Kumba Review, Busch Gardens Tampa B&M Looping Coaster | Most Important Coaster for Busch Gardens

[@inlinechris]

Kumba is so good it caught me completely off guard. Wasn’t expecting that intense of a ride. Blew me away. One of my favorite coasters ever.

[@CanobieCoaster]

One of the best rides for intensity.

[@MountainDrewfl]

This is one of my favorite coasters of all time. The first time I ever rode it was in the back row, in the evening. Needless to say, I became an instant fan. Whoever designed this drop was an evil genius. While it has no airtime, it tricks you by building up more speed than expected. The loop absolutely melts your face off with g’s. This is without a doubt my favorite loop of all time. Trying to focus on the lift hill in the center while stars are filling my vision never gets old. In my opinion, Montu and Kumba have been Florida’s #1 one-two punch since they were built. Montu’s batwing rips your legs off, and Kumba’s hell roll whips your head off. Old school B&Ms were a different breed

[@CanobieCoaster]

The fact this and Montu exist in the same park is perfect for intensity lovers.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

I love how you give proper respect to Kumba, not only for its importance to the parks, but also for how great of a ride it truly is. The elements don't sound like anything special, when later B&Ms have similar layouts, but Kumba does those elements better. One of the most intense B&Ms ever, and one of my favorites. I also have noticed the shuffling of the train going into the first corkscrew. Knowing it's coming, I can brace for it to avoid headbanging. Every year, I seem to switch Kumba & Montu in my rankings. They're basically tied.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I always prefer Montu, but both are excellent.

[@Trahzy]

Seriously, it's because it absolutely flies through every element. Never stops.

[@bustersales6921]

Most important coaster for BG doesn’t really mean too much, especially considering this was essentially the most important steel coaster ever built post-Magnum. It completely altered the game & forced everyone else to comply. It also was the real true foot in the door that allowed BnM to overtake the steel roller coaster industry, a title they hold to this very day

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'd argue Batman was more important for B&M, but Kumba was still super important.

[@russ4moose]

@@CanobieCoaster I'd agree, but I'm not sure what the title is that B&M supposedly holds "to this day?" The leaders in the steel coaster industry? Maybe, but Intamin has something to say about that.

[@djsugarc1075]

@@russ4moose they have a flawless safety record and are unanimously known in the industry as the gold standard of roller coaster manufacturers. they may not make your favorite rides and they may not be as innovative as other companies but you simply cannot argue their role as the premium firm.

[@russ4moose]

@@djsugarc1075 I have nothing but respect for B&M.

[@bustersales6921]

@@CanobieCoaster but Inverts aren’t even really a thing anymore....

[@russ4moose]

It's just amazing how this coaster still smacks. What a masterpiece...

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@maxhagenauer24]

This is the absolute definition on an old school B&M. It looks to be the best example of one, also the best B&M Sit-down. The ride has a very snappy zero G roll and intense helix. Bu this ride just roars, that roar shows the true power and intensity of these old school B&M machines. Also that color skyme is amongst the best, I don't even think a repaint would make it better, it has tha old feel which is what makes Kumba, and what makes it probably better than Montu for many.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It definitely is the best B&M sit-down.

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

Honestly, I agree. This is the best B&M of the 1990s to be honest. It just has such character and it's so fast paced. I don't know if any other B&M from this era can match the character of Kumba tbh in terms of the way it moves the train. I love the B&M roar as well, but this one takes it to a whole new level. I'm curious on why B&M profiled their track to be very snappy and therefore, making their rides so intense.

[@Holey2662]

I watch u for months now and ur reviews never disappointed me!

[@CanobieCoaster]

You're welcome.

[@ryanfrieman733]

I got on it I 1995. I was a member of ACE back then and everyone wanted to ride it. The day I visited, I got on it 10 times in a row.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@huntzzio]

Finally someone else who finds this coaster awesome and smooth!

[@CanobieCoaster]

A lot of enthusiasts seem to love it.

[@cheffren7011]

Kumba looks incredible. It's always intriguiged me for an unknown reason. That zero g-roll snap looks like the heartline roll on Blue fire on Steroids which already is amazing. I hope they retrack it, it's a classic and they should preserve it especially when it's still this popular. Once I have a job I will go to the USA and ride some of those amazing coasters.

