Yesterday I got to take a test drive of Iron Gwazi. I start out dismissive and overconfident. Gwazi knocked that cockiness out of me halfway through the incline to that first enormous drop. Iron Gwazi is the world's fastest and steepest hybrid rollercoaster. It reaches a top speed of 76 miles per hour and features a 91 degree beyond vertical drop from 206 feet above Tampa. Iron Gwazi features 3 inversions and a dozen airtime moments on its 4,000 foot course. Iron Gwazi opens to the public March 11, but if you have one of those annual passes, you can actually ride now! Here are some pics from the visit.
Rollercoaster enthusiasts from around the world are counting down to March 11, 2022. That's when the long-awaited Iron Gwazi finally opens after years of delays thanks to our friend COVID. Iron Gwazi is the world's fastest and steepest hybrid rollercoaster. It reaches a top speed of 76 miles per hour and features a 91 degree beyond vertical drop from 206 feet above Tampa. Iron Gwazi features 3 inversions and a dozen airtime moments on its 4,000 foot course. I offered my services as a crash test dummy and Busch Gardens took me up on it.
The crew at Busch Gardens heard I was having second thoughts after watching a POV video of the ride so they promised cupcakes. They get me.
This wait has felt like foreverrrrrr!
And now that the moment was here, not gonna lie, a little nervous.
These seats will not be empty for long.
Cameras mounted on the front of the coaster capture every scream and coaster face!
Practicing my roller coaster face.
Watch for video from my ride on myQ105.com shortly!
TMI.
My coworker is having second thoughts after watching a live video feed of the riders in the car ahead of him.
Almost time for "Action!"
Good idea to follow these rules. I knew this ride would be fast, but wow.
The climb to 200 feet!
Perhaps regretting this decision as we approached the top!
No going back now!
My new Iron Gwazi hairstyle.
Busch Gardens annual pass holders get to ride before it opens to the public March 11! Not gonna lie - this ride is INTENSE. It's smooth though - not rickety like the old all-wooden coaster.
What a Rush!
This fella greeted us as we left Iron Gwazi.
While Iron Gwazi is intense and fun, a big focus for Busch Gardens when they open a new ride is raising money for animal conservation.
A percentage of sales from Iron Gwazi merch goes to help animal charities.
And there are some cool choices. This was my favorite.
Iron Gwazi opens to all March 11!
