BUSCH GARDENS EUROPE UPDATE

By Scott and Carol Holmes

Busch Gardens Europe is an entirely different experience in terms of theme parks.  Beautiful landscaping, different international experiences, and tremendous attractions result in a park that has something of interest for all age groups.  Arranged as circle of European nations, as visitor pass from one themed area to another their view ahead and behind is manipulated so they cannot see one country from the next.  Since music appropriate to country is a basic part of setting the scene, the volume level is controlled so the background sounds of the two countries will not mix resulting in little or no aural disorientation for the guest.  Effortlessly moving from one “country” to another creates a sense of peace, like a European trip without planes, trains, and automobiles.

The attractions are tied in to their respective “countries” through theming, and Busch Gardens makes sure it look fresh and works, if required.  Architectural details and detailed landscaping complete the illusion, with associates dressed for their roles.  The naming of attractions is a high art with both culture and proper language considered.  The use of cultural legends allows guests to receive a short history lesson, in a very fun way.  The latest example is Curse of DarKastle: The Ride, which opened in 2005.

This attraction combines state-of-the-art story telling with great special effects that make the ride better than either item could improve it separately.  The story is based on the legendary King Ludwig of Bavaria, with artistic license taken to enhance the experience.  The queue and pre-show give guests a few hints of the legend before they clamber in the golden sleighs to travel through 11 separate scenes.  Each of the riders wears a pair of 3-D glasses, which help 9 of the haunting vignettes appear in startlingly real-to-every-seat position.  Aural projections and great changes in temperature add realism to the scenes, which include a wonderfully integrated chase scene, result in passengers screaming throughout the ride and arriving back at the station breathless and ready to ride again.  The richness of the theming allows for further discovery on each additional ride, ensuring lines for the foreseeable future.  This attraction has raised the bar for dark ride experiences.

Not content with their current ride line-up, Busch Gardens Europe has embarked on creating yet another major attraction.  Le Mans Raceway has been closed and most of it removed to allow space for Griffon, the new dive machine.  With the nice terrain available, the new roller coaster will have some wonderful elements.  And of course, with Busch Gardens Europe winning the Best Landscaping Golden Ticket and Most Beautiful Theme Park award since the inception of the awards, the new attraction is guaranteed to be beautiful as well.  Incorporating the French mythical part-eagle, part-lion bird, Griffon will be the world’s tallest dive coaster, and also the only one that is floorless.  The new 10-seat-wide trains will give a thrill to riders as they negotiate the two Immelman loops; more than any other dive coaster!  The over one-half mile track incorporates two 90-degree drops, two inversions, other dives, a climbing carousel turn, and a water splashdown.  30 riders at a time will experience a great ride from any seat, due to the advanced stadium seat design.  The ride should last approximately three minutes.

We took a few construction photos during July on our last visit to Busch Gardens Europe.  The overheads are from the Sky Ride, which is unfortunately closed until construction of Griffon in finished in late spring of next year.  We will try to get updated construction photos posted as soon as they are available.  With this new attraction, it is safe to say that Busch Gardens Europe has truly gone over the edge.  Is it spring yet?

- Scott and Carol

BUSCH GARDENS Europe goes over the edge with “Griffon”

Park Debuts World’s Tallest, Only Floorless Dive Coaster

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- Teased since early July with park billboards touting “Like Nothing Else in the World,” Busch Gardens Europe took the plunge and unveiled its latest steel marvel, Griffon, the world’s tallest and only floorless dive coaster. Currently under construction, this diving, driving force in roller coaster engineering will debut at Busch Gardens late spring 2007.

Griffon will send riders through an extraordinary journey 205 feet up and 90 degrees straight down at more than 70 mph – and that’s just the beginning. The name Griffon evokes the power and speed of a mythical beast that is part eagle and part lion. The ride twists, turns and plunges – giving riders a breathtaking adventure unlike any coaster experience in the world.

“With its adrenalin-pumping vertical drops, high speed, a mid-air pause, multiple coaster elements and overall experience, Griffon is certain to fulfill thrill seekers’ expectations,” said Donnie Mills, executive vice-president and general manager for Busch Gardens Europe and Water Country USA.

Griffon will incorporate two Immelman loops (a simultaneous loop and roll, the name of which was derived from the World War I German flying ace who invented the tactical maneuver). The world’s first floorless dive coaster also incorporates a second 130-foot dive and one water feature with spectacular viewing platforms where ride watchers can share in the thrills. Each floorless coaster car will consist of three, 10-person wide rows.

“The view will be spectacular and every seat on Griffon will offer an excellent ride,” said Mills.

The roller coaster is being constructed by Bolliger & Mabillard of Monthey, Switzerland on the former LeMans Raceway site in the French section of the Williamsburg theme park. Griffon is the fifth member of the park’s family of renowned coasters.

Construction began July 6, 2006. The most recent roller coaster to debut at Busch Gardens was Apollo’s Chariot in 1999.

Busch Gardens Europe and Water Country USA in Williamsburg are Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks. Other Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks include Busch Gardens Africa and Adventure Island in Tampa Bay; SeaWorld Adventure Parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio; Sesame Place, a children’s play park near Philadelphia; and Discovery Cove in Orlando, a family vacation experience featuring interaction with dolphins and other marine animals. For more information, visit buschgardens.com or call (800) 343-7946.