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

If they do the better not do what they did with the hulk

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope they retrack it rather than scrapping it.

[@omarnoble4788]

The zero g roll is the reason to ride it imo. Was a toss up between Kumba's zero g roll and Monty's fur best inversion in the park until IG came along. It's not very popular though. Even on heavy days the line is never long. I'm pretty sure they're going to scrap it if it comes down to it, but for now it's running well and won't be retired for a while.

[@Yo-bt2xb]

@@ThrillsofColdplay what did they do with hulk?

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

@@Yo-bt2xb made the roar almost silent

[@garywillig5143]

I think Kumba was the best roller coaster in the world at the time of its opening. Nothing like it had ever been seen before, and it had several brand-new elements. It was the coaster that proved Arrow Dynamics had fallen far behind in coaster design and that all manufacturers had to do a lot to catch up to B&M. Obviously it's been surpassed in the 3 decades since, but there is a clear divide between steel coasters pre-Kumba and steel coasters post-Kumba.

[@CanobieCoaster]

For steel coasters, you could make the case.

[@russ4moose]

Yes. Very well said. Kumba was a game changer and it still smacks.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

It has been surpassed, but maybe not by any coaster whose main focus is inversions. The only true looper (not counting rides like Steel Vengeance) that I feel can top Kumba today is Montu. I do have Thunderbird ranked ahead of both, but that is also not what I would see as primarily a looping coaster.

[@Posirep]

I just rode this for the first time this week at night. I agree with most if what's said here....especially the roar. You know youre getting close cuz you can hear it. Unfortunately since Montu is still getting its repaint i can judge it with Montu. But several rides on Iron Gwazi was worth missing out on Montu.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wish Montu was open in my most recent visit. It's a shame the repaint was delayed.

[@russ4moose]

Montu is the superior ride, but Kumba is so good still...

[@cameryn4705]

I really like kumba it’s my favorite old school B&M

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@jeremyhealy3169]

Kumba is not only a great ride, It’s also a beautiful coaster. I think it’s the best looking coaster I’ve ever seen. I love zipping through the palm trees, over and under bridges. Landscaping is pristine, the park is so clean. Both the Williamsburg and Tampa Busch Gardens are true American Gems.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a great ride all around.

[@theintamindude]

I constantly go back n forth between this and Montu but for now I'm team Kumba. Can't wait to revisit in 3 weeks!

[@certifiednucci6315]

VERY rare L from you my guy

[@theintamindude]

@@certifiednucci6315 Montu didn't run all that great when I was there in December 2020 but I'll see how it holds up when I eventually re-ride.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love both, but I prefer Montu.

[@jamesmason5576]

I 100 percent agree with this review!! Kumba has always surprised me with how intense it is from start to finish, literally every element! Ive always said Kumba was very underrated and that CRAZY Zero G Roll is the best element on any B&M coaster. I understand why the ride gets a bad rap in someways because it is aggressive and I think thats why I prefer a lot of older B&Ms because of how whippy and snappy they are. It feels like the older rides are trying to rip me apart with G's and I love it!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Glad you like it too.

[@alexlents4689]

This has to be the park’s most iconic coaster! I think even a fair amount of the GP have seen the interlocking corkscrews before!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@sdc5914]

Nothing hits my nostalgia button like kumba. It needs a Re-Track so that it's fans can get back on the horse, and others can see how important it is!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I want it to last.

[@sdc5914]

@@CanobieCoaster I do wonder if it and the hulk might be better with a florless train. What you think?

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

@@sdc5914 Actually, that could possibly ruin them. Floorless trains elevate riders, making them more vulnerable to rattles and headbanging. Floorless coasters have to take these elements more gradually because of this. Floorless trains on Hulk & Kumba would cause brutal headbanging. That's why I love the sit-downs more than floorless, because they can do more snappy, intense maneuvers.

[@sdc5914]

@@OklahomaCoasterFan thanks for the info! I think I can take that theory and understand why stand up conversations to florless work right?

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

@@sdc5914 Stand ups and floorless both have your head at the same elevation, so in theory, that should work. I only rode Firebird (not Apocalypse), and it's terrible, but that seems to be a track problem.

