Phoenix Rising review (after riding the new coaster seven times) at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Phoenix Rising is officially open at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, bringing suspended roller coaster fun for the entire family. Here are some tips, behind-the-scenes stories, and our review of the ride.
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Phoenix Rising, Busch Gardens’ new coaster, now open
Phoenix Rising opens today, July 21, 2024, to all guests. In the days leading up to the grand opening of this new attraction, passholders and media rode this new roller coaster.
On Phoenix Rising, guests ride on the wings of the legendary phoenix aboard North America’s tallest and longest inverted family coaster. Phoenix Rising is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s 10th roller coaster. It also makes the theme park’s first roller coaster to feature onboard audio and lighting.
Stewart Clark, park president of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, said the park was excited to unveil Phoenix Rising. “With a height requirement of just 42 inches, it’s an adventure the whole family can enjoy together,” Clark remarked.
Aboard Phoenix Rising, riders are immersed in an exciting, family-friendly adventure soaring above Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Serengeti Plain and through twists and turns above the skies of Pantopia. Inspired by the mythical creature of the phoenix, this suspended roller coaster offers surprises and speeds reaching 44 mph.
Phoenix Rising POV video
‘All theme parks have major delays‘
As the John Hammond character says in the original “Jurassic Park” movie, “All theme parks have major delays. When they opened Disneyland in 1956, nothing worked!” (We know, we know; Disneyland opened in ’55.)
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay did experience some delays opening Phoenix Rising from its originally announced debut. Still, unlike in the fictional Jurassic Park, the phoenix or any real animals at Busch Gardens will not eat you if a ride breaks down. In fairness, these types of delays have become very common in the highly competitive world of theme parks in central Florida.
In terms of day-to-day delays, guests should plan for a common issue with outdoor roller coasters: If bad weather rolls in, the attraction will stop operating. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay cannot control the weather, so these things must be expected.
Phoenix Rising makes coaster #10 at Busch Gardens
Phoenix Rising is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s 10th roller coaster and the most significant family-friendly addition to the Pantopia area of the park. This suspended roller coaster allows ride vehicles to swing side to side as the train races along the track above the Serengeti Plain, providing the intended feel and theme of riding on a mythical phoenix while also providing unique views of the park.
Phoenix Rising will do more than rise from the ashes like the mythical creatures that inspired this attraction; it provides a middle ground for coaster enthusiasts. This attraction, deemed a “family coaster,” offers thrills but not to the extreme level of some of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s attractions, like Montu or Kumba.
“Phoenix Rising will be an extraordinary journey for our seasoned coaster enthusiasts and younger thrill-seekers alike,” said Clark. “Joining a comprehensive coaster collection, this new attraction reinforces our commitment to provide guests with new, immersive, and one-of-a-kind experiences.”
Riding Phoenix Rising seven times
During media and passholder previews, we rode Phoenix Rising seven times. We found ourselves surprised by the number of thrills with this roller coaster. Sure, in terms of thrills, it cannot compete with the bigger, faster coasters at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Still, as advertised, we think this coaster will entertain the entire family — if they are at least 42 inches tall, of course.
The suspended aspect of this roller coaster enhances the ride experience. We appreciated the views this coaster allows riders, especially when the ride vehicle swings out when changing direction.
Based on our ride experiences on Phoenix Rising, we can easily recommend this attraction as an upgrade to a day at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. People of all ages can experience this together. Though many of us desire the tallest, fastest, most thrilling attraction, theme parks need to be more than that. Phoenix Rising accomplishes this goal.
Being a family-style coaster, this ride may be shorter in length than some would desire. Nevertheless, most coaster enthusiasts who have ridden it numerous times did not appear to mind the track length of 1,831 feet.
Behind-the-scenes interview
We spoke with Andrew Schaffer, corporate director of project management for United Parks & Resorts, about how Phoenix Rising got its name and other tidbits. Watch our full interview:
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