After years of waiting, the time has finally come. Iron Gwazi has awakened from long delays and is ready to thrill guests at Busch Gardens Tampa!
The original Gwazi roller coaster, built by Great Coasters International (GCI), opened in 1999. It was a “dueling” wooden coaster, named after a mythical creature that had both the head of a lion and a tiger.
However, as with many wooden coasters, the ride increasingly became rough over the years. The ride was re-tracked and the original Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) trains were replaced in 2011 with Millennium Flyer trains from GCI. But it wasn’t enough, and Gwazi closed for good in 2015. It stood dormant for several years.
Enter Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC). They specialize in rehabilitating old wooden coasters by replacing their tracks with specialized “I-Box” steel tracks, providing a much smoother ride. Some notable coasters RMC has touched are The New Texas Giant (Six Flags Over Texas), Steel Vengeance (Cedar Point), Twisted Colossus (Six Flags Magic Mountain), and Lightning Rod (Dollywood). In 2019, it was announced that Gwazi was getting an RMC overhaul. The ride was supposed to open in the Spring of 2020 and had begun testing in early March of that year. But… we all know what happened to the world in 2020. The coaster was then delayed to an announced “Spring 2021” opening, which came and went. More delays ensued, this time due to staffing shortages. Finally, it was announced in August 2021, that Iron Gwazi would be opening in March 2022; and in late January 2022, the opening date of March 11 was released.
Iron Gwazi still utilizes approximately 40% of the original Gwazi’s wooden structure. However, RMC has made several modifications.
- The lift hill now reaches 206 feet into the sky and has a 91-degree angle on the first drop.
- It has 3 inversions and 12 airtime moments.
- Clocking in at 76 MPH, Iron Gwazi is not only the fastest roller coaster in Florida but also the fastest RMC hybrid coaster in the world.
- The ride has a surprising 48-inch minimum height requirement to ride.
So, the big question is…. was the long wait for Iron Gwazi worth it? We were able to take a spin on the purple behemoth in a media preview… and the answer is YES! It is absolutely fantastic. Iron Gwazi is relentless from start to finish, but in the best way. It’s no longer the teeth-rattler the original Gwazi was. The steel topper track makes this coaster as smooth as glass. I was able to experience it three times (riding 1st row, 3rd row, and 5th row) and each ride was amazing! There are no over-the-shoulder harnesses, but you feel safe and secure thanks to a seatbelt and a snug lap bar.
And don’t just take my word for it…
There is a test seat just inside the ride entrance, in case riders are unsure they’ll fit. The old lockers beneath the load station just inside the ride’s entrance will be available as well, as there is a strict no loose articles policy.
Throughout the queue, there are informational signs giving fun facts about Iron Gwazi’s new mascots: alligators & crocodiles.
And let’s not forget merchandise! There are lots of new Iron Gwazi items available for purchase at the gift shop next to the coaster’s exit. Everything from shirts and pins to… Squishmallows! It all looks really nice! (And if you’d like to be transported back to 1999, there’s some retro-inspired Gwazi merchandise available!)
Passholder previews for Iron Gwazi begin February 13 on a tiered schedule (see the below graphic for when each annual pass level is eligible to ride). The ride officially opens to the public on March 11th.
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Let’s Hear From You
Who’s ready to tame the beast?! Are you a fan of Rocky Mountain Construction’s wooden coaster conversions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!