The Troubled History of Gwazi: Abandoned, Yet Reborn in Iron | Expedition Extinct

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

What is your favorite woodie? Check back later this week for part 2!

[@R_M2603]

Colossos: Kampf der Giganten

[@kyogresfunchannel]

I would love to see a documentary of either Kraken or Atlantis and their evolution into what they are or maybe an expedition of Florida’s Mummy and their change.

[@linuslrtz]

@@R_M2603 Ehrenmann

[@linuslrtz]

I say Mammut in Tripsdrill because it’s the only one I rode. But I wanna ride Collossos and than I can choose which one is better

[@trackfactz]

Wickerman

[@stormchaser419]

I think we can all agree that GCI has since upped their roller coasters designs and smoothness since this coaster opened.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Oh yeah 100 percent!

[@jmpayne333]

They still always have one part of the ride that leaves you with some sort of pain.

[@theninthheart4736]

What’re you talking about...? The design & smoothness of this coaster was fine, this was one of their finest achievements.... the issue with this was the Tampa bay weather combined with the wood that they used. It warped rapidly & the park didn’t take that into consideration

[@kumbabgt5067]

@@theninthheart4736 the PTC trains weren't meant for that kind of layout. The quality of the wood wasn't the issue

[@itsme123669]

@@jmpayne333 Have you been on Renegade? I could ride that masterpiece all day, any row. Same with Shivering Timbers.

[@jetblue319]

I use to work on gwazi back in 2003-2005. It was definitely a high maintenance ride. Each side had three trains ,6 cars on each train, 1 ton per car. Two upstairs ,one downstairs being torn apart, clean, lots of grease in those wheels , ( three wheels per corner) inspected of the frame, painted, reassembled. Then crane lifted to maintenance track. Each morning 4am one crew would inspect the 4 trains, the other guys would inspect the brake run, Q line, the motor room for the lift motor. The room under the platform for any air leaks. Once the sun came up it was our morning walk on the tracks for loose boards, handrails, and the big lift gear at the top, we also look for what we called blow outs ( crushed wood under the steel tracks) 7 layers of grade 1 PT wood. Nailed and bolted together. Yet Floating on the uprights. Then, after that , we had to ride the train Each morning before park open. The rest of the day was spend working on the train downstairs and any issues during the day. 20 years in the Airlines, but this was the hardest job I had . Well now I'm about to ride iron gwazi ,once its back in service. Somethings never change.

[@AJ17_]

OG Gwazi was good at first, and totally innovative when it comes to wooden coasters. I loved the dueling elements. But it got so rough over the years. Re-tracking and the Millennium Flyer trains helped a bit, but it was still a teeth-rattler. It got to the point I couldn't ride anymore because it was so rough, it caused me to get really bad migraines. Iron Gwazi though, is a whole 'nother ballgame.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah! Glad it got a new life

[@MrCliffda3rd]

Last I rode Space Mountain at MK, I told myself i'd rather ride OG Gwazi several times then ride it again. It was that bad.

[@ricflair1768]

The wooden Gwazi was the most neck jarring coasters I’ve even been on. It was awesome and you always felt like you’d be thrown right off the ride.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Exactly!

[@gabriellevalentino1954]

I loved iron gwazi when I rode it but the nostalgia of the original is too good

[@JamesonThomas24]

I went on Gwazi for the first time in Dec 2014. First ride-loved it. Got right back in line-hated it . A few days later, they announced it was closing. I was happy. What a roller coaster of emotions

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Good timing to try it!!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Good timing to try it!!

[@Vincenza8907]

One side was better than the other, but it was a rickety mess for the most part.

[@ToriR94]

In middle school (2009), I went on a choir trip for a music festival to perform at Busch Gardens, and then got to spend a day in the park. I'd been many times, but one of my friends had never been on a roller coaster before. Our teacher had the bright idea that Gwazi should be his first coaster ever because it was "less intimidating" than the other attractions. It wasn't the best coaster introduction, I can say that much.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Ahah yes

[@marfikmusic]

Was that "music in the parks"? I went in 2011, the band performed terribly, it rained most of the day, and it was freezing that night. I had an amazing time

[@aaronpederson7910]

I had the same experience. My dad and uncle convinced me to go on it as my first coaster “because it doesn’t even go upside down”. Lol. Every coaster since has been a breeze. I did grow to love the old Gwazi though and made it a point to ride it first whenever we went to “break in” the days events.

