Cobra’s Curse Spinning Coaster: Construction Update and Elevator Lift Testing

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay‘s brand new Spin Coaster, Cobra’s Curse, is opening this Summer. I was able to get some video over the weekend showing off the completed track, the innovative vertical lift being tested, and a sample spinning car they have on display, plus a few shots of some cuddly, (and some not-so-cuddly) animals. Cobra’s Curse is being touted as a “family coaster,” but boasts some incredible features including a vertical elevator lift that takes riders up 80 feet to start the ride from the top, speeds up to 40 mph, and several key points in the ride where your car turns backwards, forwards, and even freely spins during the three and a half minute journey. Check out the video below, along with concept art, coaster specs, and construction snapshots. And stay tuned for more theme park updates coming soon!

Ride Details and Concept Art

See all that makes this spin coaster the only one of its kind in the world! Join us at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as Cobra’s Curse strikes this summer! This new attraction will be located in the Egypt area, near Montu.

Small scale model of the coaster and surrounding area

The first experience on this ride is a lift that is one of a kind! This vertical lift functions in a similar way to an outdoor elevator and will take riders up in their coaster car to put them face- to-fang with the 80-foot Snake King.

The Cobra’s Curse ride experience unfolds in chapters: First, you will be facing forward for the first third of the ride and then be turned backwards for the second segment. Finally, for the final third of the ride, you’ll free spin into frenzy.

The air-conditioned queue line features an exhibit with live snakes, interactive elements and projection mapping technology to tell the story of the Snake King.

Ride cars at load platform (concept art)

Ride cars spinning freely on track (concept art)

Ride duration will be more than three and a half minutes reaching top speeds of 40 mph through more than 2,100 feet of track, (70 total track segments). This spinning family coaster can accommodate anyone 48 inches or taller to ride alone or 42 inches with parent or guardian.

Info Video

Construction Update

Approaching the Egypt area at Busch Gardens

Construction walls up on both sides, leaving very little room for pathway

Themed construction walls with a box you can stick your hand inside, if you’re brave enough

An ominous warning…

Is that a snake inside? Or a corrugated pipe?

View of what will become the ride entrance

Unpainted “ancient” snake statue. Looks like it has hookups for attraction sign or decoration here

Awning for air conditioned queue entrance here

Covered area for load platform behind queue building

Lift tower, as seen from ride entrance

80-foot tall Snake King

Dual lift in operation. One side raises cars up while other side comes down to pick up next set of cars

Concept art of ride cars being lifted up on elevator track

Track piece being elevated into place for testing

View from back shows how track lift is nearly all the way to the top, where it will connect to ride track so cars can start ride

Lift connected to ride track…

Once all the way to the top, riders will come face to face with Snake King, before cars begin to move forward along track

Close up of lift track meeting ride track. Motorized tires propel cars forward onto ride track

Close up of elevator lift track/mechanism along sides

Ride Vehicle on display nearby

Rotating ride vehicle sample to show off new coaster features

Logo on front of vehicle is for VISE: Viper International Survey and Excavation, the team of archaeologists that “discovered” the crumbling remains of an ancient temple of the Snake King