Scorpion at BGT

I'm taking my little six year old sister on her first "real" coaster this July, and it will be Scorpion at BGT. Now, I was wondering how smooth it is, I know it will not be B&M smooth, but will it be extremely rough? Do you think it will be okay for a six year old? And also, if she likes it, she almost tall enough to ride the Python and Gwazi, do you think I should take her on? I'm going in July, so do you think I should go on a weekday or weekend? (Camp crowds Vs. General weekend crowds) Thanks.

*** This post was edited by Stitch on 6/25/2002. ***

Schwarzkopfs aren't "rough", rather they are known for quick turns and intense loops. If she likes one loop, she'll love two on Python. You'll never know till she tries them. Have fun!
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Brad Sherman
BuzzCon Frequent Flyer, helping to train new ride ops properly!
Model coasters and rides

Since Scorpion doesn't have over the shoulder restraints, you shouldn't have any problem with it being rough. Python, on the other hand, was very rough. I'm not really sure about Gwazi, you'll have to hear some of the regulars that go.

Avoid weekends at all costs, especially Saturdays. That goes for any park.
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Bake 'em away toys.

My brother who is 5 went on Viper (5 inversions) at SFDL and he was fine and loved it. I've been on Scorpian and its really not that bad. Its quite intense, but its pretty smooth. The main thing is since there are no otsr there is no headbanging.

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2002 Ride Count: S:ROS 4, Predator 3, Viper 2, ME 1, Boomerang 2,Kraken 8, SWF 10
Check out CoastNY at coastny.cjb.net

Scorpion should be okay for a six year old. She'll probably want to even tackle one of the B&M's there before too long.....

Scorpion is a great ride. It was my youngest son's first coaster; he was 6 at the time. He loved it. It's been non-stop since. Last year, at age 7, he rode Millennium Force three times. His hands up all the way, every time, even on his first ride. Scorpion is pretty smooth, however the helixes do pickup some speed. The ride has individual lapbars and no OTSRs. Some skittish folks may find that disconcerting. It was down last week for yearly maintenance. I do not know when it is due back.

Python is a standard Arrow corkscrew. It can be rough, but it's very short. Not too bad for starter as well. As for Gwazi, start with Scorpion or Python first. Gwazi is a little rougher than anticipated. A good ride, but maybe not as a starter.

The only time I have seen the park crowded was during holiday periods. Spring Break is the worst. Followed by Christmas. BGT has similar attendance numbers to CP and PKI, yet it's open 365 days a year. Average attendance is 11,000. As with other parks, Tuesday is probably the best day, but any weekday should be just fine. Rhino Rally is the one ride that always has a long wait. It's a "one trick pony", but if you’re into live animals, it’s not bad. I will let you decide about the ride itself on your own. I noticed you are from Miami. It's important to note that it is miserably hot in Tampa in July. Sure it's hot everywhere, but 95 degrees at 95% humidity can really take it out of you. No ocean breeze like you get on the other coast.

Enjoy BGT. It's a great family park.

My kids started on Scorpion and Python. I'd recommend Scorpion first because Python can hurt. They were on Magnum the following year (1993) with hands up the whole ride.

If you decide to try Gwazi, do the front car. It'll ride much smoother up there.

Good luck! My daughter turned 20 this year and my son 18 - and they still ride with me. BGT started them off right!

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Without the chaindog, you'd never get up the lifthill...

*** This post was edited by Chaindog on 6/25/2002. ***

I have a little sister who rode it last october and she is only 5 years old. Its a good ride, and not so rough. Its cool because little kids can say they have been on a coaster with a loop and is a good way to start kids on liking coasters. My sister loves roller coasters now!

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Jeez, I rode Scorpion and it was glassy smooth.

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Why do they report power outages on TV?

Thanks for the info everybody, and the humidity won't be that bad for me, since I'm from Miami, I'll take your advice and go on a Tuesday.

They only I had a problem was the one train....But the Ride was still great and smooth.....but very short.

I have a similar situation with my 8 year-old sister (just got over 48 in. this year) and she'll be having her first "upside-down" ride on Chaos and her first space shot on Double Shot. As for your sister, aren't B&M's pretty smooth :~D.

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HuKeD oNN fonickS dusinT wOrK"[;.

I love Scorpion, another fantastic Anton....agreed that the station is the biggest problem with the ride, but forceful, the perfect loop, and the funky jump up in the middle of the helix......it is short, but sweet!

Scorpion was my first coaster, it was a great start.

It was my first major coaster, and I had no problem with it. It can give some sudden lateral Gs that will catch you off gaurd but nothing major. Python was my second major coaster, and also, I had no problems with that. Take her on Gwazi, but at first in the middle where the forces are at a minmum. Then go from there...

*** This post was edited by rocketman23 on 6/26/2002. ***

From our visit, I count Scorpion as the Surprise of BGT. The main attractions there of course are Montu, Gwasi and Kumba... and I considered Scorpion and Python "Just for the count" coasters.

Python was just that... once and done... it was litterally a pain in the neck for me and not very exciting.

Scorpion however was a surprise. I didn't expect much at all from this coaster, but found it to be very fun. Its not very rough, but it is ver intense. Scorpion (along with Batwing at SFA and Laser at Dorney) has one of the most intense loops that I have encountered. Also, the helices are kind of intense plus there are some great headchopper effects where the track passes under itself. I would have liked to get more rides on it, but it, along with Kumba, was closed for most of the day, and I wanted to get at least one ride on Kumba before we had to leave... so no re rides for Scorpion... but by circumstance, not by choice.

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"I wasn't always this cynical, but then I started kindergarden..."

Im just wonderin, did they take out the Budweiser factory to put in Gwazi. I always liked taking the big escalator up and taken the little tour type thing

They still have the tour at BGW. They kept there factory. I think they did take it out Beast_rocks.

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-Sean Newman
83 coasters in Track Record!! Hypersonic XLC # 100 in July. Waiting for the 305 foot drop tower in 2003. Thank you PKD.

What about Rhino Rally, will this be ok, and how long could the lines be?

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Stitch.

Rhino Rally is extremely tame and the lines are usually the longest in the park. Rarely does it go under 75 minutes, and that's on low crowd days! If you want to ride it, do it as soon as the park opens, but I myself prefer Edge of Africa or the Train Ride to this poor excuse for a ride.

*** This post was edited by rocketman23 on 6/26/2002. ***