Falcon’s Fury is Back! Busch Gardens Tampa Reopens Popular Drop Tower Ride

Busch Gardens Tampa is thrilled to announce that the popular drop tower ride, Falcon’s Fury, has officially reopened on April 12th. After almost a year of being closed for inspection and maintenance, thrill seekers can now experience the exhilarating 335-foot plunge at 60 mph face first at a 90-degree angle.

The ride was originally closed for inspection after the tragic death of a 14-year-old on the Orlando Freefall—a similar drop tower attraction—last March. At the time, a Busch Gardens spokesperson told the Tampa Bay Times that the ride was closed due to supply chain issues and needed parts for maintenance.

In 2022, a tragic incident occurred at the Orlando Freefall when Tyre Sampson slipped out of his seat and lost his life. As a result, several amusement parks made the decision to shut down their drop towers temporarily, and even permanently in some cases. Recently, the state of Florida has taken measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The proposed Tyre Sampson Act calls for more frequent inspections and clearer signage regarding the size requirements for ride patrons. Hopefully, these changes will improve the safety of thrill rides and prevent further tragedies.

“We are delighted to have Falcon’s Fury open again,” said Brad Dean, CEO and President of Busch Gardens Tampa. “We take our responsibility to operate our rides safely seriously, and we’re grateful that we can once again offer this thrilling experience.”

Falcon’s Fury debuted in 2014 as one of North America’s tallest free-standing drop towers. Its unique design makes it an unforgettable adventure for guests who want to feel like they’re flying through the air with only their courage propelling them forward. With its reopening, visitors can once again enjoy this adrenaline rush at Busch Gardens Tampa!

In addition to Falcon’s Fury, Busch Gardens Tampa offers a variety of other rides and attractions such as roller coasters, water slides, animal exhibits and more. The park also hosts special events throughout the year including Howl-O-Scream in October and Christmas Town in December.