[@DocZFlux]

I can’t help but be reminded of Monty Python with this coaster’s theme: “A Tiger?! Here in Africa?!” “It probably escaped from the zoo!”

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Hahaha a classic

[@KuyaMagik]

I was so lucky to ride the OG gwazi.

[@sarah.weaver]

So was I! Both sides!

[@timk987]

It's kind of crazy to think that someone rode Wildcat and was like: yeah, we want that times two!

[@MR_DINOCREATOR]

Had to do a double take when he said that lol

[@gregorystrisovsky]

Right lol that’s my home park and I remember even as a kid when it first opened it was brutal

[@ChloeClements34]

Some coasters are affected by weather/temp. I rode Wildcat a couple of years ago and it was really fast and mostly smooth. I heard the stories and came away really confused how I was not beaten up and it was a real highlight for me when I expected pain.

[@Asshat237]

@@ChloeClements34 any hersheypark experts? Was anything on Wildcat changed to make it smoother?

[@ChloeClements34]

@@Asshat237 i am not a local, just passing through so who knows what happened that day.

[@DisneyMarkUK]

Brilliant Sam, this coaster was just amazing and it’s gonna be even better in its new form. Congratulations on 200,000 subs, your success is so well deserved.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thanks so much Mark

[@jessomint]

Gwazi was my first big coaster. I was so young and small at the time that I physically couldn't keep my head up on the ride, and it scared me off roller coasters for years, but now I love them! I'm going to ride Iron Gwazi in April, and I couldn't be more excited! I loved seeing some of the history of the original ride. Now I'll have something to ramble about while waiting in line to get on it.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Ahah enjoy the ride!!

[@Callum_2613]

Just when I thought I’d ran out of ways to procrastinate doing my essay this gets uploaded, love the videos 👍🏻

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thanks so much! Get that essay done though 😂

[@MrE_]

2 years later.... did you get that essay done yet? Lol

[@lorddrayvon1426]

To anyone who has ever wondered why they're called Anheuser-Busch, the company was created by George Schneider but was nearly bankrupt by the 1850's (yeah, this company is really damn old) but was originally called the Scneider Brewery Corporation. They ran into too much competition only to be saved by Eberhard Anheuser who operated it as then the E. Anheuser Company's Brewing Association. In 1869, Anheuser's son in law Aldolphyus Busch bought it from him and then merged both companies together to form the E. Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association. The company's name is now Anheuser-Busch LLC which is a subsidiary of the enormous Belgian company AB InBev with the AB being Anheuser-Busch and the InBEV being a company they merged with. They also own Budweiser but the whole company is still primarily owned and run by the Busch family.

[@AndrewLong]

A great video to reminisce about riding the original Gwazi after riding Iron Gwazi today for the first time. I am still in awe and cannot believe we have some of the two best coasters right next to each other in Florida.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Hope you enjoyed it!!

[@detroitdiezel7856]

What's the other one?

[@AndrewLong]

@@detroitdiezel7856 velocicoaster!

[@Queenira2]

This was my first "big kid" coaster as a kid. I remember i was so scared in the line I clung to my dad and cried my eyes out and tried to run away. I got on and then got hooked on coasters!

[@Onoitsbroko]

Amazing! I've been waiting on this. Congrats on 200k by the way. One of my favorite youtubers by far! Super underrated.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@Emma-re5th]

Man, you have perfect timing. I needed a new Expedition Theme Park this week! Thanks for another great episode and another smile on my face!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Have a good week!

[@billsskiefc]

Thank you so much for this one, This one hits home, from all the hype with the new rmc and everyone just talking about how bad and rough original gwazi was it kinda gets forgotten, But when I was kid and this ride was in its prime/ dueled. It was just such a unique experience. It provided an amazing theme and atmosphere. The mess of track was absolutely gorgeous and will forever hold a soft spot in my heart.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I agree!

[@detroitdiezel7856]

I wholeheartedly agree 100%!

