crossed into his territory. The natives call this roar the Kumba, and you'll feel his breath on the back of your neck from the moment you step aboard the mighty roller coaster that earned his name.

[YoshiFan]

There is a rumor that Iron Gwazi is getting metal detectors. Unfortunately that means having to pay $4 for a 2 hour locker or $12 for an all day moveable locker unless they unexpectedly make the lockers free. 

 

[prozach626]

It seems weird that a ride reopening is being advertised so hard 

[jedimaster1227]

^There's not a lot else going on at the park worth hyping...

[YoshiFan]

I definitely agree. 

I visited the park on the Friday later in the day. Sky Ride and Carousel are closed for annual maintenance. Falcon's Fury has been closed for weeks but may have reopened since then (the app shows a 5 minute wait but it isn't accurate with closed and open rides).  That left the train, Serengeti Flyer and bumper cars as the only non coaster rides open while I was at the park. The rapids are open but close at 4, 2 hours before the park closes for the day. Same with the new Wild Oasis area, closed at 4. You would think that with the log flume closed, they would keep the 1 water ride they have open until at least 5 or even closing time.

In addition to Iron Gwazi running 1 train, Sheikra was also running 1 train even with the wait up to 70 minutes earlier. The computer systems were also down meaning no way to get Busch Bucks or any other rewards that can't be accessed on your phone. They tried the mandatory lockers earlier last week at Iron Gwazi and it didn't go so well with not enough lockers. When I walked past the ride when leaving the park, they had the old loose article policy signs out and the metal detector was off to the side near the entrance but not in use.

Even with the operational issues, for a 75 minute visit and being able to ride Kumba twice, Phoenix Rising twice and Sheikra (Quick Queue) is still good. I stayed in the back of the park because Howl O Scream visitors were allowed in at that point and the rides in the front of the park had longer lines.

 

 

 

 

[prozach626]

I had a friend visit the park a couple weeks ago. From someone who doesn't really pay attention to theme parks, he echoed a lot of the same things that have been said here. He said the park was a let down.

[YoshiFan]

It's bad when even non enthusiasts notice so many things wrong. The latest money grab is Kumba and soon to be Iron Gwazi and Sheikra have switched to a new on ride photo provider, if you bought the annual photo key or it came with the annual pass, those rides are no longer part of photo key and cost $5 each for a digital copy. 

[jedimaster1227]

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced Edge of Africa's Lion & Hyena Ridge, their largest animal habitat expansion at the park in over a decade. 

https://buschgardens.com/tampa/zoo/animal-experiences/lion-and-hyena-ridge/

Edge of Africa’s Lion & Hyena Ridge

Coming 2026 to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

With the debut of Edge of Africa’s Lion & Hyena Ridge, the largest and most immersive animal habitat expansion at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in over a decade. This awe-inspiring new experience expands the beloved Edge of Africa area by 150 percent and introduces all-new state-of-the-art habitats, enhanced guest experiences, and unforgettable up-close animal interactions.

What Guests Can Look Forward To:

• A grand new entrance into Edge of Africa, complete with a serene water feature and naturalistic Kopje rock formations
• Four shaded glass viewing structures offering 270-degree views of the habitats
• Up-close animal interactions and enhanced educational experiences with zookeepers
• Immersive, ever-changing environments that give animals the freedom to explore, interact, and thrive

A Habitat Designed for Exploration & Wellness

Spanning nearly 35,000 square feet, Edge of Africa’s Lion & Hyena Ridge features two expansive, multi-functional habitats crafted to support the physical, social, and mental well-being of each animal. The design includes:

• Kopje-style rock formations and naturalistic terrain
• Multiple enrichment zones offering variety and choice for the animals
• Rotating spaces that allow for dynamic social groupings and behavioral variability

As always, animal care is a top priority. The habitat is built to meet the highest standards of wellness, giving our animals the freedom to choose how and where they spend their day.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a longtime Pass Member, this is a must-see evolution of one of Busch Gardens' most beloved animal areas.

[YoshiFan]

I stopped in for another short visit yesterday. Cheetah Hunt has been closed for over a week.

The Sky Ride has reopened and the carousel's walls are down so it looks like that will be reopening soon as well.

Iron Gwazi had 4 people checking restraints which really helped dispatches but unfortunately when I was about to ride, the train had a sensor issue with a restraint in another car and that shut down the ride for the rest of the day. Hopefully they keep 4 people checking restraints since it would have been less than a 15 minute wait if the ride had not broken down.

Sheikra was also running 2 trains that was not expected.

Not counting the time spent at Iron Gwazi without riding, in the last 70 minutes the park was open I was able to ride Sheikra twice, Kumba, Phoenix Rising, Sky Ride and Cobra's Curse. 

The tree is up ahead of Christmas Town starting next week. I'm looking forward to later closing times and Iron Gwazi night rides.

The relocated kids rides were testing.

 

[PKI Jizzman]

Has Gwazi returned to two train ops?

