Python Review, Efteling Vekoma Looping Coaster | Was the Full Retrack Worth It?
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- Python was the first roller coaster installed at Efteling and one of the first coasters ever built by Vekoma. This coaster is over 4 decades old, but a full retracking a few years ago has made the coaster one of the smoothest in the world. This has enabled this beloved coaster to operate for future generations. But was the full retrack worth it?
Video Credits
Python Boarding Pass (Efteling)- • Hoe werkt de Boarding ...
Python POV, Front (Speeddy Games & Coasters)- • Video
Python POV, Middle (JohnYChen)- • 2019 Python Roller Coa...
Python POV, Old (Theme Park Worldwide)- • Python On Ride POV - E...
Background Music
Python Soundtrack (Efteling)
Python was my first looping coaster, I rode it pre-retrack in 2009, 2013 and 2016. The retrack is a massive improvement on comfort, while sacrificing a bit of intensity. The thing with Python is, it's such an important piece of Efteling history that they'd likely be in big trouble if they ever remove it. So many people have conquered their fear of coasters on this ride, it's almost become an integral part of Dutch culture.
I agree it's a big part of Dutch culture. And with all the noise issues they've had, who knows if they could even put another coaster in that exact spot.
I love how Efteling shows so much care in preserving its coasters.
Me too.
Ow you mean how they removed Bob....
@@miwer1000 they could not keep it bc the model was out of production
Python was my first inverting coaster so nostalgia definitely plays a role in how much I like this ride. Sadly I don't remember much about the old trains or old track, except that the brakerun was incredibly rough. I'm surprised that you thought the ride was the same at every place in the train, because i've always thought the opposite. Especially in the vertical loops, in the front you enter fast and exit slow, while in the back you approach slower and then almost forcefully get pulled through. I also feel like you do get a little pop of airtime at the drop in the back row. Last time I visited it was raining like hell at the end of the day so python was walk-on, me and a friend rode back to back in the backrow because we loved the little airtime pop. I definitely believe they made the right decision to retrack it because this coaster holds a lot of nostalgic value for the people who visit Efteling regularly. Great review as always!
It's a very small and pop but you can definitely still feel it
I've never gotten that pop myself.
Also, in the back its like you are pulled truh the tracke over the hill or top of a loop, while in the front its like somthing is holding you from moving forward.
You're lucky to have ridden Shaman before the retracking, because they somehow made it worse. Everything is basically the same as before but the second corkscrew's exit has a spine shattering jolt. There are some ridiculous videos of it on the internet.
I'll have to check that out.
Wow that transition is awful.
I know what you meant i thaught i had a spinal injury when that happenned to me. Since i'm used to this one i didn't brace big mistake.
Haven't been on Python, but I have been on Shaman post-retrack. And I've got to say it unfortunately made the ride worse.
To be fair, the vast majority of the ride sees a marginal improvement, although there is still some slight rattling and some awkward laterals on some of the turns and corkscrews. The hill after the loop even sees some nice ejector.
But once you get to the end of the second corkscrew, you are subjected to one of the WORST potholes of any steel coasters. It jerks you violently to the side, to the point where you get HEADBANGING on the VEST RESTRAINTS. It's gotten so bad that the park has added padding on the ride's restraints to soften the blow. If that isn't a failure on the park's end, I don't know what is.
Rumour has it that the reason why the retrack turned out so bad is because the park hired a local Italian manufacturer to produce the new track, and it's speculated that this company has worked for S&S in the past and may or may not be responsible for Gale Force's crappy original track.
So yeah, decent intent behind this decision, God-awful execution.
i still feel the pain. It was terrible. Still i prefered the ride over python because python is really forceless nowadays. It used to be way better with the original track and the roughness was barrable back than.
I just looked at the video and that looks horrific.
The layout is actually nearly identical to Carolina Cyclone at Carowinds a year prior
True!
And whatever at gardaland; I think they are the same model
@@sqoomsh Shaman at Gardaland is mentioned multiple times in the video :D Though as far as I know Gardaland didn't do the reprofiling but just the retracking. So these two coasters should be quite different now.