[@BrewmasterAdaryn]

Original Gwazi is the only roller coaster that I've been on that has made me feel physically sick. It was so bumpy! I hope to try Iron Gwazi one day!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Hope you get to soon!

[@PaddletailPhilly]

One of many, many Florida attractions I regret missing out on during my lifetime :( Greatly appreciate you taking the time to remaster your older videos, Sam. I enjoyed the older Gwazi, American Adventure and Saw vids, but I enjoy these updated and expanded stories you're sharing of these parks and attractions you've covered in the past with the extra production value. Clearly, Skill Share helped you out big time, and I don't just mean the sponsor revenue lol

[@kyroravestar262]

It’s the iron gwazi now. Come ride it!!!

[@metallicnole4514]

The original gwazi got pretty rough to where I didn't wanna even ride it. Iron gwazi is so much better that it's now considered a top tier coaster in the country by many enthusiasts.

[@Emilyweasel2023]

I rode Gwazi when visiting Florida with my parents in 2012. My mum and I both have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and we both remember how rough it was it and how much our joints ached after it.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I’m not surprised

[@boardwalker1997]

What’s Ehlers Danlos Syndrome?

[@ItsGibsy]

This roller coaster is my childhood. When I was a kid I would stuff the park maps in my shoes to make me tall enough to ride. When I heard it was getting shut down, I was so sad, but I am glad to see that they are replacing it with a worthy successor.

[@medea27]

It's so great to have an Expedition Extinct episode that ends with a rejuvenated & equally thrilling 'replacement' 👍 I've watched so many ride videos from Iron Gwazi's media day but this has given me an appreciation for why the original Gwazi was so beloved.... that shot @ 6:15 just says it all. Amazing! And congrats on the 200k! Your videos have always been such high-quality & chock-full of information that would otherwise be lost to history. More than well-deserved! 👏

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you so much

[@detroitdiezel7856]

Agreed. And I love his accent too!

[@RoarinRachel]

Thank you so much for this video!!! You have helped preserve BG history & explain to those who weren't around then, how much Gwazi was hyped up & actually a good ride for a bit. I will say that Iron Gwazi definitely keeps the spirit of the originals alive!!

[@Dannyjones1]

Another well researched and in depth history and background of the ride. Great video, thank you.🙌

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you so much

[@DeadAsmodean]

OG Gwazi was really good, I absolutely loved it util it's end. Iron Gwazi though, it's on another level. Quite possibly better than Steel Vengeance, and quite possibly the best RMC.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Me too!!

[@theninthheart4736]

Nothing is better than SV, it’s not fair to make comparisons to it

[@Mau5ing]

@@theninthheart4736 sure.

[@detroitdiezel7856]

@@theninthheart4736 that's just like... your opinion, man.

[@mikemarquette924]

My first ride on gwazi was front row in the rain. I was hooked. God these BG videos give me so much nostalgia and dread at the same time. Id give anything to turn back the clock and enjoy this park and the build up for the first time again.

[@offrails]

I remember following the construction of the ride back in 1999 - I still have some of the photos I took with my whopping one-megapixel camera, and begged my parents to take me to the passholder preview day. It was definitely a fun ride (and my first ever woodie), but being Florida, it rained for a good portion of the day, so the passholder ERT was cut short and with the slow dispatches, I only got 1-2 rides in. The next year when Kraken opened, they also had a passholder day, but that was quite different - smaller crowds with a high-throughput B&M meant that the only wait was for the front row.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

That’s amazing would love to see them

[@tatianaayala-delamatta5124]

I miss being a kid and having passes in SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. I loved Kraken and Atlantis, but Sheikra and Montu always have my heart. Back before Manta was a thing and the Shamu show was still interactive. I don't live in FL anymore, but I do visit quite often and still go to the parks. Probably going to move back in the future and get the passes. Simpler times lol

[@freepepsicola]

It was a hell of a rollercoaster. Gwazi was my first big rollercoaster and I screamed all the way around.

[@patrickbuildsit]

I love the look of wooden coasters…they are like folk art. Every single one of them looks like one crazy guy’s life-long labor of love.

