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Griffon (roller coaster)
Encyclopedia
Griffon is a Bolliger & Mabillard
diving machine
roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. On opening, it was the tallest of its kind in the world at 205 feet (62.5 m). Griffon originally had two other potential names — "IronEagle" and "Voltare" — before Busch Gardens decided on the name "Griffon". Griffon has notably replaced The LeMans Raceway, one of the park's original rides. Griffon was announced on August 23, 2006 and became the fourth diving machine coaster to be built worldwide, and the second constructed in the United States.
Griffon is themed after a griffin
, the half-lion/half-eagle mythological creature, and not a griffon
, which is a breed of dog. It is believed that the spelling used is the French version of the word. The ride features several new shops located in a new inlet area located behind the former Left Bank Portrait shop (now Griffon Gifts), near the Grande Gourmet ice cream and dessert shop. The ride maneuvers through this new section, including a water splash zone near the new "Bistro 205," a new all-you-can-eat buffet, and a first drop that dives under a bridge that is built up over the existing ground level.
Each train features stadium style seating of three rows of ten seats. Once strapped in, the loading platform floor drops and a voice recording says, "Now, prepare to enjoy the power and speed of the mythical Griffon!" After a right turn out of the station, riders climb the 205 feet (62.5 m) 45-degree lift hill at a speed of about 10 feet per second (6.8 mph). Then they make another turn to the right and face the Royal Palace Theatre. The trains pause on the holding brake for six seconds before dropping 205 feet (62.5 m) at 90° at a top speed of 71 mph. The ride then climbs up into the massive 146 feet (44.5 m) Immelmann loop, one of the tallest roller coaster inversions in the world, before making a sweeping turn upward to the left and into the block brake. Riders then drop 130 feet (39.6 m) at 87° toward The Rhine River and into another 100 feet (30.5 m) Immelmann with flying views of the Loch Ness Monster
. Finally, riders exit a bunny hop into the splashdown. Each of the three trains produces a different water spray pattern up to 45 feet (13.7 m) high. The trains then travel over a small dip just before the final brake run and station.
The wait was mostly due to technical problems stopping the ride, as similar sized lines in the following weeks only took an hour to an hour and a half.
On April 3, 2011, Griffon was featured on the Travel Channel
show Bert the Conqueror
along with Intimidator 305
at Kings Dominion.
Bolliger & Mabillard
Bolliger & Mabillard Consulting Engineers is a roller coaster design consultancy based in Monthey, Switzerland. The company was founded in 1988 by Walter Bolliger and Claude Mabillard, with Bolliger acting as president and Mabillard as vice-president...
diving machine
Dive roller coaster
The Diving Machine is a model of roller coaster manufactured by Swiss company Bolliger and Mabillard. It is distinguished from other roller coasters by its vertical drop and wide shuttle trains.-History:...
roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. On opening, it was the tallest of its kind in the world at 205 feet (62.5 m). Griffon originally had two other potential names — "IronEagle" and "Voltare" — before Busch Gardens decided on the name "Griffon". Griffon has notably replaced The LeMans Raceway, one of the park's original rides. Griffon was announced on August 23, 2006 and became the fourth diving machine coaster to be built worldwide, and the second constructed in the United States.
Griffon is themed after a griffin
Griffin
The griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle...
, the half-lion/half-eagle mythological creature, and not a griffon
Griffon
Griffon is a type of dog, a collection of breeds of originally hunting dogs. There are three recognized lines of the griffon type Fédération Cynologique Internationale FCI, the griffon vendéens, the wirehaired pointers, and the smousje...
, which is a breed of dog. It is believed that the spelling used is the French version of the word. The ride features several new shops located in a new inlet area located behind the former Left Bank Portrait shop (now Griffon Gifts), near the Grande Gourmet ice cream and dessert shop. The ride maneuvers through this new section, including a water splash zone near the new "Bistro 205," a new all-you-can-eat buffet, and a first drop that dives under a bridge that is built up over the existing ground level.
