Griffon (roller coaster)

Griffon

Company type	Steel roller coaster
Industry	Amusement rides
Founded	May 18, 2007 (2007-05-18)
Headquarters	James City County, Virginia , United States
Products	Roller coaster ride
Parent	Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Griffon is a steel roller coaster located at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in James City County, Virginia, United States. Created by the renowned manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), this Dive Coaster model debuted on May 18, 2007. It ascends to a height of and reaches top speeds of . Griffon features two Immelmann loops, a splashdown element, two steep vertical drops, and is notable for introducing the first floorless trains on a B&M Dive Coaster. The attraction has garnered positive reviews from both media outlets and coaster enthusiasts alike. In 2007, it earned third place for Best New Ride in Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards and consistently ranks among the world’s top 50 steel coasters, peaking at #19 in 2010.

History

On June 30, 2006, Busch Gardens Williamsburg revealed plans to close LeMans Raceway as of July 5, 2006, to clear the area for a new ride. Demolition of the raceway commenced immediately, marking the start of Griffon's construction. On July 12, 2006, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment filed a trademark application for the name "Griffon." The coaster was officially announced to the public on August 23, 2006. By December 11, 2006, major structural components were installed, including the highest piece which was symbolically topped with an evergreen tree. The vertical drop and first Immelmann loop were completed by January 2007, with the final track sections installed by late February. Following thorough testing phases, Griffon opened to guests ahead of schedule on May 18, 2007.

Upon its debut, Griffon set records as the tallest and fastest Dive Coaster worldwide—surpassing the previous records held by SheiKra at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay—and was distinguished as the first Dive Coaster to operate with floorless trains. The record for longest drop was later overtaken in 2009 by the Diving Coaster at Happy Valley Shanghai.

Ride experience

Once leaving the station, the train executes a downward right-hand turn followed by an ascending right turn leading into a chain lift hill inclined at 47 degrees. Upon reaching the peak at , it halts briefly on a holding brake before plunging down a vertical 90-degree drop that propels it to its maximum speed of . The ride then enters a 146-foot (44 m) tall Immelmann loop, followed by a banked left turn ascending into the mid-course brake run. Next comes a second near-vertical drop that leads into another Immelmann loop. Afterward, the train crosses over a small airtime hill before passing through a splashdown, where rear scoops create two impressive water sprays. The experience concludes with a banked left curve into the final brake run. The entire ride lasts approximately three minutes.

Track

Griffon's steel track extends over , with a lift hill rising about . An elevator system is installed to facilitate rider evacuation from the lift hill if required. The track is supported by light blue structures while the rails are painted in a darker blue shade. Manufactured by Clermont Steel Fabricators based in Batavia, Ohio, the track production meets Bolliger & Mabillard’s industry standards.

Trains

Griffon runs with three trains constructed from steel and fiberglass, each painted in red, yellow, or black. Every train consists of three rows, accommodating ten riders per row for a total of 30 passengers per train. Each seat is equipped with an individual over-the-shoulder harness combined with a seatbelt for added security. This configuration enables a theoretical throughput of approximately 1,400 riders per hour. Differing from conventional roller coaster trains, Griffon's are floorless, allowing riders' legs to hang freely throughout the ride experience. During the course of the ride, guests encounter forces reaching up to four times their body weight.

Reception

According to Preston Wong of Hampton Roads, the floorless design imparts a heightened feeling of exposure, especially in the front row, where riders often describe a flight-like sensation that appeals strongly to coaster enthusiasts. Nicole Paitsel and Lisa Deaderick gave the ride a low nausea rating (1 out of 5), citing its smoothness, whereas Joe Atkinson assigned a higher rating (4) after multiple rides. Evaluations of the ride’s scream factor varied widely, ranging between 4 and 10. Mike from NewsPlusNotes commended the initial drop for delivering an intense freefall sensation.

During its debut year, Griffon earned the distinction of third best new attraction in 2007 and was ranked 27th among steel roller coasters in Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards. In 2010, it reached its highest position at #19, sharing this rank with another Dive Coaster, SheiKra.

Golden Ticket Awards: Best New Ride of 2007
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Griffon has been featured on several television programs such as Discovery Channel's Build It Bigger and Travel Channel's Bert the Conqueror as well as Insane Coaster Wars: World Domination.

Incidents

On August 5, 2010, five individuals suffered minor injuries after colliding with a balloon that had come loose during deflation and was blown into Griffon's path by strong winds.

On June 29, 2021, a train carrying 28 passengers came to a halt near ground level mid-ride. All riders were safely evacuated without any injuries reported.

External links

• Official Griffon Page