[@lucusrose2762]

I rode Gwazi a few times, always the same side as that seemed to have the shortest line of the two. The last time only one side was running. That time my glasses were broken in my pocket so you can guess how rough it was running. Now for a complaint. Why do they build racing coasters when the racing element is always abandoned after a few years?

[@lucasm7177]

You can certainly understand why the park didn't want to do both sides but I still can't help but imagine how crazy it would be to have dueling RMCs... Hopefully someday we get to see one...

[@sarah.weaver]

Imo, that's the only way this could've been better. It's a shame they didn't keep the dueling aspect alive

[@Greystar2426]

Loved the old Gwazi, I like a coaster that throws me around as much as possible. Haven't been on Iron Gwazi yet.

[@PrincipalCellist]

I just rode Iron Geazi for the first time yesterday and it was a PERFECT replacement for a ride as iconic as Gwazi was. I had so much fun!

[@LeafHasLeft]

I'm so happy that I've been able to ride gwazi when I was a kid probably around 20 times.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Good!

[@camronn1970]

I can tell you guys the new gwazi is freakin awesome. I was lucky enough to be a platinum pass holder for Busch gardens and I went on the day it opened for my pass February 13th and I was among the 3rd group. It was sick

[@Wild_D]

The best part about RMC is they show you how great a second chance can be.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Exactly!

[@jonny-b4954]

That would be amazing to have a hotel with a giant glass wall facing the Serengeti. Though Gwazi is in center/backstage of park not the top/right side where the animals are. Always thought that would be cool. Wake up to grazing giraffes with your coffee in a bird dome. Awesome. This was one of my favorite coasters as a teenager. It wasn't rough beyond what you'd expect from what I remember. In it's latter years though; it was brutal the one ride I remember doing and saying never again. I used to love the roar of the two tracks in the middle of the park.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

They have had so many plans for hotels I’ve lost track

[@Sketch105]

I feel lucky enough to have ridden it when it when it used to duel...it truly felt like the coaster would come right off the track and tip over. Another great vid!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thanks man! I loved it dueling

[@woodencoasterfan]

I remember riding it when it originally opened and it was wonderful. But then it really got rough as the years went on. Retracking it and adding the Millennium Flyer trains gave it a bit of a reprieve but it didn’t last long as it went back to being rough within a year or two. Tiger was my favorite side as it was more aggressive than the Lion side.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Tiger was the best!

[@jacobbalcom5629]

Time after time Sam produces quality videos. Best theme park KZbinr hands down 🙌

[@toyamwarr]

Yay! Another great video from Expedition Theme Park came out today! I guess this means the troubled and abandoned histories of the “Tide Wave” ride from Busch Gardens and the Wild Waters theme park in Ocala, FL are on the list. My family is still devastated to see both of those go.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I did talk about the history of Tidal Wave abit in my Tigris video. It may be something to visit in the future again. Wild Waters though is for sure

[@TV_Crafts]

17:50 I remember being excited to walk into the Gwazi station again for this house!

[@RavenMichaelis]

Fond memories of this coaster. Was actually my first major coaster.

[@shygeist]

I had the distinct pleasure as a kid to go on this with its original PTC trains. The vague memories came blasting back when I rode Iron Gwazi the first time and after having the privilege of many rides on it so far its my favorite coaster, and if that's ever dethroned now and forever favorite first drop. I couldn't be happier to see Busch Gardens Tampa Bay be a complete park again with this colossus leading the charge, with a vengeance!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It’s so good. I’ve done 14 rides so far on IG

[@shygeist]

@@ExpeditionThemePark Thank you for your channel man, you do some wonderful coverage like no one else.

[@CoasterMasterMedia1]

That intro was amazing. Great work!

[@Bizness10]

Can't wait to ride this. Son of Beat is still my all time fave. (RIP)

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

A classic!

[@mack.attack]

I got to ride this the year it opened, it was really incredible when it was brand new, but it got so rough so quickly. Looks amazing now

[@drxym]

I was on this ride last week (first ride out of the day!) and Iron Gwazi is an excellent coaster. Thrilling & extreme but also very smooth. If you want concussion in Busch Gardens your best bet these days is Kumba which will smash your brain around your skull like a ping pong ball.

