A Tribute to the Python roller coaster at Busch Gardens Africa

This is my tribute video to the Python roller coaster at Busch Gardens Africa. This video was shot on Oct 30, 2006, it's second to last opperational day. It was built by Arrow Dynamics and designed by Ron Toomer (both, pioneers in the roller coaster industry). It was the first roller coaster at the park and opened in April of 1976 and ran until October 31, 2006. It will always hold a special place in my heart as it was one of the first roller coasters I rode that went upside down. The other was the Dare Devil (aka Zoomerang and Double O) at Circus World (aka Boardwalk and Baseball near Davenport, FL which has been closed since the early 90's.

RIP Python
You may nolonger exist, you'll never be forgotten.

Stats
Length: 1200ft/365.76m
Height: 72ft/21.94m
Speed: 40mph/64.37kph
Duration: 1:08
Inversions :2 (double corkscrew)

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Python
• steel
• roller
• coaster
• Arrow
• Dynamics
• Busch
• Gardens
• Africa
• Tampa
• Florida
• FL
• BGA
• Tribute
• Ron
• Ronald
• Toomer
• Anheuser
• Budweiser
• Inbev
• In
• Bev
• Blackstone
• Group
• BEC
• Entertainment
• Corp
• Corperation
• SeaWorld
• Sea
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• Parks
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• SWP&E
• ride
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• removed
• demolish
• demolished
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• destroyed
• torn
• down
• razed
• Former
• location
• site
• of

[1981AdamP]

Big Bad Wolf was removed for safety reasons...Much like many Arrow rides the engineering was done before the age of computer aided drafting/or with neglect for the use of it...Ron Toomer is a legend in the industry, but was just a bit before his time when it comes to super smooth rides...Just imagine if Toomer was just starting out in this day and age....The sky would be the limit with him...Rest in Peace Ron

[woodencoasterfan]

@1981AdamP I heard that many of Arrows coaster track segments were welded to each other and the supports which led to many of them developing cracks that had to be constantly fixed. I believe that was one of the reasons the BBW was removed. I to believe that Ron was ahead of his time, I heard that he really didn't like riding roller coasters all that much which is really interesting seeing what he did for the industry.If only Arrow could have kept up with the times, they'd still be around today.

[coastakid7]

the cain lift sound like the one the lochness monster coaster in va busch gardens. i love that ride i wish this was still up it looks very fun..

and busch gardens tore down the big bad wolf, and this ride what a shame.

[woodencoasterfan]

@coastakid7 That's because they both came from the same company called Arrow Dynamics which also built the Big Bad Wolf. I thought BBW was one of the best suspended coasters I've ever ridden and the ride was better at night. It'll be sad to see all that empty land where the BBW once was when I go back there this year.

[Hieagandaus]

R.I.P. The Python 1976-2006

she will be missed

you SUCK JUNGALA U R GAY!

[woodencoasterfan]

@BHcoolcreations The Python was a great coaster for it's time. It was the first coaster in the southeastern US that inverted and it was one of the first coasters I rode that went upside down. It was either this one or the DareDevil/Zoomerang at Circus World. It was also called the Double O when Circus World was sold to HBJ who rethemed the park to a 1930's style park called Boardwalk & Baseball.

I hope Scorpion never closes.

[Mockingbird5198]

I always wanted to ride this but I was to short. Scorpion's a good ride, though. Not my favorite but it's fun. If they do replace Scorpion, it better be a whole lot better than Jungala, which I am to big for. I can do it but I'm so tall now that Jungala hurts.

[BlackhawksRBallin]

"I challenged the Python and lived" didn't look like it for that heart patient.

[undertow1985]

i think scorpion will be next :(

[videoman223]

Jungala admit it, it's kind of fun there, I've been in that big ass playground and I found it really fun even when I was 15 last time I went (I come to florida every year I live in Utah)

But no it was fun.

This ride looks good though.

[BarbieInPeril]

i was tall enough just after i became defunct

[Scioneer]

Granted, this coaster wasn't perfect, and was outclassed by both Arrow's later creations ( Big Bad Wolf, Loch Ness Monster for example), and the coaster industry in general, but it was still a fun little coaster that was WAY better than any kiddie area ever will be. RIP Python , you will never be forgotten by those that experienced you.

Arrows are dropping like flies, lets hope the remaining ones can be preserved through using that Chinese Arrow clone company that's popped up lately.

[jbw9999]

@woodencoasterfan "it also was the first coaster in the southeast that inverted as well. " No, the Wabash Cannonball at Opryland was.