At 2:30 , I wouldn't be too keen on referencing that documentary when discussing Vekoma's relationship with Arrow. Whilst they do a decent job at explaining Vekoma's original role for Arrow, the documentary then heavily implies that Vekoma stole Arrow's track to make their own original projects, such as the Boomerang and the SLC. This implication is categorically untrue and wrongfully antagonises Vekoma. There is an article on Park Vault that explains the situation much better than the documentary did (I'd give you the link, but some comment filters block out comments with hyperlinks, so I'm not gonna risk having my comment removed.)
That's fair. I'll edit that part out since that was my only experience learning about it.
@Arrow Dynamics Inc. (Warning, essay incoming)
I'll give you that, Park Vault doesn't do a very good job at citing their sources, and to its credit, The Legacy of Arrow does have some insightful first-hand recounts.
However, the section where the docu makes those inflammatory statements is extremely rushed and doesn't really elaborate on what Vekoma actually did, and what Arrow themselves thought about it. For all we know, Arrow could've been perfectly fine with what Vekoma were doing (which they were), but no tangible evidence was given either way. The transcript literally only says this:
"After Arrow had partnered with European ride manufacturer, Vekoma, they had shown the Dutch company how they created their unique track system in hopes they could save on steel shipping costs for European orders. But, the plan backfired and Vekoma began building their own trains and manufacturing a variant of Arrow's track design for themselves. Vekoma debuted their first Boomerang shuttle loop coaster that year, and Arrow's once revered skill and trade secrets were all but gone. They had created their own rival who used their technology and know-how."
...That's it. They just imply that Vekoma stole their track design and then swiftly move on to the next section. Meanwhile several comments now express their disdain for Vekoma, going as far as calling them "thieves" and "backstabbers". Comments which ACE has hearted, by the way.
ACE had a chance to rectify this in the Creator Commentary, but aside from mentioning how Vekoma has now evolved past their Arrow-based design and shouting out Lech Coaster, they don't really make much of an effort to either take back their antagonistic take, or double down and provide some solid proof to justify their claim. Either way, it leaves that claim feeling superficial and kind of dishonest.
It should be noted that around the time Vekoma started making their own train design, thus deviating from their original Arrow deal, they had begun to make noticeable modifications to their track design, including the double spined track sections on their loopers like Goudourix and Blue Hawk. Furthermore, the way they assembled and designed their coasters was also changed from Arrow's original techniques. They bolted their track sections instead of welding them, like Arrow did, and they also designed their coasters using CAD software unlike Arrow, who still designed their rides by hand.
Plus, many elements, such as the Cobra Roll and the Butterfly Loop were actually invented by Vekoma, not Arrow. By the time the SLC came out, the resemblance between the Arrow and Vekoma track was aesthetic at best. And even that isn't a fair assessment, since Arrow had by then also made significant changes to their track shape (like on the Big One and Desperado.)
As for Park Vault having cited Vekoma for their media, that isn't very relevant to the discussion, since it's purely to give the manufacturer credit for their photos, like I'd do if I were to reuse Mike's footage for one of my videos. And if there was some kind of direct affiliation, they would've had to be more explicit about it.
I just think that one site offers a much more detailed insight on what Vekoma's relationship to Arrow was like (especially if you look at more than just one part of the retrospective), and The Legacy of Arrow's perspective just lacks nuance as is just as poorly cited as Park Vault's is, despite the latter being infinitely more thorough.
Sorry for the endless essay, but this is honestly my only major gripe with an otherwise excellent documentary, and I just felt like taking that off my chest.
Python looks very good and smooth. I'm glad they put these vests on these MK 1200s. A very simular layout to Carolina Cyclone but it's Vekoma. The loops and helix look forceful and the drop looks to give a good pop of airtime in the back.
These vests are awesome for loopers.
Since it was my first real coaster i'm a bit biased. But yeah i wish they had replaced it with somethinmg like a bermuda blitz.
Still it looks nice and fits the family style intensity of the park. Rumor went that they wanted to replace it with something bigger or do an add on but where a bit short on cash.
Python Plus, it was called. I really want to know more about it.
Interesting!
I gues Python is the first coaster with inversions were i have been on. I went on the old and new track. Also on the new and old trains. The new trains and track are smooth. Also your head doesn't go around because of the new trains and track. Saying that, the old track and trains makes the Python a little bit scareer (hope this is a good word, i'm Dutch).
