Busch Gardens Williamsburg

[Dormiens-Dave]

Verboltens drop is quoted by Zierer as being 6m

EDIT: and looking at the plans from way back the drop looks about 6m based on the person representation in the diagram. That's usually accepted to be around 6ft for an adult in plan.

[Rob L]

Yep my mistake, I read somewhere the other day that the drop was 8 meters but that was indeed wrong!

Regardless of how good the drop is, and we will only know that once people have ridden it, this ride is about so much more than the drop. You've got the 2 launches, the track and effects in the event building and the drop down over the river. Not to mention all of the lovely theming. I personally think BGW are onto a winner here with what looks like a great example of a family thrill coaster.

[Bote]

Well I'm glad to see a video of the drop at last. It certainly looks better than Polar X Plorer anyway! I guess 1 metre can make a big difference

Aesthetically though I still prefer the Intamin take. The lack of a visible frame and catwalks just offers the chance for a more emersive theming experience, and if riders are unaware of what is going to happen, can add to the sense of mystery.

That said I think Zierer have a system which could offer more potential in the future. With a strong enough pully system how cool would a drop be which winches up a bit before dropping without warning? Could be a good way to bring the drop mechanism into a full thrill coaster, rather than family thrill! Intamin's system would probably need a big redesign though before it could do so. 

Well done to Zierer though. For a company who has come from the Tivoli line to this and Wicked in just a few years it is very impressive

[Instant Mix]

Not necessarily forceless,  just not that strong..

Absolutely off-topic , I know, but did you manage to get see Rammstein during their MiG Tour?

[TB2]

Looks like a really nice ride this, definitly offers something unique to the park. 

[Rob L]

Also to those that say this drop does not look forceful, I recommend you have a close look at the video again and see how the water dummies fly out of the seats when it does drop. It's quite considerable really!

[Blaze]

It's dropping under gravity. It's exactly as strong as Thirteen's. It's just shorter.

[Rob L]

Another really good testing video can be seen here.

[Pricey ;)]

A coaster like that would be PERFECT for Drayton, we can only pray!

[RyanY]

One thing I will say is that I much prefer the restraints on this than the restraints on th13teen or most other lap bars.

[Benzin]

Looking good, defo get some speed quickly on the launches.

Just hope that it won't brake like that on the bridge everytime, unless there's bonus effects, it will ruin the flow and a potentially wicked looking drop...

[BigAl]

On the plus side of the brake before the drop, it gives riders time to contemplate their fate. It'll build suspense, similar to how dive machines hold you over the precipice to scare you before letting go.

[Dormiens-Dave]

Just went and had a look at the layout of the ride again and am curious now as to why people think this will be so so much better than Th13teen, It as a slow bit, a launch into a break, what looks to be a good drop then return to the building for a few helix's before a boring drop track (if polar x-plorer is anything to go by) and a launch into... breaks.

I'm not saying it can't be better than 13 and there is a good chance it will be, but until we have someone who has ridden this we wont know, certainly the layout isn't that inspiring.

Will be interesting.

[Sam]

I really love the look of this, it looks like a right laugh! Just good fun. The build quality looks really solid as well (are those exit airgates I see?)

Is this the first example of a ride quoting an element of a past ride? (the drop into the lake)

[Rob L]

More fantastic Verbolten news!

Details of what happens in the event building in terms of the scenes has been revealed in an article on about.com.

Using props, set pieces, ultraviolet paint, strobe lights, and other effects, one of three different stories will take place during the indoor part of the ride. The multiple story lines are a first for a themed coaster and should help boost its popularity as passengers return for repeat rides to experience all three sequences, which will include:

    Lightening Storm: A fierce storm will engulf the train and threaten to destroy it.
    Spirit of the Forest: A spirit will lull passengers with a pleasant-sounding voice, but then turn malevolent and attempt to ensnare them in the forest.
    Wolf Attack: In homage to the Big Bad Wolf, a red-eyed pack of creatures will stalk the train.

The whole article can be seen here.

So basically there are 3 different scenes you can experience which is something very different for a coaster and certainly increases the re-rideability. It's also fantastic to have even more homage to the Big Bad Wolf!

Also, a cast member that got to ride Verbolten today described it as "awesome" and "verbolten is a must do. the speed is awesome. the graphics are colorful. the drops are jaw dropping. shock and amazed". Pretty good so far.

[AstroDan]

All sounds good! Pack of wolves FTW.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk

[Benzin]

Lol, if there are three different experiences throughout the indoor section, that is quite possibly one of the best ideas I've heard for a ride with indoor section in years...

Excellent, I really hope this turns out great for Zierer...

[DiogoJ42]

I'm curious: presumably the scenery is fixed, so the changes will just be different lighting and audio? Sounds like an interesting idea.

[Rob L]

We should hopefully get some reviews of the ride fairly soon, a soft opening is indeed taking place starting from today.

[W@LLI$]

Just found a POV of the ride. No the best in the world but the ride looks and sounds A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Hope you enjo0y