[@gravitydrivenadventures8842]

Kumba has always been very high on my bucket list, those snappy inversions alongside the visually pleasing design of the coaster will always give me a nostalgic feeling from watching roller coaster DVD's back in the early 2000. Unfortunately I still haven't had the chance to travel to Florida. I have however ridden Dragon Khan, and I imagine that the inversions are similarly snappy, I certainly loved the intensity of Dragon Khan, and to be quite frank, I much preferred it to Shambhala, even though I know I am in the minority there. How do you think Dragon Khan and Kuba compare ? Is the snappiness of the elements comparable ? Great review, as always and cheers from Germany

[@upsidedown_]

Many say but I am not sure it's true the floorless B&M at parque warner is even better

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think Dragon Khan is similar. It just doesn't have the landscaping.

[@XpOzgamingx]

I think you're probably right about Kumba getting rebuilt sooner rather than later. I would be interested to see if they would opt for newer B&M trains at the same time, maybe transform into into a floorless? I'm not sure whether they would or not; it doesn't need it.

[@bjtgaming]

I hope they don't because I think it's beautiful just the way it is

[@CanobieCoaster]

As long as Kumba remains just as forceful, I'm fine with any approach.

[@skyeleopard23]

Kumba actually was floorless for a while tho it didn't start out that way, I rode it for the first time in like 9 years last year and it was reverted back to the normal trains but i dont know when they did that. I'd maybe be interested in new lap bars for Kumba, that would be awesome.

[@chrisdeering7341]

Im going to florida in Feb 23, I cannot wait to ride this and Montu again. These rides are awesome !! They better not decide to close it when we are there. I'd literally be heart broken!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Enjoy!

[@Kvphotographyonlinewinterpark]

i LOOOOOOOOOOVE KUMBA sooooo muuuch

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a great ride.

[@627jace627]

Prior to Iron Gwazi, which I'll be riding for the first time in less than 3 weeks, BGT was the rare park with a great coaster lineup but not a consensus number one. I've had 4 different favorites over the years but Kumba has held the top spot for me longer than any of the others.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree the debate for the park's best coaster was more interesting pre-Iron Gwazi.

[@alantrotter2077]

Kumba is by far and away the best B&M Looping coaster (Sit-Down, Floorless, or Dive). And it isn't really close. It still tracks really well as I have visited the park a few times over the past few months. On my last visit it was the only other coaster I rode besides Iron Gwazi. I prefer Montu to it and now I clearly prefer Iron Gwazi, but this is a great #3 coaster for BGT! I agree the back row is the way to go.

[@CanobieCoaster]

This park has a great top 3.

[@Paolo8772]

How does Kumba rank to Dragon Kahn an other B&M sit down coasters? Loved this review!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Kumba has similar power. It doesn't have the same landscaping, but it does have an extra inversion.

[@georgebanik1707]

I chosen Kumba over all coasters at Busch Gardens including new Iron Gwazi. I love Kumba’s design of tracks and atmosphere. I wouldn’t mind to buy Kumba in my backyard once I get millions bucks.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Wow!

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

Kumba is a one-of-a-kind B&M coaster~ I mean B&M doesn't make their coasters like this anymore in the 90s, and people know that older B&Ms are all about the positive G-forces and snappy transitions. Kumba is a good example of that. And think about when this came out, which was in 1993. B&M was only starting out to make coasters, and they came out with those small stand-up coasters at the time, and look at the improvement B&M made with Kumba. This was such a big depature from those stand-up coasters, and B&M did the best they did with this ride, and succeeded. The fact that Kumba has still ran really well after almost 30 years is insane. Busch Gardens took so much good care with Kumba and I think B&M would be proud that one of their first coasters has lasted this long :)

[@CanobieCoaster]

It was a trailblazer.

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

@@CanobieCoaster It was so revolutionary for B&M, and I think it's not only important for Busch Gardens, but also for B&M. I honestly think that out of the older B&Ms from the 90s, Kumba stands out from all of them for me. The fact that it has been around for almost 30 years now and it's still in good condition blows my mind. If B&M came to the park, and seeing this coaster thrive, I can only imagine the pride they must have had in 1993 :D Although, I'm curious on how B&Ms in the 1990s were so intense and so fast-paced. I know the way they profile and design their rides now is nothing like how they did in the 1990s.

[@RockyandTuck]

Best coaster I’ve ever ridden!! 10/10 for sure!!! Even more than Kingda Ka and i305 even!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Wow!

