Scorpion (roller coaster)

{{Short description|Ride at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (1980-2024)}}

{{Infobox roller coaster

| name = Scorpion

| logo =

| logodimensions =

| image = Scorpion (Busch Gardens Afrika).JPG

| caption = Scorpion seen within the Timbuktu section with SheiKra in the background

| location = Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

| section = Pantopia

| coordinates = {{coord|28|02|15|N|82|25|24|W|display=title,inline|region:US-FL_type:landmark}}

| type = Steel

| designer = Werner Stengel

| model = Silver Arrow

| track =

| lift = Chain lift hill

| status = Removed

| opened = May 16, 1980

| closed = September 8, 2024

| height_ft = 60.7

| drop_ft =

| length_ft = 1,817.6

| speed_mph = 41

| duration = 1:30

| angle =

| inversions = 1

| capacity =

| cost = US$2.5 million – US$3 million

| acceleration =

| gforce = 3.5

| trains = 2

| carspertrain = 5

| rowspercar = 2

| ridersperrow = 2

| restriction_in = 48

| virtual_queue_name = Quick Queue

| virtual_queue_image = Quick Queue availability logo (Busch Gardens).svg

| virtual_queue_status = was available

| rcdb_number = 95

| manufacturer = Anton Schwarzkopf}}

Scorpion was a steel roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida. Designed by Anton Schwarzkopf and manufactured by Werner Stengel, it opened on May 16, 1980, as the second roller coaster at the park. The roller coaster was added as part of the newly constructed Timbuktu section during the second-phased opening, being surrounded by the Congo and Nairobi sections. The roller coaster reached a maximum height of {{convert|60.7|feet|m}}, with a maximum speed of {{Convert|41|mph|km/h}}, and a total length of {{convert|1817.6|feet|m|}}.

Scorpion was one of three Silver Arrow models produced by Anton Schwarzkopf, being the only one supported on a permanent structure. Upon opening, the roller coaster received generally positive reviews and with the closure of Python in 2006, Scorpion became the oldest operating roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay until its closure in 2024.

History

Soon after the expansion of the Congo section of the park, which saw the opening of Python in the 1976 season, it was announced on May 9, 1978, by Anheuser-Busch (the initial owner of Busch Gardens Tampa) that another expansion would come to the park. The expansion was reported to begin soon after its approval, with site preparation to take place first, and cost between $5 million to $10 million.{{Cite news |last=Deibler |first=Dan |date=May 10, 1978 |title=Busch Launches Expansion Of Dark Continent |work=The Tampa Tribune |publisher=Media General |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58634249/announcement-of-major-expansion-to/ |access-date=September 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}; {{Cite news |last=Costello |first=Harry |date=May 17, 1978 |title=Theme park expansions mark battle to bring in tourist dollar |work=The Tampa Times |publisher=Tampa Publishing Company |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58634707/announcement-of-a-upcoming-expansion/ |access-date=September 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} Construction of the area entitled "Timbuktu" that would encompass the latter roller coaster was observed by The Tampa Tribune in November 1978.{{Cite news |date=November 11, 1978 |title=More Busch Gardens Construction |work=The Tampa Tribune |publisher=Media General |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58644099/construction-underway-in-busch-gardens/ |access-date=September 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}; {{Cite news |last=Hendrick |first=Charles |date=December 8, 1978 |title=Busch Gardens Reportedly Plans Huge Water-Oriented Addition |work=The Tampa Tribune |publisher=Media General |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58644312/busch-gardens-tampa-reported-plans-for/ |access-date=September 4, 2020}}

Anheuser-Busch announced a $12.3 million expansion to its Busch Gardens Tampa park for a new section named Timbuktu on February 5, 1979.{{Cite news |last=Hice |first=Joe |date=February 5, 1979 |title=Busch Gardens to get $18.5 million Timbuktu attraction |work=The Tampa Times |publisher=Tampa Publishing Company |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58644402/busch-gardens-tampa-announce-185/ |access-date=September 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}; {{Cite web |date=February 9, 1979 |title=Busch Gardens Begins $12 Million Expansion |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vG1NAAAAIBAJ&pg=3295%2C2515640 |access-date=February 2, 2019 |website=Lakeland Ledger |via=Google News}} The 7-acre (2.8 ha) addition would see the construction of several attractions, including a roller coaster entitled "Scorpion" which was described as "a European designed roller coaster with a 360-degree-loop".{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Lynn |date=February 6, 1979 |title=Busch Gardens plans expansion |work=Orlando Sentinel |publisher=Tribune Publishing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58555535/busch-gardens-tampa-expansion-for-the/ |access-date=September 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}; {{Cite news |last=Evertz |first=Mary |date=February 6, 1979 |title=Busch Gardens announces new water, festival hall projects |work=St. Petersburg Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58555394/expansion-of-the-busch-gardens-tampa/ |access-date=September 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} The Timbuktu expansion would open in two phases, with the Scorpion roller coaster to open as part of the latter-half at a later date.{{Cite news |date=February 25, 1979 |title=Busch Gardens Plans Anniversary Expansion |work=The Indianapolis Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58645040/expansion-description-about-opening/ |access-date=September 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} The original opening date was reported to be in December 1979, though, was moved back several times.{{Cite news |last=Warren |first=Bill |date=December 21, 1979 |title=Busch Gardens to open 'Festhaus' on Christmas Day |work=The Tampa Times |publisher=Tampa Publishing Company |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58646057/the-scorpion-the-last-addition-to-open/ |access-date=September 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}; {{Cite web |date=April 10, 1980 |title=The Dark Continent brings life to Africa of Yesterday |url=http://digitalcollections.hcplc.org/digital/collection/p16054coll7/id/23763/rec/1 |access-date=February 2, 2019 |website=Temple Terrace Beacon |via=Hillsborough County Public Library}}

