Python

Opening on July 1, 1976, Python was a historic steel roller coaster that marked a major turning point for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, serving as the park’s first-ever coaster and the first in Florida to feature inversions. Manufactured by Arrow Development, this compact “Corkscrew” model stood 70 feet tall and reached speeds of 40 mph during its 1,200-foot course, which was most famous for its signature double-corkscrew element that turned riders upside down twice in quick succession. Originally sporting a bright yellow and brown color scheme to match its reptilian theme, the ride was a cornerstone of the Congo section for three decades until it permanently closed on October 31, 2006, to make way for the Jungala expansion.