Tigris (roller coaster) explained

Tigris
Logo Alt: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.
Location:Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Section:Stanleyville
Coordinates:28.0378°N -82.425°W
Status:Operating
Previousattraction:Tanganyika Tidal Wave
Type:Steel
Type2:Launched
Manufacturer:Premier Rides
Model:Sky Rocket II
Lift:LSM Launch
Height Ft:150
Drop Ft:135
Length Ft:863
Speed Mph:62
Inversions:1
Restriction In:54
Trains:1
Carspertrain:3
Rowspercar:3
Ridersperrow:2
Virtual Queue Name:Quick Queue
Virtual Queue Image:Quick Queue availability logo (Busch Gardens).svg
Virtual Queue Status:available
Rcdb Number:16607

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, a maximum speed of, and has a total track length of, though riders traverse around 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.

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. 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 building within a area consisting of the attraction and paths and to remove within the existing area.[6]

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced Tigris, a Premier Rides Sky Rocket II, model on September 12, 2018. 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.[7] [8] [9] In October 2018, the concrete footers for the roller coaster were completed and the first construction updates by the park were published.[10] 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.[11] [12] The roller coaster's track began arriving at the park on November 29, 2018,[13] with vertical construction of the track pieces taking place on December 3, 2018.[14]

The park detailed the support structure of Tigris was around three-fifths complete by January 2019,[15] with construction of the roller coaster complete by February.[16] The train for Tigris was observed being lifted onto the track on February 20.[17] Busch Gardens announced a media event to present the roller coaster's car alongside additional information on the Gwazi attraction.[18] [19] The train for the roller coaster was publicly displayed for parkgoers beginning on March 1.[20] [21] The roller coaster's opening date was announced by the park on April 4,[22] [23] with Tigris soft opening on April 16, 2019,[24] [25] and officially opening on April 19.[26] [27]

Ride experience

Queue

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. 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.[28]

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 . It then travels up to a height of 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.[29] [30] [31]

Characteristics

Tigris operates within a small footprint of the former attraction and is located within the Stanleyville section of the park.[32] For the construction of the roller coaster, existing infrastructure in the land was reused for the purpose of the ride. 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.[33] 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.[34] The roller coaster is one of ten Sky Rocket II models built by Premier Rides.[35]

Tigris was the ninth roller coaster built at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in operation. The roller coaster features black-gray supports with bright orange track.[36] 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. The LSM launch system is cooled by air blowers beneath the track. The roller coaster has a total track length of, though riders traverse around of track because of the forward and backward launches. 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. The cars have a lap bar and over the shoulder restraint system. The roller coaster train features an orange color scheme with tiger print.

Reception

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.[37] 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. A writer for the Orlando Sentinel, Dewayne Bevil, noted overall about the thrilling experience of the roller coaster, being both "confusing and...exciting". Bevil also remarked about the ride experiences from different seating position and the restraint system having positive and negative aspects.

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".[38] 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

