While not as popular as some of the Orlando theme parks, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the place to go for thrill ride and roller coaster aficionados. It is more of an “old school” park relying on rides, attractions and shows as compared to some of the immersive theming (IP) you will find at other theme parks.
Busch Gardens is not to be overlooked when planning a visit to the sunshine state – it is an excellent park that offers a diverse array of attractions for guests of all ages. However over the past few years with the addition of a number of “thrill rides”, it has become the place to go to experience some of the best rides and roller coasters in Florida.
While every guest has different favorites but after dozens of visits, following is our list of the best rides and attractions at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Top 12 Best Rides & Attractions at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
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- Stanley Falls Flume (log flume ride)
- Cobra’s Curse (spin roller coaster)
- Scorpion (roller coaster)
- Congo River Rapids (whitewater rafting)
- Montu (roller coaster)
- Tigris (roller coaster)
- Serengeti Flyer (swing ride)
- Falcon’s Fury (drop tower)
- Kumba (roller coaster)
- Cheeta Hunt (roller coaster)
- Sheikra (roller coaster)
- Iron Gwazi (roller coaster)
There are a number of rides and attractions that did not make the cut but we still enjoy and barring significantly long wait times, try to always hit when visiting the park.
We also did not include shows like TURN IT UP! or special events like the Food & Wine Festival, Summer Nights, the live concerts, Howl-O-Scream and the Christmas Town.
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12. Stanley Flume Falls
One of our favorite rides at Busch Gardens Tampa is Stanley Flume Falls. This fun and enjoyable log flume type water ride is a family favorite that features a number of twists and turns before making a final 40-foot drop where riders will get soaked.
Riders must be at least 46 inches in height to ride Stanley Falls and since it is a fairly moderate ride, we think it is suitable for guests of practically all ages and thrill levels.
11. Cobra’s Curse
There are a number of unique features of Cobra’s Curse ® starting from the 70-foot vertical lift (like an elevator) which takes riders right into the fangs of the snake king. From that point riders enjoy a three and one-half minute ride while the 4-person train car “spins” randomly based on the weight on the riders and their distribution – so each ride is unique.
Located in the Egypt section of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, this family-friendly roller coaster with goes up to 40 miles per hour in speed along a 2,100 foot long track (there are no inversions).
Riders must be at least 48 inches in height to ride Cobra’s Curse ® alone. However, riders 42 inches and higher can ride with a supervising companion of at least 14 years of age or older. Wait times vary depending on the time of year but Quick Queue is available for riders of Cobra’s Curse®. Depending on crowd levels, it could be worth the added costs.
10. Scorpion
Located in the Pantopia section of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Scorpion® is a fun an exciting roller coaster that is agreeable to both newer roller coaster riders as well as the most hard core thrill ride fanatics. The attraction starts with a 60 foot climb before a steep drop with speeds of up to 50 miles per hour followed by a 360 degree loop where riders will experience 3.5 G-forces.
Guests sit two across in two rows per train car for 20 riders as a whole. The entire ride is about 90 seconds from start to finish but is worth the wait.
Riders must be at least 42 inches in height to ride Scorpion®. Wait times vary depending on the time of year but Quick Queue is available for those wishing to bypass the regular lines.
9. Congo River Rapids
Be prepared to get wet on the Congo River Rapids. This attraction is Florida’s first river rapids ride and is one of the most fun experiences at Busch Gardens Tampa. It is a perfect way to cool off on those hot Florida summer days.
Guests board a 12-person raft that will send them spinning down a raging river through the Congo. You will find water spouts, water falls and a water cave that fully enhances the river rafting experience.
Riders must be at least 42 inches in height to ride the Congo River Rapids and it is a family-friendly ride that would be suitable for young kids. Wait times vary depending on the time of year but Quick Queue is available for those wishing to bypass the regular lines.
8. Montu
Located in the Egypt area of the park, Montu ® is one of the most extreme roller coaster rides not only in Busch Gardens Tampa but throughout the state of Florida. This inverted coaster features a total of seven inversions including a “Batwing” inversion, it was the first coaster to incorporate a simultaneous loop and roll (an Immelmann loop) in the world.
Riders reach speeds of up to 60 miles per house and pull 3.8 G-forces. There are three trains with eight cars than run four wide for a total of 32 riders in total. Montu® climbs to a height of 150 feet and has a drop of 128 feet.
