Home | Orlando | Busch Gardens: Roller Coaster Guide & Tips for Enjoying the Park
The most extreme park in Florida , o , Busch Gardens is a refreshment for roller coaster lovers who go to Orlando, as most of the city’s parks don’t have that many attractions for the more adventurous.
By the way, I talked about tourists going to Orlando, but it’s worth remembering that Busch Gardens is about 1 hour from the city . The park is in Tampa , but you can do a day trip in a good way.
I confess that until I went to Busch Gardens my level of roller coaster was not the highest. I’d been Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster to Aerosmith’s at Hollywood Studios , but I hadn’t had the courage to ride the roller coasters at Universal parks Universal. So, my most emotion/radical level was really from the late Playcenter lol .
I was dying to visit Busch Gardens , at the same time I was scared to death. I even talked about this bipolar feeling in the SeaWorld post . On the one hand, I couldn’t wait to try Sheikra and Tigris , but on the other, I didn’t want the moment to come hahaha! In the end, it was much better than I expected . I repeated practically all the roller coasters and only didn’t go anymore because there was no time. I want to go back more calmly so I can enjoy the attractions even more.
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For you to organize your trip to Busch Gardens, we have prepared a guide with the roller coasters and other attractions of the park . Check!
BUSCH GARDENS: ROLLER COASTERS AND TIPS
| O BUSCH GARDENS
The 60-year-old Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is part of the SeaWorld group and is located on an area of more than 120 hectares . In addition to the extreme rides, the park is one of the largest zoos in the United States with more than 12,000 animals.
Top attractions include the Tigris roller coasters, Cobra’s Curse, Cheetah Hunt, SheiKra and Montu , as well as Falcon’s Fury , the tallest falling tower in North America.
| THE ROLLER COASTERS OF BUSCH GARDENS
But let’s get down to business: the roller coasters at Busch Gardens . Serious! Hard to choose the best one. The good thing is to overcome fear and go for all of them.
TIGRIS
Tigris opened in April 2019 and is the tallest launch roller coaster in Florida . You know those 60s you want to last at least three times as long? That’s what happened to me every time I went to Tigris. It’s very good .
They managed to create a super extreme attraction in a not too big space. Therefore, the roller coaster goes front and back in a section, in addition to having loopings, drops, a 45m high boosted ascent and a turn on its own axis . Ahh! What about speed? It reaches almost 100 km/h! As the name implies, it simulates the agility of a tiger . We made a post telling all our experience at Tigris . Can you go again?
VIEW OUR ROLLER COASTER EXPERIENCE
CHEETAH HUNT
The Cheetah Hunt was the first roller coaster I went on at Busch Gardens and I thought it was sensational. First because I was able to go with glasses on and second because she is really very good. It’s Florida’s first three-pitch roller coaster . The coolest thing is that it reaches from 0 to 100 km in two seconds . Do you have any idea? Two seconds! The Cheetah Hunt is inspired by the movements of a cheetah during hunting and is 1.3 km long.
SHEIKRA
It’s hard to choose the best roller coaster in Busch Gardens, but SheiKra certainly makes the list of the best . She’s the first dive coaster in North America and has an ascent of 61 meters , but that’s nothing close to the 90-degree drop at 112 km/h . And do you know how this drop happens? The cart stops and we are ‘hanging’ at the ground for a few seconds that seem eternal . It’s sensational. In addition, it has a loop with simultaneous spins and another drop of 42 meters .
COBRA’S CURSE
Although Cobra’s Curse is one of the quietest roller coasters in Busch Gardens, it’s where a lot of people end up feeling a little sick. I’ve had absolutely nothing, but it’s just that it’s a roller coaster of twists and turns . So, for those who get dizzy, it might be best to avoid it. It doesn’t have a loop and the drops aren’t high (it has a vertical climb of 21 meters), but it rotates quite a bit . A curiosity: the ascent of the cart is done through an elevator , that is, you can’t know what will happen next. It’s pretty cool. I found it very quiet and fun , but that’s what I said: those who usually get dizzy, maybe not one of the most suitable.
MONTU
Montu is amazing. It is one of the tallest and longest inverted roller coasters in the world . What does that mean? Our feet are loose , i.e. the stroller is secured from the top. In the case of Montu, the speed exceeds 96 km/h . In addition to the inverted loop, it has an 18-meter vertical loop. IT’S MORE! !
KUMBA
Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to get to know Kumba , but I felt like it. The roller coaster has an initial drop of 42 meters and a looping of 34 meters . Also, while rotating in 360-degree spirals , there is a complete lack of gravity for 3s . The Kumba also has one of the largest vertical loops in the world.
SCORPION
This roller coaster has an 18-meter drop and a 360-degree loop. .
SEND SERPENT
The Send Serpent is not made especially for the little ones, but it is ideal to be the first roller coaster in the life of a brave child , since the minimum height to go on it is one meter. It has climbs, descents and curves that reach 35 km/h .
AIR GROVER
It’s a children’s roller coaster with curves and small drops. The cool thing is that adults can accompany the children on this adventure.
| CURTAIN TOWER
FALCONâS FURY
Falcon’s Fury isn’t a roller coaster, but it’s one of the most extreme rides in the park . I confess that I didn’t have the courage to go to this one. It is the tallest drop tower in North America with a height of 102 meters and a drop of 96 km/h . If that’s all there was to it, that’s fine, I’d even face it! But the big thing is that when you get up there, you turn 90 degrees and face down . That feeling of being hung up . And that’s how the fall happens . I went to a tower similar to this one in Stockholm and I thought it was really cool, but for me once in a lifetime it’s already a good size lol.
| WATERY TOYS
CONGO RIVER RAPIDS
Of course, you couldn’t miss a toy to cool off , especially in the hot summer in Tampa, right? A 12-person dinghy faces a strong current, passes through whirlpools and even faces a waterfall
STANLEYVILLE FALLS FLUME
If you want to get wet, you can’t miss this attraction. It seems to be a simple walk along a river, but suddenly the falls , which reach 13 meters , and the force of the water show that it is difficult for anyone to get out of here dry .
| OTHER ATTRACTIONS
In addition to being one of the most extreme parks in Florida, Busch Gardens is also one of the largest zoos in the United States. In the park there are more than 200 species of animals from all over the world, including endangered species .
