Iron Gwazi

Development of the original Gwazi began in July 1998, when Busch Gardens announced that it would build a wooden roller coaster on land formerly occupied by the Anheuser-Busch brewery.

Trains riding on both tracks, respectively named Lion and Tiger, reached a height of 105.4 feet (32.1 m) and a maximum speed of 51 mph (82 km/h).

The park hired Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) to retrofit the original wooden structure's layout.

Iron Gwazi debuted to positive reviews from critics, later winning the 2022 Best New Roller Coaster category in Amusement Today magazine's annual Golden Ticket Awards.

[2][3] To replace the brewery, the park chose a wooden roller coaster rather than one made of steel due to growing preferences for older-style attractions.

[4][6] Washington University in St. Louis helped research the new roller coaster name, Anheuser-Busch selecting Gwazi.

[4][5] In early June 1998, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay considered adding a resort on site to compete with other Florida amusement parks, including a projected $10 million attraction scheduled to open in 1999.

[9] Busch Gardens announced its plan to add a pair of dueling wooden roller coasters named Gwazi on July 15,[10][11] with groundbreaking taking place that day.

[12][20] Busch Gardens promoted the attraction as the largest and fastest dueling wooden roller coaster in the southeastern United States.

[23] The Tiger side closed following the 2012 season, and soon after, the park built a pedestrian bridge across its loading platform; one of its trains was relocated to the Lion track.

[22][27] The closure of the Tiger side prompted rumors from amusement park enthusiasts that Gwazi's operation would be terminated in the near future.

[22] In December 2014, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay confirmed the closure of the remaining Lion side due to low attendance, operating costs, and negative guest feedback.

[35] In the three years after the closure, rumors circulated about a possible replacement of the wooden structure, speculating it could be a remodeled roller coaster, a new attraction, or an amphitheater.

[36] During a September 2018 news conference announcing the park's ninth roller coaster, Tigris, officials said there were construction plans for Gwazi in 2020.

[39] An internal SeaWorld Entertainment presentation was leaked online to the public in October 2018, which showcased several projects under development across its parks, including a replacement ride for Gwazi as a "high-thrill hybrid roller coaster".

[41] In December, updated construction-permit applications sent to the city of Tampa listed Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) as the ride manufacturer of an upcoming attraction in the Gwazi area.

Busch Gardens promoted the attraction as North America's steepest, fastest, and tallest hybrid roller coaster.

[48] Busch Gardens revealed the following month that the roller coaster would be named "Iron Gwazi" and that it would be 206 feet (63 m) tall with a 91-degree drop and a maximum speed of 76 mph (122 km/h).

[49][50] During the 2019 International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Exposition in November, RMC unveiled the trains for Iron Gwazi.

[58][59][60] The park said in September that it scheduled to open Iron Gwazi in 2021,[61] and it released a point-of-view video of the roller coaster two months later.

[27] At the top, the train dipped slightly into a pre-drop, turned right, and then descended 91.8 feet (28.0 m), reaching its maximum speed of 51 mph (82 km/h) near the bottom.

[27] The train banked slightly right before ascending into a left-banked turn through the lift hill of the Tiger side, exiting downward and entering a right-banked turnaround.

[27] At the top, the train entered a pre-drop, turning left and descending 91.8 ft (28.0 m), reaching its maximum speed of 51 mph (82 km/h) near the bottom.

[12][20][27] Iron Gwazi was designed and built by RMC using portions of the original dueling roller coasters,[88] and used the steel I-Box track created by Alan Schilke.

[23][79] Busch Gardens reutilized parts of the previous infrastructure for the steel roller coaster, using Gwazi's loading station.

[95] In writing for The Tampa Tribune, Levin Walker noted among guests that Gwazi was praised for its speed and initial drop; some riders positively commented on the partial rattle typical of wooden roller coasters.

[96] An editor for Park World, Paul Ruben, stated that Gwazi had "everything a good coaster should have", adding "it never slows down".

[93] Wynne went on to highlight the "build-up to the beyond-vertical drop" as "slow and terrifying", with the restraint system being of "some comfort" for air time.

[94] American Coaster Enthusiasts members praised the ride's speedy maneuvers, smoothness, and ability to be re-rideable.

[93] Bobbie Butterfield, a writer for Theme Park Insider, contended that from any seat, "Iron Gwazi is a winner", as well as praising the roller coaster's signature "barrel roll drop" and air time moments.

The original Gwazi entrance is viewed in 2006. The thatched roof containing the original Gwazi logo depicting the clash of the yellow-orange tiger and blue-purple lion is seen above the word "Gwazi". The entrance is located on the right, with another thatched roof structure on the left. The Lion's lift hill is seen above the left thatched roof with tree foliage in the foreground.
The original Gwazi's entrance and Lion's lift hill in 2006
Iron Gwazi as pictured in July 2020 under construction, the façade of the main queue building from the entrance plaza can be seen. The lift hill is on the right with a construction crane on the left. Tree foliage surrounds the roller coaster in the foreground on the left and right.
Iron Gwazi under construction in July 2020
The lift hill of the lion track as it ascends 105.4 ft (32.1 m) and turns to the right towards the 91.8 ft (28.0 m) drop. Pieces of track and tree foliage circumnavigate in the foreground.
Lift hill of the Lion track
A view of the lift hill and downward barrel roll structure of Iron Gwazi. The roller coaster is central, with foliage surrounding the roller coaster in the foreground. The picture was taken from the Lory Landing area.
The lift hill of Iron Gwazi, with a train in the downward barrel roll
Gwazi as captured from the park's transportation Skyride with the full layout. A Lion train can be seen descending its initial drop.
Gwazi from the Skyride in 2006
An overview of Iron Gwazi in 2023. The roller coaster sits center in the image with most of its elements visible. Foliage lines the foreground at the bottom of the image. The station sits bottom left.
An overview of Iron Gwazi in 2023
The Iron Gwazi lift hill is depicted from the queue line bridge that sits above where the train initially descends into the lift. The purple track significantly appears into the skyline. Parts of the barrel roll downdrop under the lift hill and the exit from the wave turn can be observed.
Lift hill of Iron Gwazi track