Photo: Rob Ascough. View full-sized image.
For the enthusiast looking for thrilling coasters, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
(Florida) has long been noteworthy, and the recent addition of Iron Gwazi
cemented its stature as a destination. However, the park has always been a
little light when it comes to welcoming families with riders of all experience
levels — in recent years, only Cobra’s Curse and SandSerpent
filled the role, and the removal of the latter cut the number in half.
However, the loss of the Mack Rides Wild Mouse that began life as Izzy at sister
park Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Virginia) in 1996 opened up some real estate
that — along with the plot once occupied by the Intamin Looping Starship named
Phoenix — gave the park land on the edge of its Serengeti Safari large enough
for something more significant. In 2023, it was announced that this new ride
would be a first-of-its-kind family inverted coaster from Bolliger &
Mabillard (B&M). The park markets the appropriately named Phoenix Rising
as a suspended roller coaster. However, make no mistake — aside from
two-abreast seating (like another B&M family coaster called Penguin Trek
that was added to SeaWorld Orlando for the 2024 season) —this coaster has
little to do with Arrow’s suspended coasters but nearly everything to do with
nearby Montu (another B&M creation). It is like the latter, but
without loops. It even features a small trench.
While the theming can’t be described as immersive, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay put effort into creating it and the overall look of Phoenix Rising.
Photo: Rob Ascough. View full-sized image.
Photo: Rob Ascough. View full-sized image.
Those who have grown grumpy over recent United Parks installations should be pleased
that Phoenix Rising is boarded through a well-decorated queuing area and
a station that perfectly matches the existing Pantopia architecture. If one
didn’t note the coaster being brand new owing to its shiny steel track
glimmering in the harsh Florida sun, it would be easy to believe it had been
there for decades. While the coaster does look miniscule in the shadow of the
skyline-dominating Falcon’s Fury drop tower, the 80-foot-tall lift hill aimed
over an access road into the Serengeti and 1,831 feet of track indicates Phoenix
Rising is on the large side when it comes to family coasters. After all, it
is only about 20 feet shorter than the distant towering tangle of track that is
Cheetah Hunt.
Phoenix Rising begins with a tall lift hill, followed by some dramatic aerial maneuvers.
Photo: Rob Ascough. View full-sized image.
Photo: Paul Daley. View full-sized image.
Photo: Paul Daley. View full-sized image.
Phoenix Rising
lacks the intensity of the park’s inverted Montu (though it can be
argued all inverted coasters lack the intensity of Montu) but is not
without elements and movements allowing for a unique experience. The
double-down first drop is oddly kinked, as if pulled from a RollerCoaster
Tycoon creation, but stands as a satisfying entrance to the high-flying turn
that sends riders speeding toward the safari before quickly reversing course.
The heavily banked curve under the lift brings to mind the aerial dramatics of
B&M inverted coasters like Talon at Dorney Park & Wildwater
Kingdom (Allentown, Pennsylvania), and a twisted figure-eight finale is
highlighted by tight clearances, close to the ground track that will have some
riders instinctively pulling up their feet and the aforementioned concrete
trough that will have others drawing connections to Montu’s playful
utilization of its topography.
The second half of Phoenix Rising creates the illusion of speed with track remaining close to the ground and, in one situation, venturing below grade.
Photo: Paul Daley. View full-sized image.
Photo: Paul Daley. View full-sized image.
Photo: Paul Daley. View full-sized image.
No doubt a hit among park guests, Phoenix Rising fills an obvious gap and
gives Busch Gardens Tampa Bay another reason for consideration in the discussion
on most well-rounded theme park roller coaster lineups. In fact, it is so
popular, one can question the park’s decision to use one (and only one) train
on the coaster. It is without question a higher capacity roller coaster than
its predecessor SandSerpent but is popular enough to warrant a second
train. Yet that is only a testament to the greatness of the new coaster, which
is perfect for inexperienced and experienced riders alike.
— Rob Ascough, ACE News Editor