Kumba, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s roaring steel legend, is entering its final months of operation. After 33 years as one of Florida’s most influential roller coasters, the Bolliger and Mabillard classic will close permanently on Sunday, August 2, 2026, making way for a reimagined successor called Kumba’s Revenge.
Since opening on April 21, 1993, Kumba has stood as a benchmark for steel coaster design: it introduced the world’s first interlocking corkscrews, held the record for the tallest vertical loop on Earth, and simultaneously claimed the titles of Florida’s tallest, fastest, and longest coaster. Here’s everything to know about Kumba’s stats, ride experience, and how to catch a final ride before it roars for the last time.
Quick Answer
Kumba’s last day of operation is Sunday, August 2, 2026, closing after 33 years at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Busch Gardens has confirmed a successor called Kumba’s Revenge as part of a $100 million park investment, though ride details and an opening date have not been released. Until then, Kumba keeps running its full lineup of seven inversions, including its record-setting 114-foot vertical loop, in the Congo section of the park.
Kumba Is Closing: What to Know
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced in mid-July 2026 that Kumba will permanently close on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Annual Pass Members get one final exclusive window to ride the day before, from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, before the coaster opens to all guests for its last day.
Park president Jon Vigue said Kumba “has inspired generations of thrill-seekers and earned its place as one of the world’s most iconic roller coasters,” framing the retirement as part of a broader $100 million investment in new attractions and park enhancements. Busch Gardens has confirmed the coaster’s spirit will continue through a new attraction called Kumba’s Revenge, but has not released technical specifications, a construction timeline, or an opening date. Fans and enthusiast forums have floated later-decade opening estimates, but nothing beyond the name and investment context is official yet.
For the latest updates as more details emerge, the official Kumba page on buschgardens.com is the best source to bookmark.
Stats at a Glance
Park: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL. Manufacturer: Bolliger and Mabillard. Opened: April 21, 1993. Closes: August 2, 2026. Height: 143 ft (44 m). Drop: 135 ft (41 m). Top Speed: 60 mph (97 km/h). Length: 3,978 ft (1,212 m). Inversions: 7. Minimum Height to Ride: 54 inches.
The Ride Experience
From the moment riders crest the chain lift hill, Kumba delivers a relentless sequence of elements: a 114-foot vertical loop that encircles the lift structure itself, a sweeping dive loop, a weightless zero-G roll, a cobra roll, and the signature interlocking corkscrews that Kumba pioneered when it debuted in 1993. G-forces peak at 3.8, and the full circuit lasts just under three minutes with almost no time to recover between hits.
Kumba’s trains seat 32 riders across eight cars, four abreast per row. Open-shoulder restraints leave an unobstructed view of each approaching inversion, sharpening the anticipation before every drop and twist. At 60 mph on track that rarely straightens out, the pacing remains relentless from first drop to final brake run.
Height Requirement and Rider Restrictions
Riders must be at least 54 inches tall to ride Kumba. Because of the ride’s open-shoulder restraints and inversions, guests must be able to grasp and hold the lap bar, sit upright independently, and withstand sudden, forceful movements; guests with hard casts or similar rigid medical devices are not permitted to ride.
Guests using manual or electric wheelchairs who want to ride should check in with a Park Ambassador at Kumba’s entrance for boarding assistance.
Records and Legacy
When Kumba debuted in April 1993, it simultaneously claimed Florida’s tallest, fastest, and longest coaster titles, a rare triple distinction earned in a single season. Its 114-foot vertical loop was also the tallest in the world until Dragon Khan opened in Spain in 1995. The interlocking corkscrew configuration Kumba introduced has since become a recognizable hallmark of Bolliger and Mabillard coaster design worldwide.
More than three decades after its debut, Kumba remains the park’s oldest continuously operating coaster right up to its retirement. Its closing marks the end of an era for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and for Florida coaster history, but its influence on modern B&M looping coasters will outlast the physical ride.
Planning Your Final Rides
Kumba remains open to all Busch Gardens Tampa Bay guests through Sunday, August 2, 2026, with Annual Pass Members getting an exclusive early window from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 1. Park hours vary by day and season, so check the official park hours calendar before you go.
Admission is sold in tiers: single-day tickets, multi-day and multi-park passes, and annual Fun Card memberships that include unlimited visits, with optional add-ons like Quick Queue line-skipping and all-day dining plans. Prices and promotions change frequently, so buy directly through the official Busch Gardens Tampa Bay tickets page for current rates. Kumba is located in the Congo section of the park; arriving early or using a line-skip option is the safest way to guarantee a ride during its final weeks, when crowds are expected to build ahead of the closing date.
Kumba roller coaster closing FAQs
When is Kumba closing?
Kumba’s final day of regular operation is Sunday, August 2, 2026, after more than 33 years at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Annual Pass Members get an exclusive final ride window from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 1.
What is replacing Kumba?
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced a successor called Kumba’s Revenge as part of a $100 million investment in new attractions, but has not released ride specifications, a construction timeline, or an opening date.
What does the name Kumba mean?
Kumba means ‘roar’ in Kikongo, a Central African language. The name fits the Congo-themed section of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay where the coaster is located.
How many inversions does Kumba have?
Kumba has seven inversions: a 114-foot vertical loop, a dive loop, a zero-G roll, a cobra roll, and interlocking corkscrews.
What is the height requirement to ride Kumba?
Riders must be at least 54 inches tall. Guests with hard casts cannot ride, and riders must be able to grip the lap bar and sit upright independently due to the open-shoulder restraints and inversions.
What records did Kumba hold when it opened?
When Kumba opened in 1993, it was Florida’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster. It also held the world record for tallest vertical loop at 114 feet until Dragon Khan surpassed it in 1995.
Can I still ride Kumba before it closes?
Yes. Kumba operates normally for all guests through August 2, 2026. Given the closing announcement, expect longer waits in its final weeks, so arriving early or using a line-skip pass is recommended.
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