Negative-G - Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 2020 Page Fifteen

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Tampa, Florida
December 21, 2020
Page Fifteen

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The Anton Schwarzkopf designed Scorpion Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa, Florida

Scorpion; which is the oldest coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and was one of the first coasters that I fell in love with.

The Anton Schwarzkopf designed Scorpion Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida

Over the last forty years between then and now the one thing I remember crystal clear of that visit to Busch Gardens Tampa was my experience on the Scorpion.

Back then I was not someone who felt comfortable with coasters. Most of them like the Old Chicago Loop at Old Chicago or the same model coaster Python at Busch Gardens (which my mom notified me I did ride back in 1981 despite not remembering it - yes, a new credit to my count) just terrified me beyond reason. Looking back I think the reason was that with the over the shoulder restraints that those rides had I didn't feel locked in or safe. Scorpion though with a lap bar held me snugly in and I felt really safe.

Climbing with my step father Rick in an empty train in an empty park to the top of Scorpion's sixty foot tall lift hill it really was the first time on a coaster where I didn't feel scared at all.

Instead of feeling like I was going to fall out of the restraints and plummet to my death I felt safe, relaxed and able to just enjoy the ride. The great thing is there is so much to enjoy about Scorpion.