[@RockyandTuck]

@@CanobieCoaster That’s right! This is coming from a Virginia resident with 52 credits! Unless Journey to Atlantis at SeaWorld Orlando doesn’t count

[@upsidedown_]

Would love to ride this icon one day!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hopefully!

[@russ4moose]

Oh you gotta! Montu is their best invert too and at the same park. Cheetah hunt is a good intamin too. Now they have that massive RMC hybrid hyper. Come to Tampa!

[@detroitdiezel7856]

Canobie loves to use the terms "whippy" and "snappy" in his robotic voice to describe just about every coaster.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Sorry about the voice. That's just how I sound.

[@cancercentral9997]

​@@CanobieCoaster Clearly you're a robot lol

[@Lennyg845]

First time seeing one of your videos, great job! Liked and subbed but if you are losing vision on these coasters should you be going on them?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks! It's only temporary and others have the same thing happen.

[@LuizFilipeLucchiari]

It is crazy to think that it is 30 years old!! It looks brand new!!!

[@CanobieCoaster]

This park has been on a repainting spree.

[@bam68]

Rode it 2 weeks ago when The Park was dead empty. It was a great coaster fs.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@GregBatte]

My most ridden coaster. Many local BGT enthusiasts give hate for some reason. The only spot you really need to brace for is that drop into the first corkscrew, other than that, the complaints of a rough ride are way over hyped.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Usually I see this ride praised.

[@Chaogod1233]

Did they fix the ride? Last time I rode it, it was extremely rough and it didn't seem to matter where you sit it felt like you were getting whiplash

[@CanobieCoaster]

I've never found it rough.

[@vinewoodstar]

Uhhhhh! 🤤 This coaster, I want to go on it so bad.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's awesome.

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

I rode this in 2017 my only time and my experience was weird it was so fast and intense I started to not feel the power it was quite overwhelming

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's very forceful.

[@UwePieper]

Nemesis one of the most cycled B&Ms? It's quite old... But Alton Towers is not open in the winter and when it's open it's open for like 4 hours. ;)

[@CanobieCoaster]

True, but it's still one of the oldest ones. And it also has an odd setting that may not help.

[@Trahzy]

Had the honor of this being my first "real" coaster when I was 8. Never been the same since lol.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's a big one to start with.

[@Trahzy]

@@CanobieCoaster yep haha, got me over my fear or riding coasters though. Immediately rode it 3 more times then sheikra and montu after 🤣

[@mitchellries256]

How do you compare this to the other B&M sit down coasters like Dragon Kahn, Incredible Hulk and Wildfire? I personally prefer this over Hulk because I like the layout a little bit more but I've only ridden Hulk once after its refurbishment in 2016 so I may need to try that a few more times before making a definitive decision.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Dragon Khan has similar force, but a less interesting placement. I have reviews on Hulk and Wildfire, but I don't like them as much.

[@strangefathers5710]

Ah this ride... Last time I rode Kumba, when we arrived at the station I discovered my wallet had flown out of my pocket mid ride! I spent the whole day at Busch Gardens unable to purchase anything. I was staying at the old seedy but great gay resort in Orlando, Parliament House, and they were throwing a huge party that night that required you to be 21 and up just to be on the premises... I'll never forget standing in their dimly lit lobby explaining to the unimpressed check in clerk that I lost my ID on a roller coaster, and him being so sure I was making it up to sneak into the party. 10/10 would lose wallet on USA's oldest B&M coaster and grovel to be let into a circuit party again.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's awful you lost your wallet.

[@andrewc1199]

What you said about hearing it outside the park is true; One time I faintly heard it from 1.3 miles away at the top of a parking garage at USF.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Falcon’s Fury is even louder when it drops.

[@andrewc1199]

@@CanobieCoaster That thing makes me jump when I'm in the park. I'm like "Does it REALLY have to make that noise every single time???"

[@hoosiercoasterfan2655]

Kumba is by far my favorite B&M coaster I’ve ridden so far, and I also think it’s one of B&Ms most important coasters, because it showed that B&M coasters didn’t need to be gimmicky to be enjoyable, B&M had built the stand ups and the two Inverts, which were both gimmicky for the time. So B&M decided to try just a regular roller coaster, and they knocked it out of the park with this one. I know people will prefer Montu, and for a good reason too, Montu is my favorite invert and is a close second to my favorite B&M, but I just feel like Kumba has an extra bit of aggression that Montu lacks, it feels a little more old school to me. Also some of Montu’s elements are kinda spread out, while Kumba just throws you into the next element without letting up.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Montu for the visuals, seating, and Batwing.