Notes and References

  1. News: Kennedy Wynne . Sharon . September 13, 2018 . Maybe take this ride before lunch . 1A, 6A . Tampa Bay Times . Times Publishing Company . April 26, 2022 . Newspapers.com . August 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220803190605/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/106779896/maybe-take-this-ride-before-lunch/ . live.
  2. Web site: Storey . Ken . June 19, 2018 . It really looks like Busch Gardens Tampa will be getting a new roller coaster next year . https://web.archive.org/web/20180619183647/https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/06/19/it-really-looks-like-busch-gardens-tampa-will-be-getting-a-new-roller-coaster-next-year . June 19, 2018 . January 26, 2019 . . . en.
  3. Web site: Tigris . . https://web.archive.org/web/20130404082200/http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87857620&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch . April 4, 2013 . December 29, 2018 . live.
    Web site: Twisted Tigers . . https://web.archive.org/web/20130404082200/http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87857625&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch . April 4, 2013 . December 29, 2018 . live. ; Web site: Uproar . . https://web.archive.org/web/20130404082200/http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=87857631&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch . April 4, 2013 . December 29, 2018 . live.
  4. Web site: Brezina-Smith . Veronica . July 16, 2018 . Documents hint at new Busch Gardens roller coaster, and here's what and where it would be . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220803190604/https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/07/16/documents-hint-at-new-busch-gardens-roller-coaster.html . August 3, 2022 . December 29, 2018 . . American City Business Journals.
  5. Web site: Storey . Ken . June 19, 2018 . It really looks like Busch Gardens Tampa will be getting a new roller coaster next year . April 29, 2022 . Orlando Weekly . Euclid Media Group . en . August 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220803190604/https://www.orlandoweekly.com/arts/it-really-looks-like-busch-gardens-tampa-will-be-getting-a-new-roller-coaster-next-year-14972196 . live.
  6. Web site: Permits hint at new attraction at Busch Gardens . Carter . Ashley . July 18, 2018 . . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20190127152443/https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/attractions/2018/07/18/permits-hint-at-possible-new-roller-coaster-at-busch-gardens . January 27, 2019 . January 26, 2019 . live.
  7. Web site: Busch Gardens' roaring new roller coaster, Tigris, will feature Florida's tallest launch tower (Video) . Brezina-Smith . Veronica . September 12, 2018 . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220803190604/https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/09/12/busch-gardens-roaring-new-roller-coaster-tigris.html . August 3, 2022 . December 29, 2018 . live.
  8. Web site: Staff . September 12, 2018 . FL's tallest launch coaster coming to BG in 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181229171318/https://www.abcactionnews.com/lifestyle/taste-and-see/florida-s-tallest-launch-coaster-coming-to-busch-gardens-in-spring-2019 . December 29, 2018 . December 29, 2018 . . en . live.
  9. Web site: Busch Gardens to build Tigris, Florida's tallest triple-launch roller coaster, in Tampa . Peralta . Paola . September 12, 2018 . . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20181229171322/https://www.cltampa.com/arts-entertainment/travel-leisure/article/21022141/busch-gardens-to-build-tigris-the-worlds-tallest-roller-coaster-in-tampa . December 29, 2018 . December 29, 2018 . live.
  10. Web site: October 31, 2018 . Tracking Tigris 1st Update . April 30, 2022 . Busch Gardens Tampa Bay . YouTube . April 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220430171227/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84cZIo78lcY&ab_channel=BuschGardensTampaBay%26AdventureIsland . live .
  11. Web site: Erik . November 13, 2018 . Tigris takes the cake as Busch Gardens Unveils a first look at coaster trains and a POV . April 30, 2022 . Behind The Thrills . en-US . April 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210410210621/https://behindthethrills.com/2018/11/tigris-takes-the-cake-as-busch-gardens-unveils-a-first-look-at-coaster-trains-and-a-pov/ . live.
  12. Web site: Carchidi . Jim . November 14, 2018 . Sesame Street and a coaster cake: Inside the expo hall at IAAPA 2018 (Photos) . April 30, 2022 . Tampa Bay Business Journal . American City Business Journals . August 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220803190605/https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2018/11/14/sesame-street-and-a-coaster-cake-inside-the-expo.html . live.
