World’s fastest, steepest hybrid coaster coming to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 2020

Looking to cement its status as Central Florida’s top destination for roller coaster fans for its 60th anniversary, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced it is building the world’s fastest and steepest wood and steel hybrid coaster.

Scheduled to open in 2020, the unnamed coaster will replace Gwazi. Busch Gardens guests may have noticed construction crews begin to remove the wooden coaster, which has been shuttered since 2015.

The new coaster will be more than 200 feet tall — making it the tallest coaster of its kind in North America along with its world records.

“The ride will feature all-new thrill elements, as well as restored elements of Gwazi,” Busch Gardens said.

The new attraction would dethrone Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, which opened just last year, as the world’s fastest and steepest hybrid coaster. The Busch Gardens ride will be manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, whose coaster portfolio doesn’t feature any other attractions in Central Florida, but does include well-regarded coasters such as Goliath at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois.

This spring, Busch Gardens will add what it’s calling Florida’s tallest launch coaster, Tigris. The 150-foot-tall coaster will feature three launches and hit a maximum speed of 62 miles per hour across 1,800 feet of track.

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