Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of some of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's biggest rollercoasters? From maintenance sheds and control rooms to standing just inches away from a high-speed launch, the Roller Coaster Insider Tour offers a fascinating look at how these incredible attractions operate.
Priced from just $39.99 per person, this hour-long experience takes guests behind the scenes of three major rollercoasters: Cheetah Hunt, Cobra's Curse and Montu. The tour includes access to restricted areas, an opportunity to learn about the technology and maintenance involved in running the rides, and single-use front-of-line access to all three attractions.
Tours can accommodate up to 15 guests, but we were incredibly lucky during our visit, as it was just the two of us! This made the experience feel like a private VIP tour, giving us plenty of opportunities to ask questions, take photographs and explore areas that guests would never normally get to see.
Cheetah Hunt
Our first stop was Cheetah Hunt, Busch Gardens' multi-launch rollercoaster manufactured by Intamin. This was one of the most fascinating parts of the tour, giving us a much better understanding of how the ride's launch systems, safety features and maintenance procedures work.
Cheetah Hunt uses a linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch system, which accelerates the trains using electromagnetic technology rather than the hydraulic launch systems found on some other Intamin rollercoasters. Our guide explained how the white components along the track form part of the launch system, while proximity sensors detect metal on the trains to monitor their position and speed. The ride features ten block sections, allowing the control system to track trains and ensure the section ahead is clear before another train can enter it.
We also learnt about the black braking fins along the launch track, which can be lowered during a launch and raised to stop a train when required. The second launch is the fastest, reaching approximately 60mph, while the ride's first major drop stands around 130 feet tall. Interestingly, our guide explained how temperature can affect the ride's performance, with trains potentially travelling faster as the system warms up.
Cheetah Hunt can operate with four trains, with a fifth available for maintenance rotation. If the ride enters certain safety shutdown states, resetting it can take around 30 minutes. We were also told that some replacement components have to be shipped from Europe, which can sometimes lead to longer downtime when specialist parts are needed.
One of the biggest highlights was getting to explore Cheetah Hunt's maintenance facilities, where the team can work on two trains at once. We were shown the wheel storage racks and learnt that wheels are among the components requiring the most frequent attention. Worn wheels are sent to a specialist company in California for refurbishment, and unlike some UK rollercoasters, Cheetah Hunt doesn't use separate summer and winter wheel sets.
Each train undergoes a major maintenance programme after approximately 55,000 cycles, which our guide explained can take around six months to reach depending on operation. During this process, trains are dismantled, inspected and fitted with replacement components where required. We also learnt about the ride's restraint system, which uses redundant locking mechanisms. Although each restraint has two hydraulic components, the system is designed with multiple layers of safety, while the seatbelt provides an additional level of security and reassurance.
Another interesting detail we discovered was that the building now used for Cheetah Hunt's maintenance facilities was originally part of the park's former monorail attraction. It's a fascinating little piece of Busch Gardens history and a great example of how older park infrastructure has been repurposed for newer attractions.
Our guide also shared an interesting comparison involving the enormous amount of electricity required to operate the launch system, describing it as the equivalent of approximately 150,000 iPhone batteries. It's an impressive way of putting the power of a launched rollercoaster into perspective! Standing so close to the launch track and seeing the technology in action was an incredible experience. It's one thing to ride Cheetah Hunt, but understanding how much engineering goes into every launch makes you appreciate the attraction even more.
Cobra's Curse
Our next stop was Cobra's Curse, the park's family spinning rollercoaster manufactured by Mack Rides. This attraction has some fascinating technology behind it, particularly its unusual lift system and the way the trains change direction throughout the ride.
Cobra's Curse begins with a vertical elevator lift, taking riders towards the enormous snake statue before sending them forwards through the first section of track. The second lift leads into the backwards portion of the ride, followed by a free-spinning finale. Our guide explained that the backwards movement is an important part of the ride's programmed sequence, with the control system monitoring the trains to ensure everything is operating correctly.
The ride features 13 block sections and can operate with up to eight trains. One of the most interesting things we learnt was how the spinning section works, with the direction and intensity of the rotation depending on the weight distribution of passengers. This means that where guests sit can change the experience, making every ride slightly different. The entire attraction lasts approximately three minutes, with several different ride elements packed into a relatively short layout.
One of the highlights of Cobra's Curse was getting to explore the control room, something we'd never normally have the opportunity to see. Unlike some older rollercoasters with large panels covered in physical buttons, Cobra's Curse features a modern touchscreen control system, allowing operators to monitor different parts of the attraction. We also got to see the three coloured indicator lights positioned outside the control room, which communicate ride information to the staff working on the platform. These use red, amber and green lights to help the team understand the ride's operating status.
Another interesting safety feature is the pressure-sensitive mats located in restricted areas near the end of the ride. Our guide explained that stepping onto one of these mats can trigger a safety stop, preventing the attraction from continuing to operate while someone is in a potentially dangerous location. It's one of those safety systems that most guests would never notice, but it plays an important role in keeping the attraction operating safely.