Efteling have the policy to not breakdown there older big attractions because of the generations who visit there park. Almost every Dutch person will visit the park at least 3 times in there lives (as a child, parents and grandparents). With the old attractions and the fairy forrest the parc will be nostalic for all the generations.
That's good they're nostalgic.
The Efteling is my childhood described in a place and last time i went there i rode the python for the first time ever and it was amazing. Definitely go check the park out its so family based and not really for coaster fanatics but its still amazing Kaatsheuvel in Noord Brabant in The Netherlands (my country 😃)
Maybe in the future.
when they build this rollercoaster back in the day , they builded from the station 2 ways and both end meet between the loops en corkscrews. back then they did not had computers, and they made a mistake, that hop was olso a strange bended turn. out of that the rolercoaster had lots of troubles over the years,
but yeah , python is a legend in holland, for most kids the first upsidedown in a rollercoaster. glad it stays
It's great they respect their history.
As a lot of us Dutchies Python was my then 5 year old daughter’s first looping coaster. It was in 2017 so before the refurbishment. She rode it 4 times back to back that day and I was proud, especially since didn’t have the balls to ride it when I was 5. A few months after the refurbishment we rode it again and I can’t say it was smoother, so we don’t ride it anymore. I don’t particularly like the Vekoma vests, but they’re better then the over the shoulder ones they had for years. Hope Vekoma will more tot lapbars, but don’t think they will since it allows for a much smaller height requirement.
That's interesting since it was easily the smoothest old-school Vekoma looper I've experienced.
You're pumping out so much reviews that I can barely watch all of them!!
Benefits of working from home!
Mfw someone all the way from the US has ridden this multiple times, but I (a Dutch person) has never been to Efteling before XD
You can fix that!
I am from the netherlands, and i have ride both tracks in a lot of differend cars. Have to say, first it was a coaster bad for your head and neck, than it was nice, but stil shoking, now it is really smooth. The layout isnt really spectaculare, but its nice and a reall icoon of the park.
It shows how intune Efteling is with their history.
Hm the grouper at your visit did something that is very unusual. we usually dont but 2 different groups together. When there are 3 people in a group it is a must to add a single rider if the queue is open
That's good to know for future visits. It took 4 people about 40 minutes to get on. I kept telling myself to bail out, but I didn't think it would take that long.
I've only ridden Python before the retrack and I can appreciate Efteling's effort to keep it part of their line up.
Python however wasn't my first looping coaster, but actually my 3rd. Prior to Python I rode Thunderloop at Slagharen (Schwarzkopf Looping Star) and Balagos - Flying Flame (known as Tornado prior to 2021) at Hellendoorn. Which is also a MK-1200 model by Vekoma.
So for me Python does not have nostalgic value, but I appreciate it's history and presence.
It seems like it's the first looping coaster for many.
Ohh, i rode Looping Star a few years before it closed. It was actually still quite smooth for it's age.
More Theme Parks Should Give Their Arrow Or Vekoma Coasters A Re-Track Like That. It Makes The Ride Smooth And Enjoyable :)
I'd be in favor of it.
Vekoma is a Swiss manufacturer?? Love the background music on this one!🐍🌳
Vekoma is a Dutch manufacturer.
Its so smooth, its forceless
Coaster studios
Not everyone will love this ride.
I'm a bit sad you didn't mention the Python Plus project. They were planning on adding a second lift and several more inversions.
I didn't know about that.
@@CanobieCoaster Not much is known about it. Here's a link to the Eftelpedia article on Python Plus: www.eftepedia.nl/lemma/Python_Plus
This is my favourite coaster and it was definitly worht it
It's a classic.
3:21 originaly the ride opened with the clasic arrow train then came the vekoma trains after that the kumbak trains and after that came new vekoma trains. So they had already switched trains for the third time.
Ok thanks!
I had a similar Single Riders experience on the (now defunct) Bob in Efteling. The operator constantly asked the standby line if anyone was alone, instead of using a single rider. It made the queue so sluggish that I ended up waiting 30 minutes in Single Riders for a ride that had a 20 minute queue.
Symbolica is easily the best single rider line at that park.
