Air Grover is a junior roller coaster tucked into the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Opened on March 27, 2010, the ride gives younger guests their first taste of a real roller coaster without the steep drops or inversions found elsewhere in the park.
Built by German manufacturer Zierer using its off-the-shelf Force 190 model, Air Grover sends riders on a short, winding circuit aboard cars styled like Grover’s biplane. It shares its design with a sister ride, Grover’s Alpine Express, which opened a year earlier at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Manufacturer: Zierer (Force 190 model)
- Opened: March 27, 2010
- Height: about 25 feet
- Top speed: about 25 mph
- Length: about 630 feet
- Inversions: 0
- Minimum height: 38 inches
The Ride Experience
Each train on Air Grover carries riders in cars designed to look like the Sesame Street character Grover piloting a small biplane, with the lead car featuring his oversized head on the front. The layout stays low to the ground and close to the station, using gentle curves and dips rather than big drops to build excitement for first-time coaster riders.
At a top speed of around 25 mph and a track length of roughly 630 feet, the ride lasts just long enough to feel like a real coaster experience while staying well within the comfort zone of young children who meet the 38-inch height minimum.
Part of Sesame Street Safari of Fun
Air Grover anchors the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area, a zone built specifically for younger guests and families that also includes smaller rides, a play area, and character meet-and-greets. The coaster’s low intensity and familiar theming make it a common starting point for kids working up to bigger rides elsewhere in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Explore more: Browse more roller coasters.
Park apps, mobile ordering and photos kill a battery by 3 p.m. This one snaps on magnetically, so there's no cable to snag on a restraint.
Ride with your glasses on and keep them. Many parks allow glasses on rides if they're strapped, so check the ride rules first.
Small enough to ride with on most coasters, big enough for a phone, card and keys. Two zippers mean nothing falls out upside down.
Air Grover FAQs
How tall do you have to be to ride Air Grover?
Riders must be at least 38 inches tall to ride Air Grover.
Who manufactured Air Grover?
Air Grover was built by the German manufacturer Zierer, using its Force 190 family coaster model.
Does Air Grover have any loops or inversions?
No, Air Grover has zero inversions. It’s a gentle, ground-level family coaster designed for young riders.
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Photo: Father of JGKlein, used with permission / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.