Iron Gwazi

Gwazi / Iron Gwazi

Industry	Amusement park attraction
Founded	1999
Headquarters	Tampa , United States
Products	Roller coaster
Parent	Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Iron Gwazi—previously known simply as Gwazi—is a hybrid roller coaster featuring steel tracks, located at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida, USA. The project originated in July 1998 when Busch Gardens revealed plans for a wooden coaster to occupy the site once home to the Anheuser-Busch brewery. Constructed by Great Coasters International (GCI), Gwazi was designed as a wooden dueling coaster with two separate tracks named Lion and Tiger, each reaching heights of 105.4 feet and speeds up to 51 miles per hour.

The coaster debuted on June 18, 1999, initially receiving favorable reviews. However, ongoing maintenance difficulties led to the closure of the Tiger track in 2012, followed by the Lion track in 2015 due to increasing upkeep costs and dwindling rider numbers. The wooden structure remained dormant for several years while the park considered various replacement strategies, including refurbishment and new attractions. Preparations for renovation began toward the end of 2018.

In 2019, Busch Gardens announced the transformation of Gwazi into Iron Gwazi, a steel-track hybrid coaster crafted by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) that reimagined the original layout. Although originally planned to open in 2020, delays caused by the pandemic postponed its soft launch until February 13, 2022, with a public opening on March 11. Promoted as North America’s tallest, fastest, and steepest hybrid roller coaster, Iron Gwazi boasts a height of 206 feet, speeds reaching 76 mph, and an extended track length surpassing its predecessor by 567 feet. It received positive acclaim from critics and secured Amusement Today magazine’s 2022 Best New Roller Coaster honor.

History

In October 1995, Anheuser-Busch announced it would shut down its Tampa brewery, which had been operational since the inception of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 1959. The facility closed in December and was subsequently demolished. To replace this space, the park chose to introduce a wooden roller coaster as part of a strategic move to distinguish itself from other Florida theme parks that predominantly featured modern steel coasters.

Mark Rose, then vice president of planning and design, selected Great Coasters International (GCI) to construct the ride after reviewing multiple candidates, influenced by GCI’s previous work on Hersheypark’s Wildcat coaster. Busch Entertainment (later known as SeaWorld Entertainment) officially awarded the contract. The name "Gwazi," developed through research with Washington University in St. Louis, represents a mythical creature combining traits of both a lion and a tiger native to Africa.

By June 1998, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay was considering adding an on-site resort to better compete with other Florida parks. Mid-month saw Busch Entertainment filing a trademark application for "Gwazi." On July 15, they publicly announced plans for a dueling wooden roller coaster featuring two tracks themed as "Lion" and "Tiger," marking the park’s fifth roller coaster addition. GCI was confirmed as the manufacturer, with construction commencing immediately thereafter. Photos documenting progress were released in November 1998, while design adjustments continued throughout development. By April 1999, construction was nearing completion and testing began in May.

Operation

To generate excitement ahead of Gwazi’s debut, Busch Gardens sold "first ride" tickets for a preview event in June 1999; out of 5,700 tickets sold, approximately 3,500 were allocated to annual passholders and about 500 members of American Coaster Enthusiasts attended. Construction and thematic enhancements continued during this preview period. Upon opening, Gwazi became Florida’s inaugural dueling wooden roller coaster as well as the first wooden coaster installed at any Busch Entertainment park. It was marketed as the largest and fastest dueling wooden coaster within the southeastern United States.

Over time, despite regular upkeep efforts, Gwazi gained a reputation for delivering a rough ride experience. The Lion track underwent wood replacement in 2009, followed by retracking efforts on the Tiger side in 2010. In 2011, four Millennium Flyer trains from Great Coasters International replaced the original Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters trains to enhance ride smoothness. Nonetheless, maintenance issues persisted alongside declining attendance figures. Consequently, the Tiger track ceased operation after the conclusion of the 2012 season; one of its trains was transferred to serve the Lion track while a pedestrian bridge was installed over its former loading area.

The closure of the Tiger side sparked speculation regarding Gwazi’s future viability. In December 2014, Busch Gardens announced complete closure citing low guest turnout, high operational expenses, and unfavorable visitor feedback. The final run occurred in February 2015. Trains from Gwazi were repurposed at other SeaWorld parks including InvadR at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Texas Stingray at SeaWorld San Antonio. Additionally, wooden components from Gwazi were recycled for use at SeaWorld Orlando and other affiliated properties.

