The highly anticipated Iron Gwazi roller coaster opened to the public today at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
After closing the original wooden version back in 2015, Busch Gardens’ 10th coaster finished construction in 2020, but its opening was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even though the attraction has been open to pass members since Feb. 11, today marks the day that everyone (over the 48-inch height requirement) is able to enjoy the new addition.
The attraction’s developer, Rocky Mountain Construction, combined the nostalgia aspect of wood and the innovation of a steel roller coaster in the new design.
Billed as “America’s tallest hybrid roller coaster,” Iron Gwazi promises an exhilarating ride while experiencing a 206-foot-tall peak down a 91-degree drop, a dozen airtime moments and a top speed of 76 miles per hour. Additionally, it is composed of more than 4,000 feet of steel track, including three inversions.
This article appears in Mar 10-16, 2022.
