Verbolten
| Industry | Amusement rides / Roller coasters |
|---|---|
| Founded | May 11, 2012 |
| Headquarters | Williamsburg, Virginia , United States |
| Products | Steel roller coaster |
| Parent | Busch Gardens Williamsburg |
Verbolten is a Zierer multi-launch, partially enclosed steel roller coaster located at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia. The attraction was collaboratively developed by the park’s creative team alongside the German manufacturer Zierer. Its name is a clever twist on the German term verboten, which translates to "forbidden" in English.
History
In October 2010, Busch Gardens Williamsburg revealed plans to revamp the Oktoberfest area, which led to the introduction of the now-removed drop tower known as Mäch Tower in 2011. This refurbishment also included the addition of a novel multi-launch coaster featuring cutting-edge design elements. The coaster’s track layout was disclosed during a May 2011 meeting of the James City County, Virginia board.
The official announcement of Verbolten came on September 17, 2011, describing it as a family-friendly launched roller coaster with two launch segments and an indoor special effects section. Built on the previous location of Big Bad Wolf, track construction was finalized by January 2012. Verbolten opened quietly to guests on May 11, 2012, before its grand public debut on May 18.
Other roller coasters with vertical free-fall drops include Th13teen at Alton Towers and Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Islands of Adventure.
Theme
The concept behind Verbolten is inspired by Germany’s Autobahn. The storyline depicts a road trip abruptly diverted into the mysterious "forbidden" Black Forest by a sudden lightning strike, incorporating dynamic weather effects such as simulated lightning.
The queue and boarding area are styled as a motor tour agency operated by siblings Gerta and Gunter Schwartzwald. Within the queue, guests pass through Gunter’s office, adorned with botanical specimens, monitors, and luggage from past travelers. The station resembles a garage where riders board roadster-themed trains available in five distinct colors. The overarching theme revolves around Black Forest folklore and its myths.
Inside the indoor "show building" segment, riders experience a journey through the Black Forest featuring three rotating special effects narratives. This space is decorated with painted drops, scenic set pieces, and distinctive audio-visual effects like faint whistles to deepen immersion.
The three randomized storylines within the event building include:
- The Spirit of the Forest: A serene forest spirit initially beckons riders before becoming menacing.
- Lightning Storm: A fierce storm endangers both riders and their vehicle.
- The Big Bad Wolf: Red glowing eyes pursue the train, paying homage to the previous attraction.
These varied effects provide returning guests with fresh experiences during each ride.
Layout
Upon leaving the station, the train dips into a winding S-curve before entering its first linear synchronous motor launch. It accelerates through a stone archway into the event building, traverses an airtime hill, then navigates swift turns and a helix leading to a brake run decorated with psychedelic leaf patterns accompanied by wind sound effects. The train climbs a moderate hill onto a second brake run where rotating special effects change depending on the ride. After pausing briefly on a completely darkened track section, magnetic forces release the train for a vertical drop while riders remain in a horizontal position.
Following this short halt, the train enters its second LSM launch, reaching speeds up to 53 mph (85 km/h) as it exits through an ascending reverse S-turn from the event building. This leads into another brake run set atop a deteriorating covered bridge, enhanced by creaking sounds. Echoing the finale of Big Bad Wolf, the train plunges off the bridge into a sharp left turn along the riverbank before continuing through a high-speed S-curve, bunny hop, turnaround element, and concluding with the final brake run.
Homages to Big Bad Wolf
Verbolten pays tribute to its forerunner, the Big Bad Wolf, through several distinct elements:
- The orange coaster train displays a license plate inscribed with "WOLF X ING."
- Inside one of the event buildings, riders are pursued by illuminated red wolf eyes amid a forest setting.
- The concluding plunge toward the riverbank and the following curves mirror Big Bad Wolf’s drop and utilize its original concrete foundations.
Awards and Recognition
In the 2012 Amusement Today Best New Ride category, Verbolten secured fourth place, garnering 7% of the total votes.
| Golden Ticket Awards: Best New Ride 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Template:Center | |
See also
- 2012 in amusement parks
- Polar X-plorer, a similar ride system featured at Legoland Billund
- Th13teen, the pioneer of this ride technology