Scorpion
Height
61 ft
Speed
41 mph
Length
1,818 ft
Opening on May 16, 1980, Scorpion was a historic steel “Silverarrow” coaster and one of only three models of its kind ever manufactured by the legendary Anton Schwarzkopf. Standing 60 feet tall and reaching a top speed of 41 mph, the ride was best known for its intense, high-G-force 39-foot vertical loop and a series of tight, high-speed 360-degree helices that highlighted Schwarzkopf’s signature smooth yet forceful engineering. Despite its relatively compact 1,817-foot layout, the attraction remained a beloved cult classic at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for its nostalgic “old-school” thrill and its status as the park’s oldest operating coaster following the removal of Python. After 44 years of service, the ride officially closed on September 8, 2024, and was demolished in early 2025 to make way for future development in the Pantopia section of the park.
Technical Specifications
| Status | Defunct |
|---|---|
| Type | Steel |
| Opened | 1980 |
| Defunct | 2024 |
| Manufacturer | Scharzkopf |
| Designer | Ing Buro Stengel Gmbh |
| Height | 61 ft |
| Max Speed | 41 mph |
| Length | 1818 ft |
| Inversions | 1 |
| Duration | 1 minutes, 30 seconds |
