The Delayed Iron Gwazi: The Story of a New Beast - Florida’s Best Rollercoaster?
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- Join us on part 2 of our Expedition looking at the story & creation of Iron Gwazi, Busch Gardens Tampa's latest roller coaster that could be the best coaster in Florida? Originally scheduled to open in 2020, the latest Rocky Mountain Construction roller coaster is now open!
Take a look at the history of the original ride here - • The Troubled History o...
Visit Busch Gardens at www.buschgardens.com
Join the Expedition
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www.patreon.om/expeditionthemepark
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Credits -
Thank you to Busch Gardens Tampa for inviting us to experience the attraction. Check out the other videos used below.
Sean Flaharty - • Texas Giant POV - Six ...
Justice League Expert - • Video
AmusementInsider - • Iron Gwazi RMC Car Rev...
GuideToSFOT - • Introducing the New Te...
Marion Scott - • Steel Vengeance Cedar ...
In The Loop - • Rocky Mountain Coaster...
Sean Flaharty - • New Texas Giant (Off-r...
Canobie Coaster - • Iron Rattler Off-Ride ...
positiveG - • Twisted Colossus {Six ...
Theme Park Review - • Twisted Cyclone Roller...
Coaster Hipster - • Untamed, Walibi Hollan...
Canobie Coaster - • Joker Off-Ride Footage...
Attractions Magazine - • Gwazi wooden roller co...
Amusement Insider - • Dueling GWAZI (RMC) Bu...
Sean Flaharty - • Miracle Strip Starline...
Behind The Thrills -
Oklahoma Coaster Fan - • Removing a piece of Gw...
Amusement Insider - • Outlaw Run - Silver Do...
Super Enthused - / superenthused
VelociCoaster or Iron Gwazi?
Flying fish
VelociCoaster
I feel the best way to put it is that Iron Gwazi has an overall superior layout, but Velocicoaster is more of a complete package. If they had a wait of 0-30 minutes, I'd probably go for Iron Gwazi, a coaster with a somewhat barren queue. If both of them had, say, 45+ minute waits, I'd rather go on Velocicoaster, which has an excellent queue with Chris Pratt in it.
Velocicoaster. Iron Gwazi probably would have been better if it wasn't for Velocicoaster's layout and overall experience.
Both rides are truly *Untamed*
I’m not gonna lie, that story about the new theme for Iron Gwazi was incredible, give this man an Oscar right now
RMC perfectly shows what you can do with good engineers and enough time to deliver a product up to the highest standards. No compromises on quality are made on RMC coasters, and you can feel it when riding one.
Yeah!
There is no denying that this man is the master of hybrid puns
What?
I remember trying to convince my family to delay our Florida vacation from second week of January 2020 to April so I could ride this beast, them refusing and me staring at the unfinished ride daydreaming about how it could've been my first RMC and what a first RMC credit it would have been. Needless to say I'm happy they refused or else I would have lost the vacation entirely, maybe getting it 5 years later. One of these days I want to get back. This and VelociCoaster look stunning.
Hope you get to ride them soon
@@ExpeditionThemeParkThank you, it would be ideal but I need money for these things. Someday though.
I feel this, last time my family got out to bgt was July 2021, gwazi was completed but not operating, it was torture. It is such a good looking ride.
Holy shit those RMC ride name puns were horrible
Please never stop, I love it
Ahahaha yesssss
I remember in the last couple months before it shut down in 2015 at around Christmas, about 15 minutes before closing time for the park my cousin and I decided to make Gwazi our last stop. There were about 6 people ahead of us, but we wanted our last ride to be in the front seats so we could see the lights of the park at night. We ended up being the last passengers that night in a ride only to ourselves. The park in the evening is really pretty, especially given the holiday lights they had set up. I was always a huge fan of Gwazi, but that being my last ride on the original wooden tracks was definitely one of my favorite experiences on a rollercoaster yet.
I'll never forget that experience. The cool air, the lights and spending it with my family made it an unforgettable experience. Now I can't wait to make more memories with Iron Gwazi!
The amount of puns that have been made relating this ride to other coasters built by RMC is just amazing 👏👏👏
Ahah
Yes love it.
That animated retelling of the Iron Gwazi taking out the OG had me rolling! 🤣 Please do more of those for future videos if you ever get the chance! I loved it! 👍🏻
Another awesome video, honestly can't put into words how accurate, fun and informative your videos are. Just brilliant look forward to the next expedition.