Renovation and reopening

Rose, the vice president overseeing park operations, stated there were no immediate intentions for the Gwazi site following its closure, although alternative attractions were under consideration. Discussions among engineers involved options such as introducing new features, manufacturing steel components, or dismantling the existing structure. Over a span of three years, rumors circulated about a revamped coaster, a fresh attraction, or even an amphitheater. In September 2018, alongside unveiling the Tigris coaster, company representatives announced plans to begin construction on Gwazi in 2020. On that same day, SeaWorld Entertainment secured a trademark for the name "Iron Gwazi."

In October 2018, an internal SeaWorld presentation was leaked revealing a "high-thrill hybrid roller coaster" intended to replace Gwazi. That month, Busch Gardens submitted demolition permits and by December had identified Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) as the manufacturer of the new ride. Preparations at the site commenced late in 2018 under the project designation "BGT 2020."

By March 2019, Busch Gardens officially revealed that Gwazi would be succeeded by an RMC hybrid coaster, touted as North America's tallest, fastest, and steepest hybrid roller coaster. Track installation was underway by August 2019. The attraction was named "Iron Gwazi," boasting a height of 206 feet, a 91-degree drop, and speeds reaching 76 mph. RMC debuted the ride trains at the 2019 IAAPA Exposition. Track assembly concluded in March 2020, with testing beginning immediately afterward.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in the ride’s debut and halted testing after only one week. In May 2020, RMC filed a $3.5 million lien against SeaWorld due to unpaid invoices related to Iron Gwazi’s construction, further impeding progress. SeaWorld’s second-quarter financial report for 2020 outlined asset restructuring plans that included deferring all attraction openings scheduled for that year to 2021. Busch Gardens aimed for a 2021 launch and released a point-of-view video later that year; however, in August 2021, the opening was postponed again until 2022.

By January 2022, Busch Gardens announced a March opening date and hosted a media preview event in February. Iron Gwazi had a soft opening for annual passholders on February 13 and officially welcomed the public on March 11. It debuted as North America’s tallest hybrid coaster and set records as the fastest and steepest hybrid roller coaster worldwide. Iron Gwazi shares its global title as tallest hybrid coaster with Zadra at Poland’s Energylandia park—also constructed by RMC.

Gwazi

Gwazi consisted of two parallel tracks named Lion and Tiger, recognized as the first dueling roller coaster featuring six "fly-bys" where trains raced past each other at high velocity to create an exhilarating near-collision effect. Each ride cycle lasted approximately two and a half minutes.

Upon leaving the station, the Lion train executed a right U-turn before ascending its 105.4-foot lift hill. It then plunged down a 91.8-foot drop reaching speeds up to 51 mph. The layout included banked turns, a spiral element, and several hills running alongside the Tiger track before returning to the station.

The Tiger train mirrored this layout in reverse: departing with a right turn, climbing the identical 105.4-foot lift hill, dropping 91.8 feet to achieve 51 mph speed, followed by banked turns and hills parallel to Lion’s track, concluding with a spiral and brake run before returning to the station.

Both tracks offered synchronized racing action that heightened rider excitement and established Gwazi as a signature attraction within Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s lineup.

Iron Gwazi

Iron Gwazi begins with a sharp turn to the left leading directly to its lift hill. Upon reaching the summit, the train decelerates momentarily before plunging down a 91-degree drop, accelerating to speeds of up to . Following this, it ascends and enters an outward-banked curve. The course then continues with a left turn followed by an upward right bank. At the peak of the hill, the train executes a barrel roll downdrop and transitions into an overbanked left turn. It climbs above the station, performing an extended wave turn before leveling out. The ride proceeds through hills with leftward curves into a zero-g stall, then moves through an outer-banked hill and rightward ascending hills. Iron Gwazi finishes with a turnaround leading into a hill, followed by a left turn into the final brake run, then a left bend passing the car barn and a concluding right turn back into the station. Each ride cycle lasts roughly two minutes.

Wooden roller coaster

Gwazi was situated on a site that previously housed a brewery. It represented the third wooden coaster project for Great Coasters International (GCI). The wooden track stretched for , reaching a maximum height of . Construction utilized treated southern yellow pine totaling , along with two million bolts and 4.4 million nails. Track layers consisted of eight planks stacked, each measuring in length and in width. The wooden framework was engineered to endure winds up to without riders aboard and was sealed rather than painted to harmonize with the park’s African theme.

