Skyride (Busch Gardens Tampa)
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| Manufacturer | Von Roll | ||||||||||
| Product | Sky Ride | ||||||||||
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| Capacity | 4 per gondola | ||||||||||
| Height | 60 feet | ||||||||||
Skyride is a Ropeway built by Swiss manufacturer Von Roll currently located at Busch Gardens Tampa in Tampa, Florida, USA. The attraction has a unique triangular shape and originally had three stations, with riders able to disembark at any location. The middle station is no longer used for loading or unloading purposes and riders only pass through it.
History
Skyride was announced as part of a $6.5 million expansion in early 1973. The ride was originally set to open in December of that year.[1] The ride opened on April 15, 1974.[2]
The attraction originally operated with three stations. Loading and unloading at the center station was later discontinued.
Skyride closed with the park during its COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. The ride did not reopen that summer remained standing but not operating for several years.
A sign was placed outside the attraction in late 2021 announcing the ride's return in summer 2022.[3] The ride ultimately did not reopen that summer.
On August 5, 2023, Busch Gardens Tampa shared a social media post stating that the ride was not being removed and would return.[4] The ride began testing in December 2023 and new signage was installed in January 2024.[5][6] Skyride reopened on February 2, 2024. An upcharge was added to the ride.[7]
Incident
The ride's cable derailed on March 16, 1993, stranding 23 passengers for up to two-and-a-half hours. The Tampa Fire Department was called in to rescue the riders.[8]
References
- ↑ "Anheuser-Busch Plans Expansion Of Gardens". The Bradenton Herald. 1973-04-01. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ↑ "Busch Gardens Opens Sky Ride On April 15". The Tampa Tribune. 1974-03-26. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ↑ "Good news on Skyride - not many Von Rolls left 😓". X. TyMullins. 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
- ↑ "DON'T WORRY! It's not going anywhere— just receiving a little TLC. 😎 Stay up to date on our social media and website for more details and information regarding the Sky Ride!". Instagram. buschgardens. 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
- ↑ "Nothing to see here... just in testing mode... keep it moving..." Instagram. buschgardens. 2023-12-08. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ↑ "[Busch Gardens Tampa] SKYRIDE SIGNS ARE INSTALLED! REPEAT, SKYRIDE SIGNS ARE INSTALLED!!!". Reddit. railfan_andrew. 2024-01-19. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
- ↑ McReynolds, Landon (2024-02-01). "Busch Gardens prepares to reopen beloved SkyRide attraction". WKMG. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
- ↑ Hegarty, Stephen (1993-03-17). "23 stranded as sky ride at Busch Gardens stalls". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2024-09-27.