Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[thefitness]

robbalvey

Is it possible that they just have a bunch of older maps left in stock and they aren't rotating them out?

 

Ya thats probally whats going on...but has anyone heard BGA themselves say flatout that python is getting removed?...but i guess if those maps with the construction on them are real they are pretty much proof

[Homer]

Im still not sure if it will be removed

Is it possible that they just have a bunch of older maps left in stock and they aren't rotating them out?

Robb is spot on, maybe Busch found a stock of older maps from Summer 2006 and they are trying to get rid of them before putting the newer Fall/Winter 2006 maps out.

 

I think this basically confirms Python may head to a third-world country or the scrap heap.

[neovortex2k]

AHH im so sad that was my second ever inverting coaster. awww

[UberBeavis]

I think this basically confirms Python may head to a third-world country or the scrap heap.

Isn't Tampa a third-world country?

[coastakid]

grrr...Now I'm mad I didn't get my ride in when I had the chance!

 

 

R.I.P Python

 

-Coasterkid

[kingdanny]

I honestly don't think Python will be removed.

[Johnny Upsidedown]

Some new info on Python,

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/19/Business/Classic_coaster_doomed.shtml

 

Nothing confermed but the article states that BGT has pulled permits for demolishon of the congo area.

 

HEre is the article.

TAMPA - Is the Python - once touted as a death-defying thrill ride - headed into its last loop?

 

 

Busch Gardens Africa officials are not confirming anything. But the Tampa theme park has taken out demolition permits as a prelude to overhauling the Congo, a corner of the 335-acre park that the big yellow and black coaster has anchored for 30 years.

 

 

Theme park and coaster fan Web sites brim with speculation quoting anonymous insiders that the curtain will fall on the Python right after the park’s month-long Howl-O-Scream celebration ends in October.

 

 

Screamscape.com even posted new park guest maps not yet distributed that show the entire Congo area walled off as a construction zone. BGTguide. com, which follows park ride developments with the some of the zeal of Woodward and Bernstein, thinks a themed kids play area is part of the replacement plan.

 

Because of the park’s funding cycle, it’s doubtful another major thrill ride will open at Busch Gardens until or 2008 or 2009, the park’s 50th anniversary year.

 

 

The Python is one of the first of a once-daring breed of double corkscrew-style steel coasters that flipped riders upside down.

 

 

Busch first promoted the ride in 1976 with the tag line “I challenged the Python and lived.’’

 

 

Unfortunately, the ad campaign was pulled within weeks of the opening after one rider - a 6-foot-6, 340 pound, 39-year-old heart patient - challenged the Python... and died.

 

 

Then, as now, health warnings were posted for people with heart and back troubles.

 

 

However, in today’s world of stomach-churning, can-you-top-this coasters, the Python’s two rotations are variously rated by coaster enthusiasts as tame to lame. So reactions posted on fan web sites have been subdued. One poster even said a Starbucks would be an improvement.

 

 

The Python, however, does carry sentimental value.

 

 

”If the rumors are true, it would be sad to lose this classic that for many holds a special place in our hearts,’’ said Chris Kraftchick, a regional officer with the American Coaster Enthusiasts.

 

“It was my first looping coaster."

 

Subsequent generations of rival coasters run much faster than the Python’s 50 miles per hour.

 

They last three to four times longer than the Python’s 70 seconds, most of which are spent inching up the lift-hill.

 

Sometimes goosed by linear accelerators, today’s coasters subject riders to more g-forces, 90-degree drops and flight patterns borrowed from barnstorming stunt pilots.

 

Busch officials have made no secret the Congo is next on their renovation list now that the Serengeti, Timbuktu, Stanleyville, Veldt, the front gate and the parking lots have been upgraded over the past decade.

 

But they have been vague about what they plan to do there beyond freshen up the jungle theme and build new animal habitats for the park’s white tigers and probably for an orangutan displaced from Stanleyville by the SheiKra dive coaster.

 

Busch promotes itself as a blend of rides, animals and live entertainment. But the park’s marketing edge for young thrill-seekers relies on having the largest collection of coasters in Florida, a tradition that started with the Python.