[@diamondbackprodz]

its SO GOOD

[@CanobieCoaster]

Sure is.

[@teddym2808]

I enjoyed Kumba, got repeated rides both front and back, I think the first drop is weak and I find coasters with zero air time a bit weird, BUT, it does what it's designed to do, smash you with positives. Still, I think you'd agree it would be a 10 with 3 things 1) New trains to eliminate any head banging risk 2) Convert first drop to a traditional steep stengel dive with airtime 3) straight steep drop off mid course for airtime. So two great airtime spots, no headbanging risk and still full of positives. Perfect coaster I think. It would hit 10 for me then. Helix is a 9.5 to a 10 for me even though the launches are piss weak (better launches would make it a 10+ lol), that's what I call a perfect multi inversion coaster. I flew to Europe just to ride it after seeing POVs. Kumba is a 9 for me also as it stands cause it has old school B&M cojones positive forces which most of their new stuff lacks. Love your reviews as always and so glad you stick to a formula. It works!

[@CanobieCoaster]

I would love to see this ride get the upgrades you described, but I'm worried when it comes time to retrack it, the park may remove it.

[@teddym2808]

@@CanobieCoaster Hmmm.. I must admit I never waited long for it. Maybe it's not that popular anymore. Well if a Mack multi looper could replace it I'd be happy with that. One of their newer gen like what is going to Thorpe Park with the new elements, but a bit longer. Maybe a single track version of something like what is coming to Epic Universe. That would be a worthy replacement.

[@teddym2808]

@@CanobieCoaster Have you reviewed Helix Mike? Will do a search now as would love to know your thoughts on that. it's in my top 10 WW.

[@MikesHobbyPlanet]

I always forget how good it is until I'm on it

[@CanobieCoaster]

It is very good.

[@chargedonpc9989]

It would have been to cool see what B&M would have built at Busch Gardens Williamsburg if they weren't busy on other projects.

[@CanobieCoaster]

True.

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

I think it's also because B&M weren't as experienced with building coasters at that time, and probably couldn't handle the projects. So Kumba was ultimately chosen.

[@chargedonpc9989]

@@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan yeah

[@mateoalvira3514]

yes, what would you compare Dragon Khan at Port Aventura to Kumba?

[@CanobieCoaster]

The layouts are similar.

[@mackenziefritz8169]

Definitely one of the best B&M coasters I have ridden. Unfortunately since late 2021 it hasn’t been running nearly as well. Some rides could be a bit rougher, and it’s been much more sluggish these past few weeks. My rides in 2016, 2018, and summer 2021 were phenomenal however

[@CanobieCoaster]

I thought my rides this year felt similar to the past.

[@mateoalvira3514]

I was also asking you about the comparisons between Kumba at Busch Gardens Tampa and a similar coaster in Dragon Khan at PortAventura? And in terms of smoothness, pacing and forces between the two, what would you think?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Both are smooth and forceful. I prefer Kumba though.

[@liams2909]

Kumba is the second fav ride @ the park Iron Gwazi is the #1 tho

[@Jakebtw]

Shiekra, Montu and cheetah hunt are way better than that

[@CanobieCoaster]

Kumba is 3 for me.

[@liams2909]

@@CanobieCoaster whats 2 and 1?

[@adaptablerubenvideos3097]

A few months ago I got really close to riding this coaster because we went there on a family vacation although sadly I failed in riding this because my family choose the worst possible date which was Saturday on peak season + 70 dollar season pass offer so before we even got to the park we were already extremely tired and dehydrated before we even got inside the park because there was a 2 hour queue without any shade so the sun just hits you directly just to enter and got extremely unlucky with cheetah hunt with multiple breakdowns leading to having to wait 3 hours just to ride it so 5 hours were gone in just waiting for queues to get on 1 ride. although the good think is that I did manage to get one ride on Iron gwazi and montu. This lead to my familiy coining a nickname which was Bullshit Gardens because of how bad the experience we got was.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's unfortunate.