[@drumman22]

I finally got to ride Iron Gwazi after two years of waiting due to the pandemic. Such a great coaster and I can't wait to go back to my home park of Busch Gardens

[@VernRichardson328]

This is a fantastic follow up from the first Gwazi video, can’t wait for part 2!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@cfrankbii9613]

I had a rainy day Gwazi ride once. Tain was forecasted (I mean it's florida) and right as we left the station, just as we made the turn it started to rain. By the time we were at the top of the lift it was down pointing. It was just as he described. Felt like it was going to fly off the rails add in the fact that you're blind because of having to keep your eyes closed most of the time due to pelting rain. Pure chaos and it was AWESOME!

[@morkins3243]

I rode Gwazi multiple times over the years(BGT is my local park). It was very obvious about the decline of the ride as it got older. It was generally fine for the first few years of operation, but was absolutely miserable by the end of operations. Haven't made my way to ride Iron Gwazi yet (was planning to do it today, but wasn't feeling great and decided to put it off until next weekend).

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Hope you get to ride soon!

[@CoasterHour]

Excellent video can’t wait for part 2!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you so much

[@michaeltaylor1603]

I know these guys all to well from my visits to IAAPA Expo's. Yes! Those Millennium Fliers are the BEST! The sad thing about racing coasters is that...they MUST race. Load issues are always a problem. They most certainly get relegated to single run (non race mode) It's kinda like a 4 engine 747. More parts to run when 2 will do. In the coasters case, one will do. Busch does a great job as does Disney with nods to the past. To repurpose that lumber was a classy move. Love your in depth look into history of your rides. Funny thing about wood, it expands & contracts like steel, but yo hear more creaks & groins just like your house as the sun sets. You brighten my Sundays!

[@boardwalker1997]

That’s why I always hear my house creaking!

[@Chunks76]

Sam you killed me with the part two. I remember that my dad took us to bush and by accident we were their on opening day. I rode both sides 2 times each. I would have tried for 3 times but my dad didn’t want to wait in the long line any more lol.

[@zacksheets9726]

Velocicoaster did not replace Dueling Dragons. It was replaced by Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

[@jay-dubb.dubb.68]

Thank you for an awesome summary of the history of Gwazi and the development of Iron Gwazi! I do remember writing Gwazi back in the day, and over time it did become quite rough, so I am beyond thrilled to get to rassle w/ Iron Gwazi 🎢🐊 coming up in April... Oh yeah, and I'm gonna run over to Sea World and hit Ice Breaker at SWO as well!

[@kevinlachance669]

I live here and love Bush Gardens. I had no idea it was younger than all those others. Imagine going up and feeling the entire ride get blown and move to the side then back. It was a rough ride everytime I rode it and my God I'm glad they moved on and added a new Gwazi.

[@Trashious12345]

I was there the first week it opened and I remember clearly my friend and I walking into the queue, when a woman leaving the queue looked right at us and said "The lion is ferocious!" It's still one of the strangest interactions I've had with a stranger in my life.

[@bartplays3392]

Very Interesting video here about the history of the original Iron Gwazi!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you

[@bartplays3392]

@@ExpeditionThemePark No Problem!

[@allycat101346]

I remember riding it it was so shaky and hurt sometimes but I loved it it was fun

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Same!

[@PotooBurd]

This is so informative!!! Fantastic reporting; I enjoy this kind of content!🌻🌼🐝

[@yourexperienceguide]

Very enjoyable video, learnt quite a lot about the park and the original Gwazi from this. Unfortunately when I visited the park Gwazi was SBNO with no clear indications of what the future held for it, I still regret not booking to go over in 2014 when the rumours were gathering pace about its closure.

[@forrestbratton5025]

Gotta say El Toro is my favorite woodie of all time. Great content, as usual.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I’ve only been on toro once need to get on it again

[@coastaku1954]

El Toro is amazing and is my favorite wooden coaster too, but as for traditional woodies, Lighting Racer is better imo, ironically it's a GCI Dualling Coaster like Gwazi, but much better and much more Racing focused

[@DrumsbyAshWells]

Excellent episodes mate, one of my favorites yet!