The park has emergency care for animals at the Animal Care Center and visitors can closely monitor the treatment of the animals and even participate in the procedures.
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SERENGETI PLAIN
For those who want to observe giraffes, zebras, rhinos, ostriches and other animals this is the right place . You can take the Seregenti Express Railway , take a ride on the Skyride cable car or even go on safari aboard a vehicle (this is paid separately).
All the animals that are in this area were born in the park or in other institutions. In total, it is 64 acres in extension and has more than 150 animals. Paid safaris last 30 minutes in groups of no more than 18 people and with a minimum age of 5 years.
JUNGALA
There are 16 thousand meters of activities such as climbing nets , , mazes , tunnels , children’s attractions and interactions with animals . In addition, it is possible to observe a Bengal tiger very closely.
MYOMBE RESERVE
Get ready to encounter gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
EDGE OF AFRICA
On this walking safari, see lions, hippos, and crocodiles.
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WALKABOUT WAY
Here, it is possible to feed kangaroos at scheduled times.
BIRD GARDENS
In this free-flight aviary, you can observe more than 500 tropical birds .
LORY LANDING
In this dome, it is possible to spot a wide variety of birds with bright and vivid colors .
SESAME STREET SAFARI OF FUN
In this part of Busch Gardens, kids have fun alongside Sesame Street characters on special rides such as the Air Grover children’s roller coaster Air Grover. There is also a climb to Elmo’s house Elmo and an area full of water jets.
| SHOWS
As a good park, Busch Gardens also has concerts. At the Maroccan Palace there is ice skating all year round. In Let’s Play Together , the Sesame Street characters talk about the importance of friendship. In Rock a Doo Wop , relive great hits on stage at the Dragon Fire Grill restaurant. At the Critters Inn Charge , rescued dogs, cats, and birds put on a show.
| USEFUL TIPS
OPENING HOURS
The park is normally open from 10 am to 6 pm every day of the year. During the summer and on holidays, the hours are extended.
TICKETS
Check the park’s official website for updated ticket prices. If you also want to visit SeaWorld or Aquatica and Discovery Cove, for example, it’s worth seeing how much the combo that gives access to more than one park during the trip costs.
QUICK QUEUE
For those traveling during the high season, it is worth purchasing the Quick Queue to have priority access to several attractions (Falcon’s Fury, Cheetah Hunt, SheiKra, Montu, Kumba, Cobra’s Curse, Scorpion, Stanley Falls Flume, Sand Serpent and Congo River Rapids). You can buy one-time priority access to each attraction or unlimited access.
PARKING LOT
Since most people make day trips from Orlando, it will be necessary to park the car in the park’s parking lot, which costs from 25 dollars.
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TRAVEL INSURANCE
Although it is not mandatory, it is very important to get travel insurance when you go to the United States. You never know when you’ll need it and the country’s health system is extremely expensive. A night in an American hospital, for example, can exceed $3,000.
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| ADVENTURE ISLAND: A TIP FOR THOSE WHO ARE GOING TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN TAMPA
For those who prefer to spend a night in Tampa, you can take advantage of Adventure Island , which is another water park from the SeaWorld group and is across the street from Busch Gardens.
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As the park is not that big , it has a maximum limit of visitors per day , which is great to be able to enjoy the attractions well. Adventure Island is only open during spring and summer .
I have selected some of the main attractions of the park:
VANISH POINT
One of the most extreme slides in the park, it has a 21-meter-high tower and a 130-meter path . It also has a horizontal toboggan run of 139 meters in length. It takes courage!
COLOSSAL CURL
On this mega slide , you are thrown, alongside up to three other passengers, and have the feeling of zero gravity.
RIPTIDE
For those who like competition, in the Riptide four people are released at the same time each from a tube and on a mat from a height of 16 meters until they reach four open slides. Good to decide who will pay for the lunch of the day, huh!
WAHOO RUN
A buoy with up to five people slides down a drop of more than 180 meters with curves, descents and many spins in open and closed environments . Get ready for the curtains of water that will make you get wet when you least expect it.
SPLASH ATTACK
Here you will find slides, bridges and a 12-meter-high shower.
KEY WEST RAPIDS
On this 230-meter curved slide, the final destination is a delightful swimming pool.
The park also has several other slides, as well as a pool with waves of up to one meter and a special area for children.
ADVENTURE ISLAND
10001 Malcolm McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612,
Tel: 1-888-800-5447
Go to the website for more information
BUSCH GARDENS
Corner of Busch Boulevard and 40th Street
Go to the website for more information
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*The journalist traveled at the invitation of Busch Gardens, but all opinions are unbiased and part of his real experience.
Adolfo Nomerlin
Journalist graduated from PUC-SP and post-graduated in Communication in Digital Media, he is passionate about music, coxinha, television, his glasses and the internet. She has been working with online content for more than 15 years and spends much of her time “throwing her body into the world, walking around and, by the natural law of encounters, leaving and receiving somewhat”.
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