Tigris (roller coaster)
| Company type | Steel-launched roller coaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Amusement rides |
| Founded | April 19, 2019 |
| Headquarters | Tampa, Florida , United States |
| Parent | SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment |
Tigris is a steel-launched roller coaster situated at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida. Constructed on the site previously occupied by the Tanganyika Tidal Wave water attraction, Tigris debuted on April 19, 2019, becoming the park's ninth roller coaster. Positioned within the Stanleyville area, it incorporates elements of the former ride’s infrastructure and landscaping.
Produced by Premier Rides, Tigris is part of the ten Sky Rocket II model coasters worldwide. It employs a LSM launch system that propels the train through three distinct launches. The ride achieves a height of , reaches speeds up to , and covers a track length of , with riders experiencing approximately of travel. Upon its debut, Tigris garnered favorable reviews from critics.
History
The African-themed shoot-the-chutes water attraction, Tanganyika Tidal Wave, ceased operations in April 2016. In March 2018, SeaWorld Entertainment, the parent company of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, submitted trademark applications for "Tigris," "Twisted Tiger," and "Uproar" with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Demolition permits for the water ride were requested in April 2018, with dismantling commencing in June.
An environmental resource permit filed in June 2018 disclosed plans for a new ride within the tiger exhibit zone of Jungala, referenced internally as "Project TEEL." The proposal included constructing a 3,230 square-foot building within a 19,683 square-foot footprint while removing approximately 40,185 square feet of existing structures.
On September 12, 2018, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay officially announced Tigris, a Premier Rides Sky Rocket II roller coaster themed around the tiger. The coaster was scheduled to open in 2019 alongside a complementary development planned for the Gwazi area in 2020. By October 2018, concrete footers had been completed and updates on construction were underway. At the November 2018 International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) trade show, Premier Rides unveiled the design of Tigris’s coaster cars.
Track components began arriving on November 29, 2018, with vertical construction starting on December 3. By January 2019, roughly sixty percent of the support framework was erected; track installation concluded by February. The ride’s train arrived on February 20 and was displayed to the public starting March 1. Busch Gardens hosted a media event highlighting details about both the roller coaster car and the related Gwazi project.
On April 4, 2019, Busch Gardens announced that Tigris would officially open on April 19. Prior to its grand opening, a soft launch took place on April 16. Upon opening, it became Florida’s tallest launch coaster.
Queue
The queue area was adapted from the previous Tanganyika Tidal Wave attraction’s pathway, preserving elements of its original landscaping and route. Within the queue, guests encounter informative exhibits focusing on tiger habitats and conservation initiatives, reflecting Busch Gardens’ commitment to wildlife preservation.
Layout
Tigris begins by launching forward out of the station into a partial twist before reversing backward through the station into another twist element. It then accelerates forward again to reach its maximum speed of , ascending to where it completes a half-loop followed by a heartline roll. Next comes a non-inverting half-loop and a full non-inverting loop before returning to the station.
Characteristics
Tigris is situated within a compact area in the Stanleyville section of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Its construction utilized pre-existing structures, incorporating repurposed materials from the former Tanganyika Tidal Wave water attraction as well as remnants from Falcon's Fury and Cobra's Curse rides. This coaster represents the third installation of the Sky Rocket II design at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, following Tempesto at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Electric Eel at SeaWorld San Diego. Premier Rides has produced a total of ten Sky Rocket II coasters to date.
As the ninth coaster introduced at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tigris showcases supports in black-gray paired with a vibrant orange track. It uses a linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch mechanism that modulates launch velocity based on sensors monitoring the train’s location, with cooling air blowers positioned beneath the track to maintain system temperature. Although the track length measures 863 feet, riders cover close to 1,800 feet due to several forward and backward launches. The ride operates a single train composed of three cars, each accommodating six passengers arranged in three rows of two, allowing for eighteen riders per cycle. The vehicles are equipped with both lap bars and over-the-shoulder restraints and are adorned with an orange tiger stripe motif.
Reception
Following its debut, Tigris garnered favorable critiques from reviewers. Daniel Figueroa IV of the Tampa Bay Times commended its overall intensity and "visually impressive" speed, noting that every seat offered distinct advantages—front seats for scenic views and rear seats for heightened thrill.[1] Dewayne Bevil from the Orlando Sentinel described the experience as simultaneously "confusing and...exciting," highlighting the differences in seat perspectives and discussing both strengths and weaknesses of the restraint design.[2]
Haley Coomes of WKMG-TV emphasized the coaster’s strong operational performance, awarding it "a top approval rating" among Busch Gardens’ key roller coasters.[3] Andrew Stilwell from Coaster101 ranked Tigris as a mid-level thrill ride within Busch Gardens’ lineup, praising its velocity and variety of seating sensations.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
See also
- SheiKra, another roller coaster located in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Stanleyville area
- Superman: Ultimate Flight (Six Flags Discovery Kingdom), an additional Sky Rocket II model