At its opening, Gwazi operated six-car trains manufactured by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC), each car featuring two rows of two seats. Although GCI offered their Millennium Flyer trains at the time, Busch Gardens initially chose the established PTC trains for reliability. After 2011, these were replaced by Millennium Flyer trains, which required adjustments to sensors, rollback mechanisms, and restraint release systems. The four GCI trains comprised 12 cars each, with one row of two seats per car, allowing 24 passengers per train. Both PTC and Millennium Flyer trains employed lap-bar restraints.

The coaster’s two tracks were named Lion and Tiger; Lion trains were painted yellow while Tiger trains were blue. The ride’s theme centered on the rivalry between African lions and Asian tigers, reflected in their respective plazas: Lion’s area featured desert-like landscaping, whereas Tiger’s zone was lush with streams and greenery.

Steel roller coaster

Iron Gwazi, crafted by RMC utilizing segments of the original dual coasters, incorporates the steel I-Box track technology developed by Alan Schilke. Busch Gardens reused elements of the former structure, including the loading platform from Gwazi. Andrew Schaffer, the park’s design and engineering director, mentioned that roughly 25% of the initial wooden framework and 75% of the foundational supports were retained. RMC supplemented the structure with additional lumber for reinforcement and reconstructed the lift hill entirely out of steel rather than refurbishing wood. The steel track spans , extending the length by over its predecessor.

The crocodile motif of the coaster fits Busch Gardens’ animal-themed branding. The queue features educational displays focused on crocodile preservation, enhanced by themed visuals throughout the area. Iron Gwazi runs two RMC trains, each consisting of six cars with two rows of two seats per car, accommodating up to 24 riders per train secured by lap-bar restraints. The front car is adorned with a crocodile head design; train colors include green, purple, and blue, while the track is painted purple.

Comparison

Statistics	Gwazi		Iron Gwazi
Years	1999–2012 (Tiger) 1999–2015 (Lion)		2022–present
Manufacturer	Great Coasters International		Rocky Mountain Construction
Designer	Mike Boodley		Alan Schilke
Track	Wood		Steel
Height	105.4 ft or 32.1 m		206 ft or 63 m
Drop	91.8 ft or 28.0 m		206 ft or 63 m
Length	3,508 ft or 1,069 m		4,075 ft or 1,242 m
Speed	51 mph or 82 km/h		76 mph or 122 km/h
Duration	2:30		1:50
Inversions	0		2
max vertical angle	colspan="2" Template:N/A	91.0°
Trains	PTC (1999–2011)	GCI (2011–2015)	Rocky Mountain Construction

Reception and legacy

When Gwazi debuted in 1999, it garnered favorable feedback for its dynamic twists, airtime moments, and smooth ride experience. Visitors praised its velocity and initial descent, with some enjoying the characteristic wooden coaster vibrations. Paul Ruben from Park World remarked that it contained "everything a good coaster should have," highlighting its steady pacing.

Gwazi opened during a surge of prominent roller coaster launches in Florida, such as Dueling Dragons and The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal Islands of Adventure, alongside Disney’s Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. It contributed to a revival of wooden coasters across North America and was frequently compared to Dueling Dragons due to their dueling track designs.

The 2022 reconstruction as Iron Gwazi received acclaim from reviewers. Sharon Kennedy Wynne of the Tampa Bay Times praised its "glass-smooth" ride quality and abundant airtime sequences, noting the "slow and terrifying" buildup leading to the beyond-vertical drop and comfortable restraint system. Dewayne Bevil from the Orlando Sentinel highlighted its relentless momentum and sustained excitement throughout the approximately two-minute duration. American Coaster Enthusiasts commended its speed, smoothness, and high re-ride appeal. Bobbie Butterfield from Theme Park Insider described Iron Gwazi as a "winner" from any seating position, applauding its signature barrel roll drop and airtime features.

Awards

Prior to its shutdown, Gwazi was occasionally featured in the yearly Golden Ticket Awards presented by Amusement Today.

In its inaugural year, Iron Gwazi earned the Golden Ticket Award for Best New Roller Coaster.

Incidents

In 2006, a 52-year-old man from Palm Harbor collapsed after riding Gwazi and subsequently passed away; although the roller coaster was operating correctly, the ride exacerbated his pre-existing high blood pressure.

During a 2022 preview, a visitor on Iron Gwazi struck their hand against a beam but opted not to receive medical attention. Following this event, Busch Gardens promptly removed the two beams involved.

See also

• List of attractions at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
• Steel Vengeance, a comparable steel-hybrid coaster renovated by Rocky Mountain Construction in Ohio