The Timbuktu section of the park opened to guests on January 25, 1980.{{Cite news |last=Maynard |first=John |date=January 26, 1980 |title=Busch Gardens Hoopla Opens New Timbuktu Attraction |work=The Tampa Tribune |publisher=Media General |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58649964/timbuktu-area-opens-at-busch-gardens/ |access-date=September 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}; {{Cite web |last=Kline |first=Jeff |date=January 26, 1980 |title=Timbuktu opening provides light moments at Dark Continent |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZtMSAAAAIBAJ&pg=5666,3512704 |access-date=February 2, 2019 |website=Lakeland Ledger |via=Google News}} Construction of Scorpion was observed by the Orlando Sentinel in March 1980,{{Cite news |last=Kasper |first=Dixie |date=March 14, 1980 |title=Perilous Python to be joined by scary Scorpion |work=Orlando Sentinel |publisher=Tribune Publishing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58556423/exclusive-on-roller-coaster-scorpion-to/ |access-date=September 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} with an opening that was due in May 1980.{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Jay |date=May 4, 1980 |title=Florida's Fun Belt: It all started with Walt Disney, who built an amusement park in the center of the state ... |work=The Miami Herald |publisher=Knight Ridder |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58647062/scorpion-to-open-during-the-month-of/ |access-date=September 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} On May 16, 1980, Scorpion opened as the park's second roller coaster.{{Cite web |url=https://rcdb.com/95.htm |title=Scorpion – Busch Gardens Tampa (Tampa, Florida, USA) |last=Marden |first=Duane |publisher=Roller Coaster DataBase |access-date=February 3, 2019}}{{Cite book |title=Busch Gardens Tampa Bay |last=McMorrow-Hernandez |first=Joshua |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-4671-2495-9 |series=Images of Modern America |pages=54}} In 2004, Scorpion was repainted from its original paint scheme of orange track and black supports to red track with blue supports (a paint scheme similar to SheiKra). The roller coaster was most recently situated in the Pantopia section of the park next to Phoenix Rising, which was introduced to replace the Timbuktu section with the opening of the park's drop-tower, Falcon's Fury.{{Cite web |date=December 1, 2013 |title=Busch Gardens: Goodbye, Timbuktu — hello, Pantopia |url=https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/travel/florida/busch-gardens-goodbye-timbuktu-8212-hello-pantopia/2155036/ |access-date=September 5, 2020 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}; {{Cite web |last=Bevil |first=Dewayne |date=February 5, 2014 |title=Timbuktu turns into Pantopia at Busch Gardens |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/os-xpm-2014-02-05-os-busch-gardens-falcon-pantopia-20140205-story.html |access-date=September 5, 2020 |website=Orlando Sentinel |publisher=Tribune Publishing |language=en-US}}

