originally posted on 5/3/2019
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Florida) unleashed Tigris April 17 to annual passholders and officially to the general public on April 19. The Premier Rides production model Skyrocket 2 is a short but thrilling backward-and-forward launched loop coaster. Perhaps to many well-traveled coaster enthusiasts a familiar feline, but for those from this part of the southeast, she’s a tiger with fresh stripes!
Tigris is the ninth version of the Premier Skyrocket 2 production model — the first being Superman: Ultimate Flight at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California, in 2012 — and the third to be opened at a SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment corporate park. Tempesto at Busch Gardens Williamsburg opened in 2015 and Electric Eel at SeaWorld San Diego opened in 2018. Busch is touting Tigris as “Florida’s Tallest Launch Coaster” at 150 feet tall. The coaster experience is unique to this part of the country. The closest Skyrocket 2 is Tempesto at the Virginia park.
Photo: David Fake. View full-sized image.
Photo: Courtesy SeaWorld Parks. View full-sized image.
The new coaster is comfortably nestled in the Stanleyville section of the park on the site of the previous Tanganyika Tidal Wave chutes ride. The entrance path winds through the previous water ride trough and climbs into the station. Tigris happens to be adjacent to the Jungala animal exhibit featuring several species of tigers. The name Tigris comes from the largest species of cat, Panthera tigris. The bright orange looping coils of track complement the stark red drops of nearby SheiKra.
The coaster starts with the linear synchronous motors (LSMs) tugging the single three-car, 18-seat train forward halfway up the 150-foot-tall first twisting loop. Rolling backward, the magnetic fins push the trains just fast enough to stall near the top of the second loop. Falling forward back through the station, the LSMs finally push the train to 62 mph, enough to crest the first loop twisting upright at the top. The back-and-forth rush of the train through the station is a spectacular show for the onlookers about to take their rides!
Photo: David Fake. View full-sized image.
Photo: Courtesy SeaWorld Parks. View full-sized image.
Once at the top of the first loop, the train creeps through a heartline inversion. In this only inverting maneuver on Tigris, riders can feel themselves nearly leaving their seats during the hang time. Coming out of the heartline, the train plunges off the edge of the loop, twisting around downward and then twisting upward to the top of the second loop, upright at the top. After one more twist downward and through the station, the trains are slowed via the LSMs to a stall, then roll backward to a final stop in the station. The track layout is only 863 feet long, but because of the forward and reverse trips, the trains travel 1,800 feet per trip. Tigris packs its thrills into a very small footprint.
Photo: David Fake. View full-sized image.
Photo: Courtesy SeaWorld Parks. View full-sized image.
Tigris is a playful offering which provides a different ride experience with its forward/ backward launch amid Busch Gardens’ growing collection of roller coasters — the count now standing at nine. Some may think of it as an opening act for the future debut of the reborn Gwazi as a Rocky Mountain Construction hybrid behemoth. Until then, Tigris will scratch the itch of Busch Gardens’ guests stalking a new coaster experience.
— Marlon Scott
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