Ride Layout
Park guests waiting in queue are able to see the first drop and Immelmann loop directly above, as well as the roostertail-like fountain of water from the train's two tailends as it dips into a nearby pool of water.Each train features stadium style seating of three rows of ten seats. Once strapped in, the loading platform floor drops and a voice recording says, "Now, prepare to enjoy the power and speed of the mythical Griffon!" After a right turn out of the station, riders climb the 205 feet (62.5 m) 45-degree lift hill at a speed of about 10 feet per second (6.8 mph). Then they make another turn to the right and face the Royal Palace Theatre. The trains pause on the holding brake for six seconds before dropping 205 feet (62.5 m) at 90° at a top speed of 71 mph. The ride then climbs up into the massive 146 feet (44.5 m) Immelmann loop, one of the tallest roller coaster inversions in the world, before making a sweeping turn upward to the left and into the block brake. Riders then drop 130 feet (39.6 m) at 87° toward The Rhine River and into another 100 feet (30.5 m) Immelmann with flying views of the Loch Ness Monster
Loch Ness Monster (roller coaster)
The Loch Ness Monster is a roller coaster located of Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Designed by Ron Toomer of Arrow Dynamics, the Loch Ness Monster was the world's tallest roller coaster when it opened in 1978. It was the first continuous circuit coaster and is a coaster to contain interlocking loops...
. Finally, riders exit a bunny hop into the splashdown. Each of the three trains produces a different water spray pattern up to 45 feet (13.7 m) high. The trains then travel over a small dip just before the final brake run and station.
Ride Elements
- 205-foot 90° drop Immelmann
- 130-foot 87° drop Immelmann
- Splashdown finale
- 360° Climbing carousel turn
- On-ride camera section (located under the bridge)
Records
- The world's fastest dive machine coaster (71 mph).
- The world's only multi-inversion dive machine coaster.
- The world's first floorless diving machine coaster.
- The world's first, and America's only, roller coaster to feature 10 across seating.
- The world's first dive coaster to include two Immelmann inversions.
Awards
| Golden Ticket Awards: Best Steel Coaster | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
| Ranking | ||||
Opening Date
Griffon officially opened on Friday, May 25, 2007. A special employee first ride event took place on May 1, 2, and 3rd. A second special VIP event took place on May 17 following the May 16th media day event. There was a "soft opening" on May 13. The roller coaster ran all day May 13 with just a few stops. Lines were very short at first, then became packed later in the day.http://buschgardens.com/bgw/special_offers_home.aspx Griffon opened on May 18 until May 25 for a "preview week." The official opening was on May 25, 2007. The ribbon was cut by a child who shares his name with the coaster. The lines for Griffon on opening day hit a wait time of approximately five hours, but the single riders line took approximately 1 hour.The wait was mostly due to technical problems stopping the ride, as similar sized lines in the following weeks only took an hour to an hour and a half.
Griffon in the Media
Griffon was featured on the Discovery Channel show Build It Bigger. The show followed the construction of the second Immelmann loop on the coaster and showed how they constructed the coaster, and also featured its sister coaster SheiKra as the host of the show was sent down to the park in Tampa, Florida, to experience the type of ride they were helping to build up in Virginia. They also showed the host the control room of the roller coaster where the extra trains are stored and all of the computer systems that help keep the ride running safely and efficiently.On April 3, 2011, Griffon was featured on the Travel Channel
Travel Channel
The Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, US. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris,...
show Bert the Conqueror
Bert the Conqueror
Bert the Conqueror is an American reality television series which premiered on the Travel Channel on June 16, 2010.The show is hosted by the American stand-up comedian Bert Kreischer. He travels across the United States to amusement parks and other entertainment venues to experience and promote...
along with Intimidator 305
Intimidator 305
Intimidator 305 is a steel roller coaster designed and built by Intamin located at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia in the United States. Standing at tall and reaching speeds of , it is the tallest, fastest roller coaster at Kings Dominion...
at Kings Dominion.
See also
- SheiKraSheiKraSheiKra is a Bolliger and Mabillard diving machine roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. It is situated in the Stanleyville section of the park. SheiKra was the first dive machine roller coaster in North America. It is tied with Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia as the second tallest roller...
- Diving Machine
- Floorless roller coasterFloorless roller coasterA floorless roller coaster is a roller coaster with trains that ride above the track and allow the passenger's legs to dangle. It is a fairly new concept in roller coaster design brought forth by manufacturers Bolliger & Mabillard. The first ever floorless coaster debuted in 1999 at Six Flags Great...
- Incidents at Busch parksIncidents at Busch parksThis is a summary of notable incidents that have taken place at various SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment-owned amusement parks, water parks or theme parks...