Inside the maintenance shed, we learnt that all the trains are stored here overnight and undergo regular inspections. According to our guide, each train also requires more extensive maintenance after approximately 75,000 dispatches, which can take around a year to reach depending on how frequently the attraction operates. Cobra's Curse was particularly interesting because of how different its technology is compared with Cheetah Hunt. Being able to see the control room, understand the safety systems and learn how the spinning trains operate gave us a completely new appreciation for this family rollercoaster.
Montu
Our final stop was Montu, one of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's most iconic rollercoasters. Manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), Montu opened on 16th May 1996 and features a 150-foot lift hill, a 128-foot first drop and seven inversions. It's an impressive attraction that has been thrilling guests for 30 years.
Montu was probably the most exciting part of the tour when it came to accessing areas that guests would never normally see. We learnt about the ride's daily operation, maintenance procedures and the amount of work involved in keeping a rollercoaster of this age running safely. Our guide explained that Montu has three trains, although it generally operates with fewer depending on demand. During our visit, trains two and four were on the track, while train three was in the maintenance shed. We were told that the park hadn't operated all three trains together for quite some time.
Another interesting detail was the staffing required to operate the attraction. According to our guide, at least two ride ambassadors are needed for normal operation, while two full-time mechanics are dedicated to maintaining Montu. Maintenance work can begin as early as 4am, long before guests arrive, with another shift continuing into the afternoon.
One of the most memorable moments of the entire tour was getting to climb partway up to one of Montu's brake-run platforms. From here, we had an incredible view across the rollercoaster and the surrounding park, giving us a completely different perspective of the attraction. We also learnt about the seven evacuation platforms positioned around the ride, which allow staff to safely reach passengers if a train becomes stopped in certain sections of the track. Seeing these platforms up close really highlighted how much planning goes into the safety and operation of a major rollercoaster.
The maintenance shed was equally fascinating. Montu uses a transfer track to move trains off the main circuit and into the workshop, where they can be inspected and maintained behind large metal doors. We were told that after approximately 75,000 cycles, a train undergoes major maintenance, involving dismantling and inspecting its components before returning it to service.
One particularly interesting discovery was an old rollercoaster train stored beneath the brake run. Our guide explained that this was Montu's former train one, which hadn't been used for a long time and was unlikely to return to service. It was amazing to see a piece of the attraction's history tucked away behind the scenes.
We also learnt more about Montu's famous batwing inversion, which dives into a trench and delivers some of the most intense forces on the ride. According to our guide, row eight, seat four is one of the most intense positions to experience it, making that a seat we'll definitely have to try on a future visit! For us, Montu was a fantastic way to finish the tour, with the maintenance facilities, old train and restricted platform access making this section particularly special.
Overall Review – Is the Busch Gardens Roller Coaster Insider Tour Worth It?
The Busch Gardens Tampa Roller Coaster Insider Tour was absolutely fantastic and easily one of the best-value behind-the-scenes experiences we've done at a theme park. For a starting price of just $39.99 per person, the amount of access and information included is incredible. We explored maintenance sheds, visited control rooms, learnt about the safety systems and engineering behind three very different rollercoasters, and even climbed to a restricted platform overlooking Montu. The fact that you also receive single-use front-of-line access to all three attractions makes the experience even better value for money.
What really made the tour special was the people running it. Throughout the experience, we spoke with knowledgeable team members, including ride leaders and maintenance staff, who were happy to explain how everything worked and answer our questions. There was no shortage of fascinating information, and we were encouraged to take as many photographs as we liked in the permitted areas. We were particularly lucky that our tour ended up being just the two of us, despite the experience being able to accommodate up to 15 guests. This made it feel like a private VIP experience, giving us plenty of time to explore without feeling rushed.
Each rollercoaster offered something completely different. Cheetah Hunt was fascinating for its launch technology, Cobra's Curse gave us an insight into modern ride control systems, and Montu provided some of the most memorable behind-the-scenes access of the entire experience. Our only real advice would be to bring a bottle of water! Florida can get incredibly hot, particularly when walking through outdoor maintenance areas and around the rollercoasters. We'd also recommend wearing comfortable, closed-toe shoes, as the tour involves a fair amount of walking.
If you're planning to book, it's worth knowing that standard park admission is not included, reservations are required, and guests must meet the individual ride requirements to use the included front-of-line access. The tour also involves uneven terrain, so it's worth checking the accessibility requirements before booking.
Overall, we cannot recommend the Roller Coaster Insider Tour enough. Whether you're a huge rollercoaster enthusiast or simply curious about how these incredible attractions work, it's an experience that offers something completely different from a normal day at Busch Gardens. For the price, the behind-the-scenes access, knowledgeable guides and three included front-of-line rides make this an absolute bargain. We'd happily do it again, and if you're visiting Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, we'd strongly recommend adding it to your plans!
