For today's review, we're going back in time to 2020 (when I visited) to review Scorpion, Busch Gardens Tampa's old Schwartkoph looping coaster. Now, on paper, this ride didn't seem like anything special. However, this is actually one of the most underrated coasters that I've ridden. No seriously, this thing even cracked my Top 25 back in 2020! Granted, it's much lower since then due to me riding far more coasters. But I still really like it! However, the ride is now closed forever. So let's go back and talk about it. We first enter the typical Schwartzkopf trains and then head up the lift hill, we then hit a drop which is fun, but nothing too standout-ish. But then we hit the loop, and WOW, this is a powerful inversion. I remember greying out here. We then twist up into an overbanked turn and get some decent laterals and even go through that amazing loop! We then hit the helix, which WOW, this is powerful! I actually managed to black out here. It was very intense. And then we hit the brakes. Yeah, this ride is very short. But considering it was 44 years old, it was pretty damn good! The helix and the loop made this ride awesome and easily one of the most underrated coasters ever. Sure, it was no Montu Kumba or Iron Gwazi (really looking forward to riding this next time I go), but it was great! However, this coaster is closed forever now, which, as someone who really liked Scorpion, pisses me off. AND I'M ESPECIALLY PISSED THAT THEY DECIDED TO CLOSE IT OUT OF THE BLUE WITH HARDLY ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. AS WELL AS DOING IT AROUND THE SAME TIME ANOTHER COASTER GOT REMOVED. Schwartzkopf loopers are super rare, and now with Montezooma's Revenge, Mindbender, and this gone, absolutely take any chance you can get to ride one of these. Final Score: 75/100 Opened: 1980 Died: September 8th 2024 Built By: Schwarzkopf Last Ridden: January 12, 2020 read more

In 1978, this was my first roller coaster, so it's a 5 star review for me from then to now. Back then, with their parents' blessings, I took former students to the park when we all had summer passes. These 14 year olds dared this 28 year old woman to ride it. I did, and I loved it. And we rode it every time we visited that summer. Today, 1/21/23, was the first time I'd been on this coaster since 2001 when I rode every coaster in the park for my 50th birthday. I rode it only once, because I wanted to ride faster, more exciting coasters, and the waits for those other coasters were long. Yes, the Scorpion is not as fast, has no death defying drops, & it is a short ride. But like a first love, I have a soft spot for the Scorpion, so when I come back to Busch Gardens, I'll ride the Scorpion if the line is short. Today I only waited 10 minutes. So I rode it, and it was a joyful experience (see picture taken by Husband). By the way, the lockers are $2 for 2 hours. Since it's a safety issue to take no loose items on any coaster, lockers should be complimentary. But that's my opinion. So Husband babysat our loose items while my friend and I rode the Scorpion. read more

Scorpion - Next in line! - Amusement Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Contrary to my younger kids' opinions, I did not enjoy this ride. I found it to be a rough ride, not pleasant. My twins were able to ride, they're 48 inches, but I didn't like the security of it. For me, it didn't feel safe enough considering it has an upside down loop. I was nervous trying to hold my kid, I even hurt my back doing so. They did enjoy it and asked to ride it again, but it just wasn't the type of ride I enjoy. read more

This ride is an oldie, but not a goodie. I rode a similar ride to this at Frontier City in Oklahoma. This only runs one train so the wait can be long and I waited for 30 minutes for this ride on a busy day. I thought it was not too bad that I ended up riding it twice as it was a walk on. Overall, it is just an okay ride. read more

This is one of the oldest if not the oldest coaster of the park. It's old, short, rough but fun. It's a "starter coaster" for many. Located right near Falcons Fury and a must ride when we are at the park. Even my 13 yo daughter loves it. read more

Great starter roller coaster for my son! He loved it. You go upside down in a loop. We waited a little under an hour because we didn't have a fast pass. I don't understand why they let so many people ride single. That makes people wait longer. read more

Scorpion - We did it! - Amusement Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This little thing is deceptively fast! Could be fun but it is so rough on you. Really bangs you up. And short which is a good thing. Not really worth doing is my opinion. read more

