Tigris
A script text "Tigris" in an orange gradient, trimmed in green, with sublimated tiger stripes. The tail of the "g" curls around and ends in a paw print. An illustration of the top half of the head of a tiger, featuring its eyes, sits atop the script. The words "at Busch Gardens" are in red, tucked into the lower right corner.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
LocationBusch Gardens Tampa Bay
Park sectionStanleyville
Coordinates28°02′16″N 82°25′30″W / 28.03778°N 82.42500°W / 28.03778; -82.42500
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateApril 16, 2019 (2019-04-16)
Opening dateApril 19, 2019 (2019-04-19)
ReplacedTanganyika Tidal Wave
General statistics
TypeSteel – Launched
ManufacturerPremier Rides
ModelSky Rocket II
Lift/launch systemLSM Launch
Height150 ft (46 m)
Drop135 ft (41 m)
Length863 ft (263 m)
Speed62 mph (100 km/h)
Inversions1
Height restriction54 in (137 cm)
TrainsSingle train with 3 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 18 riders per train.
WebsiteOfficial site
Quick Queue available
Tigris at RCDB

Tigris is a steel launched roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay theme park in Tampa, Florida, United States. Built on the former Tanganyika Tidal Wave water ride, Tigris officially opened on April 19, 2019 as the park's ninth roller coaster. Tigris is located within the Stanleyville section of the park. The roller coaster and surrounding area re-uses previous infrastructure and landscaping of the former attraction.

Manufactured by Premier Rides, the roller coaster is one of ten Sky Rocket II models built. Tigris utilizes a linear synchronous motor (LSM) system to propel the train through three launches. The roller coaster reaches a maximum height of 150 ft (46 m), a maximum speed of 62 mph (100 km/h), and has a total track length of 863 ft (263 m), though riders traverse around 1,800 ft (550 m) of track. Upon opening, the roller coaster received positive reviews from critics.

History

The Tanganyika Tidal Wave, an African-themed shoot the chutes water ride, closed in April 2016.[1][2] In March 2018, SeaWorld Entertainment (owner of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay) filed trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the name "Tigris", in addition to "Twisted Tiger" and "Uproar".[3][4] In April 2018, demolition permits were filed for the water ride's deconstruction.[5] Demolition of the former water ride began in June 2018.[6]

An environmental resource permit was submitted on June 26, 2018, to the Southwest Florida Water Management District revealing the location of a new attraction to be within the confines of the tiger exhibit and section of Jungala.[4] The documents and permits, reported in July, discussed upcoming developments on the site of the prior water ride under the working title "Project TEEL". The project proposed to construct a 3,230 sq ft (300 m2) building within a 19,683 sq ft (1,828.6 m2) area consisting of the attraction and paths and to remove 40,185 sq ft (3,733.3 m2) within the existing area.[4][6]

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced Tigris, a Premier Rides Sky Rocket II, model on September 12, 2018.[7][8] The announcement revealed the roller coaster would be themed to the tiger and open in 2019 along with a development for a Gwazi area attraction in 2020.[8][9][10] In October 2018, the concrete footers for the roller coaster were completed and the first construction updates by the park were published.[11] During the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) exposition in November 2018, the design of Tigris's cars were revealed by Premier Rides in the form of a cake.[12][13] The roller coaster's track began arriving at the park on November 29, 2018,[14] with vertical construction of the track pieces taking place on December 3, 2018.[15]

The park detailed the support structure of Tigris was around three-fifths complete by January 2019,[16] with construction of the roller coaster complete by February.[17] The train for Tigris was observed being lifted onto the track on February 20.[18] Busch Gardens announced a media event to present the roller coaster's car alongside additional information on the Gwazi attraction.[19][20] The train for the roller coaster was publicly displayed for parkgoers beginning on March 1.[21][22] The roller coaster's opening date was announced by the park on April 4,[23][24] with Tigris soft opening on April 16, 2019,[25][26] and officially opening on April 19.[27][28]

Ride experience

Queue

The twisting track of Tigris pictured from the queue line area with landscaping surrounding the roller coaster
Tigris as shown from the queue line

The queue area of the ride was repurposed from the previous attraction, Tanganyika Tidal Wave, though the water rides station was not reused. The roller coaster's queue uses a part of the water ride's pathway with landscaping intact from the previous layout.[22][29] The queue of the ride features educational pieces of the tiger's living conditions in the wild and actions wildlife conservationists take with the species.[16][30]

