A 91-DEGREE drop and speeds of up to 76mph: Video footage reveals the thrills in store on the new extreme coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (and riders’ priceless reactions)

• Iron Gwazi is the 10th coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, with the park announcing it will open on March 11
• The coaster is a pimped-up version of the park’s 51mph wood coaster, Gwazi, which shut down in 2015
• The 2022 incarnation ‘combines the innovation of a steel coaster and the nostalgia of a wooden coaster’ 

Mesmerising video footage has been released that shows the thrills in store on what is billed as ‘one of the most anticipated coasters in the world’ – Iron Gwazi.

The roller coaster is the 10th at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida, with the theme park announcing that it will open on March 11. The coaster plunges down a 91-degree drop from a 206ft- (62m) tall peak, reaches a top speed of 76mph and gives riders a dozen airtime moments, including three inversions.

The clip includes a stomach-churning POV section of the immense drop – and shows the priceless reactions of riders as they anticipate it then hurtle downwards and around the track, which is more than 4,000ft long.

Iron Gwazi, pictured, is the 10th roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida, with the theme park announcing that it will open on March 11

The coaster plunges down a 91-degree drop from a 206ft-tall peak, reaches a top speed of 76mph and gives riders a dozen airtime moments, including three inversions

Mesmerising video footage has been released that shows the thrills in store on Iron Gwazi

Manufactured by Idaho-based Rocky Mountain Construction, the newest addition at Busch Gardens is a pimped-up version of the park’s 51mph wood coaster, Gwazi, which shut down in 2015. The 2022 incarnation is a wood and steel crocodile-inspired hybrid coaster ‘combining the innovation of a steel coaster and the nostalgia of a wooden coaster’.

Busch Gardens said in a statement: ‘While elements of Gwazi, the classic wooden coaster, are integrated into the new ride, all-new thrill components and a reimagined track layout take Iron Gwazi to another level.

‘With a 48-inch (four-foot) height requirement, this invigorating attraction is a ride the whole family can conquer together.’

Manufactured by Idaho-based Rocky Mountain Construction, the newest addition at Busch Gardens is a wood and steel crocodile-inspired hybrid coaster design

The video footage shows the priceless reactions of Iron Gwazi riders as they anticipate the big drop then hurtle downwards and around the track

Busch Gardens said in a statement: ‘While elements of Gwazi, the classic wooden coaster, are integrated into the new ride, all-new thrill components and a reimagined track layout take Iron Gwazi to another level’

Neal Thurman, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Park President, said: ‘The incredible anticipation for Iron Gwazi is shared by both our guests and Ambassadors, and we are beyond excited to open this amazing coaster’

One good gurn deserves another: Iron Gwazi is an ‘invigorating attraction the whole family can conquer together’

Neal Thurman, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Park President, said: ‘The incredible anticipation for Iron Gwazi is shared by both our guests and Ambassadors, and we are beyond excited to open this amazing coaster.

‘Iron Gwazi diversifies our thrill-ride portfolio and is an impressive addition to the Tampa skyline. Combining classic elements of a wooden coaster with a smooth, steel track will provide thrill-seekers with an unforgettable experience.’

Busch Gardens’ other big-ticket rides include family-spin-roller-coaster Cobra’s Curse; Sheikra, which features a 90-degree drop; Falcon’s Fury, a 335ft-tall freestanding drop tower; Tigris, which ‘catapults riders through an exhilarating array of looping twists’; and Cheetah Hunt, ‘a thrilling triple-launch roller coaster’.

Pass members will have exclusive opportunities to ride Iron Gwazi from February 13

Busch Gardens said that Iron Gwazi is ‘an impressive addition to the Tampa skyline’

Iron Gwazi is billed as ‘one of the most anticipated coasters in the world’

Originally opening on March 31, 1959, Busch Gardens used to be a simple brewery tour and bird garden.

Now the SeaWorld-owned park spans 300 acres and is an AZA-accredited zoo housing thousands of animals representing more than 200 species.

To buy tickets visit buschgardens.com/tampa and www.seaworldparks.co.uk. U.S pass members will have exclusive opportunities to ride Iron Gwazi from February 13.  

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