Iconic coaster to take final ride, and fans say goodbye after decades of thrills

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.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bayrecently 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.

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.

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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.

While Kumba is retiring, Busch Gardens said on Instagram it willreplace the popular attractionwith Kumba’s Revenge, part of a $100 million investment aimed at expanding the park’s lineup of thrill rides.

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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Kumba will permanently close on Aug.2 after 33 years in operation, the venue said. (Alamy Stock Photo)

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The announcement sparked an emotional response fromcoaster enthusiasts, many of whom shared memories of riding Kumba over the years.

“So sad to hear of this,” one Reddit user wrote.“Such a classic, legend and masterpiece.”

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

The nearly three-minute ride takes guests through a 135-foot drop, reaches speeds of 60 mph and features seven inversions.(Alamy Stock Photo)

Others reflected on childhood memories tied to the attraction.

“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 anelementary school field trip.

Many fans also expressed hope that its successor would live up to the original.

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“I just hope that your replacement is worthy of the legendary name,” one user wrote.

The announcement sparked an emotional response from coaster enthusiasts, many of whom shared memories of riding Kumba over the years.(Ann Purcell/Getty Images)

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

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

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Visitors have flooded the park’s social media pages, sharingchildhood memoriesand urging a buyer to step in before the gates close for good.