GRIFFON

GRIFFON - Busch Gardens, VA

The only reason – other than curiosity -  I rode this coaster was to prove that I’m not a wimp.  I certainly hadn’t expected to enjoy the ride, as hanging over a precipice 205 feet up in the air did not strike me as a whole lot of fun.  Well, surprise, surprise – it turned out to be a hell of a good ride.  It got off to a great start with the floor dropping out from under the train and the train rounding a bend before climbing to the top.  The ascent to the top was remarkably fast and effortless.  Once at the top, the fun began in earnest.  Being tilted forward at 205 feet, unable to see the track below me, seemingly suspended in midair and held there for some seconds before being dropped straight down was pretty amazing.  I was even able to enjoy the scenery.   The 205-foot drop at a 90-degree angle comes without any warning – and what a great drop!  The remainder of the ride was pretty cool with another, shorter suspension over a drop half the size of the first, a couple of inversions and splashdown (no, you don’t get wet).  On the first ride I was in the middle of the first row and on the second, in the next-to-last seat on the left (see photograph, taken by Busch Gardens at first drop) and I must say that sitting near the end of a row is an experience in itself.  Near the end of the row, I was literally riding completely off the track and this felt very weird, especially when the train was hanging over the first drop, but it was even more awesome from this perspective than it was from the middle.  Griffon is undoubtedly the most unusual coaster I have ridden thus far.  4 ½ out of 5 stars.   First photograph courtesy of Coasterimage.com. For more information about rides at BuschGardens, go to www.buschgardens.com/buschgardens/va/

APOLLO'S CHARIOT

APOLLO'S CHARIOT - BUSCH GARDENS VA

I had been dying to ride Apollo's Chariot in order to see how it stacked up against another B&M coaster of similar design, and was not disappointed.  Like Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure, Apollo's Chariot seats 4 across with only a lap bar as a restraint.  The train begins its ascent to the top immediately upon leaving the loading area, and once at the top, drops onto a short platform before plummeting 210 feet.  The first drop was fabulous and I liked the fact that it was followed by a second drop into a tunnel and a hair-raising left turn along the water.  Other highlights of the ride are a fairly intense helix and sharp right turn.  There is good airtime, even on the bunny hills toward the end of the ride, and at times I felt myself sliding forward in my seat.  All in all, a super good ride - although I think I like Nitro a little more.  One thing which particularly impressed me about Apollo's Chariot is the speed and efficiency with which the train is dispatched.  In fact, I have never been on a coaster that got dispatched so quickly.  No fuss, no lengthy safety checks, just full speed ahead.  5 out of 5 stars.  For more information about Busch Gardens, go to www.buschgardens.com/buschgardens/va/

ALPENGEIST

ALPENGEIST, BUSH GARDENS, VA

An inverted coaster from B&M themed after a ski lift and located in the Germany section of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Alpengeist operates with three trains consisting of eight rows seating four across for a total capacity of 32 riders. Upon dispatch the train ascends a 195-foot chain lift hill and drops 170 feet to the right before entering an Immelmann loop followed by a 106-foot vertical loop.  It then passes through a tunnel and cobra roll before hitting the block brake.  From that point it drops, racing along to the left over artificial snow, and goes through a zero-g roll.  The final elements are a corkscrew and helix.

The ride is very well paced, with the six inversions, and the train moves along at a good clip, reaching a maximum speed of 67 mph.  In addition it features great scenery, with the train passing along the side of the Rhine River and alongside Griffon.   It also comes close to the Loch Ness Monster; from a distance the three coasters appear to be almost intertwined.  The elements are really very good and I found the ride experience exhilarating. I also liked the fact that the ride duration is 3:10.  Alpengeist is one of the better inverts I’ve ridden. 4 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, visit https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/