Busch Gardens has announced its new suspended family coaster for 2024, Phoenix Rising, which is replacing Sand Serpent, the Phoenix looping starship and a couple of kiddie rides. It’s interesting that of all that the new name plays off of the former looping starship? I guess “Montu 2” was too corny? It will be interesting to see two B&M inverts in the same park though. Few details are known though about Phoenix Rising other than a sketch and a few lines in a press release:

“This exhilarating new experience will have family members soaring above the Serengeti Plain before going on an exploratory journey over the Pantopia region, with its vibrant-colors, thrilling attractions, and more. Riders will feel the rush of the wind and thrill of the flight in this suspended roller coaster that enables ride cars and riders to swing side to side as the train races along the track high above the Serengeti Plain. “Phoenix Rising” will be the first coaster to feature on-board audio, enhancing the ride experience with a one-of-a-kind soundtrack, integrated into an exhilarating array of twists, turns and surprises for families riding together.

Manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, “Phoenix Rising” is a family-friendly suspended roller coaster, traveling at speeds up to 44 miles per hour throughout the 1,831-feet journey. With a minimum height requirement of 42 inches, “Phoenix Rising” is the perfect attraction for thrill-seeking families to embark on and have fun together.”

-Busch Gardens Press Release

We can, however, elucidate some details based on other similar family coasters out there. When you think family suspended coasters enthusiasts usually think Vekoma who are known for rides like Freedom Flyer at Fun Spot Orlando or the very well received Dragonflier at Dollywood. B&M are somewhat new to the family suspended market and family coasters in general. However, families mean money to theme parks and more parks are building great family attractions. Therefore it makes sense for B&M to try to get into this market and it’s obvious they’re pushing hard with Phoenix Rising at Busch Gardens and Penguin Trek at SeaWorld Orlando.

B&M has built two family suspended coaster though, the very creatively named “Family Inverted Coaster” at Happy Valley in Shanghai, China and Happy Valley Beijing, China. I wish I were kidding about the name, but that’s really what it’s called. They were opened back in 2014 and 2018 respectively, so the design is nothing new. Both have identical layouts, but the one in Beijing appears to have better theming and landscaping. Here’s a great video about the ride:

So it appears that it’s quite similar to the Vekoma family suspended coaster, I mean I guess there’s only so many ways to do that. Therefore most people are expecting something similar to Dragonflier at Dollywood. If this happened it would be GREAT as this is an awesome little ride. It has some great turns and it’s silky smooth.

Dragonflier is quite short at 1486 feet and only has one train, limiting capacity, but maybe the extra 350 feet of track is enough to add a block zone for a second train? Also, the onboard audio should be a great touch. If you’ve ridden Big Bear Mountain at Dollywood you know how the audio can add some great atmosphere and even some humor to the ride experience.

If this is opening in spring of 2024 we’ll have to start to see it go vertical soon. We’ll probably also see some info come out in permits. Hopefully we get a POV like we did for Iron Gwazi too. My fingers are crossed that we do get a slightly longer upgraded version of Dragonflier. If we do it will be a great addition to the park and hopefully still leave room for something BIG to come in 2025, maybe to Jungala, to coincide with the opening of Epic Universe?