Layout

Tigris launches out of the station up into a partial twist. The train then falls back through the station, where it is accelerated backwards into another twist. Once again, the train falls forward into the station and riders are accelerated to a top speed of 62 mph (100 km/h). It then travels up to a height of 150 ft (46 m) where it completes a half-loop and a heartline roll before exiting in a second non-inverting half-loop. It then enters a full non-inverting loop before returning to the station.[7][31][32]

Characteristics

Tigris operates within a small footprint of the former attraction and is located within the Stanleyville section of the park.[33][34] For the construction of the roller coaster, existing infrastructure in the land was reused for the purpose of the ride.[16] The landscape was preserved with recycled materials from the previous Tanganyika Tidal Wave water ride and other byproducts from the construction of Falcon's Fury and Cobra's Curse attractions.[16][29] Tigris was the third Sky Rocket II model to be constructed at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment-owned theme parks, the first being Tempesto at sister park Busch Gardens Williamsburg and the second, Electric Eel, at SeaWorld San Diego.[35] The roller coaster is one of ten Sky Rocket II models built by Premier Rides.[36]

Tigris was the ninth roller coaster built at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in operation.[33] The roller coaster features black-gray supports with bright orange track.[37] The roller coaster uses a linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch system that adjusts the speed of each launch by timing the train's position through sensors.[7][29] The LSM launch system is cooled by air blowers beneath the track.[29] The roller coaster has a total track length of 863 ft (263 m), though riders traverse around 1,800 ft (550 m) of track because of the forward and backward launches.[7][16][35] Tigris operates one train featuring three cars, with each car having a row of two seats across in three rows for a total of eighteen riders per train.[7] The cars have a lap bar and over the shoulder restraint system.[33] The roller coaster train features an orange color scheme with tiger print.[13][22]

Reception

A view of Tigris's heartline roll among the trees with another roller coaster, SheiKra, in the foreground
A view of Tigris among the trees with SheiKra in the foreground

Upon opening, Tigris received positive review from critics. A writer for the Tampa Bay Times, Daniel Figueroa IV, enthusiastically remarked about the roller coaster's overall intensity and its "visually impressive" speed.[38] Figueroa IV further commented that any seat on the roller coaster had favorable moments to experience, with the front being more visually notable and the back for more intensity.[38] A writer for the Orlando Sentinel, Dewayne Bevil, noted overall about the thrilling experience of the roller coaster, being both "confusing and...exciting".[33] Bevil also remarked about the ride experiences from different seating position and the restraint system having positive and negative aspects.[33]

