Tigris - BGT History - Busch Gardens Tampa History

Tigris is one of Busch Gardens’ newest roller coasters, opening in the Stanleyville section of the park in Spring 2019.

Fast Facts:

Official Open Date: April 19, 2019
Location: Stanleyville
Replaced: Tanganyika Tidal Wave

History

The park released its first official construction update video on October 31, 2018, as part of a short series called Tracking Tigris.

As part of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo in Orlando, the park released a computer-generated video showing what the ride experience would look like on Tigris on November 13, 2018.

The park shared several images of track pieces arriving for Tigris on November 29, 2018.

The first track section was installed on December 3.

A second webisode of the Tracking Tigris series was released on December 28, 2018.

A few more images from the construction site were shared by the park on January 8, 2019.

Most of the supports and track segments for Tigris were installed outside of park hours, meaning overnight construction. The park shared a few images on January 16, 2019, of recent progress made on the third shift.

Another shot was shared by the park on the evening of January 28.

February began with the completion of trackwork in the overnight hours, with the park sharing images of the progress later that morning.

The third installment of Tracking Tigris was released on February 12, 2019.

Several days later on February 18, the park shared a short video of a “special delivery” for Tigris – one of the cars wrapped in plastic.

Two days later on February 20, the park shared images showing a close-up of one of the cars, and the first to be lifted onto the track.

By the middle of March, testing had begun on Tigris. The park shared an image of the testing on March 18.

On March 29, 2019, the park teased the testing in a short video released through its social media channels. While the focus of the post was sharing an offer for free admission for guests whose birthday fell on April Fools Day, Tigris running in the background was certainly noticeable in this tongue-in-cheek promotion.

On the morning of April 4, 2019, the park announced through its social media channels that Tigris would officially open on April 19, just in time for Easter weekend. On April 15, the park announced a “soft opening” for the following two days, April 16 & 17. During those times while Tigris was open, annual pass members could use the Quick Queue line, while all other guests could use the regular standby line. The “soft open” wrapped up at 4 p.m. on the 17th in preparation for the media day on April 18.

Tigris officially opened to park guests following a short ribbon-cutting ceremony just after 10 a.m. on April 19, 2019. Four members of the park’s leadership team helped do the honors. From left to right: Mike Penzato, Vice President of Park Operations; Stewart Clark, Park President; Andrew Schaffer, Director of Design & Engineering and Project Manager for Tigris; and Erick Elliot, Vice President of Engineering & General Services.

The park’s final installment of Tracking Tigris was posted on April 20.

A look at Tigris from the front seat in a point-of-view video released by the park:

The first two weekends in May 2019, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. each Saturday and Sunday, annual pass members received exclusive ride time on Tigris, along with a free reusable shopping bag from the new Tigris Gifts. SheiKra and Stanley Falls were also scheduled to operate during the event, with SheiKra Eats and a nearby snack cart open for food & beverage purchases.

Tigris took the number three spot in USA Today’s 10Best list for Best New Amusement Park Attraction in 2019.

Near the end of 2020, Tigris reached the 100,000 full-cycle launch mark. The park shared the news through its social media accounts on December 2.

Additional details and images on Tigris will be added in the future.

Sources:

Last update: January 15, 2023