I have a friend who has been bugging me for over 2 years to take him to the media event, if there is one, so he can ride this coaster for me. Coaster enthusiasts are so excited to ride the world’s fastest and steepest hybrid coaster, right here in Tampa, Florida.

About Iron Gwazi

Being North America’s tallest hybrid coaster, this ride takes thrills to new heights, plunging riders from a 206-foot-tall peak down a 91-degree drop and reaching top speeds of 76 miles per hour. Iron Gwazi is Busch Gardens’ tenth coaster and an exhilarating addition to the park’s collection of thrill rides. Riders will experience a dozen airtime moments, including three inversions, while racing along more than 4,000 feet of steel track. With a 48” height requirement, this invigorating attraction is a ride the whole family can conquer together.

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

Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, the newest addition at Busch Gardens is a wood and steel hybrid coaster design, combining the innovation of a steel coaster and the nostalgia of a wooden coaster. 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.

Busch Gardens Tickets

Buy a Busch Gardens Annual Pass and be among the first to ride the most anticipated hybrid coaster in the world!  For even more fun, guests can add Adventure Island to enjoythree new attractions across the two Tampa parks.  Along with priority access to Iron Gwazi and Adventure Island’s new attractions, Annual Pass Members also receive 12 months of visits with special benefits including exclusive ride opportunities, FREE parking, up to six free guest tickets, savings on merchandise, and more!

In addition to the unbeatable benefits of a Busch Gardens’ Annual Pass, guests can also take advantage of these all-new thrills with a 2022 Fun Card. Right now, guests can visit both parks again and again for just $120.99. Plus, thrill seekers can receive a complimentary one-time Quick Queue for Iron Gwazi when they purchase a Fun Card by January 30 and visit by February 20. Get your Busch Gardens tickets here.

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The moment that our guests have been waiting for is almost here. Get ready for uncharted chills on the all-new Ice Breaker coaster! Named after the icy Arctic summits, Ice Breaker will feature four airtime filled launches, both backwards and forwards, culminating in a reverse launch into the steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida – a 93 feet tall spike with 100-degree angle. The thrills continue as riders fly over a near vertical top hat maneuver into a series of exciting twists, turns, and airtime hills. The brand-new coaster will be located across from Wild Arctic and opens February 18, 2022.

SeaWorld Orlando Press Release

Pass Member Previews are taking place on various days from January 30 through February 15, depending on individual pass level.

The opening of Ice Breaker is the perfect addition to SeaWorld’s ever-growing ride portfolio. From the roller coaster thrills of Manta, Kraken, and Mako, voted number one coaster in the country by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice poll, to the water rapids of Infinity Falls and the flume fun of Journey to Atlantis, Ice Breaker joins the park’s famed attractions as a must-do experience for thrill seeker everywhere.

While Ice Breaker isn’t a ride I’ll be going on, I sent the above video to Jordan to see if he would ride it, since he was the brave one who loved riding Mako at it’s media event. Hopefully we will be invited back so he can try Ice Breaker.

You can get your SeaWorld tickets on their website. They offer one day tickets, multi-park tickets, Fun Cards, and Annual Passes. If you act quick, you can claim your free Preschool Card for kids 5 and under. You need to register online for the Preschool Card before 2-3-22 and it has to be redeemed in park by 2-28-22.

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Inside the air conditioned Cobra’s Curse queue line there is a 400-cubic-foot snake exhibit which will include Jameson’s mambas, Angolan pythons and rhinoceros and gaboon vipers. The design of the multi-level exhibit not only reflects the theme of the ride, but also features several animal husbandry and enrichment components designed with the snakes’ welfare in mind, including naturalistic design elements, controlled heat sources and humidity control. This snake habitat is really cool! I found all 5 snakes that are in the exhibit.

Cobra’s Curse Facts

Hear about Cobra’s Curse from Brian the VP of Theme Park Design at Busch Gardens.

• Construction Timeline: Construction started in January 2015, and Cobra’s Curse will debut in summer 2016
• Ride Length: More than 2,100 feet of track, 70 total track segments
• Maximum Speed: 40 mph
• Seats: Up to 8 trains at a time, with 8 riders per train
• Guest Capacity: Moving walkway for loading and unloading will allow just for over 1,000 riders per hour.
• Ride Duration: More than three and a half minutes
• Height Requirement: 48 inches to ride alone, 42 inches with parent/guardian
• Queue Line: Air-conditioned queue line features a snake exhibit with snakes, interactive elements and projection mapping technology to tell the story of the Snake King.
• Snakes: Angolan Python, Gaboon Viper, Jameson’s Mambas, Rhinoceros Vipers
• Location: Egypt area
• Snake Icon: 30,000 lb., 80 ft tall, 4 Ft long Fangs, 3 ft wide eyes, Constructed of nine stackable pieces with an internal steel spine and an outer shell composed of carved foam and fiberglass.
• Vertical Lift: 70-foot vertical lift. Functions similar to an outdoor elevator taking riders up in their coaster car and putting them face- to-fang with the snake icon’s mouth.
• The three-and-a-half-minute ride will also feature a second inclined lift that sets up for the free-spin finale of the ride.

The Mom Maven rides Cobra’s Curse

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When we arrived backstage there was a large crate in front of us. The crate was lifted up by a crane to reveal one of the beautiful lead cars for the 3 Mako trains.

Mako’s design and engineering was inspired by the real Mako shark – one of the ocean’s fastest shark species. When it opens, Mako will top 200 feet high and reach speeds of 73 mph on a track that’s nearly a mile long. The new ride will be a hypercoaster, which means it’s all about speed, tight turns and that weightless feeling riders get at the top of each hill.

Mako Coaster Train Design Facts Include:

• Mako-Inspired Custom Car – In a collaboration between SeaWorld’s animal experts and ride engineers, the car is inspired by the physiology of an actual Mako shark, including five gills on each side, eye placement and sleek, hydro-dynamic look.
• Fast Wheels– Comprised of a special compound that reduces friction — providing a smooth, relentlessly fast ride from beginning to end.
• Magnetic Brakes-Activated by interaction between metal plates under the car’s frame and stationary megnets on the ride track.
• Upper Body Mobility – With only a lap guard on their lower body, riders’ upper bodies are free for added mobility and “airtime”
• The coaster will boast a total of 21 cars – including 3 trains of 7 cars per train. Each train weighs 21,418 pounds.

Will you be riding Mako when it opens this summer? I won’t be but my son Jordan cannot wait for the grand opening!

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Last month SeaWorld Orlando unveiled the only flying coaster in Florida, Manta. I will be riding Manta on October 4th and I’m excited and nervous at the same time. If you ride it before me please let me know how it was! Coaster fans will also enjoy Kraken on their visit to SeaWorld.

If you aren’t a coaster fan there is still tons for you to do at SeaWorld. You can see Shamu in 2 shows; Believe and Shamu Rocks. You can also see Blue Horizons which, in my opinion, is the most beautiful show in the Orlando area. Of course you also have all of the great animal attractions at Sea World like Wild Arctic, Shark Encounter and Pacific Point Preserve.

Add to all of that at day at Aquatica Water Park or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and this offer is the deal of the summer! If you are a Florida or Georgia resident I’d recommend you get your tickts now because I do not know how long this offer will last.

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