  13. Web site: Erik . November 29, 2018 . Tigris track arrives at Busch Gardens Tampa . April 30, 2022 . Behind The Thrills . en-US . April 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220430171227/https://behindthethrills.com/2018/11/tigris-track-arrives-at-busch-gardens-tampa/ . live.
  14. Web site: Carter . Ashley . December 3, 2018 . First Look: Track Arrives for Busch Gardens' Tigris Coaster . April 30, 2022 . Bay News 9 . en . December 4, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181204154743/http://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/attractions/2018/12/03/track-arrives-for-busch-gardens--tigris-coaster . live.
  15. Web site: Florida's tallest launch coaster goes vertical at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Photos) (Video) . Brezina-Smith . Veronica . January 22, 2019 . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20210510164334/https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/01/22/inside-look-at-tigris-being-built-at-busch-gardens.html . May 10, 2021 . February 15, 2019 . live.
  16. Web site: Carter . Ashley . February 1, 2019 . Busch Gardens Finishes Installing Track for Tigris . April 29, 2019 . Bay News 9 . en . May 22, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190522104354/https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/attractions/2019/02/01/tigris-busch-gardens-tampa-bay-track-complete . live.
  17. Web site: Carter . Ashley . February 20, 2019 . First Look: Tigris Ride Vehicle Arrives at Busch Gardens . April 30, 2022 . Bay News 9 . en . April 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220430171228/https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/attractions/2019/02/20/first-look--tigris-ride-vehicle-arrives-at-busch-gardens . live.
  18. Web site: Busch Gardens almost ready to launch newest roller coaster, Tigris . Tatham . Chelsea . February 14, 2019 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220803190607/https://www.wtsp.com/article/features/busch-gardens-almost-ready-to-launch-newest-roller-coaster-tigris/67-b68dc992-5bb5-4cb8-b465-9b74958288f3 . August 3, 2022 . February 15, 2019 . live.
  19. Web site: Wayne . Sharon Kennedy . February 14, 2019 . First look: Tigris, Florida's tallest launch coaster, coming to Busch Gardens . https://web.archive.org/web/20190214234550/https://www.tampabay.com/fun/first-look-tigris-floridas-tallest-launch-coaster-coming-to-busch-gardens-20190214/ . February 14, 2019 . February 15, 2019 . . . en-US.
  20. Web site: Busch Gardens unveils Tigris ride car alongside Gwazi rendering, Food & Wine Festival items (Photos) . Brezina-Smith . Veronica . March 4, 2019 . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220803190606/https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/03/04/busch-gardens-unveils-tigris-ride-car-alongside.html . August 3, 2022 . March 6, 2019 . live.
  21. Web site: Mike . March 4, 2019 . Busch Gardens Tampa 60th Anniversary Celebration Kickoff . April 30, 2022 . Coaster101 . en-US . April 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220430171228/https://www.coaster101.com/2019/03/04/busch-gardens-tampa-60th-anniversary-celebration-kickoff/ . live.
  22. Web site: Florida's tallest launch coaster 'Tigris' will open April 19 . Perry . Zack . April 4, 2019 . . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20190407001333/https://www.abcactionnews.com/lifestyle/taste-and-see/floridas-tallest-launch-coaster-tigris-will-open-april-19-at-busch-gardens . April 7, 2019 . April 7, 2019 . live.
  23. Web site: Tigris, Florida's tallest launch roller coaster, opens this month at Busch Gardens . Staff . April 4, 2019 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20190407001333/http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/tigris-florida-s-tallest-launch-roller-coaster-opens-this-month-at-busch-gardens . April 7, 2019 . April 7, 2019 . live.
  24. Web site: Here's how you can ride Busch Gardens' Tigris coaster early . Wynne . Sharon Kennedy . April 16, 2019 . . . en-US . https://web.archive.org/web/20190421023208/https://www.tampabay.com/fun/heres-how-you-can-ride-busch-gardens-tigris-coaster-early-20190416/ . April 21, 2019 . April 21, 2019 . live.
  25. Web site: Busch Gardens' insane triple-launch coaster Tigris just opened . Wolf . Colin . April 16, 2019 . . . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20190420024145/https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2019/04/16/busch-gardens-insane-triple-launch-coaster-tigris-just-opened . April 20, 2019 . April 21, 2019 . live.
