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| Manufacturer | Arrow Dynamics | ||||||||||||||||
| Product | Corkscrew | ||||||||||||||||
| Designer / calculations | Ron Toomer | ||||||||||||||||
| Type | Steel | ||||||||||||||||
| Riders per train | 24 | ||||||||||||||||
| Propulsion | Chain lift hill | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 72 feet | ||||||||||||||||
| Top speed | 40 mph | ||||||||||||||||
| Length | 1200 feet | ||||||||||||||||
| Inversions | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 1:08 | ||||||||||||||||
Python was a steel roller coaster located at Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa, Florida, USA. It opened in 1976 and closed in 2006.
History
Python opened on July 1, 1976.[1] It was the park's first roller coaster, as well as Florida's first roller coaster to go upside down.
The ride was repainted in 2003 and the trains were also painted with the park's current logo, switching from the classic Python logo.
Python closed on October 31, 2006.[2] Demolition began 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. While Python was demolished, the trains were sent to Busch Gardens Williamsburg to be used as spare parts for Loch Ness Monster.[3]
Design
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Color scheme
Yellow track and black supports.
Trains
2 trains with 6 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, for a total of 24 riders per train.
Incident
On July 10, 1976, a newspaper reporter died after riding the Python. It was believed he suffered a heart attack.[4]
References
- ↑ "Robert K. Shoemaker, ex-associate manager for 'Festival of States'". Tampa Bay Times.
- ↑ "Last day to ride Python at Busch Gardens Africa". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- ↑ "40 Loch Ness Monster Facts to Celebrate its 40th Anniversary!". Coaster101.
- ↑ Busch Gardens rollercoaster, the Python, closed for routine maintenance - St. Petersburg Times
External links
- Python on the Roller Coaster DataBase.
- Python on Coaster-Count.
- Python on the parks website