Busch Gardens has six high-performance roller coasters! Seven if you
count the children's Cheetah Chase. These range in intensity
from the Scorpion and Python all the way to the "I-think-I'm-going-to-die" Sheikra!
The Montu, Kumba, Gwazi are moderate in intensity with their own unique
styles - each different. All are metal roller coasters, except
the Gwazi which is a wooden structure.
SheiKra - Busch Garden's newest and most thrilling roller coaster. This towering coaster starts with a heart-stopping 90 degree, straight-down drop from its 200 feet tall peak and reaching 70 mph before going into an Immelmann loop (simultaneous loop and roll). It follows with a second, 138-foot vertical drop racing through an underground tunnel, into a loop and then across a water feature that sprays guests watching on the sidelines. The coaster gets its "Sheikra" name from the African hawk known to dive straight down for its prey.
Kumba - A high-intensity, multi-inversion steel roller coaster, with a 135 foot drop and large vertical loops. Length is almost 4,000 feet and speeds reach 60 mph. A 110 foot plunge leads to a diving loop with 3 seconds of weightlessness. One of Florida's best!
Montu - One of the worlds tallest and longest inverted roller coasters. Speeds reach 60 mph with up to 3.8 G-forces on this 4,000 foot track. The coaster rips through an underground tunnel and several trenches to provide even greater thrills and heighten the sensation of speed.
Gwazi - A mammoth, double wooden roller coaster. The two tracks are intertwined and provide an experience only found on large wooden roller coasters. Each of the Lion and Tiger tracks offer distinct ride experiences. The Gwazi Tiger gives riders a slalom sensation much like a bobsled. The Gwazi Lion has a seemingly continuous number of spirals. The "dueling" tracks run simultaneously with several "near misses" for heart pounding experiences. Gwazi is based on the mythological creature that had the head of a tiger and the body of a lion.
Scorpion -
An open car (no shoulder restraints), steel coaster with vertical loops
and tightly banked turns. Smaller than the "big ones",
but still exciting with up to 3.5 G-force tight turns, a 60-foot drop
and a 360-degree loop. Length is approximately 1,800 feet with
speeds up to 50 mph.
Cheetah
Chase - Targeted for the family with children, this "mild" roller
coaster is perfect for young adventurers. The five-story "wild
mouse" style coaster features lots of twists and turns, some
drops, but no loops. Top speed is 22 mph. Child must be
at least 46" tall.
Python, Retired - this roller coaster has been removed to make way for a new, upcoming attraction. (A somewhat smaller and less intense, but still quite exciting, roller coaster at Busch Gardens with a double spiraling corkscrew and a 70-foot-plunge. Speeds reach 50 mph on this quarter mile track.)
Busch
Gardens Animal Attractions (next page)
Busch
Gardens Rides, non-Roller Coasters
Busch
Gardens Entertainment