A ‘legendary’ theme park ride opened for over three decades has closed forever.
Kumba, a once record-breaking roller coaster in Florida took visitors for their last rise on August 6, just months after its 33rd anniversary.
The Busch Gardens Tampa Bay ride first opened as a side attraction to the then-new Busch Brewery location.
It featured the world’s tallest vertical loop at 114 feet at its time of opening in 1993.
Kumba was also the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster in Florida.
Despite these records being broken, the ride continued to attract crowds.
It also featured a 135-foot drop, a dive loop, a zero-g roll, a cobra roll, and a pair of interlocking corkscrews and put the theme park on the map for thrill seekers, competing with Disney and Universal.
Busch announced at the start of 2026 that the attraction would be closing this year.
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.”
The statement added that a sequel ride is set to open after the closure.
It said: “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.”
Details of this new attraction are yet to be revealed.