Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[SharkTums]

^Sure. On our socials where we've been posting a ton and talking about it! When we get a proper post up in here then you can talk about it here.

[robbalvey]

NEW ROLLER COASTERS “ICE BREAKER” AND “IRON GWAZI” AMPLIFY THRILLS AT SEAWORLD AND BUSCH GARDENS

 

With a new waterslide also coming to Adventure Island in 2020, it’s never been a better time to be a Pass Member

 

Orlando, Fla. (September 12, 2019) – Today, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay revealed details regarding NEW attractions coming to the parks in 2020. This marks the first time in four years that both parks have launched new coasters in the same year, in addition to a new water slide in Tampa. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Pass Members will be among the first to experience the new attractions.

 

Iron Gwazi – Opening Spring 2020 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

 

A NEW legend is surfacing in 2020 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with the evolution of Iron GwaziTM, North America’s tallest, and the fastest, and steepest hybrid coaster in the world. Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, Iron Gwazi will be 206 feet tall, feature a 91-degree drop, and reach top speeds of 76 miles per hour. The journey will include three inversions and 12 airtime hills as it races along more than 4,075 feet of purple steel track. With a 48” height requirement, Iron Gwazi will be an exciting thrill attraction that families can take on together.

 

“Iron Gwazi is the evolution of a classic wooden coaster into a modern icon,” said Stewart Clark, Park President of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. “From the bones of the original Gwazi, a new legend rises, reaching taller heights and faster speeds, delivering the next-level thrills that our coaster fans crave and expect from Busch Gardens.”

 

While elements of the former wooden attraction will be integrated into the new ride, the steel track and reimagined layout of Iron Gwazi present an entirely unique experience that tells a different story. Iron Gwazi will highlight the best of both worlds — the classic nostalgia of a wooden coaster and the bold innovation of a steel coaster. Thriving and adapting over millions of years, this evolutionary crossroad is perfectly represented in the crocodile, the largest living reptile and the animal inspiration for Iron Gwazi.

 

Solar Vortex – Opening Spring 2020 at Adventure Island

 

Spin and splash at Adventure Island on Solar VortexTM — America’s first dual-tailspin water slide. This thrilling family raft slide combines high-banking rotations and rapid descents, sending sliders on a swirling journey through two open tailspin features. Manufactured by Whitewater, Solar Vortex will also include three dynamic AquaLucent™ elements — harnessing the power of the Florida sun into colorful patterns that shine through the slide as riders reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. Solar Vortex will be an electrifying new ride for families next year when it opens with the 2020 Adventure Island season.

 

Ice Breaker – Opening Spring 2020 at SeaWorld Orlando

 

Making its debut in spring 2020, riders will shiver through family friendly adventures on SeaWorld Orlando’s first launch coaster: Ice Breaker™. Named after the icy Arctic summits, Ice Breaker will feature four launches, both backwards and forwards, culminating in a reverse launch into the steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida — a 93-foot tall spike with 100-degree angle.

 

Located near the Wild Arctic Attraction, the ride’s theme is reflective of this area with a nod to Ice Breaker’s conservation partner, Alaska SeaLife Center. Primarily dedicated to marine research, education and wildlife response, the Alaska SeaLife Center mission matches closely to SeaWorld Orlando’s, making them a perfect partner to help educate riders about the Artic and its inhabitants.

 

"The Alaska SeaLife Center is excited to grow our partnership with SeaWorld. For many years, SeaWorld has been a stalwart supporter of the Center, and particularly our Wildlife Response program,” said Tara L. Riemer, President and CEO of Alaska SeaLife Center. “We are grateful for SeaWorld's contributions of funding and staff over the years to further our mission. This new collaboration will continue efforts to highlight Arctic rescue and conservation stories.”

 

The opening of Ice Breaker is the perfect addition to SeaWorld’s ever-growing ride portfolio. From the roller coaster thrills of Mako, Manta and Kraken, to the water rapids of Infinity Falls and the flume fun of Journey to Atlantis, Ice Breaker joins the park’s famed attractions as a must-do experience in Orlando.

 

Best value for Floridians – Enjoy all NEW rides with an Annual Pass!

 

With three ALL-NEW attractions to enjoy, there has never been a better time to be a SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Annual Pass Member. Upon the launch of each attraction, Pass Members will enjoy EXCLUSIVE RIDE TIME on Iron Gwazi, Ice Breaker and Solar Vortex.

 

For 2020, the best value for Floridians is the FOUR PARK PASS, which includes admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Adventure Island, SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando. In addition to exciting NEW rides coming next spring, guests who purchase an annual pass today can enjoy fan-favorite events included with their park admission in Orlando and Tampa. In the fall, there’s Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends and Halloween Spooktacular. Then, as the holidays draw near, visitors can experience the magic of Christmas Town and SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration. And for culinary connoisseurs, the spring brings the Food &Wine Festival and the Seven Seas Food Festival to the parks. For pass holders, there’s something for everyone all year at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

 

For more information on Fun Cards, Annual Passes, and daily admission, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com and BuschGardensTampa.com

Edited September 12, 2019 by cfc

[WolfBobs]

Looking forward to full POVs of these rides. 2020 is looking to be a huge year for the chain and I'm super excited for the direction they're going!

[Lemur]

God, that name is horrible. Either come up with something new or just leave it as Gwazi.

[KBrylczyk]

^ Because Iron Rattler, New Texas Giant, etc are strokes of brilliance, right?

