Theme park to close 'legendary' ride with 'world’s tallest vertical loop' forever - after three decades of thrills

Theme park to close 'legendary' ride with 'world’s tallest vertical loop' forever - after three decades of thrills A Florida based theme park has shut a 'legendary' once record-breaking ride after three decades as part of a $100 million investment scheme to revamp the destination An iconic theme park ride has closed forever after thrilling visitors for three decades. Kumba, a once record-breaking roller coaster in Florida stopped taking passengers on board on August 2. The Busch Gardens Tampa Bay ride first opened as a side attraction to the then-new Busch Brewery location. At the time of opening in 1993 Kumba featured the world’s tallest vertical loop at 114 feet. It was also the tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster in Florida. These records have since been broken. The ride also had a 135-foot drop, a dive loop, a zero-g roll, a cobra roll, and a pair of interlocking corkscrews and put the theme park on the map for thrill seekers, competing with Disney and Universal. The ride was met by fans immediately, but became less of a draw to the park as more advanced roller coasters were built. Earlier this year Busch announced that the roller coaster would be closing shortly after its 33rd birthday. Busch Gardens paid tribute to the ride on social media, writing: “Debuting in 1993, Kumba set a new standard for thrill rides! It was Florida’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster when it opened, and it featured the world’s tallest vertical loop. "From its 7 exhilarating inversions to its iconic roar sound, Kumba has left its mark on Busch Gardens and will be remembered as an icon of the park.” The statement added that a sequel roller coaster is set to open following the ride's closure. The statement continued: “As part of our evolution and commitment to delivering innovative attractions, we are happy to announce Kumba’s Revenge! This new attraction is a part of our $100 million investment that will elevate Busch Gardens as Florida’s thrill leader and enhance our guest experience. "Kumba’s Revenge is an extension of an already legendary coaster, and it will allow its spirit to live on as we enter a new era of thrills.” Further details about the new attraction are yet to be revealed.