Last month, we reported on the impending closure of Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa, and now Busch Gardens Tampa has announced an official date.
February 1 will be the last day that guests will be able to ride the coaster, which originally opened at Busch Gardens in 1999.
“No decisions have been made about what lies ahead for Gwazi or for the future plans of that area of Busch Gardens,” said Park President Jim Dean in an announcement on Busch Gardens’ website. “But, we are always looking for ways to enhance guests’ experiences, so stay tuned for more news.”
When the GCI-Built Gwazi opened in 1999, it was Florida’s first “Dueling” Wooden Coaster, and one of only two true “Dueling” Wooden Coasters in existence. (Twisted Twins at Kentucky Kingdom). It opened several months after Florida’s only other “Dueling” Coaster, Dueling Dragons (Now Dragon Challenge).
Named for a mythical creature with the head of a tiger and the body of a lion, Gwazi’s two tracks featured six “fly by” elements, the most for any wooden coaster. In 2012, the “Tiger” track closed permanently, ending the “Dueling” feature of the coaster.
Any ideas of what’s coming next to Busch Gardens Tampa? What do you want to see take the space formerly occupied by Gwazi? Let us know in the comments below!
another wooden coaster for the 2015 2016 season
a dueling coaster. not wooden though