Cobra’s Curse is a custom Mack Rides spinning roller coaster which opened at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 2016. Unlike other Mack spinning coasters, the ride features a elevator lift hill to take riders to the maximum height of 70ft, as well as unique trains with controlled spin settings.
Ride Station
Cobra’s Curse features a moving platform with a conveyor belt as well as a secondary station reachable by a transfer track which can be utilised by guests with additional access needs. Platform hosts utilise RFID cards to verify that the train is ready for dispatch after the bars have been checked. Motion sensors are placed within the conveyor belt to ensure guests don’t go into ride area.
Operator Booth
The operator booth for Cobra’s Curse does not feature a dispatch button due to the moving platform. The role of the operator is to observe the normal operation of the attraction and to ensure everyone’s safety during the experience. CCTV screens are situated above the operator control panel as well as an QSC audio system controller to the left of the panel for all the audio announcements linked to the attraction. Did you know that there are thirteen block sections on Cobra’s Curse?
Transfer Track
This transfer track is used to move trains from the main ride layout onto one of the two maintenance tracks which are situated to the left and parallel to the ride station. This transfer track is also dual function and is used to transfer a given train into and out of the accessible station using a secondary track piece.
Upper Maintenance Shed
Cobra’s Curse features two maintenance tracks, part features standard track and other parts use guide wheels for the trains to be supported while allowing the wheel bogies to be worked on. There is also a yellow truss crane structure to transport trains and parts onto the maintenance path via a grey service door.
Lower Maintenance Shed
Cobra’s Curse has two levels to the maintenance shed, an upper and lower floor. This is so that the train can also be inspected from underneath. There are many different tools and parts which are stored in this area. After a train has completed its annual maintenance strip it requires 6 hours of maintenance run time and 6 hours of run time by the ride team before any guests can step foot onto the vehicle.
Power and Server Room
This is the engineering room where the computer system that operates Cobra’s Curse is based. The machinery and servers within this room are what power and control each component within the attraction. There are many different computer and electrical components on the wall which can be used to replace any parts which may reach the end of their service life. The computer within this room allows for engineers to monitor the ride during operational hours as well as to change the programming of the attraction and to evaluate any faults which may have occurred with the ride. Engineers also have the ability to change the ride settings for example by disabling the rotation of the vehicle to go backwards at the block section or for the gondola to free spin during the final part of the layout. It is also possible for Mack engineers in Germany to remote access the attraction if Busch Gardens requires.
Maintenance Pathway
This maintenance pathway is used to take deliveries to the maintenance shed and can be used to store parts and can quickly provide engineers with access to different ride area zones when required. Mack Rides believe in exact precision within their ride operations. On the elevator lift hill both track pieces must retract and extend within 0.75 seconds of each other otherwise the ride will fault. This is the most common reason for down time on the attraction since the adverse weather in Florida can wash away the track lubricant from the top of the lift quicker than from the track situated on ground level.
