[2] Anheuser-Busch announced a $12.3 million expansion to its Busch Gardens Tampa park for a new section named Timbuktu on February 5, 1979.

[15] Due to public criticism over the abrupt closure, the park postponed the final operating day of Scorpion by one week to September 8.

Once at the top, the train made a slight right turn before it descended into a banked drop and reached its maximum speed of 41 miles per hour (66 km/h).

Following the drop, the trains entered the roller coaster's signature 39.3 foot (12.0 m) vertical loop before it exited into a banked left turn and ascended a hill.

After cresting the ascent, the trains continued left into a banked drop in its sustained turn before it straightened out and ascended into a small hill going through the vertical loop.

After it traversed through the middle of the loop, the train then entered a continuous series of downward spiraling helixes banked to the right before it exited and straightened out into the final brake run.

The lawsuit alleged the park was liable for false imprisonment and negligence and sought $15,000 in damages as a result of the model's injuries as she was forced to continue riding the roller coaster several times thereafter without a break.

"[29] A staff writer for The Tampa Times, Dale Wilson, stated that "Scorpion looks scarier than it is," but compared the thrill of the first drop to the gliding action of a bird.

[19] A writer for the Philadelphia Daily News, Michael Knight, observed that the ride "looks like it might be the ultimate roller-coaster heart stopper.

[22][31][32] At the time of Scorpion's closure, it was the park's oldest and longest-standing roller coaster, as Python had closed during the 2006 season.