@@CanobieCoaster I feel like that applies to a lot of trackless rides. Ratatouille in Disneyland Paris also has a really quick single riders line.
It’s a shame Kings Island didn’t do this with Vortex
That would've been interesting.
If I ask you, what do you think about the ride on Python at Efteling?
Canobie Coaster would answer:
Python is an average Vekoma looper. The retrack and reprofiling during the 2017-2018 season made the coaster as smooth as glass. While I like the vertical loops and helix, the rest of the ride is a bit sterile. With the lack of headbanging and fluidity doesn't feel any imperfections from the track, and the parts that could give airtime and laterals were designed out by the retrack and reprofiling. I also acknowledge the ride's history and do appreciate the smoothness, but it is probably...
A) my favorite coaster at Efteling.
B) my least favorite coaster at Efteling.
It's ok.
I've been on the new python some hundred times. Compared to the old one It's running smooth as butter.
But the old one also was a very good ride.
Nice!
@@CanobieCoaster As mentioned in the video, the upgrade was done to keep the ride for the whole family, Efteling prioritises on family rides, they do add great coasters as jounger family kids love those. The Baron is a very nice but short coaster. You should try it 😎
The way to do it is replace the tracks and trains good report
Thanks!
Canobie Coaster would say:
Python is an average Vekoma looper. The retrack and reprofiling during the 2017-2018 season made the coaster as smooth as glass. While I like the vertical loops and helix, the rest of the ride is a bit sterile. The lack of headbanging and fluid transitions doesn't feel any imperfection. I acknowledge the ride's history and do appreciate the smoothness, but it is probably...
A) one of my favorite looping coasters out there.
B) one of my least favorite looping coasters out there.
Somewhere in between.
This coaster is so intriguing. I’ve never seen a track that looks different. Is that like the new gen Vekoma track or something?
It was done by another company.
Python opened with Arrow trains, then Replaced them for Vekoma trains, Then replaced them for Kumbak and then again replaced them with Vekoma trains. makes it 3 replacements if I'm correct.
yup first the classic arrow loopers
then the mk 1200
then the kumbak trains
and since 2012 the mk1212
Xpress in Walibi Holland still runs old vekoma trains and those restraints are 5cm too low for my sholders. It's aweful! Especially because it tends to click down a few teeth at high positive G sections. So vest restraints are a welcome addition.
The kumbak trains, while looking nice had aweful padding on the seats. The bone-shaped cushions would crush into your spine. So no, give me those vest restraints!!
@@NiekNooijens The trains on Xpress are the same as the ones on Rock and Rollercoaster, but not with the car theme).
So many replacements!
I rode it before the retrack also. I must be honest to say I did not remember any difference forcewise, however I did not thought it was very rogh before. At least the restrains made it pretty comfortable. I do enjoy it more now though, and I find the drop to give a pop of air in the back, both the helix and turn to give decent laterels and the corkskrews to give some decent whip.
I'm glad they made it smoother.
I've ridden Canyon Blaster at Adventuredome, It's all original Arrow and pretty smooth still.
That one is great.
How does this coaster, and shaman, ride compared to Canyon Blaster at the Adventuredome? I remember that ride was surprisingly intense and it has a nice pop of airtime.
Canyon Blaster feels faster, is more intense, and has the cave theming. And better airtime.
Double loop, double corkscrew, helix. Ninja at SF St Louis is similar, Carolina Cyclone at Carowinds even more so. It's nice that this is smooth and has much better restraints, but it's too bad it doesn't have the forces. Ninja has some bad moments, but keeping my head forward spares me a broken jaw. I'll put up with that for its good moments.
True, it is similar to those rides.
Have been riding this thing ever since I passed the height restriction. I was too small too notice headbanging with the old style vekoma trains, didn’t have much head banging in the kumbak trains either. I however did not like those trains from an aesthetic point of view. Of course the newest vekoma trains were very appreciated. Before the retrack the ride had a bit more force with the latest trains. Now it's almost too smooth. The looping profiling is weird as the track virtually touches itself on the entrance and pull out. And the supports are something else indeed.
I found over-the-shoulder restraints worse as a young kid since my head was stuck in the middle. As an adult, my head usually clears the top.
Which Vekoma looping coaster do you like more, python at efteling or the other loopers?
