Video: Busch Gardens Runs 1st Test On Country's Tallest Coaster

TAMPA, FL —It won't be long before roller coaster junkies can ride North America's tallest and the world's steepest hybrid coaster.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay conducted its first test run of Iron Gwazi this week.

Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, the newest addition at Busch Gardens is a wood and steel hybrid coaster design.

The ride will feature all-new thrill elements, as well as restored elements of Gwazi, the wooden predecessor that opened in 1999 and closed in 2015.

Iron Gwazi takes thrills to new heights, plunging riders from a 206 foot-tall peak into a 91-degree drop and reaching speeds of 76 mph.

Riders on Iron Gwazi will experience a dozen airtime moments, including three inversions, as they sink their teeth into crocodile-inspired thrills.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's 10th roller coaster is scheduled to open this spring. No official opening date has been announced.

Courtesy Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens Remains Open

For those planning to visit Busch Gardens' Food & Wine Festival this weekend, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment said Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and its other parks will be open as usual. This includes the Ezra Ray Hart concert Saturday at 7 p.m. and the Three Dog Night concert Sunday at 6 p.m.

"As the situation evolves, our experts are coordinating with public health officials to take appropriate steps to meet the health and safety needs of our guests, ambassadors and animals in our care," said SeaWorld Parks in statement released this week. "As part of our commitment to the health and safety of our guests, ambassadors, and the larger community, we are following guidelines from the CDC on prevention of illnesses."

"As a company we are collaborating with public health officials and local, state and federal authorities. We have also convened a task force which is directing our coronavirus preparedness and response activities."

Extra precautions against coronavirus include:

• Increased frequency of cleaning and disinfection of targeted areas, including rides and restrooms.
• Additional end-of-day sanitation procedures for restroom, dining, and other facilities.
• Additional hand sanitizer stations parks, including in park entry points, guest culinary locations, ambassador areas and register locations where guests and ambassadors exchange money throughout the park.
• Reinforcing health and safety training with ambassadors (team members) on a regular basis.