[@P-_-S]

I don't know if it's just his shirt catching the wind weird or what, but the guy in the front seat of the off-ride clip that starts at 15:46 almost looks like he's trying to stand up and almost gets launched out when the ride hits the negative G point at 15:52. Re-watched it several times and I can't quite figure out what's going on, but it is amusing/terrifying. Another great video, as always! Only knew of this coaster from it's recent rebirth, had no idea it started as a dueling coaster. The way people were talking about the old ride's roughness near it's end was really similar to what I usually heard from people about Psyclone at Magic Mountain too. I personally really enjoyed it, but holy hell was it a rough ride the last time I went on it in the mid-2000s.

[@Da__goat]

Having ridden Iron Gwazi about a week after it opened, its so much more intense now, especially in the back rows. RMC did a fantastic job with the ride, super intense, really fast, with some grey out moments

[@ChloeClements34]

I only got to ride 4 times, last time was in 2008 and I really liked it. Summer 2008 I arrived on on stormy day and the ride was closed for a passing storm. They let me in the queue anyway and I waited in the station(Lion) for the storm to pass. for about 30 mins or so. They let those of us waiting in station depart. We got halfway up the lift hill back row and it started to rain hard and the storm was back, lots of thunder and lightening that felt on top of us. My friend asked if they will get us off and I just smiled and said its quicker and safer for us to go but they better hold on tight as this is about to be painful. They were not a enthusiast. It was so fast, rough, screams, thunder, flashes and add Gwazi pain on top when we hit that break run soaking wet, blind and dazed was one of the most intense ride I have ever done, As a enthusiast you wait for moments like that and you never forget it. Would pay extra to do it again. As for my friend well they went from novice to master in about 3 mins even with the scars.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

In the rain it was wild

[@Lloyd00]

I can finally do my Florida trip! Wasn't going till both Gwazi and Velocicoaster were open!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Great time to go

[@kyogresfunchannel]

@@ExpeditionThemePark For Crocodile vs Velociraptors, Which Animal Coaster Do You Favor More? Also Do You Agree That Iron Gwazi’s Soundtracks Probably the Best Coaster Soundtrack

[@nenenomusic]

Loved the intro, very clever

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@jbrodiff]

Writing this before watching the video: Iron Gwazi was by far one of my favorite coasters of all time, just went on it 5 days ago (I live across the US) so it's a weird coincidence that this decides to pop up on my recommended now lmao

[@tigerrocks503]

I remember your original Gwazi expedition. Could find at for a while and it made since that you must have took it down as the story of Gwazi has progressed ever further!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah it was 5 minutes long. I unlisted it

[@DerMeister821]

The original gwazi was the first coaster I had ever been on. Good times, what a way to get broken in as well to roller coasters.

[@hamtarotimefan]

I have been waiting for this video since they announced it. Love it.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@rmannayr2129]

NOW WE HAVE IRON GWAZI!

[@melissajensen3166]

Great video Sam. Can’t wait for part 2!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you

[@Thadva]

I never had the chance to ride the original Gwazi. But I was able to ride Iron Gwazi this past Friday and it did not disappoint.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

So good right?

[@Thadva]

@@ExpeditionThemePark Yes! My desire for coaster intensity has finally topped out.

[@PrinceofMacedonVlogs]

I loved wooden Gwazi :D One of the few coasters I could do, and not get sick on lol

[@PupRiku]

Man I loved Gwazi, the last time I rode it hurt more than I ever remember but it was still fun. Glad I picked up a hoodie at the time with the Gwazi logo included. :')

[@billmadison2032]

That shot of the brewery from the parking lot brought back memories of my 1st visit in 77. Can you do one about old Chicago in bollingbrook ill

[@SakiMcGee]

I swore off Gwazi many years ago. It always scared me as a child, but I took a ride back in like 2013 that was especially bad--the weak little seat belts did nothing to hold my skinny butt down, and I had such intense air time that I was lightheaded when I got off. Absolutely terrified me.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah could hurt

[@gam041298]

I think I also rode it in a similar season with the little seat belt straps! They were just a small bit of fabric over your lap which didn’t do much?

