Roller Coaster Fanatics...Introducing GRIFFON

[hiwaygal]

Busch Gardens Williamsburg unveiled info about the new coaster opening next year.

Looks pretty interesting:

http://www.buschgardens.com/bgw/default.aspx

http://www.buschgardensnews.com/060822_Griffon_Web/

 

[RC Fan]

Looks pretty sweet!

 

[hiwaygal]

Yeah, DH will never ride it though.

The hanging off the sides could get a bit odd!

Apparently, they've built in a "hold" for a few seconds at the top of the first big hill. Just so you have a moment to "consider your fate".

 

[RC Fan]

I have yet to try a drop coaster, but I would love to. The coasters are getting better all the time. Wouldn't it be cool to travel around the world and try them all?

 

[damo]

Looks even better than Shei Kra, the dive machine at Busch Gardens Africa (Tampa). We loved it, so I guess a trip to Busch Gardens Europe is now on the schedule!!! The fact that it is floorless is really cool.

 

[cardaway]

Is this another B&M coaster? That's what I find amazing, the number of these coasters that B&M makes.

 

[hiwaygal]

Is this another B&M coaster? That's what I find amazing, the number of these coasters that B&M makes.

Yes, it is!

From the website:


Griffon - Fact Sheet



8/23/2006 12:00:00 AM

Set amid a French village, Griffon carries riders up 205 feet, then hurtles them 90 degrees straight down at 70 mph. And that’s just the beginning.

Griffon evokes the power and speed of a mythical bird that is part eagle and part lion. It plunges, twists and turns – giving riders an adrenaline-pumping adventure that’s unlike any coaster experience in the world.

Griffon will be the tallest dive coaster in the world; the first floorless dive coaster, and the first to incorporate two Immelmann loops (an inverse diving loop named for a WWI German fighter pilot), a second 130-foot dive and one water feature. Griffon offers over-the-edge excitement on more than half a mile of steel track and will become the centerpiece of Busch Gardens’ Europe’s French section.

TYPE OF RIDE:

- Dive coaster

FIRST-OF-A-KIND ELEMENTS:

- Steepest drop (90°)
- Tallest dive coaster drop (205’)
- First dive coaster to include two Immelmann loops
- Floorless trains

OTHER ELEMENTS:

- 130-foot second dive
- 360° climbing carousel
- Water-feature

TRACK LENGTH:

- 3,108 feet, more than half a mile

MAXIMUM SPEED:

- 71 mph

RIDE DURATION:

- Three minutes

MAXIMUM G-FORCE:

- 4 G Forces

HEIGHT:

- 205 feet

SEATS/TRAIN:

- Three rows of 10 seats
- 30 passengers per train
- Floorless
- Stadium-style seating

GUEST CAPACITY:

- Approximately 1,400 guests per hour

HEIGHT REQUIREMENT:

- 54”

LOCATION:

- Busch Gardens Europe, France area

MANUFACTURER:

- Bolliger & Mabillard – Monthey, Switzerland

 

[cardaway]

Thanks hiwaygal. I'm used to seeing the manufacturer in the main description, didn't look at the bottom of the specs.

That's one company I would do anything to work for. I saw a documentary once that showed the whole B&M process and it was really something to see.

 

[nhrenee]

WAAAAAAA-HOOOOOOOOOOOOO! (I didn't know how to write out a long scream).

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Looks like fun! What's the definition of a dive coaster?

 

[dizneenut]

That looks awesome!!!!

 

[Poohnatic]

Sounds like they've improved on Sheikra. Believe it or not, I like Kumbaa at BG way more than Sheikra. the first time, I was rather anxious, but the hype did not bear out. Crossing my fingers that this is a more thrilling ride.

Late spring probably will bring my family to BG/Williamsburg/VA Beach to meet with my sister's family cool that there will e a new coaster to check out.

Suzanne

 

[Annette_VA]

There was an article in our local paper about this yesterday. But, all it had was a single artists rendering. Thanks for the links!

I'm totally psyched to ride this next year!

 

[isyne4u]

I'm upset they took out the cars for another coaster. I have a chicken child and the cars were great for him. Now there's really not much he will do except the kids land!

OH and Suzanne....you better call me when you are here!!

tara

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I wonder what the height restriction will be for that. We're waiting for Jake, my 6yo, to be tall enough for Apollo's Chariot before we go back to BG. Not sure if that's a 52 or 54" restriction, but I don't think he'll make it next summer (he was maybe 49" this summer with his shoes on).

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Griffon - Fact Sheet




FIRST-OF-A-KIND ELEMENTS:

- Steepest drop (90°)
- Tallest dive coaster drop (205’)
- First dive coaster to include two Immelmann loops
- Floorless trains

FIRST TO DIE.........

NOT ME!

No fricken way.....sorry.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

I'm upset they took out the cars for another coaster. I have a chicken child and the cars were great for him. Now there's really not much he will do except the kids land!

OH and Suzanne....you better call me when you are here!!

tara

Is it going to be in VA also? It said the location was France.

 

[isyne4u]

Is it going to be in VA also? It said the location was France.

France is a section in BG like Fantasyland or Tomorrow Land at WDW.

tara

 

[Annette_VA]

I wonder what the height restriction will be for that. We're waiting for Jake, my 6yo, to be tall enough for Apollo's Chariot before we go back to BG. Not sure if that's a 52 or 54" restriction, but I don't think he'll make it next summer (he was maybe 49" this summer with his shoes on).

Griffon will be 54" according to the article in our paper

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I showed the pictures to my almost 13yo, who used to be the biggest coaster weenie you can imagine, and he said, "That doesn't look scary at all". Is this the same child who was scared to ride RnR just 1 1/2 years ago? And cried before riding the Super Dooper Looper at Hershey Park 2 years ago? There is hope for all the scared kids.

Griffon will be 54" according to the article in our paper

Thanks! That's what I figured. If we can hold out, we'll wait an extra year. Unless Jake has a REALLY big growth spurt. Don't think he'll grow 6" this year, though.