Amusement Park News

There's a new coaster ahead for Tampa Bay's Busch Gardens amusement park, but while fans are excited, there is a bittersweet tinge to the planned attraction. To make way for the new, the old took its final thrilling turns around the track on August 2.

Kumba, the roller coaster that once set records, took its last rides on a steamy Sunday. The attraction debuted as Florida's longest and fastest coaster, taking guests on a nearly three-minute thrill ride at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. It was also Florida's tallest coaster when it debuted, with a 135-foot drop. The ride sent riders through seven scream-worthy inversions and featured what was then the world's tallest vertical loop. It was also known for its dive loop, cobra roll, zero-G roll and two interlocking corkscrews.

Designed by Bolliger & Mabillard, Kumba was located in the park's Congo area and became one of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's signature thrill rides. As the park added newer coasters over the years, Kumba became one of the veterans of an increasingly crowded thrill-ride lineup.

This year, even as the venerable Kumba celebrated its 33rd birthday, Busch Gardens announced that the ride would close later in the summer. In a social media tribute, the park recalled Kumba's impact, writing that “Kumba set a new standard for thrill rides!” and adding, “From its 7 exhilarating inversions to its iconic roar sound, Kumba has left its mark on Busch Gardens and will be remembered as an icon of the park.”



The coaster first opened in 1993 and, until its closure, was the third-oldest Bolliger & Mabillard coaster in operation, behind Patriot at California's Great America, which originally opened as Vortex, and Carowinds' Vortex. When Kumba debuted, it was Florida's tallest, fastest and longest coaster.

Despite its long history, the park is moving ahead with new attractions, including a replacement for Kumba titled Kumba's Revenge. The new attraction is part of more than $100 million in investment in new attractions and park enhancements and a broader $200 million, five-year transformation plan for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Thematically, Kumba's Revenge will be designed as an extension of the original coaster, according to the park. Busch Gardens said the former ride's spirit will live on as the park enters a new era of thrills. “While Kumba may be retiring this summer, Busch Gardens is dedicated to thrilling the next generation of coaster enthusiasts by continuing the Kumba story,” the park said.

The new ride is one part of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's ongoing investment in new attractions. In announcing Kumba's Revenge, the park said the attraction is part of an investment that will “elevate Busch Gardens as Florida's thrill leader and enhance our guest experience.”



That investment follows the 2025 opening of the Wild Oasis area and this year's launch of Lion & Hyena Ridge, the park's largest and most immersive animal habitat to open in more than 10 years.

Wild Oasis provides an immersive rainforest-themed area that includes animal habitats, a family-friendly drop tower and a climbing structure. There are also interactive play areas and a splash pad in the attraction, which is located within the park's Jungala area. The animal habitat includes capybaras, giant anteaters, squirrel monkeys and tropical birds in naturalistic settings.

Treetop Drop rises 35 feet and includes a multimedia experience showing jungle scenes. The splash pad area, dubbed Enchanted Falls, provides more family-friendly fun with spray towers, fountains and other water-play features.

Lion & Hyena Ridge, which opened July 25, is even larger, offering about 38,000 square feet of savanna-inspired terrain that houses five young male African lions and a pair of spotted hyenas. The new habitat features extensive glass viewing areas and shaded walkways. The park describes the viewing experience as providing 270-degree perspectives of the animals and a safari-like experience.

Jon Vigue, president of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, said of the new habitat, “This immersive experience brings guests face to face with these incredible animals while showcasing our continued commitment to exceptional animal care and creating unforgettable experiences for our guests.” He added, “Opening Lion & Hyena Ridge marks an exciting new chapter for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as part of our enhancement plan.”

The lions and hyenas, natural rivals in the wild, are housed in separate areas within the naturalistic habitat, which includes rocky kopje formations, water features and spaces designed for animal enrichment and care.

Vigue noted that the park “has an extraordinary legacy of combining world-class thrills, inspiring animal experiences and immersive entertainment unlike anywhere else.” He added that he looks forward to working alongside park ambassadors as they continue “building on that legacy, investing in the future and creating unforgettable experiences for guests and families across Tampa Bay and beyond.”

With that in mind, Kumba's Revenge is coming next, with speculation about its ride configuration and height still unabated. Busch Gardens has not yet announced the coaster's manufacturer, layout, specifications or opening date.