[@jettozahoku]

Gwazi is the only wooden coaster I've been on. Rode it in 2004. I recall it was fairly rough, but so fast feeling. It's something I will never forget

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

A great one to ride

[@wrathoflk]

Ha, I finally make it into the Expedition Theme Park video in one of those video rolls. I actually was one of the people that rode the last train from Gwazi ever. Was a surreal experience that whole day leading up to it. Great video, as always

[@cbjgirl23]

so so excited for part 2!

[@TaylorStrickland]

This was such a fun watch! Great job.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thanks Taylor!

[@chadenglish4169]

I loved riding Gwazi at night. You couldn't see anything. It was awesome.

[@lisamoul263]

I live in central Florida about 30 minutes from Busch Gardens and have been there countless times. I always loved Gwazi but I also always knew to take excedrine before getting on. It was literally the “headache machine” 🤣 I hope to ride Iron Gwazi before I move to Las Vegas within the next month.

[@marfikmusic]

I was there in November of 2012, and didn't realize it was nearing the end of its run. Gwazi was probably my favorite ride that day, I think I rode it around 20 times. It was a walk on all day, so getting re-rides was easy. It was heartbreaking to hear when it closed, I didn't see it coming because it was always such a great ride for me, I guess it wasn't for everyone. I'm sure Iron Gwazi is great, I haven't had a chance to ride it yet, but OG Gwazi will always have a special place in my heart.

[@MsDisneylandlover]

I loved your channel. I am stucker for old stuff.

[@bigchillphil]

Finally got to ride it! I rode it 3 times and 2 of them at night during Howl O Scream. It was amazing.

[@Noxborg]

Imagine Iron Gwazi was a duelling, just like the original

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

That would of been amazing I did think that before it was announced

[@theninthheart4736]

BGT doesn’t have that kind of capital to play around with. This isn’t cedar point we’re talking about here

[@Okaycoasters]

Great video! Learned so much I never knew!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you so much!

[@ElizabethHamlet]

I rode it 2011. My first wooden coaster.. and I thought I was going to have a stroke. Made me very reluctant to try another. Didn't do another until 2017 and I'm glad I tried wooden again. Will be excited to try the new version.

[@aidanchilders9043]

Can we all talk about how badass the title of this week's video is? "Abandoned but Reborn in Iron" sounds like the backstory of some far-future supersoldier who was left for dead and then rebuilt as a cyborg.

[@Drebe73]

Great coverage. Gwazi was great until it wasn’t. I was glad to see it go and be reborn.

[@The_DiZZeL]

got to ride both sides of the OG Gwazi and as of this weekend got my first 7 rides on Iron Gwazi, so happy BGT built this. Now we need B&M back in the park for something huge

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Hoping for that Giga

[@kumbabgt5067]

@Twisted Coaster Fan already claimed for the 2023 project that was started and set to open in 2021.

[@detroitdiezel7856]

@Twisted Coaster Fan The only rumor I heard was that they were going to add a Screamin' Swing there in the near future, but there's still a lot of land left over. Hopefully, for a new coaster!

[@351wmustanggt]

As a local and a frequent flyer at BG, yea I am old enough to have gone to Busch Gardens when it was free and the only thing that was there was the gardens and the brewery. I have been privilaged to grow up with BG, and in fact worked there when I was 14 at the snack bar near the main gate. I have riden everything that has been built and now gone including Python I can say that Gwazi was a lot of fun when it was new but it only took a few years for it to decline. It started getting rougher and rougher and when it was retracked and had the new trains installed it really didn't make it much better. Towards the end it was so rough it caused physical pain that lasted after you got off. My Mom worked at a plant kiosk near the exit of the ride and she said people complained a lot about neck pain and headaches as a result of riding it, Gwazi sadly became a liability for BG instead of the legend it started out as. So glad to see the evolution into Iron Gwazi, I have yet to ride it but will ASAP. By the way, Cheeta Hunt is by far the best coaster there for fun factor with Sheikra being over rated, at least in my opinion.

[@Mournforthelost96]

I got to ride iron gwazi before it was opened to the public, and it is probably one of the most intense and exciting coasters I've ever ridden. It was a life changing coaster for me.

[@SNORKYMEDIA]

Zadra in Poland is even better