Thank you so much
Both VelociCoaster and Iron Gwazi are intense and incrediable, but if you want an immersive experience than go with VelociCoaster. My issue with Iron Gwazi is the size of the seats, because well it's tight for even average sized adults. I was just at Busch Gardens and saw a few people not allowed on the ride due to their large size
You nailed this video so good man, this was great and as an Orlando resident, takes me back to the original announcement, the tease, the shutdown, the wondering, the anger at SeaWorld parks, and all of the emotion that 3 year wait gave. We thought it would never open, then alas, the announcement that it would be opening in March. It was really emotional, and now.... 63 rides later it's the best coaster I've ever ridden. Velocicoaster is great too, and I have almost double the rides on that than Iron Gwazi, but Iron Gwazi absolutely stole my heart forever. Thank you for this amazing video and flashback and perfect timeline of events and details. You're awesome! Look forward to your next one.
Thanks so much! 63 is impressive
@@ExpeditionThemePark yes thank goodness for pass holder previews that the park had before the lines got too crazy.
Very very here for all the working in of all the other RMC coaster names...Bravo! 👏 👏 👏
Haven't ridden Velocicoaster yet but I have rode on Iron Gwazi several times last April and its the best and most intense coaster I've ever been on. This ride is insane with speed, inversionsm, snappy transitions, tons and tons of ejector airtime, and just blew me away every time I rode it. I couldn't get enough of it!! I cant wait to go back to Busch Gardens!!
My wife worked on this coaster! It is amazing
In all honestly, I would really have wanted to see what would have happened if they retained Gwazi's dueling aspect. Florida currently lacks a coaster with a proper duel (though Epic Universe looks to change that), and I would have liked to see what they would have done with all the preexisting fly-bys and near misses. For instance - imagine a Top Gun stall, except the coasters are running towards each other instead of alongside.
However, such a ride would likely be difficult to maintain, especially if using the original Gwazi dual station, essentially having to build and maintain two separate rides. Plus, "definitive" records are much better than "specific" ones, and only taking the records for hybrids isn't exactly optimal for marketing. It's why Twisted Colossus only uses one station - it saves money since they only have to maintain "one" ride.
I may have said this on another video on your channel but it's a shame and a crime that they tore down Son of Beast at Kings Island that would have been the ultimate RMC!!
Yeah bad timing really!
I just realized, even if Son of Beast was an RMC and kept the same height, it still would be the tallest hybrid in the world, at 218 feet.
IRON GWAZI! The one ride I didn’t get to last time! I need to make the trip back to meet this beast.
Hopping in my car and listening to this on my way to work. I can’t wait to hear your take!
You have to!
love the little video about the tale of how the croc got rid of gwazi
Just rode this 2 days ago. No doubt an insane ride and the best roller coaster I have ever ridden
Better than Steel Vengeance?
@@coastaku1954 YES
@@legendbaon8752 Recency bias
@@MagicalBread no bro, I have ridden Steve many times. The airtime on Gwazi and the pacing are unmatched. I can name multiple things better about Gwazi that Steve. Steve may be longer but Gwazi packs a pucnh
The Gwazi skit at 14:43 killed me 😂
Iron Gwazi Is A Legend 😁
Rode It 142 Times Just Because It's Awesome ☺️
202 Times As Of Today :)
Niceeee that beats my 17 rides ha
@@ExpeditionThemePark RMC Really Made A Great Job :)
Tho I Wished They Would Have Made It A Dueling Hybrid
Really like the references to Twisted cyclone and twisted Colossus I also love the untamed reference! Great Job
Thank you!
The sudden and constant change of direction at a maintained speed looks sensational. I am a traditionalist when it comes to wooden rollercoasters, but I haven't ridden a hybrid yet, and seeing the footage of Iron Gwazi, leaves me very interested in the engineering that gives the coaster it's seemingly ultra smooth transitions, even though at points, the track doesn't even look isometric to the naked eye. It does look a brilliant experience. Well done, Busch Gardens.
You gotta try it!
@@ExpeditionThemePark I would like nothing more to spend time in Florida again. I was only 17 when my family flew over to Disney/Universal then we spent a week over at St.Petersburg and Busch Gardens. It was around 1991/92, and Busch Gardens was still part zoo then. I can't ride the woodies in Blackpool anymore. I need to keep my teeth, and not break any ribs. (47 sounds like he's 80 haha) so the idea of riding a hybrid is very high on my still to do list.
