Busch Gardens Tampa
Tampa Bay, Florida
Busch Gardens - The Dark Continent started in 1959 as a beer brewery
with a small theme park next to it, but the park has since taken over. In fact, the brewery
is long gone, and references to beer in the park are few and far between.
After a few years of operation, the park's name was changed to Busch Gardens Tampa. In addition to some very nice
and unique rides, the park is home to over 2,800 animals. The park, which changed its name from Busch Gardens Tampa
to Busch Gardens Africa in 2006 and back to Busch Gardens Tampa a few years later, presently covers 335 acres. One roller coaster has been
built since my last visit. Phoenix Rising opened in July 2024. Built by
Bolliger & Mabillard, it is
the company's third Family Inverted Coaster.
Depending on your view, either three or four coasters have left the park:
- Gwazi (1999-2015) Was modified into Iron Gwazi. Details and pictures below.
- Python (1976-2006) Details and pictures below.
- SandSerpent (2004-2023) Formerly was Cheetah Chase. Details and pictures below.
- Scorpion (1980-2024) Details and pictures below.
Videos
Air Grover
Cheetah Hunt
Cobra's Curse
Gwazi
Kumba
Montu
Python
Sand Serpent
(formerly Cheetah Chase)
Scorpion
SheiKra
