Project Driftwood is Busch Gardens Tampa’s next water ride, replacing Stanley Falls Flume. Here’s what we know about construction and timing.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has been quietly (and not so quietly) clearing dirt in the old Stanleyville area for months now, and the project behind all that dust has a name that sounds like it belongs on a woodworking show: Project Driftwood. It’s the codename for the park’s replacement for the long-running Stanley Falls Flume, and while United Parks & Resorts hasn’t put out an official ride announcement yet, permit filings and a steady stream of construction updates from park watchers have given us a pretty good sketch of what’s coming.

What Exactly Is Project Driftwood?

The name first surfaced in permit paperwork filed with Hillsborough County in the spring, tied to removing the old flume ride and building a new water attraction in the same footprint. According to reporting from Florida Thrills, the filing put the project at roughly 91,400 square feet with a construction budget of around $16.5 million, a serious investment for a single water ride.

Interestingly, that early filing didn’t call for any demolition, hinting that the existing station and some infrastructure might survive into the new build. That changed fast. By midsummer, crews were actively tearing into the Stanley Falls site, and the flume’s queue and load station came down entirely.

Where the Construction Boundary Actually Falls

A useful clarification from BGT Safari’s coverage and follow-up reporting is what Project Driftwood is not touching. The footprint stops short of the old Scorpion coaster’s former plot in Pantopia, and it also leaves out the old Stanley Falls locker building, which the park has repurposed as overflow queue space for SheiKra next door. So don’t expect this project to spill into neighboring real estate. It’s a redevelopment of the core flume footprint, not a full Stanleyville overhaul.

Construction Timeline So Far

Here’s the rough progression based on permit filings and on-the-ground reporting:

• May 2026: Permit surfaces publicly, revealing the Project Driftwood codename, the 91,400 square foot footprint, and the roughly $16.5 million budget.
• Summer 2026: Demolition of the Stanley Falls structure ramps up, with the historic ride’s station and queue removed.
• August 15, 2026: A construction update video covering both Kumba’s Revenge and Project Driftwood together shows demolition resuming at the flume site as the park preps for the next phase.
• Late August 2026: Enthusiasts note that the old queue and load station is fully cleared. The former Scorpion plot is being used as a laydown yard for equipment and materials, and a manufacturer and ride name announcement is expected within the next month or so.

So, What Kind of Ride Is This Actually Going to Be?

Since United Parks hasn’t confirmed a manufacturer, ride system, or theme, this part is still speculation, though it’s speculation built on some reasonable clues. Two directions keep coming up among park watchers.

The launched flume route: One option points to something in the spirit of an Intamin launched flume, similar in concept to Catapult Falls at SeaWorld San Antonio. Since SeaWorld and Busch Gardens are sister parks under United Parks & Resorts, the company is already familiar with that platform, and it would read as a natural successor to Stanley Falls (the way Cedar Point’s Top Thrill Dragster became Top Thrill 2).

The rocking boat route: The more novel option is a Mack Rides rocking boat system, the same family of ride tech behind Mission Bermudes at Parc du Futuroscope and the one being used indoors for Dollywood’s NightFlight. That platform blends coaster-like movement with whitewater-style water elements, and would be a genuinely new experience type for the Busch Gardens Tampa lineup.

Of course, until United Parks makes it official, treat both as informed guesses rather than confirmed plans.

Part of a Bigger Wave of Tampa Investment

Project Driftwood isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s arriving alongside Kumba’s Revenge, the follow-up to the classic B&M looper that took its final rides on August 2, 2026, after 33 years of operation, and it follows Phoenix Rising, the family inverted coaster that opened in Pantopia back in July 2024. Busch Gardens Tampa has clearly been on a multi-year reinvestment kick, and Project Driftwood looks like the next major piece.

Project Driftwood: When Could It Open?

No official opening date exists yet, and until a manufacturer is confirmed, any date is a guess. That said, enthusiast reporting has floated hope that the ride could be ready in time for the park’s Summer Nights event next year, which would put a realistic opening window in the summer of 2027. Treat that as optimistic, not guaranteed. Big water rides with structural and plumbing work tend to run into schedule surprises.

Project Driftwood: What We’ll Be Watching For

• The manufacturer and ride name announcement teased for the weeks ahead
• Any confirmation of ride type (launched flume versus rocking boat platform)
• Theming direction for the rebuilt Stanleyville area
• An official opening window from United Parks & Resorts

We’ll keep this page updated as Project Driftwood moves from construction fencing to an actual ride name. In the meantime, if you’re planning a Busch Gardens Tampa trip this fall, check out our Howl-O-Scream Busch Gardens Tampa coverage for what else is happening at the park right now.

For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News.

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