Montu is a steel inverted roller coaster located in the Egypt section of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida. Designed by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard and opened on May 16, 1996, it towers 150 feet tall and sends riders hurtling through seven inversions at 60 mph across nearly 4,000 feet of track — all while their legs dangle freely beneath open-air cars suspended below the rail.
Named after the ancient Egyptian hawk-headed god of war, Montu was the world’s tallest and fastest inverted coaster when it debuted, and the first inverted coaster ever to feature seven inversions or an Immelmann loop. Whether you’re planning your first ride or just want the stats, height requirement, and layout before you get in line, here’s everything you need to know.
Quick Answer
Montu is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s B&M inverted coaster in the park’s Egypt section: 150 feet tall, 60 mph, 3,983 feet of track, and seven inversions in about three minutes. Riders must be at least 54 inches tall, and there’s no floor beneath your feet — you ride with legs hanging free the entire time.
Stats at a Glance
Park: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tampa, Florida. Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M). Designer: Werner Stengel. Opened: May 16, 1996. Height: 150 ft (46 m). First drop: 128 ft. Top speed: 60 mph (97 km/h). Length: 3,983 ft (1,214 m). Inversions: 7. Max G-force: 3.8. Ride duration: about 3 minutes.
Trains: 3 trains, 8 cars each, 4 riders per row, 32 riders per train, for a stated hourly capacity around 1,710 riders. Minimum height: 54 inches (137 cm).
The Ride Experience
Riders board trains with cars suspended beneath the track — there’s no floor, so your feet dangle free from the moment the over-the-shoulder restraint locks into place. After cresting the lift hill, the train plunges down a 128-foot first drop and accelerates into a relentless sequence of inversions: two vertical loops, an Immelmann loop, a zero-g roll, a batwing, and a corkscrew.
The batwing — a signature element on B&M inverted designs — snaps riders through two consecutive inversions in rapid succession, generating up to 3.8 Gs. The immersive Egypt-themed environment adds to the intensity, with the track weaving around towering obelisks, stone archways, and buried temple ruins throughout the layout.
Height Requirement and Who Can Ride
Montu’s minimum height requirement is 54 inches (137 cm). Because riders’ legs hang completely free with only a rigid over-the-shoulder harness for restraint, this is one of the more physically demanding coasters in the park — guests should be comfortable with sustained inversions, hard positive and negative g-forces, and a lack of lap or leg support.
As with any high-intensity inverted coaster, Busch Gardens posts standard health advisories for guests who are pregnant or have heart, back, or neck conditions. Check the posted signage at the ride entrance or ask a team member if you have any health concerns before riding.
Where Montu Is Located at Busch Gardens Tampa
Montu sits in the park’s Egypt section, one of the most heavily themed areas of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The queue winds through a recreated Egyptian temple complex, complete with hieroglyph-covered walls, stone archways, and excavation-site set dressing that builds anticipation before the lift hill.
Cobra’s Curse, the park’s spinning coaster themed around a giant snake statue, sits directly across from Montu in the same section, and the Egypt area connects easily to Cheetah Hunt and the rest of the park’s central pathways — making it simple to pair Montu with nearby attractions during a visit.
A Record-Setter With Staying Power
When Montu opened in 1996 it held the dual titles of tallest and fastest inverted coaster in the world, and it introduced two firsts for the invert format: seven inversions in a single layout and the Immelmann loop element. Sister park Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Alpengeist surpassed it on height and speed less than a year later, but Montu’s unusually long track and dense inversion count have kept its reputation intact.
Montu has repeatedly placed among the top-ranked steel and inverted coasters in Amusement Today’s annual Golden Ticket Awards polling over the years, and it remains a consistent favorite in enthusiast rankings nearly three decades after opening — a rare feat for a coaster of its era still running its original layout.
Montu vs. Other B&M Inverted Coasters
Montu belongs to B&M’s inverted coaster family, the same lineage that includes Alpengeist (Busch Gardens Williamsburg), Raptor (Cedar Point), Banshee (Kings Island), and Afterburn (Carowinds). What sets Montu apart within that group is sheer volume: at 3,983 feet, it’s one of the longest inverted layouts B&M ever built, and its seven-inversion count is tied for the most on any inverted coaster.
Where Alpengeist wins on raw height and speed, and Banshee and Afterburn lean into inversion-dense but shorter layouts, Montu combines a long, sustained ride time with back-to-back airtime and inversion moments — giving it one of the most complete inverted-coaster experiences still operating in North America.
Tips for Riding Montu
Front row delivers the clearest views of the drop and the Egypt theming below; back row amplifies the whip through the loops and corkscrew, especially on the batwing. Loose articles aren’t permitted in the restraints — bring only what fits securely in a zippered pocket, or plan to store bags and phones before boarding.
Montu can produce a rough, jolting sensation for some riders during the closing corkscrew compared to newer B&M inverts, so first-timers sensitive to abrupt transitions may want to start with a middle-train seat. The ride currently loads through a single standard queue rather than a dedicated single-rider line, so check posted signage at the entrance for the latest queue options.
Planning Your Visit
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay sells admission through several tiers — single-day tickets, multi-day and Fun Card options, and annual passes — and operating hours shift seasonally throughout the year, typically opening around mid-morning with closing times that vary by day and season. For current park hours, ticket pricing, and any seasonal event schedules, check the official Busch Gardens Tampa Bay hours calendar and the official Busch Gardens Tampa Bay site before you go, since both change throughout the year.
Free courtesy pouches are typically available near the Montu entrance for small personal items, while pay lockers are located nearby for bags and anything else that can’t ride with you. Arriving early or riding during the first hour the park is open is generally the best way to minimize wait times on Montu.
Montu roller coaster FAQs
What type of roller coaster is Montu?
Montu is a steel inverted coaster built by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M). Riders sit in open-air cars that hang beneath the track with their legs free, which amplifies the sensation of every inversion. It opened at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on May 16, 1996.
How many inversions does Montu have?
Montu has seven inversions: two vertical loops, an Immelmann loop, a zero-g roll, a batwing (which passes through two inversions in sequence), and a corkscrew. When it opened in 1996, it was the first inverted coaster anywhere to feature seven inversions.
How tall do you have to be to ride Montu?
The minimum height requirement to ride Montu is 54 inches (137 cm). There is no maximum height listed, but riders must fit securely within the over-the-shoulder restraint.
Where is Montu located at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?
Montu is located in the Egypt section of the park, directly across from Cobra’s Curse and close to Cheetah Hunt. The queue is themed to a recreated Egyptian temple complex.
How does Montu compare to other inverted coasters?
Montu was the world’s tallest and fastest inverted coaster when it debuted in 1996. It has since conceded those individual records to Alpengeist at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, but its 3,983-foot layout and seven inversions give it one of the longest and most complete inversion sequences of any inverted coaster still operating in North America.
Is Montu a rough or scary ride?
Montu delivers strong, sustained forces (up to 3.8 Gs) with legs dangling free through every inversion, which makes it feel more intense than many newer coasters. Most riders find the ride smooth for a B&M design, though some feel a jolt during the closing corkscrew.
Does Montu have a single rider line?
Montu does not currently offer a dedicated single-rider queue — all guests load through the main themed line. Check posted signage at the ride entrance, since queue options can change.
What should I know before riding Montu?
Loose articles like phones, keys, and bags aren’t allowed in the restraints. Free courtesy pouches for small items are typically available near the entrance, and pay lockers nearby can hold larger belongings while you ride.
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