I am a traditional wooden coaster lover and I wasn’t completely sold on hybrids. When my beloved Colossus got the Iron Horse procedure I almost cried. What have they done to my beautiful majestic and regal Colossus. But after looking at it and seeing it from the fwy for a while I said It’s still Colossus with a colorful twisted track. Still massive but differently massive. When I finally rode it for the first time I cried on the lift hill. I was riding with a teenager thst said “don’t worry. We are safe” and I said oh it’s not that it’s just I remeber the classic version and had such fond memories and I am
Sentimental. He said “oh well you’re gonna love this version too! It goes upside down now!”
It’s still my beloved Colossus… with a Twist.
I didn't even notice gwazi sitting closed at the park last time I went pre pandemic, now that I've moved down to orlando I'll have to take a trip to Tampa again to try this out!
Great video Sam. I love how you put the history content of the ride into your videos. It makes it easier for people understand the history of the ride if they haven’t ridden it.
Thank you so much
Fantastic! You tell such amazing stories with your research. Thank you for continuing to put these videos together. I enjoy every one of them.
I'll be going to an ACE event in May for Iron Gwazi night rides. Haven't been so excited to ride a coaster in my life! I rode Velocicoaster last year and love it to death, and can't wait to see how IG stacks up!
Enjoy!!
Ok I'm half way thru but I gotta say you have me tickled with the iron gwazi cartoon! ~Dawn
Oh Dawn you have no idea how long I spent drawing them 😂
@@ExpeditionThemePark so THAT was the hold up on the video. 🤣 well awesome job and couldn't help but smile.. I'm cheesy like that if y'all haven't figured that out! ~Dawn
The reason all SeaWorld Entertainment new for 2020/2021 attractions were delayed two years is because first it was the pandemic, then they were planning on opening it, but then they ran into staffing issues throughout all parks and they still needed to pay off the coasters to the manufacturers before opening them. I am not 100% sure of this, but I heard this from an employee.
And seaworld are only investing in rides in the first place because the public finally relisded that keeping whales and dolphins in capacity is crule and sea world would have been dead in the water thanks to blackish...so they are throwing money at the problem as a final life line .
Those are some scary roller coaster rides. Thank You for sharing.
Yeasss
My son and I rode it twice this weekend. It’s one of the most incredible coasters I’ve ever ridden.
So good right !
AGREED
Honestly, part of the appeal of RMC conversions is just how ramshackle these new coasters actually physically LOOK! Most wooden coasters have a complicated, elegant look…The actual physical look of a lot of the converted tracks seem to look almost unfinished and a bit janky and that actually, at least to me, is a big part of these rides appeal
Yeah I agree!
This has become my favorite ride experience ever or anywhere!
Well done weaving in the names of other RMCs into the script 👏
Thanks aha
Disappointed that it wasn't able to open in 2020, but still very excited to get my first ride on opening day in 2022. Great video as always! I think it is a style of roller coaster that Busch Gardens Tampa has been missing.
Glad you did!
Great work Sam. Love all the RMC references. Also love the way you cut out at the end without actually giving your opinion. Keep up the hard work we all appreciate it.
Thank you
Totaly agree
9:30 Love the use of ROCKY there
Yeasss
I remember waiting years for this thing and the moment I heard that it was going to be a real deal (and then eventually open) I couldn’t have been any happier. And then I remember mentioning that I wanted to come to grand opening, and that was a goal. The goal was matched and it was one to remember hands down. Probably one of the best trips I’ve ever taken hands down. Definitely was great meeting you and all that, hopefully one day I’ll change your mind instead of you changing my mind.
-Dillon
P.S. Thanks for making some amazing videos man keep up the awesome work
There are so many rollercoaster puns in this video..... I LOVE IT!
😂
Finally got to ride Iron Gwazi for the first time yesterday. I just say it was sooooo worth the wait! Anyone thinking about visiting to ride this, do it!!!
Rode it two days ago, best ride I ever stepped on. I stomach was dropping even before the drop but after that holy crap it was good
Even after the new trains, the original Gwazi was just too rough for me. And I'm a huge wooden coaster fan! Glad it got the rebirth it deserved!
Yeah it’s true!
I live in New Jersey and will be in Tampa for just a few days next week to take care of some family stuff (sad stuff, won't get into it). I doubt I'll have time but I am trying anything and everything I can to get to Busch Gardens and ride this thing. 🤞🤞🤞
Love your videos keep up the great work!
Thanks so much!
@@ExpeditionThemePark no problem!