Scorpion was my starter coaster and I love it. So much. It's old. It's rough. It's rickety. The ride is short, but it's a blast! This one is great for the littles and I personally just laugh on it. I'm the only one in my family that enjoys it, my kids are grown so they're waiting for the thrillers while I'm riding Scorpion. If you're new to coasters, have littles or just want to go back in time and feel a bit old school, Scorpion is your coaster! read more

This is a very outdated coaster. The first drop isn't bad but the circular loop is full on painful, between heavy g-forces and the roughness. The ride is short and not sweet, espically on your neck. If you ride this, make sure it hold on and brace for that loop. read more

I'm reviewing this ride from the eyes of a first time rider 7 year old. Is your first time at a theme park being tall enough to ride. You've waited all winter long to grow that extra two inches to be tall enough for the upcoming year. The time has finally come and you are only tall enough for one coaster, but damnit, you're getting on it. That coaster is Scorpion, and for this kid, it will be amazing. He will give it a 5/5 rating. For the rest of us in our young adulthoods, it's a simple ride. All of 90 feet high, one vertical loop, a quick double vortex, and your back in the station. This ride is modeled after a ride buit in a popular 80s theme park called Boblo Island, and its age shows. That int to say it isn't worth a quick ride if you are here on the off season and the line is only 0 to 5 minutes. If you have kids and want to ride something with them, this is the one in this park. If you are an adult, keep it moving lol I give scorpion a very middle-grounded 3 out of 5 stars read more

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Scorpion is your typical, no frills, sit down steel coaster. A somewhat small lift hill immediately drops you into the rides one and only loop which is followed by one long wide left turn and a switch into a tighter "whirlpool" style turn where you get completely horizontal before coming to a stop. It's not amazing, but there is nothing wrong with it either. You can tell its an older style of coaster, but its still a smooth ride and it has a certain charm to it. I wouldn't wait in a huge line for a chance to ride this one, but it is certainly still a fun experience. read more

Scorpion - Amusement Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

When this coaster opened, it was probably state of the art. Now, there are probably better options, but it's worth a ride if the line is short! There are some speedy turns and a loop, but it does shake you around more than some of the newer coasters. read more

What is this? All the roller coasters at this park are great. Except...this one, it's the red-headed stepchild of the park. It's rough, boring, and looks awful and outdated. Take it out and throw an RMC Raptor here. read more

To rickety and not worth the wait. I was so hyped to ride this, but it turns out it's just a short, slow ride. If your going to Busch Gardens Tampa, just skip it. Not worth losing the time you have to go on other rides. read more

It was a good ride but it was not worth the wait and I think it's too short I was excited for this ride but when I got there it was not scary at all read more

Far be it from me to buck the trend of giving Scorpion 3 stars. The granddaddy of all Busch Gardens coasters was surprisingly decent for a ride I almost skipped. Hell, it may have even been more fun than I remember it being when I was just a kid. Scorpion wasn't all that rough either. It's over pretty quickly, and it's small in stature, and sure it's got nothing on some of these modern coasters Parks drop over $20 million on but I'll be damned if Scorpion isn't worth a spin or two. I wouldn't wait in too long a line for it, but somehow I doubt the queue ever gets too deep. There must be a reason why Scorpion still stands while Python is long gone, right? read more

It is a very short ride that is over really fast. I like the loops that it takes and the upside down turns. It would be cool if it were longer. It is cool for kids to ride, but not if you have to wait 30 minutes for it. read more

This roller coaster is decent. It's got some quick turns and a few small drops. If there is a line longer than 20 minutes, don't bother. It's not worth it! read more

I love the other review that advises thinking of this ride like you are a 7 year old kid. I was probably literally 6 or 7 years old when I rode this for the first time nearly 30 years ago and let me tell you - it was a super scary, thrilling ride. Honestly, I still find it a really scary coaster, partly because it is SO small - the cars are tiny, how close you are to the track, how much you can feel the track moving with you - all of it is REALLY intense compared to the modern super coaster. Still a great little ride and one of the few still remaining from back in the day (RIP Python - I loved you). read more

This is a decent roller coaster with minimal loops. Be warned, The Scorpion is very fast.