An iconic theme park ride that entertained guests for thirty years has permanently closed its doors.
Kumba, a once groundbreaking roller coaster located in Florida’s Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, ceased operations on August 2.
Initially opened as a secondary attraction to the newly established Busch Brewery site, Kumba debuted in 1993 with the world’s tallest vertical loop standing at 114 feet. It held the titles of the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster in Florida at that time.
Subsequent roller coasters have surpassed Kumba’s achievements since then.
Featuring a 135-foot drop, a dive loop, a zero-g roll, a cobra roll, and a pair of interlocking corkscrews, the ride gained popularity among thrill-seekers, positioning the theme park as a fierce competitor to Disney and Universal.
While Kumba attracted a dedicated fan base at first, it gradually lost its appeal as more sophisticated roller coasters emerged in the industry.
Earlier this year, Busch announced the impending closure of the roller coaster after its 33rd anniversary.
Busch Gardens paid homage to Kumba on social media, highlighting its groundbreaking nature and impact on the park. The tribute mentioned that a successor roller coaster is slated to open after Kumba’s closure.
The park’s statement shared plans for “Kumba’s Revenge,” a new attraction set to continue the legacy of the iconic coaster. This development is part of a $100 million investment aimed at solidifying Busch Gardens as a premier thrill destination in Florida.
Details regarding Kumba’s Revenge are yet to be disclosed.