 

Without it, Busch still would have seven coasters counting both of Gwazi’s mirror-image tracks that run in opposing directions.

[ECZenith]

Python just never seemed to belong at BGA once the B&Ms started taking over. I actually like Arrow corkscrews but they just aren't a Busch-quality coaster. I just hope the ride is sent to a park where it would fit in instead of going to a scrap heap. It had a good run...

[neovortex2k]

oh ley it come over here and add to our total or 3 rollercoasters!!Any1 any idea how much a 30 year old second hand coaster like that would sell for?!

[dougstanton]

This is off topic from Python, but really quick, I have the option to either go this Friday or Saturday. Saturday, the park is open for 2 more hours, but would more crowds cancel out that time?

[mr_teisco_delrey]

oh ley it come over here and add to our total or 3 rollercoasters!!Any1 any idea how much a 30 year old second hand coaster like that would sell for?!

 

Libertyland's sold for 35K.

[fakestar]

It was one of my very first credits - I can't say for sure, but it was either the Magic Harbour/Pavillion Corkscrew, a traveling Galaxi, or Python - and even then I thought it was weak. Good riddance!

 

 

Scorpion totally pwnz it.

[neovortex2k]

Oh my god, i'd so buy it if only i had the space! it was my second ever inverting credit and first more than one inversion credit! i'll miss it so much next year we i make it back!

[BarryH]

Im still not sure if it will be removed

Is it possible that they just have a bunch of older maps left in stock and they aren't rotating them out?

 

I got a map last month that showed the Haunted Lighthouse 4-D!

[kingdanny]

I still doubt it will be removed. When Busch confirms it on their website then I will believe that Python is leaving.

[redfoot12]

I hope to catch it next month. My first Arrow corkscrew! (exciting, I know)

[ginzo]

I'm going down around Thanksgiving. If it does get removed, I hope they remove it after that. I need a few more trips to the chiropractor.

[Wes]

Looks like BGT is already removing it.

[Homer]

 

EDIT:

 

http://www.tbo.com/news/money/email/MGBA71XFCSE.html

 

More confirmation for those who still believe this is something invented by BGTGuide.

[thefitness]

Here is a St Pete Times Article from Wednesday September 20th

[Ccron10]

A rumor from Screamscape says that the might be a kids themed area in 2008 called Kilimanjaro might be added to were the Python is.

 

It also said that the local news heard that the park tried demolition permits for the coaster and ViVi Resturant, but the city wants a more detailed plan so there is a chance of the Python being saved, but I'm not betting on it.

[lexington]

A rumor from Screamscape says that the might be a kids themed area in 2008 called Kilimanjaro might be added to were the Python is.

 

It also said that the local news heard that the park tried demolition permits for the coaster and ViVi Resturant, but the city wants a more detailed plan so there is a chance of the Python being saved, but I'm not betting on it.

 

...but we already have a picture of it being removed.

[Curly]

^The picture which Wes posted seems ,at closer look, to be photoshoped or edited in a way that it seems that there is no track. If you look closely enough, you may see a difference in the sky in which the track is heading towards.

[Astat]

Wes photoshops pictures of coasters being torn down all the time, he did it during the whole "OMG SFMM is getting sold!" thing, and he posted some in the Cedar Point '07 project thread.

 

Python's still up and running at the moment.

[Homer]

A rumor from Screamscape says that the might be a kids themed area in 2008 called Kilimanjaro might be added to were the Python is.

 

It also said that the local news heard that the park tried demolition permits for the coaster and ViVi Resturant, but the city wants a more detailed plan so there is a chance of the Python being saved, but I'm not betting on it.

 

...but we already have a picture of it being removed.

 

^The picture which Wes posted seems ,at closer look, to be photoshoped or edited in a way that it seems that there is no track. If you look closely enough, you may see a difference in the sky in which the track is heading towards.

 

Take those as compliments, Wes.

 

(wonders if you have ever done any funny photoshops for SomethingAwful or Fark or any other site that has funny photoshops every week).