On August 23, 2024, Busch Gardens announced that Scorpion would permanently close on September 2 after 44 years in service.{{Cite web |last=Kennedy Wynne |first=Sharon |date=August 23, 2024 |title=Update: Busch Gardens’ oldest rollercoaster, Scorpion, is closing Sept. 8 |url=https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/entertainment/theme-parks/2024/08/23/tampa-busch-gardens-scorpion-close-coaster/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901131941/https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/entertainment/theme-parks/2024/08/23/tampa-busch-gardens-scorpion-close-coaster/ |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=Tampa Bay Times}}{{cite web |date=August 24, 2024 |title=Scorpion roller coaster to close at Busch Gardens. Here's the last day to ride |url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/scorpion-roller-coaster-to-close-at-busch-gardens-heres-the-last-day-to-ride/3400417/ |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=NBC 6 South Florida}} Busch Gardens announced that the ride would be replaced by another attraction, details of which were not disclosed at the time.{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Blake |date=August 23, 2024 |title=Scorpion coaster closing at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay |url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/scorpion-closing-busch-gardens-tampa-bay/ |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=Attractions Magazine}} Due to public criticism over the abrupt closure, the park postponed the final operating day of Scorpion by one week to September 8.{{Cite web |last=Kennedy Wynne |first=Sharon |last2=Woo |first2=Jefferee |title=Fans take one last nostalgic ride on Scorpion, Busch Gardens’ oldest rollercoaster |url=https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/entertainment/theme-parks/2024/08/31/tampa-busch-gardens-scorpion-coaster-closes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831205437/https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/entertainment/theme-parks/2024/08/31/tampa-busch-gardens-scorpion-coaster-closes/ |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=Tampa Bay Times}}{{cite web |last=Saladna |first=Gene |date=September 2, 2024 |title=Busch Gardens pushes back closing date of longstanding roller coaster |url=https://www.wftv.com/news/local/busch-gardens-pushes-back-closing-date-longstanding-roller-coaster/MLV5GNKQWJBCZOB7R5LPHTXCCA/ |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=WFTV}}

The coaster was demolished in May 2025

Ride experience

The train exited the station forward and ascended the {{convert|60.7|feet|m||adj=|abbr=}} lift hill. Once at the top, the train made a slight right turn before it descended into a banked drop and reached its maximum speed of {{Convert|41|mph|km/h|abbr=}}. Following the drop, the trains entered the roller coaster's signature {{convert|39.3|foot|m||adj=|abbr=}} vertical loop before it exited into a banked left turn and ascended a hill. After cresting the ascent, the trains continued left into a banked drop in its sustained turn before it straightened out and ascended into a small hill going through the vertical loop. After it traversed through the middle of the loop, the train then entered a continuous series of downward spiraling helixes banked to the right before it exited and straightened out into the final brake run. The train then traveled forward into a right turn on the outside of the layout, going into straight track before it made another right turn into the station.{{Cite web |last=Alvey |first=Robb |author-link=Robb Alvey |date=November 30, 2017 |title=Scorpion Roller Coaster Awesome 4K 60FPS Multi-Angle View Busch Gardens Tampa |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm4MtYB016E |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/Dm4MtYB016E |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live |access-date=January 4, 2019 |website=Theme Park Review |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} One cycle of the roller coaster took about a minute and a half to complete.

Characteristics

File:Scorpion roller coaster (2).jpg

The roller coaster was manufactured by Anton Schwarzkopf and designed by Werner Stengel.{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Dale |date=October 11, 1980 |title=It's a thrill to ride through the state from coaster to coaster |page=1B |work=The Tampa Times |publisher=Tampa Publishing Company |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58557016/details-about-the-ride-manufacturer/ |access-date=September 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} The total cost of construction for the roller coaster ranged from $2.5 million{{Cite news |last=Cruz |first=Georgina |date=April 2, 1988 |title=Florida's best have their ups and downs |work=The Miami News |publisher=Cox Enterprises |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58666339/cost-of-scorpion-roller-coaster-at/ |access-date=September 5, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Boyd |first=Ronald |date=May 17, 1980 |title=Reporter survives the Scorpion's sting |work=St. Petersburg Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58666136/part-of-scorpion-review-from-the-st/ |access-date=September 5, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} to $3 million. Scorpion was one of three Silver Arrow model roller coasters that were produced by Schwarzkopf, which includes Big Blue located at Fun Park Biograd in Biograd na Moru, Croatia, and the other known as Looping Star owned by the Rand Show in Johannesburg, South Africa.{{Cite web |last=Marden |first=Duane |title=Silverarrow – All Models – Schwarzkopf (Münsterhausen, Bavaria, Germany) |url=https://rcdb.com/8236.htm |access-date=February 3, 2019 |publisher=Roller Coaster DataBase}} Scorpion had a permanent support structure,{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Dale |date=October 11, 1980 |title=It's a thrill to ride through the state from coaster to coaster |page=2B |work=The Tampa Times |publisher=Tampa Publishing Company |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58557160/details-about-the-scorpions-system-and/ |access-date=September 4, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} as opposed to the other Silver Arrow models being portable units.

