So back in 2023 I wrote about an encounter I had with a Busch Gardens ride operators at another theme park discussing the unexpected closure of the mini drop tower ride, Wild Surge, located in the Jungala area of the park. He told me Wild Surge was actually damaged by a fire in December 2022 and showed me pics on his phone of the damage to the ride. I finally tracked him down and got permission to share them here.

March 19, 2025 Update: The park has opened for the season and the ride is still standing, but not operating (SBNO). This is the same for Fiesta Texas. Although we haven’t yet seen a definitive public statement from the park, comments from employees, emails to guests and responses influencers all point to the imminent removal of these rides. It was surprising to still see it on the in park maps last week (which you could tell were updated as they included Georgia Gold Rusher). Ironically, also got an email from Skyline today still advertising the P’Sghetti Bowl coaster model for sale and listing SFOG as an install on its website along with a new similar looking, but potentially larger “TrailRunner” design.

Georgia Surfer has an opening day and it will be opening day of the 2025 season! During a Coaster Fest 2024 Six Flags Over Georgia General Manager Greg Fuller gave a great update on the construction of Georgia Surfer and the challenges it’s seen. He mentioned permitting was slow and they lost about 12 weeks there and then that there were “manufacturer challenges” with Intamin. Specifically that the gondola (train) just shipped ocean freight on August 14th from Europe. Maybe a little too much time worrying about Falcon’s Flights in Saudi Arabia? With all these delays, they just decided it was best to delay and do it right. He said they wanted to run the heck out of it and make sure it was 1000% right for next year. He also stressed numerous times that the ride was a prototype where some challenges are always anticipated.