My personal fave hybred woody Iron Gwazi!!! Was there on pass member opening day
Lol that poor dented speaker grill speaks volumes. Best foot forward for such an important event!
I haven't ridden Velocicoaster yet, but Iron Gwazi is my new #1 (dethroning Montu). It's intense, but so smooth, which makes it surprisingly reridable. It was definitely worth the wait and the hype. And it was great meeting you a couple weeks ago at the VIP party at Busch Gardens a couple weeks ago, Sam!
You have a gift for storytelling ❤️🧡💚💙
the puns were amazing this video
My wife and I visited this park on Christmas 2021. Very disappointed that it wasn't running yet at the time. We did get an amazing firework display with Iron Gwazi as the backdrop. Will have to go back some day. Got to go on our first hybrid coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. It was as smooth as butter. One of the best experiences I have ever had on a coaster.
I had been avoiding videos on it until I rode it myself BUT I did notice a thumbnail or something suggest riding in the very back and BOY WAS THAT INTENSE! This coaster was just absolutely phenomenal and I can’t wait to ride it again! I’m glad that I’ve got such a competent coaster park so close to home; it’s actually pretty cool how ambitious Busch Gardens has been with all of its rides over the years.
Brilliant video! So much interesting detail, and you covered it from every angle. I can't wait to ride this beast in a few months!
15:02 This is probably the best roast ever
I'm so glad we live in the same timeline that gave birth to RMC. There's a bunch of crappy things about this timeline, but those RMC coasters are one of the few stars that shine bright. I've rode a bunch of them, and they're all so unique and thrilling, the concept of "best yet" just doesn't do any of them justice.
Yesssss
Love it sounds great..definitely an awsome timeline
As a Tampa resident who’s been going to Busch since I was a kid and ate up any yt roller coaster content when I heard we were getting an rmc I lost my shit, bought a yearly pass so I could watch the construction, and started the painful wait for me to finally get to ride my first coaster converted into my first rmc… that wait was torture
I love this video. I was a kid in the 90's living down there. I remember them building guazi up when I was looking at it from the kid's area(dragon land I think).
i wish you had a tv channel with these docs playing 24/7
15:08 this is eveything I ever needed
Ahhhh I spent so much time on this hahahah
Rmc is honestly my favorite coaster company because they can take a wood coaster that has been sitting for years and is unliked and make it spectacular
The good ole cutting off the decisive answer. That was a good laugh.
Ahaha thanks
Great video!! Just a recommendation but I would love a video about the history of Knoebels. What really makes Knoebels a special park is the small details and it transcribes into the parks history.
I hope to soon!
👍
I was confused for a second wen I saw the video because I could of sworn Expedition already talked about this. _Is it a re-upload?_ Then I remembered this was a continuation of a story.
This is another great video. Very well done.
I’ll go to Busch Gardens Tampa once every 20 years, maybe, and I’m so upset it wasn’t open last year when I went. :(
Hope you get to go again soon!
I've never ridden a RMC before, but this looks super fun! It's on my list of coasters that I have to ride as someone who's a big fan of inversions
It’s very intense and fast and that drop is ridiculous. Highly recommend
@@legendbaon8752 I wanna experience that drop so much. It looks really intense
Awesome video Sam! Looking forward to riding both Iron Gwazi and VelociCoaster. Florida has 2 new world class coasters for us to enjoy. I am happy that BGT is my home park and IOA is only about 2 hrs away so I can enjoy both.
Thank you so much
I love your videos so much! I'd love to see more Cedar Point expeditions, or an Expedition Extinct about Geauga Lake/Six Flags Worlds of Adventure.
Nice... I love to see our local Kentucky Kingdom's RMC Storm Chaser in this video. They are so much fun to ride!
Can't believe I rode this thing. It is INTENSE. Worth the wait
Can’t wait to get over to BG and try this beast out!
You gotta!
I love seeing companies like RMC. They are a genuinely high-quality business, who have been able to focus that on doing something principled: saving classic/historic wooden coasters. Even if they did kill some of the greatest parts of my first-ever roller coaster in the conversion. They saved it nonetheless. : )
You just did a video on Gwazi, now here is another, I cant wait to ride this next week. Hopefully it exceeds my expectations, I'm just happy its finally open.
Man. I cant wait to conquer this beast. Fantastic coverage, Expedition
Well worth the wait! Rode it 35 times over passport to thrills weekend! My fave coaster of all time!
So good!
