Iron Gwazi: Our Review and Reactions

In recent years, the roller coaster and theme park industry and community has had some difficult days, with countless construction delays, park closings and attendance issues. However, throughout these past months and years, there has been a shining light at the end of the tunnel to look towards: Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa.

The latest creation from coaster enthusiast manufacturer favorite Rocky Mountain Construction, this steel reimagining of the original Gwazi dueling wood coaster has promised to be one of the greatest roller coaster experiences in the world. Needless to say, after seven years of planning and construction and nearly three years of being completed and standing dormant, Iron Gwazi has become one of the most anticipated coasters in recent memory. This week, this behemoth attraction has finally welcomed its first riders. Myself and fellow writer Mike attended the media day for the attraction on Thursday, and we’re here to answer all of your questions, including if Florida’s newest thrill has lived up to the hype.

What were your very first impressions as soon as you hit the brake run after your first ride?

Shane: While filming our reaction video, I noted that this will be a completely new experience for most guests visiting the park. As the first RMC hybrid coaster in Florida, this will be many parkgoers’ first experience with a wood/steel hybrid, and what a way to kick it off. Since we sat in the front, I said that it was “not too crazy,” but that would soon change with a back row ride and later in the day once the ride had warmed up. I was immediately impressed by the creative elements and the sheer size of it, the lift hill looks absolutely enormous from every angle. The theming of the ride is also very fun, the design team did a great job with the aesthetics of the coaster.

Mike: I was actually surprised by how smooth the ride was from the front seat. I’m used to most RMC coasters trying to violently fling you out of your seat, leaving your fate solely with the restraint system. Of course, as a thrill seeker, that’s exactly what I want out of an RMC coaster. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth and enjoyable the ride was all the way through. Don’t get me wrong, the thrill level of the ride was definitely top tier. But the intensity of the ride is definitely toned down a notch from some of the more compact RMCs. I think the average rider here will be amazed at how smooth of a ride it is. Certainly a welcome shift from the old Gwazi. Of course, as Shane mentioned above, you can still get that full RMC experience by sitting in the back.

Which element was your favorite?

Shane: I think my favorite would have to be that first wave turn, the one that takes the train flying over the ride entrance sign. It gives some truly violent sideways airtime, even in the front row, and is a very sustained sensation. Previously, the wave turns that I have experienced are very quick, but this one really lets you savor the views, and the forces and the whips in and out of it are incredible. This is one of the moments that I think has some Intamin-inspired snappiness, and it’s very forceful all the way through.

Mike: I also gotta love that sideways wave turn that Shane mentioned above. Ever since my first RMC ride on Outlaw Run, those sideways wave turns have come to be my favorite elements on RMC coasters. A coaster shouldn’t be able to bank like that on the outside of a turn, yet RMC continues to deliver the goods there.

Were there any elements that surprised you?

Shane: The stall completely came out of nowhere, I forgot it was even a part of the ride until I was hanging upside down in the middle of it. It doesn’t last as long as some other RMC stalls, but it fits so well into the ride layout that it doesn’t really matter.

Mike: Not really. A lot of other RMCs tend to surprise you by throwing a ton of crazy elements at you in tight spaces. That is not the case for Iron Gwazi. The ride’s gigantic size and layout sets you up for every single element and lets you enjoy each one in its entirety.

Does it feel like a hybrid? How does it integrate with the old Gwazi layout?

Shane: It’s hard to tell for me because I’m not familiar with the classic Gwazi, but the integration of steel in the wood supports is really intricate. Also, this ride has an unbelievable amount of hand choppers, so get ready for some close calls.

Mike: It’s a completely different ride. While it has the wooden look and intimidation factor of the original Gwazi, it’s a totally different experience with a completely different layout. The original Gwazi was notoriously for being a rough wooden coaster. In fact, it most likely prompted most Floridians to think that all wooden coasters were similarly rough. On the other hand, Iron Gwazi is buttery smooth. Most park goers expecting a similar experience to the original Gwazi will be surprised by how smooth the ride is.

As far as layout goes, I honestly don’t remember much about the original Gwazi layout. I usually spent most of my time holding on for dear life and bracing myself for the roughness. I think I remember the Tiger side having a few airtime hills that I liked. However, the last few times I rode Gwazi, the entire ride was basically unbearable. I don’t think anybody will be missing the original layout. Iron Gwazi maximizes on the space left by the former dueling woodie.

Iron Gwazi is tied for the record of world’s tallest hybrid coaster at 206 feet. How was that drop?

Shane: I rode the ride ten total times, and I greyed out at the bottom on every single one of them. The 91 degrees feels much steeper than it is, and you’re absolutely thrown out of your seat. You come out of the drop so quickly, and I think that’s where the forces got me, it’s such a rapid-fire transition that starts the ride on an incredibly intense note.

Mike: Best. Drop. Ever. I loved cresting the lift hill and looking right at the top of Sheikra with almost nothing else at that level. Plus, with Tampa Bay being so flat, it makes the height of the drop stand out. Riding in the back row amplifies the drop. Words can’t really describe the feeling of being whipped over into a 91 degree drop.

Next up is the outwards banked hill. What kind of airtime should we expect here?