  26. Web site: Staff . April 18, 2019 . Preview: Florida's tallest launch roller coaster, Tigris, opens Friday . https://web.archive.org/web/20190421023159/http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/florida-s-tallest-launch-roller-coaster-tigris-opens-friday . April 21, 2019 . April 21, 2019 . . live.
  27. Web site: Daly . Sean . April 19, 2019 . Triple Launch roller coaster Tigris opens for guests at Busch Gardens Tampa on Friday . https://web.archive.org/web/20190421023200/https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-hillsborough/triple-launch-roller-coaster-tigris-opens-for-guests-at-busch-gardens-tampa-on-friday . April 21, 2019 . April 21, 2019 . . en . live.
  28. Web site: First-look of tallest launch coaster in Florida at Busch Gardens . Gross . Lila . February 14, 2019 . . en-US . https://web.archive.org/web/20190215012444/https://www.wfla.com/news/around-town/first-look-of-tallest-launch-coaster-in-florida-at-busch-gardens/1782067702 . February 15, 2019 . February 15, 2019 . live.
  29. Web site: Tigris - Busch Gardens Tampa (Tampa, Florida, USA) . Marden . Duane . . https://web.archive.org/web/20181223121229/https://rcdb.com/16607.htm . December 23, 2018 . December 29, 2018 . live.
  30. Web site: April 26, 2019 . Tigris front seat on-ride 4K POV @60fps Busch Gardens Tampa . May 2, 2022 . CoasterForce . YouTube . May 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220502162744/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpuQPYZysks&ab_channel=CoasterForce . live.
  31. Web site: Busch Gardens reveals plans for Tigris, Florida's tallest launch roller coaster . Wayne . Sharon Kennedy . September 12, 2018 . . . en-US . https://web.archive.org/web/20181229171351/https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/travel/florida/Busch-Gardens-reveals-plans-for-Tigris-Florida-s-tallest-launch-roller-coaster_171692154 . December 29, 2018 . December 29, 2018 . live.
  32. Web site: Bevil . Dewayne . April 18, 2019 . First look: Busch Gardens adds energetic Tigris to roller coaster lineup . https://web.archive.org/web/20201021083247/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/os-et-busch-gardens-tampa-tigris-coaster-20190418-story.html . October 21, 2020 . April 30, 2022 . Orlando Sentinel . Tribune Publishing.
  33. Web site: MacDonald . Brady . March 1, 2019 . Is Busch Gardens Tampa Florida's coaster capital? . April 30, 2022 . Blooloop . en-GB . January 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220124181131/https://blooloop.com/theme-park/in-depth/tigris-busch-gardens-tampa/ . live.
  34. Web site: Mike . February 22, 2019 . Tigris Construction Tour at Busch Gardens Tampa . April 29, 2022 . Coaster101 . en-US . May 25, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200525005927/https://www.coaster101.com/2019/02/22/tigris-construction-tour-at-busch-gardens-tampa/ . live.
  35. Web site: Marden . Duane . II - Sky Rocket - Premier Rides (Baltimore, Maryland, United States) . April 30, 2022 . Roller Coaster DataBase . April 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220430191113/https://rcdb.com/12598.htm . live.
  36. Web site: Bevil . Dewayne . February 13, 2019 . Tigris roller coaster takes shape at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay . https://web.archive.org/web/20190215013104/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-et-busch-gardens-tigris-coaster-construction-20190214-story.html . February 15, 2019 . February 15, 2019 . . . en-US.
  37. Web site: Figueroa IV . Daniel . April 18, 2019 . We rode Tigris, the new Busch Gardens coaster. This is what it's like . https://web.archive.org/web/20190418210642/https://www.tampabay.com/theme-parks/we-rode-tigris-the-new-busch-gardens-coaster-this-is-what-its-like-20190418/ . April 18, 2019 . April 28, 2022 . Tampa Bay Times . Times Publishing Company.
  38. Web site: Coomes . Haley . May 31, 2019 . Busch Gardens' Tigris: Florida's tallest launch coaster earns its stripes . April 28, 2022 . WKMG-TV . en . April 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220428175648/https://www.clickorlando.com/theme-parks/2019/05/31/busch-gardens-tigris-floridas-tallest-launch-coaster-earns-its-stripes/ . live.
  39. Web site: Stilwell . Andrew . November 19, 2020 . From Tame To Thrilling: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay . April 28, 2022 . Coaster101 . April 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220430171436/https://www.coaster101.com/2020/11/19/from-tame-to-thrilling-busch-gardens-tampa-bay/ . live.