[robbalvey]

God, that name is horrible. Either come up with something new or just leave it as Gwazi.

Wow. It only took 16 minutes for someone to write some stupid pointless bitchy useless obnoxious dumb comment. Honestly, I'm surprised it took that long...

 

We need fewer idiots on our forum...

 

For the record, I'm glad they kept Gwazi in the name. The ride is going to seriously kick ass. If you have anything to complain about with this ride, you're dumb.

Edited September 12, 2019 by robbalvey

[jynx242]

Looks awesome! Can't wait to get back down to Orlando to check out both of these!!

[Coastard69]

My question is why did they announce all of the busch stuff other than Williamsburg today? Those SeaWorld coasters are getting way overshadowed by Iron Gwazi.

[coasternut79]

I'm dying to see the full POV! Looks awesome! I'm hoping this will be a completely different experience than SV in that it looks like the primary objective of this coaster will be speed. I hope they pull it off and it doesn't disappoint. Did they say anything about a time frame? I know it's 2020 but BGT is a year round park and I'm wondering if it will open in the spring?

[cfc]

God, that name is horrible. Either come up with something new or just leave it as Gwazi.

Wow. It only took 16 minutes for someone to write some stupid pointless bitchy useless obnoxious dumb comment. Honestly, I'm surprised it took that long...

 

We need fewer idiots on our forum...

 

For the record, I'm glad they kept Gwazi in the name. The ride is going to seriously kick ass. If you have anything to complain about with this ride, you're dumb.

 

Exactly--they paid tribute to the old ride and still rebranded it as a new one.

[southpuddle]

I think we all expect more from a coaster name at a Busch park than we do from anything Six Flags has put out in the last two decades. It does seem a little lazy, but the ride will be effing spectacular, no doubt!

[WolfBobs]

People called this thing RMC Gwazi for months and months and it's officially named Iron Gwazi and they loose their minds! ::Sigh::

 

I haven't been to BGT since I moved back to Cleveland from Tampa in 2009. I really need to get back!

[chickenbowl]

This park will have such a killer lineup next year. Finally an RMC in Florida - This will no doubt be the best coaster in the state, IMO

[lord denning]

I like the tribute to the original Gwazi by using 1999 graphics for the POV.

 

Robb according to the wiki the height should be 48 inches. They referenced the 48 inch height for Ice Breaker, any reference to what the expected height requirement would be for Iron Ghawi?

 

I know that SV was changed to 52 inches just weeks before opening.

 

Can't wait to ride it.

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

My only issue with the name is one of semantics... I believe the name "Gwazi" was in reference to a part lion, part tiger beast, but Iron Gwazi is crocodile-themed. Nevertheless, I always thought the name "Gwazi" was really cool, and that crocodile-themed lead car might just become one of my favorite lead cars on a coaster train! Plus no one really cares about linguistics except English majors...

I'm very excited for this addition, and I think both of these coasters will be solid additions to the two SEAS Florida parks! Can't wait to ride them.

[CarolinaJay]

To keep in line with their African inspired names, such as Montu, Sheikra, Kumba, etc., a better name would have been Twisted Mamba since Mamba in Swahili means crocodile and their theming this after a crocodile. There's no sense in naming it Iron Gwazi (NOT saying I don't like the name because I do) when it's being themed after a crocodile and Gwazi was themed around being a hybrid of a tiger/lion creature haha but, I do love that they're paying homage to the original coaster by keeping it's original name, nonetheless. I'm totally digging what we could see of the trains and the logo looks awesome, too! That purple track with the green trains is going to be a sick contrast. This is gonna be a HUGE hitter for BGT! It looks bad ass for sure. I'll definitely be making my way down there next year!

Edited September 12, 2019 by CarolinaJay

[Satans Hockey]

I really like the logo, this ride looks so awesome. Florida 2020 is absolutely crazy with all this new rides coming next year. I really think I'll end up going to Florida way more now, I already love the parks down there but finally have more time to actually get down there more often.

Edited September 12, 2019 by Satans Hockey

[DoinItForTheFame]

God, that name is horrible. Either come up with something new or just leave it as Gwazi.

 

Yeah, hate to break it to you.... But Iron Gwazi is awesome!!

[PKI Jizzman]

The lead car looks like it'll be really cool! I love the track color, the details we've been given, and am really excited about what they're doing with this project.

[SharkTums]

Spoiler alert - I swear Sarah and I found the reptile inspiration for the lead car at Sea World today!!!

Right!?!? I feel like it’s very similar. Found it over by the Infinity Falls area.

[heatherrrrz]

This looks like one of the most interesting RMC conversions, that drop looks crazy

[Ed Farmer]

As if another reason was needed to return to this fantastic park. Glad to see something finally come of Gwazi- it felt inevitable- and really looking forward to yet another giant RMC!

[Canobie Coaster]

This park needed an air-time machine and now it's officially announced. I can't wait!

 

As for the name, it 100% makes sense to put something like Iron in the name. We know these hybrids are steel coasters, but to most they look like wood coasters from a distance. And considering old Gwazi's reputation, you want to hammer home that it's steel.

[Hilltopper39]

48" height restriction is great, glad to see something else in the park under the B&M's. I can't wait to take my kids next year for the first time!

[boldikus]

I can't believe there's gonna be a giant kickass RMC at the same park as Cheetah Hunt, Kumba, Montu, Falcons Fury and Sheikra.