Shane: Some serious sustained ejector. My favorite moments on my home park’s RMC, Wicked Cyclone, are the small outer banked hills that give a pop of ejector. Well, this takes that to a whole new level. This element is absolutely massive, and it’s almost like a whole other first drop.

Mike: Amazing sustained airtime. The sheer size of the element allows you to feel every bit of it. The best part is the set up of the hill. You start climbing the hill on an inner bank before the ride quickly banks to the outside at the top of the hill. That quick move gives you some lateral airtime before the ride banks back to the inside giving you sustained ejector air for the drop.

Let’s get to the element everyone is talking about, the 540 degree “death roll.” How crazy is this thing?

Shane: It’s pretty wild. Imagine the barrel roll drops on other RMCs, but going into them with some speed already built up. Something I especially love about the creative genius of this ride layout is that you actually enter the hill angled to the right, then are whipped to the left through the roll. This momentum allows you to seemingly keep tumbling forever, it’s incredible design work.

Mike: The ride perfectly sets up this element. After just getting over the ejector air from the previous element, you seem like you are climbing up into a banking turn that seems to go on forever when suddenly the world tumbles out from beneath you. It’s masterfully done.

The constant debate of front versus back on coasters seems to be pretty cut and dry with Gwazi. It’s the back, right?

Shane: Absolutely. Well… yes and no. For me and anyone else looking for an out-of-your-seat, incredibly whippy and airtime-filled ride experience, 100% yes. However, there’s something to be said for the smoothness of that front row. Plus, staring down that beyond vertical drop and not being able to see the track under you is a separate thrill. But the back row just has everything you want from an intense RMC. Going through the death roll in the back is like no other inversion I’ve ever experienced, you’re getting yanked through the entire time and barely have a moment to blink before being hauled up the next element. Same with the outer banked hill, right after hitting the bottom of the first drop, the entire weight of the train in front of you drags you into and over the hill. This ride does not let up, and in the back seat you’re just along for the out-of-control ride.

Mike: Absolutely the back is where its at. But I’m actually glad the front is as smooth as it is. Not everybody wants to be lifted out of their seats for 80-90% of a ride. I think given the demographics of Central Florida, many people will actually enjoy the front of Iron Gwazi. The size and pacing of the ride allows each element to be fully appreciated from the front of the train. But give me the back every time. I prefer to trust my life to the coasters restraints, arms up and butt lifted out of my seat.

How was the pacing of the ride?

Shane: When the layout of this ride was first released, a common criticism was that the ride looked like it was over too quickly, and would feel short compared to other hyper hybrids. Well, I’m happy to say that while it may be shorter than rides like Steel Vengeance, it’s well worth it because of the unbelievably fast pace. There is not a second of downtime from the moment you crest the top of that lift hill. The ride actually seems to be getting faster as it goes on, and you hit the brake run with such speed that it’s breathtaking. Sure, a few more elements probably could’ve been crammed into the back half, but that probably would’ve required a mid-course break run, and if that’s the alternative, I’m perfectly happy with what we got.

Mike: This is actually where Iron Gwazi differs from most other RMCs. The sheer size and spacing of the layout allows every single element to be perfectly set up and enjoyed to its fullest. Also, unlike most other RMC coasters, there aren’t any tight and compact spots where the ride throws element after element at you at rapid pace. I’d mostly compare Iron Gwazi to the first half of Steel Vengeance, except instead of having a second half where the ride takes you inside of the structure for a bunch of rapid (and disorienting) elements, Iron Gwazi continues to use its space to give you continuous big, twisting airtime hills right until the end of the ride.

What were some airtime highlights?

Shane: I’ll skip past the obvious ones because I want to talk about the end of this ride. The double down and final small hill into the brake run are some of the strongest airtime on the ride. One of the reasons I love Twisted Timbers at Kings Dominion is because of the very quick and very strong pops of airtime from the smaller hills, and this is the closest thing to the sensation of these final elements. The back row is of course the best for this type of ejector, but it’s so strong that even towards the front and middle of the train it will still force you out of your seat.

Mike: The last airtime hill is the best one. It reminded me of that last ejector airtime hill of El Toro before that ride goes into its high speed banks. Iron Gwazi gives you a few teases of airtime coming out of the zero-g stall, climbing up into a small airtime hill before hitting you with a twisting double down. But then the ride sets you up by giving you a smooth 180 degree turn before throwing ejector air at you at the end of the turn and then twisting into the end brake run.

If you had to sum up the experience of Iron Gwazi in one sentence, what would it be?

Shane: Airtime from every direction.

Mike: RMC goodness finally hits Florida.

Now for the biggest question of all: does Iron Gwazi live up to the hype?

Shane: Abso-croc’in-lutely.

Mike: I’ve been waiting for over ten years for Gwazi to get the RMC treatment. You better believe it lives up to the hype! Busch Gardens Tampa continues to deliver as the coaster capital of Florida.

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So there you have it! Check out our front seat reaction to Iron Gwazi below, as well as an off-ride video of the ride’s layout. If you’ve gotten the chance to experience this ride, let us know if you agree with us, and what your favorite elements were. If you haven’t ridden, what are you most looking forward to? let us know in the comments!

 

 

Tags: 2022busch gardensbusch gardens tampacentral floridafloridairon gwazirmcrocky mountain construction