[@JSInOrbit]

I went on this in Oct 1993 front row right seat for 1 ride, and then Mar 2022 back row left seat! 2 Insane lifetime rides! I fit better in these floored trains and some of the floorless trains I have to ride the double belted seats, so I can't explain why that is but all Overhead restrained b&m trains have that lack of elbow room.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The ones with the vest restraints have more elbow room.

[@jarredpickles9451]

I was shocked by how little I liked Kumba. As pretty and comfortable as the ride is, I much prefer not being beat up on Scorpion than the decently intense, but rough, headbanging machine it is. I much preferred Montu, Cheetah Hunt, Falcon's Fury (while not a roller coaster, it's still a great experience), and, of course, Iron Gwazi. Kumba felt like filler to me.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I have never gotten bad headbanging on this.

[@thequackenscoasterchannel2927]

Kumba is exceptional, but I still think Montu is supreme for B&Ms at BGT. Both are very forceful and smooth.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree Montu is the better of the two.

[@hedgehogcoasters7239]

Pre iron gwazi era, I acted like kumba was my favorite coaster in the park despite my rough ride and my urge not to ride again. Well, cheetah hunt was my surprise #1 (I didn't ride montu, and once again pre iron gwazi) I need to get back to bgt ASAP. Also I still love kumba, but I was pretty short when I last rode it and didn't know how to properly ride a b&m, so maybe now I could enjoy it more

[@CanobieCoaster]

I've always gotten smooth rides on it.

[@mateoalvira3514]

See your video of top 25 roller coasters in Florida (2020) US States Ranked, Canobie Coaster said: Number 11: Kumba at Busch Gardens Tampa. One of the B&M's earliest roller coasters is still one of their most intense. Kumba is a positive G-force machine. Every single inversion on this coaster is incredibly whippy and I found myself starting to greyout at several points along the course. You may be wondering why this coaster isn't any higher, but I did find it to be a bit, uncomfortable, unlike the coasters above it on this list. As a whole Kumba is a pretty smooth ride, but you might hit your head once or twice and the Gs can get a bit uncomfortable.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It has been riding well the past few years.

[@southpuddle]

Kumba: God tier B&M

[@CanobieCoaster]

One of their best!

[@mateoalvira3514]

See your video of top 25 roller coasters in Florida (2020) US States Ranked, Canobie Coaster said: Number 11: Kumba at Busch Gardens Tampa. One of the B&M's earliest roller coasters is still one of their most intense. Kumba is a positive G-force machine. Every single inversion on this coaster is incredibly whippy and I found myself starting to greyout at several points along the course. You may be wondering why this coaster isn't any higher, but I did find it to be a bit, uncomfortable. If I ask you, what happened? A bit, uncomfortable? Canobie Coaster would say... A) Some of my earlier rides and that spot reflected those early thoughts, but I have gotten tolerable rides on it since then so it was easier to appreciate the coaster's intensity and power. B) It is intense, just a bit uncomfortable and hard to marathon.

[@CanobieCoaster]

A

[@AirtimeProductions]

I prefer Montu but this ride puts up a good fight for #1 against Montu

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love both.

[@skyeleopard23]

I absolutely love Kumba tho I do prefer Montu as I absolutely love inverted roller coasters and it's sad we don't have more in Florida after losing the dueling dragons. Coasters like Montu, Kumba and The Incredible Hulk are my favorite types of coasters that are intese with lots of inversions but that don't have insanely crazy drops that I don't like and I wish more coasters like these were being made again instead of the now constant dive, beyond 90, hyper, mega, giga coasters lol cause I look at those coasters and love all the elements aside from the drops. Iron Gwazi looks amazing aside from the drop, crazy high or angled drops always prevent me from trying certain coasters, I rode Sheikra once and I never will again lol I just hate that feeling those types of drops give me but love all the other twisting, turning and looping elements and lots of positive Gs.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like those rides with crazy drops, but I also appreciate a forceful looper.

[@tyler1783]

had some great rides in January. don't get the hate

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@theretrogamingnerd3316]

Do you prefer Koumba over Montu?

[@CanobieCoaster]

No

[@VelocicoasterFanboy]

Very Good!!😄

[@CanobieCoaster]

Glad you like it!

[@officialchase02]

Are you going to be reviewing Sheikra

[@CanobieCoaster]

Not in the immediate future.

