Stanley Falls at Busch Gardens will close on September 7, 2025 to make room for a future attraction according to announcements from the park on its website and social media.
After more than 50 years of splashes, smiles, and summer memories, Stanley Falls Flume® is taking its final plunge on September 7, 2025. As one of the original rides from the park’s opening in 1973, this classic has been a fan favorite for generations. This is your last chance to ride before we say goodbye and make way for an exciting new future attraction! Come relive the fun and help us celebrate a true Busch Gardens legend.
https://buschgardens.com/tampa/rides/stanley-falls/
Stanley Falls opened in 1973 as the park’s first “thrill” ride and was built by the famous roller coaster company Arrow Dynamics. Arrow was the creator of our modern incarnation of this ride type and built a ton of them in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Stanley Falls is fit nicely into some hills and contours in the Stanleyville area, so you never feel all that high in the air, but the last drop at 43 feet is no joke. There’s also a camera on the drop, so it’s a great chance to catch some fun family pictures. Below is a first person video from YouTube to give you a chance to experience Stanley Falls, at least virtually, after September 7th.
There are rumors of something BIG going in the place of Stanley Falls as it’s a huge piece of land that also backs up to the site previously occupied by Scorpion. Rumors of a Giga coaster have been around for years and could this potentially be it? Even if it is something awesome this is a loss. It’s a loss of a way to cool off in the hot Florida sun, but it’s also a loss for families. This was my son’s first “thrill” ride at just 23 months old as kids that young could ride Stanley Falls! It’s what made him fall in love with theme parks. You’ll see two little hands and the top of a little head in the picture below.
This closure is quite sudden, giving fans only about a week prior to closure, so I wish there was a bit more runway, but at least there is some warning. The park is also asking fans to share their favorite memories using #StanleysLastSplash. It’s hard to see something go that was a huge part of our family falling in love with Busch Gardens. A huge coaster would be great, but part of me is pulling for something awesome the whole family can enjoy to carry on the spirit of Stanley Falls.
BGT Safari 