{"id":20654,"date":"2026-07-23T20:57:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T20:57:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=20654"},"modified":"2026-07-23T20:57:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T20:57:37","slug":"the-famous-kumba-roller-coaster-at-busch-gardens-tampa-bay-closes-august-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=20654","title":{"rendered":"The famous Kumba roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay closes August 2"},"content":{"rendered":"


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NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

One of Florida’s most iconic roller coasters is preparing for its final ride after more than three decades, sparking a wave of nostalgia among theme-park enthusiasts.<\/p>\n

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay recently shared that Kumba will permanently close Aug. 2 after 33 years in operation, marking the end of one of the park’s best known attractions.<\/p>\n

When it debuted in 1993, Kumba was Florida’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster. It also featured the world’s tallest vertical loop and quickly became a favorite among thrill seekers, according to the Busch Gardens announcement on its website.<\/p>\n

BELOVED AMUSEMENT PARK WITH NO GATE FEE TAKES TOP SPOT AHEAD OF THEME PARK GIANTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

The nearly three-minute ride takes guests through a 135-foot drop, reaches speeds of 60 mph and features seven inversions.<\/p>\n

While Kumba is retiring, Busch Gardens said on Instagram it will replace the popular attraction with Kumba’s Revenge, part of a $100 million investment aimed at expanding the park’s lineup of thrill rides.<\/p>\n

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\"Kumba<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Kumba will permanently close on Aug. 2 after 33 years in operation, the venue said. <\/span> (Alamy Stock Photo)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Fox News Digital reached out to Busch Gardens for comment.<\/p>\n

The announcement sparked an emotional response from coaster enthusiasts, many of whom shared memories of riding Kumba over the years.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/strong><\/p>\n

“So sad to hear of this,” one Reddit user wrote. “Such a classic, legend and masterpiece.”<\/p>\n

Another person called the coaster “an old friend. I’ve been lucky enough to have gotten hundreds of rides on it over the decades.”<\/p>\n

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\"Kumba<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
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The nearly three-minute ride takes guests through a 135-foot drop, reaches speeds of 60 mph and features seven inversions.<\/span> (Alamy Stock Photo)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Others reflected on childhood memories tied to the attraction.<\/p>\n

“Kumba was pretty much a rite of passage for many Floridian children,” one longtime fan wrote, recalling riding the coaster for the first time during an elementary school field trip.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many fans also expressed hope that its successor would live up to the original.<\/p>\n

“I just hope that your replacement is worthy of the legendary name,” one user wrote.<\/p>\n

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\"Kumba<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
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The announcement sparked an emotional response from coaster enthusiasts, many of whom shared memories of riding Kumba over the years.<\/span> (Ann Purcell\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Guests have until Aug. 2 to experience what Busch Gardens is calling Kumba’s “Final Roar” before the coaster permanently closes.<\/p>\n

Fox News Digital previously reported that several theme parks and attractions across the country have announced closures, prompting emotional reactions from longtime fans.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Washington state, Wild Waves Theme Park is preparing to close permanently after the 2026 season, ending nearly 50 years of operation.<\/p>\n

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Visitors have flooded the park’s social media pages, sharing childhood memories and urging a buyer to step in before the gates close for good.<\/p>\n

Andrea Margolis of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.<\/i><\/p>\n

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Kelly McGreal is a production assistant with the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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