[@officialchase02]

@@CanobieCoaster ok

[@PalINdrme-bm9xx]

Excellent ride in regards to the thrill and design, but it rides so rough

[@CanobieCoaster]

I didn't find it rough when I last rode it last year.

[@PalINdrme-bm9xx]

@CanobieCoaster maybe it was the exact train I was on, but I was just there this past Tuesday and it was very rough, but nonetheless an excellent coaster

[@mateoalvira3514]

And do you know a similar sit-down coaster to Kumba? How would you compare that to Kumba, in terms of smoothness, pacing, and forces? The similar sit-down coaster I'm thinking is Dragon Khan at PortAventura.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Kumba.

[@kylebetz9684]

This is my second favorite B&M, and until I ride something like shambhala, OzIris, or Pyrenees, I honestly don’t see that changing anytime soon

[@bustersales6921]

why those ...? The best Beemers are rides like Flying Dino, Tatsu, Montu, Leviathan, Great Bear, and a few of the obscure ones in Asia that some uneducated, d!ngus billionaire splurged mor0n!c amounts of money on

[@kylebetz9684]

@@bustersales6921 I forgot about flying dinosaur, I’ll add that to the list. Every other one you just mentioned I’ve ridden and doesn’t lay a candle other than Leviathan that has a chance

[@CanobieCoaster]

B&M doesn't make them like this anymore.

[@bustersales6921]

@@kylebetz9684 there is nothing that special or outstanding about Pyrenees, nor Oziris. They aren’t up near the best Beemer inverts, no one says that. Oziris is like a smaller, budget version of Banshee, and Pyrenees, while solid, is relatively meh. Definitely not on par with Great Bear, much less Montu. Very weird choices as top-tier BnMs. Shambhala is good, but Leviathan is better, and probably some other hypers as well, even though that model is kind of whack. And Tatsu is absolutely a top tier B&M; it’s behind Flying Dino & Starry Sky Ripper as far as their fliers are concerned, but not by much. It does a lot of the same things, and has a much much cooler setting than FD

[@bustersales6921]

@@kylebetz9684 and no, you haven’t ridden the obscure monsters in east Asia. Those are likely the best BnMs. The monstrous Wingriders like Falcon, Parrot Coaster, and others like Starry Sky Ripper, etc etc. Asia most likely possesses the best B&Ms, they’ve tossed a ton of money at that company over the past 5-10 yrs

[@superpandasama]

It makes me sad when people talk down on Kumba. It's one of my favorite rides. It's old and a little rough, but man does it pack a punch

[@CanobieCoaster]

I really like it.

[@markcornish6393]

Kumba doesn't have a short wait because of it's location in the park. Kumba has a short wait because it's 30 years old, it's rough as hell, and it's slower and less intense than modern coasters. If Iron Gwazi was in the same location of the park that Kumba is, it would still have a long line.

[@CanobieCoaster]

The location is a factor, but I agree the age comes into play too and the fact other rides are more popular now.

[@전예영-z5v]

Hello!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hi

[@mateoalvira3514]

I know a similar coaster to Kumba

[@CanobieCoaster]

Dragon Khan?

[@angusbarclay6281]

I wanted to like this ride more, but it was just so rough

[@CanobieCoaster]

I haven't had that issue.

[@angusbarclay6281]

@@CanobieCoaster maybe it was a bad day. it's such a beautiful coaster and i love the roar, but the only other ride where i had to brace myself this much was Rougarou. head bang central

[@ethanhcomposer]

While the ride is forceful, it's gotten rough. Maybe the ride was just running garbage the weekend I went but my head was almost ripped apart. My ears were red, I had a terrible headache, and couldn't enjoy the rest of my day after that.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I had no trouble last time I rode it in May.

[@ethanhcomposer]

@@CanobieCoaster I'm on the shorter side, 5'4" when I rode. Maybe that could have to do with something. I also rode in row 5, in the middle seats.

[@certifiednucci6315]

I rode this once. Outside of the hell roll it was painfully average and it was rough and uncomfortable. And I dont think my 6’7” wingspan helped. If Diamondback and Steel Vengeance didn’t exist this would be the most overrated ride ever. Im down to give this another chance tho. I rank this below Hulk but above Led Zeppelin but i was only 7 when I rode that one

[@zyuukii]

I agree it’s so average

[@CanobieCoaster]

I've always gotten good rides.

