You’re standing in the Egypt section of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and the first thing you notice isn't the sand or the architecture. It's the sound. That distinct, hollow "roar" of sand-filled track that tells you the Busch Gardens Montu roller coaster is about to tear through the sky above your head.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a relic, but in the best way possible.
Opened back in 1996, Montu was part of that mid-nineties "arms race" where theme parks were desperate to see who could build the tallest, fastest, and most stomach-churning inverted coaster. Most of the rides from that era feel shaky or dated now. They rattle your brain. Montu doesn’t. Even decades later, it remains a masterclass in how to use gravity to make people scream without giving them a migraine.
If you've never sat in those yellow seats with your feet dangling over nothingness, you’re missing out on a piece of engineering history that still holds its own against the multi-million dollar "giga" coasters of today.
The Engineering Behind the "God of War"
When B&M (Bolliger & Mabillard) designed this thing, they weren't just looking to break records. They were trying to tell a story through physics. Named after the Egyptian hawk-headed god of war, the ride was actually the first in the world to feature a specific kind of loop—the Immelmann.
It’s named after a WWI fighter pilot maneuver. Basically, you enter a loop but roll out at the top so you’re facing the opposite direction. It’s disorienting. It’s fast. It’s also incredibly smooth.
The Busch Gardens Montu roller coaster isn’t just about height, though it does drop you 128 feet. It’s about the "below-grade" trenches. This is what separates Montu from its cousin, Afterburn at Carowinds, or even the Batman clones scattered across Six Flags parks. The designers literally dug into the Florida limestone.
When you’re flying through those trenches at 60 mph, the ground feels like it’s going to clip your toes. It won't, obviously. But the "near-miss" sensation is a psychological trick that makes the speed feel doubled.
Why the Inversions Feel Different Here
Most coasters give you a loop and call it a day. Montu gives you seven.
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- That massive 104-foot vertical loop.
- The aforementioned Immelmann.
- A Zero-G roll that actually makes you feel weightless for a split second.
- A Batwing (which is basically two inversions back-to-back in a heart-shaped dive).
- A second vertical loop.
- A flat spin (corkscrew) that hits when you think the ride is basically over.
The Batwing is the part that gets most people. You dive into a trench, go upside down twice in rapid succession, and pull some serious G-forces. We’re talking 3.85Gs. For context, that’s enough to make your vision get a little fuzzy at the edges if you haven’t hydrated properly in the Florida heat.
The "Old School" Reliability Factor
Let’s get real for a second. New rides like Iron Gwazi or VelociCoaster are incredible, but they break down. A lot. They rely on complex sensors and magnetic launches that can be finicky.
Montu is a tank.
It’s a gravity-driven, chain-lift workhorse. Because it’s a B&M coaster, the tolerances are tight. The wheels are constantly checked for wear. The reason it still feels smooth in 2026 is because of the sheer amount of steel used in the box-track construction. It doesn't flex as much as older "spaghetti" coasters.
There's a specific "crunch" you feel in your seat during the final brake run. It’s the sound of a ride that just did exactly what it was supposed to do. No glitches. No "technical delays." Just raw kinetic energy.
Where to Sit for the Best Experience
Don't just jump into the first available row. Where you sit on the Busch Gardens Montu roller coaster completely changes the ride profile.
If you want the visuals, go for the front row. There is nothing—and I mean nothing—quite like seeing the track disappear beneath you as you plunge into the first trench. You feel the wind, you see the "theming" (which, let’s be honest, is just some painted rocks and hieroglyphics, but it works), and you get the cleanest air.
However.
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If you want the "whip," you have to go to the back row. Because the train is so long, the front of the car is already halfway down the first drop before the back row even clears the lift hill. This means the back row gets yanked over the crest. You spend more time out of your seat (or as much as the over-the-shoulder restraints allow). The G-forces in the valleys of the trenches are also significantly more intense in the back.
The Quiet Evolution of the Egypt Area
When Montu opened, it was the crown jewel of a massive expansion. Over the years, the area around it has changed. The King Tut’s Tomb walkthrough is gone (RIP to a classic), and the "Cobra’s Curse" spinning coaster now snakes around the entrance.
Some people think this makes the area too crowded. I disagree.
The proximity of Cobra’s Curse actually makes Montu look even more intimidating. You have this family-friendly spinner right next to this giant, screaming, black-and-tan monster. It creates a great contrast for families who have some members who want "thrills" and others who just want to keep their lunch down.
Fact-Checking the Myths
You’ll hear rumors in the queue. "Someone lost a shoe and hit a guest." "The ride is slower in the rain."
Here’s the truth:
The ride is faster when the grease on the wheels is hot. On a 95-degree July afternoon in Tampa, Montu is absolutely hauling. If you ride it first thing in the morning when it’s "cold," it might feel a bit sluggish.
As for the "lost items" thing? That’s why the netting is there. Busch Gardens is strict about loose articles for a reason. Don't be the person who tries to film with a phone in their hand. Not only will you lose the phone, but you’ll also likely get kicked out of the park. It’s not worth it.
Surviving the Florida Elements
Riding a steel giant in Tampa requires a bit of strategy. The Busch Gardens Montu roller coaster is located near the front of the park, which means it gets a massive rush of people as soon as the gates open.
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Wait.
Go to the back of the park first. Hit Cheetah Hunt or Iron Gwazi. By 2:00 PM, the "front-of-the-park" crowd has migrated toward the animals or the water rides. That’s when Montu’s wait time usually drops.
Also, watch the sky. In Florida, the 3:00 PM thunderstorm is a ritual. Montu will close if there is lightning within a certain radius. If you see the clouds turning that weird bruised-purple color, get your ride in immediately or prepare to wait under a pavilion for an hour.
Why We Still Talk About Montu
In a world of 400-foot-tall "stratacoasters," why does a 150-foot inverted coaster still matter?
It's the pacing.
Many modern rides have "dead spots" where you're just coasting, waiting for the next element. Montu never breathes. From the moment you drop until you hit the final brake run, you are in a constant state of motion. It’s a relentless sequence of loops, rolls, and dives that feels purposeful.
It represents a peak in "analog" coaster design. Before everything became computerized and ultra-optimized, engineers like Claude Mabillard were designing layouts that felt organic. They felt like they were dancing with the terrain.
Practical Tips for Your Next Visit
If you’re planning to tackle this beast, keep a few things in mind to make the experience better.
- The Locker Situation: You cannot take bags in line. Period. There are lockers right next to the entrance. They cost a few bucks, but they’re better than having your stuff stolen or stepped on.
- Hydration is Non-Negotiable: The G-forces on Montu can cause "gray-out" (where your vision dims) if you’re dehydrated. Drink water at the Oasis or any nearby stand at least 20 minutes before you ride.
- The "Secret" Exit: When you get off the ride, don't just follow the crowd. Take a second to look at the Nile crocodiles and hippos nearby. It’s one of the few places where you can go from 4Gs to absolute zen in under two minutes.
Next Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of your day at Busch Gardens, check the ride's status on the official app before you hike to the Egypt section. If the wait is over 45 minutes, consider grabbing a Quick Queue pass, especially during peak seasons like Spring Break or Howl-O-Scream. Once you've conquered Montu, head toward the Edge of Africa to see the cheetahs; the transition from mechanical speed to biological speed is a trip in itself.