The next few years are going to be very exciting for theme park fans in Central Florida, with Walt Disney World opening almost two dozen new attractions before 2021, and several major projects in the works at Universal Orlando Resort (including a brand new theme park!).
However, the aforementioned two theme park heavyweights aren’t the only players in the central Florida game, as both SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa have announced two new thrilling attractions that will be coming next year that are going to break some very exciting records!
1. Introducing Icebreaker, a quadruple launch coaster coming next year to SeaWorld Orlando
Image: SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando has announced a brand new launch coaster for its Wild Arctic area of the park named Icebreaker. On this attraction guests will blast through four different launches, both backwards and forwards, culminating in a reverse launch into the steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida — a 93-foot tall spike with 100-degree angle.
In addition to the thrilling elements of this roller coaster, SeaWorld has announced that they have partnered with Alaska SeaLife Center, who will be developing an educational aspect of this attraction. Primarily dedicated to marine research, education and wildlife response, the Alaska SeaLife Center mission matches closely to SeaWorld Orlando’s, making them a perfect partner to help educate riders about the Artic and its inhabitants.
Image: SeaWorld Orlando
Though we’re excited about the thrilling elements of this attraction (which will reach 52 MPH and last 90 seconds), SeaWorld has announced that this new ride will have a relatively low 48 inch height restriction, which should help Icebreaker appeal to the family-friendly crowd, as well as coaster enthusiasts.
2. Iron Gwazi reimagines a classic ride for a new era
Image; Busch Gardens TampaThough Gwazi has been closed for several years now, Busch Gardens Tampa announced that this classic attraction will be reimagined as Iron Gwazi in 2020. While elements of the former wooden attraction will be integrated into the new ride (only about a quarter of the old attraction remains), Iron Gwazi will have a reimagined layout and steel track that will tell a different story and provide a completely new experience that, when finished, will make this attraction North America’s tallest, and the world’s fastest, and steepest hybrid roller coaster.
At 206 feet tall, Iron Gwazi will feature a 91-degree drop, and reach top speeds of 76 miles per hour. The journey will include three inversions and 12 airtime hills as this new roller coaster races along more than 4,075 feet of purple steel track. And like Icebreaker at SeaWorld Orlando, Iron Gwazi will have a 48 inch height requirement, making this another family-friendly thrill ride at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Image: Busch Gardens Tampa
The theme of the attraction will also be changing to the Crocodile, as reflected in the highly-themed roller coaster trains you can see above.
Though no specific opening date for either of these new roller coasters, both Iron Gwazi as well as Icebreaker are targeting Spring 2020 at their respective parks. Are you excited to experience both of these record-breaking new attractions?