Riders must be at least 54 inches in height to ride Montu®. Wait times vary depending on the time of year but Quick Queue is available for those wishing to bypass the regular lines.
7. Tigris
Tigris is one of the newer coasters and among the most popular at the park. This roller coaster is unique and is propels riders both forward and backwards with a 150-foot skyward surge, a number of drops and an inverted “heartline roll”.
Riders travel at speeds of up to 62 miles per hour for a fairly quick ride of less than a minute in total. But even though Tigris is a short ride, it is definitely one that should not be missed as it’s consistently among the best Busch Gardens Tampa Bay rides.
Riders must be at least 54 inches in height to ride Tigris®. Wait times vary depending on the time of year but Quick Queue is available for those wishing to bypass the regular lines.
6. Serengeti Flyer
The newest attraction at Busch Gardens Tampa is the Serengeti Flyer which is the world’s fastest and tallest “swing” type ride. Riders literally swing at speeds of up to 68 miles per hour, reach a height of more than 125 feet and experience several negative-G moments. And if riders have the courage to keep your eyes open, they will enjoy amazing views of the 65-acre Serengeti Plain.
Guests must be at least 48 inches in height to ride the Serengeti Flyer and wait times are fairly lengthy.
5. Falcon’s Fury
Falcon’s Fury® can be seen from miles away and it is one of the park’s icons. This 335-freestanding drop tower is truly an amazing attraction to experience when visiting Busch Gardens.
Riders take a 60 second climb to the top of the tower before pivoting 90 degrees to fully face the ground. Falcon’s Fury then drops (face first) 300 feet to the ground at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. It is one of the most exhilarating rides at the park and always among the best Busch Gardens Tampa Bay rides.
Riders must be at least 54 inches in height to ride Falcon’s Fury®. Wait times vary depending on the time of year but Quick Queue is available for those wishing to bypass the regular lines.
4. Kumba
Located in the Congo section of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Kumba® is among the most extreme coasters at the park. This roller coaster ride lasts for almost three minutes and includes an initial 135 foot drop with a loop where guests fill feel weightless for three seconds while spiraling 360 degrees.
This 3,978 foot attraction features seven inversions (including a zero-g roll, a cobra roll and two interlocking corkscrews) where guests travel at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, pulling 3.8 G-forces.
Riders must be at least 54 inches in height to ride Kumba®. Wait times vary depending on the time of year but Quick Queue is available for those wishing to bypass the regular lines.
3. Cheeta Hunt
If you have never been on a triple launch roller coaster, than Cheetah Hunt ® is your chance to do so. Located in the Egypt section of the park, this is one of the most fun roller coasters at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
At 4,400 feet in track length, this is the park’s longest thrill ride which begins with a 30 mile per hour launch. The second launch is the fastest at 60 miles per hour where riders climb a 100+ foot tower. After going to a series of helixes, riders drop 130 feet into a trench before experiencing the attractions only inversion. The ride concludes with one final launch of speeds up to 40 miles per hour.
Riders must be at least 54 inches in height to ride Cheeta Hunt®. Wait times vary depending on the time of year but Quick Queue is available for those wishing to bypass the regular lines.
2. SheiKra
One of the ultimate thrill rides at Busch Gardens Tampa is SheiKra ® where riders climb 200 feet into the air before inching along to a a breathtaking 90-degree drop at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour and up to 4 G-forces.
This two-minute and twenty-second ride features an Immelmann loop and a dive into an underground tunnel before a splashdown where SheiKra® onlookers get soaked from the water spray. After you ride SheiKra you will know why it is among the best Busch Gardens Tampa Bay ride.
Riders must be at least 54 inches in height to ride SkeiKra®. Wait times vary depending on the time of year but Quick Queue is available for those wishing to bypass the regular lines.
1. Iron Gwazi
All new for 2022 is the much anticipated Iron Gwazi steel track hybrid roller coaster. According to Busch Gardens, Iron Gwazi is North America’s tallest and the fastest & steepest hybrid coaster in the world. This coaster is massive and can be seen from just about anywhere throughout the park.
Riders climb to a 206 foot peak and descend into a 91-degree drop at speeds of up to 76 miles per hour. In this two minute ride there are three inversions and a dozen airtime moments.
It is not only the best ride at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, but it could be argued that this is the best roller coaster ride of any Florida theme park.
Riders must be at least 54 inches in height to ride Iron Gwazi. Wait times vary depending on the time of year but Quick Queue is available for those wishing to bypass the regular lines.