[YoshiFan]

Unfortunately no, I heard possibly not until December. One of the trains is taken apart right outside the work area under the brake run. 

I also forgot to mention that they are temporarily having everyone go through the Quick Queue entrance and then there is someone there directing people back to the main line if they don't have Quick Queue with the first part of the main queue closed off to have more lockers installed.

[YoshiFan]

I’m happy to report Iron Gwazi is back to running 2 trains. Dispatches taking around 2 1/2 minutes and the park is more crowded than usual with a lot of school groups and it being the first day of Christmas Town. The wait is still only around 15 minutes. 

[YoshiFan]

Small park update, first the good news.

Tigris has had its comfort collars removed. Like Ice Breaker, seat belts were added but it should be a much more comfortable ride now.

Congo Rapids usually closes for annual maintenance around this time each year. It's still open for now and with the temperature getting up to 87 degrees today, it was nice to have it open.

After some rides had 2 - 3 hour waits the past 2 weeks, with schools back open those same rides were back to being a walk on or 5 minute wait.

Now for the other updates that aren't so good. Cheetah Hunt is still closed and now both Sheikra and Falcon's Fury are closed for annual maintenance. I know in a year round park rides are going to need to be closed at times but with the flume, Scorpion and Sand Serpent removed the past 3 years with only Phoenix Rising added, there is not a lot open. Cobra's Curse was down for most of the first half of the day and Serengeti Flyer having a breakdown, that left 10 rides open. 

Iron Gwazi added more lockers about 4 weeks ago. My last visit prior to today was the last day they weren't required. No phones, keys or other loose items can be taken on the ride. A 2 hour rental is $4, an all day moveable rental is $12. With rumors of both Sheikra and Tigris the next rides to get this policy, it's going to add up a lot for a frequent visitor. Some people think this is just a temporary fix and free lockers will be added eventually like Cedar Point did with Top Thrill 2 but I don't think that's happening. After the test in October, if they were going to add free lockers, they would have done it when new lockers were just added and not more pay ones.

Taken during Christmas Town but I wanted to show the lights added to the Sky Ride cars. The lights are still there with the battery packs under the seats and hopefully they will be used all year.

 

Unlike Scorpion that stood for around a year before being demolished, the flume is completely gone.

[YoshiFan]

Another update from today.

Falcon's Fury, Sheikra, Cheetah Hunt and Congo Rapids were closed. Hopefully Cheetah Hunt will be reopening soon as it was testing with water dummies while I was there.  

The topiary at the entrance was covered up due to the cold weather.

 

Even though it got to almost 70 degrees today, this sign was still up maybe for the next few days when it won't get above the 50s.

 

 

A train in the station with the water dummies (blue). That was as close as I could get from the sky ride queue that shares the station building with Cheetah Hunt.

 

This is from a week and a half ago but the splash down track is being replaced. 

[YoshiFan]

Cheetah Hunt reopened on Saturday the 7th and was up and down multiple times throughout last week and closed Sunday afternoon. It’s been closed since then with the signs out front stating the ride is closed due to the attractions refresh.

I’m glad I was able to visit last week and get 2 rides in but feel bad for people who only visit once or not than often and are going to not be able to ride the coaster for who knows how long. 

[jedimaster1227]

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has shared a look at the construction under way for the new Lion & Hyena Ridge coming to the park's Edge of Africa section in 2026!

https://buschgardens.com/tampa/zoo/animal-experiences/lion-and-hyena-ridge/

The All-New Lion & Hyena Ridge

An all-new immersive animal habitat coming soon

A bold new chapter is taking shape at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Opening in 2026, Edge of Africa’s Lion & Hyena Ridge will be the largest and most immersive animal habitat at the park in over a decade.

This all-new experience will feature state-of-the-art lion and hyena habitats, enhanced guest viewing areas, and unforgettable up-close animal encounters.

Construction Update

We’re thrilled to share the latest update on Lion & Hyena Ridge, Edge of Africa at Busch Gardens! Spanning nearly 35,000 square feet, the attraction will feature two expansive, multi-functional habitats designed to support the physical, social, and mental well-being of our lions and hyenas.

The habitats will include:

• Kopje-style rock formations and naturalistic terrain
• Multiple enrichment zones which offer variety and choice for the animals
• Rotating spaces that allow for dynamic social groupings and behavioral variability

Right now, the construction team is busy laying the foundation, and you can get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the early stages of this incredible project. Watch the video to see the first steps in bringing these habitats to life!

Designed for Exploration & Wellness

Spanning nearly 35,000 square feet, Lion & Hyena Ridge will feature two multifunctional habitats crafted to support the physical, social, and mental well-being of each animal.

Habitat highlights include:

• Naturalistic terrain and elevated kopje-style rock formations
• Multiple enrichment zones offering variety and choice
• Rotational spaces allowing for dynamic social groupings and behavioral variability

Every detail is designed to ensure lions and hyenas have the freedom to explore, interact, and thrive in a safe, enriching environment.

[CaptainUnknown]

That didn't exactly work out well for the Pride Lands in The Lion King...