For the first Coaster Focus of 2026, we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of the iconic inverted coaster – Montu!
Montu – Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Florida
Following the success of coasters like Batman: The Ride (1992), Raptor (1994), and Nemesis (1994), Montu opened on 16th May 1996. This Bolliger and Mabillard ‘Inverted Coaster’ is a main-stay icon at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! The ride opened as the tallest and fastest inverted rollercoaster in the world, as well as the first of its type to feature seven inversions. Additionally, Montu was the first rollercoaster in the world with an ‘Immelmann’ inversion, where riders are sent up a vertical half-loop, before rolling out and down towards the ground. Immelmann inversions are now prominent on countless coasters around the world!
Montu cost around $20,000,000 to construct, and is part of the purpose built Egypt-themed area at Busch Gardens. In Ancient Egyptian mythology, Montu was a God of War with the head of a falcon, which is a fitting name for such a powerful ride. The coaster originally had dark blue track and sand-coloured supports, but has since been repainted with a brighter, bolder navy blue and more vibrant yellow supports. As a result, the appearance is striking from around the park. The ride looks particularly stunning from the main road and parking lot upon arrival.
Entering the ride
Entering Montu’s area in the Egypt section of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, you pass under a huge archway with intricate Egyptian-style details. Coming from within the area, the loud B&M roar can be clearly heard, setting the scene for the sheer size and intensity of the rollercoaster to follow!
The queueline is relatively basic and winds back and forth on itself in a bit of a cattlepen manner (don’t worry, it’s not Cattlepen Hell like Shambhala and Dragon Khan at PortAventura!). As you move closer to the ride’s station, the Egyptian theming becomes more prominent again.
In the station, you can choose your desired row, with a slightly extended wait time expected for the front row. Riding on the front of Montu is definitely worth it for the clearer views and more exposed feeling with your legs dangling from the train. Montu’s back row will provide a faster sensation, as the train drags you around the track and whips you faster around each corner. No matter where you sit, the ride is incredible.
The coaster experience
After boarding the train and being locked in with an over-the-shoulder restraint, the floor drops away below, and you head into the first right-turn and onto the lift hill.
The lift hill climb takes you higher and higher above the theme park. From the top of the 150ft hill, you are able to see for miles around, before diving downwards to the left. A huge vertical drop follows, with the subsequent large Immelmann sending you back on yourself after. The rest of the ride becomes an intense blur of inversions:
- A snappy ‘Zero-G roll’ quickly flips you upside down in the sky.
- A low-to-the-ground ‘Batwing’ inversion sends you upside down twice.
- After the mid-course break run, you dive down into a second vertical loop
- The last inversion is a very fast corkscrew that utilises the dips in the ground. This final moment reminds me of the last corkscrew on Nemesis at Alton Towers – a fun, dizzying way to end the ride!
Final thoughts…
Overall, Montu is a truly outstanding rollercoaster and it is really worth the trip to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay when you are in Florida. Although the overall atmosphere and theming doesn’t *quite* match up to the calibre of Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort, it is hard to deny that Montu, along with the other major rollercoasters at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, is among the best in the country world!
Fact File:
- Height Requirement: 54″ (1.37m)
- Maximum Height: 150 feet
- Top Speed: 60 mph
- Inversions: 7
- Track Length: 3,983 feet
- Ride Duration: 3:00
- Manufacturer: Bolliger and Mabillard (B&M)
- Designer: Werner Stengel
See our Montu gallery below:
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