Montu

Montu stands as one of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay most iconic and beloved thrill machines, a towering steel legend that has been flinging riders through the Florida skies since it first opened in 1996. Decades on, it remains a benchmark against which other inverted coasters are measured, and a must-ride for anyone who craves serious airtime and relentless intensity.

Montu is one of the tallest and fastest inverted roller coasters of its kind, a beast that sends guests soaring with their feet dangling beneath the track. Wrapped in the rich theming of ancient Egypt, it combines towering loops and screaming dives with crumbling temple ruins and the mystery of a long lost civilisation, making every ride feel like an expedition into a forgotten kingdom.

The Montu Experience

As an inverted coaster, Montu seats riders in trains that hang below the track rather than sitting on top of it, which means your feet dangle freely in the open air for the entire journey. This simple difference completely changes the sensation of every twist and turn, leaving nothing between you and the ground rushing past below. From the moment the train crests the lift hill at around 150 feet, you know you are in for something special.

Plunging earthward, Montu reaches speeds of roughly 60mph before launching into a sequence of seven inversions that flip, twist and corkscrew without mercy. The signature element is a colossal Immelmann loop, one of the largest of its kind in the world, which throws riders upside down and back again in a single soaring manoeuvre. Add in a vertical loop, a batwing and a pair of corkscrews and you have one of the most complete inverted layouts ever built.

Throughout the ride, Montu weaves through and beneath the ground, diving into trenches lined with Egyptian ruins and crocodile filled enclosures that heighten the sense of danger. The theming is not an afterthought here, it is woven into the very structure of the attraction, turning a world class coaster into an unforgettable adventure.

Top Tip: Sit in the front row at least once for an unobstructed view of the Immelmann loop, then ride again at the back where the whip through each inversion feels noticeably more intense.

Essential Ride Information

Height Restrictions

To ride Montu, guests must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall. This is a firm safety requirement and is checked before boarding, so it is worth measuring younger members of your group in advance to avoid disappointment at the station. For a full breakdown of every coaster across the region, see our complete guide to height restrictions at Florida theme parks.

Queue Times by Season

Peak: During the busiest holiday periods and weekends, waits for Montu can climb to 45 to 75 minutes, especially in the middle of the day when most guests are arriving and the park fills up.

Moderate: On a typical weekday outside of major holidays, expect queues of around 20 to 40 minutes, with the line moving steadily thanks to the high capacity trains.

Quiet: Because Busch Gardens Tampa Bay sits away from the busier Orlando parks, it is often noticeably less crowded, and on quieter days you may walk on to Montu with little to no wait at all.

Quick Queue Information

Montu is included on the Busch Gardens Quick Queue add-on, which lets you skip the regular line and ride the park's most popular coasters with a much shorter wait. On busy days this paid upgrade can save a significant amount of time and is well worth considering if you want to maximise your rides.

Best Times to Experience Montu

The smartest time to ride Montu is right at park opening. Head straight for the Egypt area before the crowds disperse across the park, and you can often enjoy a near walk on experience while everyone else is still browsing the entrance plaza. The cooler morning air also makes the queue far more comfortable in the Florida heat.

Late afternoon and the final hour before closing are also excellent windows, as many families with younger children begin to leave and the lines for the bigger coasters thin out considerably. Riding Montu as the sun sets adds an extra layer of atmosphere to the Egyptian theming.

If you are visiting during a special event such as a seasonal celebration, check the park schedule, as extended hours can offer extra low crowd riding time well into the evening.

Top Tip: Pair an early morning Montu lap with the nearby coasters in the same corner of the park, knocking out the headline thrills before the queues build for the rest of the day.

Who Should Ride Montu?

Montu is a dream come true for inversion lovers and serious thrill seekers who relish being turned upside down again and again. With seven inversions and sustained high speeds, it rewards anyone who lives for relentless, adrenaline fuelled coasters.

It is not recommended for guests who are uncomfortable with heights, intense forces or going upside down, and those who are pregnant or have heart, neck or back conditions should sit this one out. The 54 inch height requirement also means smaller children will need to wait until they grow before they can join in.

Montu is perfect for teenagers and adults chasing a genuine big league coaster experience, and it pairs brilliantly with the rest of the park's line up. Once you have conquered it, explore the many other attractions and the record breaking sibling coaster Iron Gwazi for a full day of thrills.

The Story Behind the Coaster

Montu takes its name from the ancient Egyptian god of war, a falcon headed deity associated with strength, ferocity and the raw power of the sun. The choice of name is fitting for a coaster designed to overwhelm riders with speed and force, and it sets the tone for the entire experience from the moment you spot the queue.

The attraction anchors the Egypt area of the park, a richly detailed land filled with sandstone temples, towering statues and the recreated mystery of an ancient archaeological dig. Theming flows through every part of the ride, with the track diving into trenches and weaving past ruins so that the story of a fearsome god feels ever present.

When it opened in 1996, Montu set records as one of the tallest and fastest inverted coasters in the world, and it helped cement the park's reputation as a global thrill destination. You can dig deeper into its specifications and history on the Roller Coaster Database.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How tall do you have to be to ride Montu? Riders must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall to board Montu, a requirement that is strictly enforced for safety.

Q: How many inversions does Montu have? Montu features seven inversions, including a giant Immelmann loop, a vertical loop, a batwing and corkscrews, making it one of the most inversion packed inverted coasters around.

Q: How fast does Montu go? Montu reaches a top speed of approximately 60mph after dropping from its lift hill of around 150 feet.

Q: Is Montu included with standard park admission? Yes, Montu is included with regular admission. You can plan your visit and buy Busch Gardens tickets in advance, and learn more on the official Busch Gardens Tampa Bay website.