Haley Coomes of WKMG-TV described the "good first impression" the roller coaster operations left on her experience and personally added it earned "a top approval rating" between "the other Busch Gardens coaster giants".[34] Andrew Stilwell of Coaster101 categorized Tigris as a mid-tier attraction for "thrill seekers" among other Busch Gardens roller coasters while praising its overall speed and different seating experiences.[39]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kennedy Wynne, Sharon (September 13, 2018). "Maybe take this ride before lunch". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. pp. 1A, 6A. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ Storey, Ken (June 19, 2018). "It really looks like Busch Gardens Tampa will be getting a new roller coaster next year". Orlando Weekly. Euclid Media Group. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Tigris". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2018.; "Twisted Tigers". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2018.; "Uproar". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 Brezina-Smith, Veronica (July 16, 2018). "Documents hint at new Busch Gardens roller coaster, and here's what and where it would be". Tampa Bay Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  5. ↑ Storey, Ken (June 19, 2018). "It really looks like Busch Gardens Tampa will be getting a new roller coaster next year". Orlando Weekly. Euclid Media Group. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  6. 1 2 Carter, Ashley (July 18, 2018). "Permits hint at new attraction at Busch Gardens". Bay News 9. Archived from the original on January 27, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Marden, Duane. "Tigris - Busch Gardens Tampa (Tampa, Florida, USA)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Archived from the original on December 23, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  8. 1 2 Brezina-Smith, Veronica (September 12, 2018). "Busch Gardens' roaring new roller coaster, Tigris, will feature Florida's tallest launch tower (Video)". Tampa Bay Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  9. ↑ Staff (September 12, 2018). "FL's tallest launch coaster coming to BG in 2019". WFTS. Archived from the original on December 29, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  10. ↑ Peralta, Paola (September 12, 2018). "Busch Gardens to build Tigris, Florida's tallest triple-launch roller coaster, in Tampa". Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Archived from the original on December 29, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Tracking Tigris | 1st Update". Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. October 31, 2018. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022 – via YouTube.
  12. ↑ Erik (November 13, 2018). "Tigris takes the cake as Busch Gardens Unveils a first look at coaster trains and a POV". Behind The Thrills. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  13. 1 2 Carchidi, Jim (November 14, 2018). "Sesame Street and a coaster cake: Inside the expo hall at IAAPA 2018 (Photos)". Tampa Bay Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  14. ↑ Erik (November 29, 2018). "Tigris track arrives at Busch Gardens Tampa". Behind The Thrills. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  15. ↑ Carter, Ashley (December 3, 2018). "First Look: Track Arrives for Busch Gardens' Tigris Coaster". Bay News 9. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 Brezina-Smith, Veronica (January 22, 2019). "Florida's tallest launch coaster goes vertical at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Photos) (Video)". Tampa Bay Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  17. ↑ Carter, Ashley (February 1, 2019). "Busch Gardens Finishes Installing Track for Tigris". Bay News 9. Archived from the original on May 22, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  18. ↑ Carter, Ashley (February 20, 2019). "First Look: Tigris Ride Vehicle Arrives at Busch Gardens". Bay News 9. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  19. ↑ Tatham, Chelsea (February 14, 2019). "Busch Gardens almost ready to launch newest roller coaster, Tigris". WTSP. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  20. ↑ Wayne, Sharon Kennedy (February 14, 2019). "First look: Tigris, Florida's tallest launch coaster, coming to Busch Gardens". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  21. ↑ Brezina-Smith, Veronica (March 4, 2019). "Busch Gardens unveils Tigris ride car alongside Gwazi rendering, Food & Wine Festival items (Photos)". Tampa Bay Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  22. 1 2 3 Mike (March 4, 2019). "Busch Gardens Tampa 60th Anniversary Celebration Kickoff". Coaster101. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  23. ↑ Perry, Zack (April 4, 2019). "Florida's tallest launch coaster 'Tigris' will open April 19". WFTS-TV. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  24. ↑ Staff (April 4, 2019). "Tigris, Florida's tallest launch roller coaster, opens this month at Busch Gardens". WTVT. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  25. ↑ Wynne, Sharon Kennedy (April 16, 2019). "Here's how you can ride Busch Gardens' Tigris coaster early". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  26. ↑ Wolf, Colin (April 16, 2019). "Busch Gardens' insane triple-launch coaster Tigris just opened". Orlando Weekly. Euclid Media Group. Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  27. ↑ Staff (April 18, 2019). "Preview: Florida's tallest launch roller coaster, Tigris, opens Friday". WTVT. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  28. ↑ Daly, Sean (April 19, 2019). "Triple Launch roller coaster Tigris opens for guests at Busch Gardens Tampa on Friday". WFTS. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  29. 1 2 3 4 MacDonald, Brady (March 1, 2019). "Is Busch Gardens Tampa Florida's coaster capital?". Blooloop. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  30. ↑ Gross, Lila (February 14, 2019). "First-look of tallest launch coaster in Florida at Busch Gardens". WFLA. Archived from the original on February 15, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Tigris front seat on-ride 4K POV @60fps Busch Gardens Tampa". CoasterForce. April 26, 2019. Archived from the original on May 2, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2022 – via YouTube.
  32. ↑ Wayne, Sharon Kennedy (September 12, 2018). "Busch Gardens reveals plans for Tigris, Florida's tallest launch roller coaster". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. Archived from the original on December 29, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  33. 1 2 3 4 5 Bevil, Dewayne (April 18, 2019). "First look: Busch Gardens adds energetic Tigris to roller coaster lineup". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Publishing. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  34. 1 2 Coomes, Haley (May 31, 2019). "Busch Gardens' Tigris: Florida's tallest launch coaster earns its stripes". WKMG-TV. Archived from the original on April 28, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  35. 1 2 Mike (February 22, 2019). "Tigris Construction Tour at Busch Gardens Tampa". Coaster101. Archived from the original on May 25, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  36. ↑ Marden, Duane. "II - Sky Rocket - Premier Rides (Baltimore, Maryland, United States)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  37. ↑ Bevil, Dewayne (February 13, 2019). "Tigris roller coaster takes shape at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Publishing. Archived from the original on February 15, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  38. 1 2 Figueroa IV, Daniel (April 18, 2019). "We rode Tigris, the new Busch Gardens coaster. This is what it's like". Tampa Bay Times. Times Publishing Company. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  39. ↑ Stilwell, Andrew (November 19, 2020). "From Tame To Thrilling: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay". Coaster101. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
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