Scorpion's track reached a total length of {{convert|1817.6|feet|m||adj=|abbr=}}, and is encompassed in a {{convert|93.5|foot|m||adj=|abbr=}} by {{convert|213.8|foot|m||adj=|abbr=}} area. Scorpion exerted a maximum of 3.5 g-forces to its riders, and was named after the general species of scorpion. The roller coaster initially featured six-car trains that operated the layout.{{Cite news |last=Cruz |first=Georgia |date=November 6, 1984 |title=Touring Florida's Coasters |work=The Palm Beach Post |publisher=Cox Enterprises |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58691117/details-on-scorpion-roller-coaster-at/ |access-date=September 5, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} Scorpion operated with two trains, with five cars per train, each car was arranged two-seats across in two rows allowing for a maximum capacity of twenty riders per train. Originally the trains featured a red and orange color scheme,{{Cite news |last=Robertson |first=Alonza |date=September 28, 1991 |title=Scorpion: Physics goes for a ride |work=St. Petersburg Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58687699/color-scheme-of-trains-at-busch-gardens/ |access-date=September 5, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} with the iteration at its closure featuring a red, orange, and yellow color scheme. The ride featured a lap bar restraint,{{Cite web |last=Marden |first=Duane |title=Scorpion car – Busch Gardens Tampa (Tampa, Florida, USA) |url=https://rcdb.com/95.htm#p=44336 |access-date=February 3, 2019 |publisher=Roller Coaster DataBase}} accompanied by a rider height restriction of {{Convert|48|in|cm|abbr=}}.{{Cite web |last=Tribou |first=Richard |date=August 10, 2017 |title=Busch Gardens quietly reigns as Florida's roller coaster capital |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/os-busch-gardens-tampa-roller-coaster-capital-20170811-story.html |access-date=September 5, 2020 |website=Orlando Sentinel |publisher=Tronc}}

Incidents

In December 1994, the roller coaster was part of a lawsuit filed against the park that alleged a model who was employed to portray a family figure for the park's promotional material was not allowed to disembark from the roller coaster after voicing discomfort. The lawsuit alleged the park was liable for false imprisonment and negligence and sought $15,000 in damages as a result of the model's injuries as she was forced to continue riding the roller coaster several times thereafter without a break.{{Cite news |date=December 18, 1994 |title=Park model stung from riding on 'Scorpion' |work=The News-Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61161837/lawsuit-against-busch-gardens-tampa/ |access-date=October 15, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}; {{Cite news |date=December 17, 1994 |title=Comes Now The Plaintiff |work=St. Petersburg Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61167885/lawsuit-in-the-tampa-bay-times-against/ |access-date=October 15, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} The lawsuit was later dismissed by the judge in 1997.{{efn|{{cite court |litigants=Judy A. Parker vs. Busch Entertainment Cor |vol= |reporter= |opinion=Dismissed |pinpoint= |court=Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida |date=1994 |url=https://hover.hillsclerk.com/html/case/caseSearch.html |access-date=November 1, 2020 |quote=}}}}

Reception and legacy

File:Scorpion (Busch Gardens Africa) 02.jpg

Upon opening at the park, Scorpion received generally positive reviews. Guests' reaction to the roller coaster was received well, with one group simply stating "it's a thrill."{{Cite news |last=H. Thompson |first=Susan |date=September 2, 1990 |title=That Thrill Feeling: Some get kicks from 'safe thrills' |work=The Tampa Tribune |publisher=Media General |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58690008/comment-by-park-guests-on-the-scorpion/ |access-date=September 5, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} A staff writer for The Tampa Times, Dale Wilson, stated that "Scorpion looks scarier than it is," but compared the thrill of the first drop to the gliding action of a bird. Though not his favorite, as the layout was "too predictable", Wilson commented that "it'll shake you till your teeth rattle" if not holding onto the ride. A writer for the Philadelphia Daily News, Michael Knight, observed that the ride "looks like it might be the ultimate roller-coaster heart stopper."{{Cite news |last=Knight |first=Michael |date=May 16, 1980 |title=A Park With a Difference |work=Philadelphia Daily News |publisher=Knight Ridder |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58646875/a-review-of-the-busch-gardens-tampa/ |access-date=September 5, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} Randy Geisler, the former American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) president, commented that Scorpion was an intense ride and praised "how much excitement a designer can cram" within the ride's duration.

As the second roller coaster to open at the park, it was often compared to sister steel roller coaster, Python, with various preferences towards either.{{Cite news |last=Morgan |first=Philip |date=November 20, 1991 |title=Coaster booster a high roller |work=The Tampa Tribune |publisher=Media General |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58691156/comments-upon-the-roller-coasters/ |access-date=September 5, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |last=Richey |first=Rodney |date=April 20, 1986 |title=The Dark Continent: Busch Gardens Is Number One Attraction on Florida's Gulf Coast |work=The Star Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58688137/opinion-about-the-roller-coasters-at/ |access-date=September 5, 2020 |via=Newspapers.com}} At the time of Scorpion's closure, it was the park's oldest and longest-standing roller coaster, as Python had closed during the 2006 season.{{Cite web |last=Marden |first=Duane |title=Busch Gardens Tampa (Tampa, Florida, United States) |url=https://rcdb.com/4543.htm |access-date=September 5, 2020 |publisher=Roller Coaster DataBase}}