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For more than three decades, the unmistakable roar of Kumba has echoed across Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, a sign that another train of brave riders was about to plunge, loop and barrel-roll its way through one of Florida's most beloved roller coasters. Now, that roar is about to fall silent.
Busch Gardens has announced that Kumba, one of the state's most iconic thrill rides, will permanently close on Sunday, August 2, ending a 33-year run. If you've been meaning to take one last spin—or introduce someone to one of the classics—you've only got a few weeks left.
When Kumba opened in 1993, it wasn't just another roller coaster; it was the roller coaster. The steel giant immediately claimed bragging rights as Florida's tallest, fastest and longest coaster, while also featuring the world's tallest vertical loop at the time. During its nearly three-minute ride, passengers drop 135 feet, hit speeds of 60 miles per hour and make seven inversions, all accompanied by a signature growl that coaster fans can recognize from halfway across the park.
"After 33 years, it's time for Kumba to take its final roar on August 2," Busch Gardens wrote in announcing the retirement, calling the attraction "an icon of the park."
Busch Gardens says Kumba will give way to Kumba's Revenge, a new attraction that's part of a $100 million investment. While details are still under wraps, the park describes the upcoming coaster as "an extension of an already legendary coaster," with more information expected later this year.
The announcement has already sparked plenty of emotion among longtime fans: social media quickly filled with tributes from riders who remember conquering Kumba as kids, celebrating birthdays with a ride or making it a mandatory stop on every Busch Gardens visit. Others are cautiously optimistic, hoping Kumba's successor can live up to the legacy of one of the most celebrated coasters ever built.
Kumba's retirement also follows another recent farewell at Busch Gardens. Last year, the park closed the Stanley Falls Flume, one of its original opening-day attractions, after 52 years of soaking generations of visitors.
For Florida theme park fans, it's the end of an era—but not quite yet. Until August 2, Kumba is still roaring, reminding riders why it became a legend in the first place.