An iconic Florida theme park attraction is about to close FOREVER.
©Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Kumba, a once-record-holding roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, is set to close on August 2nd after thrilling guests for three decades.
Busch Gardens first opened as a side attraction to the then-new Busch Brewery location. Over the next 30 years, the park grew with the additions of rides and animal attractions, becoming a popular tourist destination. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the park’s braintrust became interested in adding a massive new thrill attraction to BETTER compete with Disney and Universal. They reached out to coaster designers Bolliger & Mabillard, who came back with a record-breaking design.
©Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Kumba, which opened in the park’s Congo section in 1993, featured the world’s tallest vertical loop at the time (114 feet), and was the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster in Florida. The ride, which also offered a 135-foot drop, a dive loop, a zero-g roll, a cobra roll, and a pair of interlocking corkscrews, was an immediate hit, putting the park on the map as a thrill destination.
©Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
While Kumba was initially very popular — and developed a devoted fanbase — the ride became less of a draw over the years as the park added more and more advanced coasters. Finally, in 2026, Busch announced that the coaster would be closing later that year, just a few months after its 33rd birthday. Busch Gardens paid tribute to the ride on social media, writing, “Debuting in 1993, Kumba set a new standard for thrill rides! It was Florida’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster when it opened, and it featured the world’s tallest vertical loop. From its 7 exhilarating inversions to its iconic roar sound, Kumba has left its mark on Busch Gardens and will be remembered as an icon of the park.”
However, as part of the same statement, Busch Gardens also announced that a sequel coaster was coming. They wrote, “As part of our evolution and commitment to delivering innovative attractions, we are happy to announce Kumba’s Revenge! This new attraction is a part of our $100 million investment that will elevate Busch Gardens as Florida’s thrill leader and enhance our guest experience. Kumba’s Revenge is an extension of an already legendary coaster, and it will allow its spirit to live on as we enter a new era of thrills.” The company has yet to provide details on whether Kumba’s Revenge will be a retrack or rebuild of the current Kumba or an entirely new construction.
©Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
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Have you ridden Kumba? Will you miss it? Let us know in the comments below.
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