[@jaydenchrist6152]

Incredible Hulk coaster is still better however Kumba is an icon.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Kumba.

[@johnwoolley3239]

when you go down the first drop next time you ride,please say kumbaya.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Usually I am quiet.

[@First-Drop-Studios]

There is no way BGT will keep this. Kumba has one of the shortest lines in the park and if they were to retrack it, no GP would care. Removing this coaster makes an awful lot of sense.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wish it made sense to keep it going longterm.

[@First-Drop-Studios]

@@CanobieCoaster I really think the ride is one of the most important coasters ever built. It deserves more of a crowd but I think it’s too intense for the average person.

[@RetaliationStudios1997]

I looked up the real meaning of Kumba. It means "Black Fruit Tree" in African.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's quite a bit different!

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

@@CanobieCoaster yeah a little weird

[@jtwoolley]

Kumbaya

[@CanobieCoaster]

Lol

[@bazza945]

Nope! I'll ride nothing that leaves my asshole at the starting gate and it's delivered to me by courier the next day! 😩

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's intense.

[@drxym]

I was on it 10 days ago and the experience was horrible. Head smashed side to side the whole time. Extremely unpleasant. Other rides in the park are all pretty smooth. Montu is a better experience.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That sounds much different than my rides last month.

[@Thanson199415]

You’ve must’ve rode in the back or near the middle, but the front is definitely smooth. I ride this coaster every weekend with my annual pass and the front is smooth and enjoyable, it’s a little shaky in the back but it’s still my most sentimental coaster that I love very much.

[@Jakebtw]

This and alpengeist I don’t get why people love. Like they both have great layouts but they are just pure headbangers and it ruins the ride for me

[@Posirep]

Eh. the only headbanging part on Alpengeist is the cobra roll. Haven't experienced head banging on other parts.

[@Jakebtw]

@@Posirep when you go into the mid course and the last corkscrew is terrible also

[@CanobieCoaster]

Both have grown on me.

[@Jakebtw]

@@CanobieCoaster oh ok

[@certifiednucci6315]

I like alpie but not this. Alpie really only got like 1 jerky moment and has a way better layout. Its easily my 2nd favorite invert only behind Montu.

[@thesaucyslurp]

kumba and montu are both super overrated in my humble opinion. road them both a few times in 2021 and was not that impressed, id say i liked montu more though. i personally thought falcons fury made my busch trip. Ki and CP are my homeparks so im just spoiled.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I love both. I always loved Montu and Kumba has grown on me.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

See your video of top 25 roller coasters in Florida, made in 2020, Canobie Coaster said: Number 11: Kumba at Busch Gardens Tampa. One of the earliest B&M roller coasters is still one of their most intense. Kumba is a positive G-force machine. Every single inversion on this coaster is incredibly whippy and I found myself starting to greyout at several points along the course. You may be wondering why this coaster isn't any higher, but I did find it to be a bit...

[@CanobieCoaster]

I did find it a tad uncomfortable in the past.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

What do you think about the zero g roll on Kumba at Busch Gardens Tampa?

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's excellent and whippy.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

See your video of top 25 roller coasters in Florida, made in 2020, Canobie Coaster said: Number 11: Kumba at Busch Gardens Tampa. One of the B&M's earliest roller coasters is still one of their most intense. Kumba is a positive G-force machine. Every single inversion on this coaster is incredibly whippy and I found myself starting to greyout at several points along the course. You may be wondering why this coaster isn't any higher, but I did find it to be a bit, uncomfortable, unlike the coasters above it on this list. As a whole Kumba is a pretty smooth ride, but you might hit your head once or twice and the Gs can get a bit uncomfortable. Did you say "I did find it a bit uncomfortable" when you rode it, between 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023? What do you think?

[@CanobieCoaster]

My recent rides have been comfortable.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

I was asking you if do you think this is the only thing in the world to be named Kumba in RCDB? How many things do you know that are named Kumba? Which ones?

[@CanobieCoaster]

See RCDB.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

I know a B&M sit down looping coaster similar to Kumba, but with eight inversions, and you?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yeah Dragon Khan

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

See in RCDB, but I think this is not the only thing in the world to be called Kumba.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yeah there's another.