YES. Was waiting for this
Thanks hope you enjoy
I feel like the battle should be like Iron gwazi versus Steel Vengeance
14:43-15:23 that has got to be the most ridiculous backstory to a ride I have ever seen! Lol!!!!!!!!
once tron life cycle run opens the rivalry will get even bigger especially when it opens
Cool a part 2 ep. So worth the 2 year wait. Keep up the great work
Imagine if there was an Iron Gwazi movie starring Nicolas Cage as the titular crocodile king. It would be an origin story of the croc becoming the new king of the Busch Gardens jungle. When his parents tell him that he needs to use his life-threatening powers to save the world from a dangerous thunder cloud, he and Tigris the Tiger use a modified Rhino Rally vehicle to travel back in time to recruit some ancient warriors, since his friends (the “mascots” of the coasters at the park) don’t trust him with his mission. He and his newly formed team embark on an adventure across the world, finding relics that will help them save the world from a devastating thunder cloud that could threaten all of mankind. Tell me you wouldn’t want that!
Your pun game is on point in this video 👌👌👌
Yeassss
What a great video! I would love to see one on Wildcat and Wildcat's Revenge- RMC redid Hershey's beloved Wildcat and the new hybrid opened this year with a lot of talk about how good it is.
Last I was in Florida about a month ago I had a choice of visiting velocicoaster or iron gwazi .. I choose velocicoaster . But am looking forward to riding iron gwazi
I hope to ride this old gwazi gave me head aches but was so awsome
Omg you have No idea how much I needed this! Mondays are the worst for me between patients and everyone wanting to meet internally on the one day. This video helped to de-stress me!
Ah man hope you have a good day at least
We still need an RMC here in the UK 🇬🇧 as Thorpe park have chosen to go for Mack with their upcoming rollercoaster in a couple of years.
I just got to experience Pantheon during the member preview weekend for it. I can hardly wait to ride Iron Guazi on my planned trip to Florida later this year. I was so disappointed last time I was down there that Guazi was closed. Wooden coasters may be rough but they are still something that I love.
Can’t wait to try Pantheon!
@@ExpeditionThemePark Pantheon certainly has some unusual elements.
Awesome!
I was there first day of Passholder previews, what a rush! I got 2 rides including a night ride due to them honoring those already in line when it went down at the end of the day!
Nice!!
Seriously never thought this thing was EVER gonna reach opening! It seemed almost cursed considering just HOW long they were talking about this!
Happy it has!
Speculation in the coaster community was that Busch Gardens delayed the Iron Gwazi opening until 2022 to combat the excitement of the new RMC being built in GA….ArieForce One opening in Summer 2022. Either way, another great video by Expedition!
I rode this one day before bc we have passes it was so good it’s my new fav coaster
Iron gwazi is not only one of the best coasters in the world, it is also a wonderful tribute to the OG Gwazi. It may be a different, and honestly far superior coaster, but the spirit of the original ride still shines through.
And that is what truly matters. If it’s still your classic Gwazi even after the Iron Horse RMC surgical procedure then it never truly left you. It only has been transformed. The spirit of your classic Gwazi still lives within Iron Gwazi.
Ok, I like puns, but these coaster puns hurt more than Skyrush’s restraints.
Very good video. i never realized the original was a dueling ride. I rode several years ago and I guess it was the open side, and it was terrible, very rough. The new RMC coasters look very cool and I hope to get to Busch Gardens this year to ride! Thanks for the interesting video.
I think iron gwazi was originally gonna be called twisted tiger because in the video animation the track was orange or yellow but I’m glad it’s called iron gwazi! It brings back Nostalgia from the old iconic gwazi😃👍
(This is my last comment on this video, I promise)
I gotta admit Sam, those drawings of Iron Gwazi and the OG Gwazi look like LHUGUENY drew them. Imagine an animated musical featuring them. Or better yet, The Adventures of Iron Gwazi! Tell me you wouldn’t want that!
I got to ride this last month.
Back row, left seat. leave a little space between your lap and the bar for extra bonus.
I'm more curious about a comparison between IG and Steel Vengeance. I haven't ridden IG, but it definitely seems more open and sweeping then SV is, but thats what I love about SV, and just how compact it is
They are very different in terms of feel
I actually went to bush gardens in May I got a good picture of it
I was on the way to Atlanta yesterday and the interstate went right by Carowinds and man their coasters look pretty daunting. I haven’t been since they’ve added all the new coasters the last few years and it’s time I change that.
I need to go soon!