Python (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay)

Python
Python's double-corkscrew element (chain lift and first drop in background).
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Park section Congo
Coordinates 28°02′20″N 82°25′30″W / 28.0390°N 82.4251°W / 28.0390; -82.4251Coordinates: 28°02′20″N 82°25′30″W / 28.0390°N 82.4251°W / 28.0390; -82.4251
Status Removed
Opening date July 1, 1976 (1976-07-01)
Closing date October 31, 2006 (2006-10-31)
General statistics
Type Steel
Manufacturer Arrow Development
Designer Ron Toomer
Model Corkscrew
Track layout Custom
Lift/launch system Chain lift hill
Height 70 ft (21 m)
Length 1,250 ft (380 m)
Speed 50 mph (80 km/h)
Inversions 2
Duration 1:10
Capacity 480 riders per hour
Height restriction 48 in (122 cm)
Python at RCDB
Pictures of Python at RCDB

Python was a steel roller coaster located at Busch Gardens amusement park in Tampa, Florida. Built by Arrow Development and opened on July 1, 1976, it was the first roller coaster at Busch Gardens since the park opened in 1959. The ride was located in the Congo section of the park near Stanley Falls Flume and Congo River Rapids.

History

Python opened on July 1, 1976, as the first roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. It was repainted in 2003, the trains were also painted with the park's current logo, switched from the classic Python logo. Python permanently closed on October 31, 2006,[1] and demolished for scrap shortly after in November 2006. The removal of Python was necessary to make way for the park's Jungala attraction, and was part of the largest renovation in Busch Gardens' history. Along with Python, the area's Tiger's Den gift shop, and Python Soft Serve have been torn down as a part of the Congo renovation.

Layout

Python entering its second corkscrew

Python was a stock model roller coaster made by Arrow Development, which was a clone of Knott's Berry Farms defunct Corkscrew roller coaster (which now operates at Silverwood amusement park in Athol, Idaho).

The ride began when the train exited the station into a short 180-degree turn and up the 70-foot-tall (21 m) lift hill. Once at the top, the train dipped into a banked turn and down the first drop, which gave a sensation of airtime. Following the drop, the train then ascended a small hill and into a turn, followed by its double corkscrew element. Following the signature double corkscrew element, the train then went through another 180-degree turn, entered the final brake run and returned to the station.

Incidents

A few weeks after the ride opened, a 39-year-old heart patient died shortly after riding the Python. The ride's tagline ("I challenged the Python and lived!") had to be pulled.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Albright, Mark (October 28, 2006). "Business: Last run: Busch Gardens' original thrill will be gone". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2016-08-12.
  2. ↑ Albright, Mark (September 19, 2006). "Business: Classic coaster doomed?". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
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