I prefer some others.
This is without a doubt the most iconic coaster in the BeNeLux. If you ask anyone in Belgium or the Netherlands to name a coaster, they will probably say Python. It feels like everyone has ridden it and so many people love it.
Imo, it's the most overrated coaster out there. It's not bad, but it also isn't good. Your review perfectly described it.
That can happen a lot with classic rides.
Which track did you like more, the new one or the old one?
I did not try the old track.
I found the queue system to be strange and a bit offputting, especially considering the fuss was for such an old coaster. Still, it was a nice, glass-smooth ride.
But when it came to marathoning coasters, I chose the other ones in the park.
I prefer the other major coasters as well.
Honestly this ride is not impressive at all. It's not forceful but it's still a very good rollercoaster for guests who've never experienced inversions before. It also was my first inverting coaster.
It's a classic too for them.
Nice!
Thanks
What do you think about Shaman at Gardaland in 2019?
It was a decent looper when I rode it.
This was my first proper coaster
Nice!
is finland a good vacation place outside of coasters
Helsinki was a cool city.
6:11 Descend the lift hill? 😂
I think I just poorly annunciated ascend, but it does sound like descend.
It would have been nice if they re profiled the first drop to give it airtime, it would really add something to this ride IMO.
I wish!
I am a bit of a coaster conservative myself which is why I wish all old Arrow or Vekoma coasters would get this refurbishment. I can name dozens of these rides past and present that would be so much more enjoyable if they had.
True!
One thing you forgot to mention about Python is that it has one of the slowest lift hills in the world. However on my most recent visit to Efteling last Friday they were running the lift hill at a fast setting, and this made the coaster a bit faster and as a result it was a bit more intense than it usually is.
Interesting!
I see Efteling took inspirations from moreys piers
I have no issue with that.
To ride again, what do you think about Python?
It's fine.
Does Shaman still give an airtime pop into the transition post-retrack?
Yes, but you do hit a really nasty pothole which manages to give you headbanging with vest restraints, so it's not exactly a good tradeoff.
@@MondoCoasters yikessss
@Mondo Coasters Oh my.
@@CanobieCoaster I must specify that I'm referring to the end of the second corkscrew, not the airtime hill.
The rattle on this icon wasn't really that bad before the retrack. They really didn't have to retrack it, but they did it anyways. This ride should never be removed. If you ask random Dutch people to name a rollercoaster, many of them will say Python.
I'm glad they did.
this is my nr. 1 coaster
edit: this was my nr. 1 coaster hyper space overtook it
Nice!
It was not the first coaster. Pegasus (the old wooden coaster) was there first
The trains you show where not the first, the original where the square shaped once. And the kumbac trains where replaced becouse they where already worn out (no joke)
RCDB lists Pegasus as opening in 1991.
Honestly I am not that brave about coasters I really want to go on Python next time because everyone says it is a great start so yeah hope it will break my small fear
Best of luck!
@@CanobieCoaster il need it 😅
They actually did a partial retrack and not a full retrack, since the lift hill, turnaround and most of the first drop are still the original track.
True, I mention that part in the review.
This ride is such an odd fit for Efteling. It's like if Disneyland had a random Arrow corkscrew just sitting behind Tom Sawyer Island.
It does seem a bit odd in that regard.
Imagine they would've replaced it with a modern Vekoma Looping Coaster instead of refurbishing the ride! Was never a big fan of Python and I don't have any nostalgic feelings about it though.
I wonder if the ride would even be allowed given all the issues Python has with noise and such.
The corkscrews actually got worse in my opinion. In the original track, entering the corkscrews was quite janky, but the corkscrews themselves were shaped great! The new corkscrews aren't as good / continuously rolling.
I thought they felt smooth.
@@CanobieCoaster yes they are very smooth but in my opinion the old corks were shaped better 😁
To smooth
No pain is a good thing to me.
I dont really know it probaly was.
It was appreciated by the locals.
European Carolina Cyclone.
Yes
Python is a very boring ride. One and done for me.
I prefer some other coasters here.
@@CanobieCoaster More importantly, the dark rides. Vogel rok was amazing, and Vliegende Hollander might just be the best dark ride i've ever done. Droomvlucht was closed when i went there so i'm definitely going back