.gif)
Big Bad Wolf (roller coaster)
Encyclopedia
The Big Bad Wolf was a suspended roller coaster in the Oktoberfest section of Busch Gardens Williamsburg. First opened in 1984, the ride operated for 25 years and the ride closed on September 7, 2009. However, the supports, footings, queue line, and station are still there, but its track is in storage.
had designed a prototype ("Flying Coaster") for the park. Even though three-quarters of the new ride had been built, the ride was never completed, and was later completely scrapped. Busch Gardens then handed the contract to Arrow Dynamics
, who built the current ride.
After the failure of The Bat at Kings Island
, Arrow Dynamics refined its own suspended roller coaster concept and opened XLR-8
at Six Flags Astroworld
in 1984. Big Bad Wolf was completed and opened shortly thereafter. XLR-8 continued to operate until the closure of Astroworld in 2005.
On July 24, 2009, it was announced that the Big Bad Wolf would be retired after 25 years of operation.
village, narrowly missing houses and shops. The first section of the ride climaxed with a helix through a wooded area adjacent to the village.
The train then entered a set of brake runs in order to slow the train prior to the second lift. Following the brake, the track veered right, beginning to ascend the second lift hill. This chain lift took the riders up to a 100 feet (30.5 m) drop, which sent riders barreling straight towards the Rhine River at 48 miles per hour (77.2 km/h), swooping right above the water.
Originally, mist machines were used to enhance the effect that the train was too close to the water. A few years prior to the closing of the ride, however, those mist machines were removed. After passing by the mist machines, the train then twisted and turned and made its way back to the station.
, each comprising seven cars with four seats in each, for a total capacity of 28 riders per train. During the circuit, the ride ascended two lift hills. The greatest G-force
experienced during the ride was 4.
History
Prior to the construction of Big Bad Wolf, Anton SchwarzkopfAnton Schwarzkopf
Anton Schwarzkopf was a German engineer of amusement rides, and founder of the Schwarzkopf Industries company, which built numerous rides and large roller coasters for both amusement parks and travelling funfairs....
had designed a prototype ("Flying Coaster") for the park. Even though three-quarters of the new ride had been built, the ride was never completed, and was later completely scrapped. Busch Gardens then handed the contract to Arrow Dynamics
Arrow Dynamics
Arrow Dynamics was a roller coaster and amusement ride design company based in Clearfield, Utah, United States. In 2002, the company went bankrupt but was quickly bought by fellow amusement ride manufacturer S&S Power to form S&S Arrow. During its peak, Arrow Dynamics was responsible for some of...
, who built the current ride.
After the failure of The Bat at Kings Island
Kings Island
Kings Island is a amusement park located northeast of Cincinnati in Mason, Ohio. Opened in 1972 by Taft Broadcasting Company and now owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Kings Island is the most visited seasonal amusement park in the U.S...
, Arrow Dynamics refined its own suspended roller coaster concept and opened XLR-8
XLR-8
XLR-8 was a steel suspended roller coaster. It was designed by Arrow Dynamics and located at Six Flags Astroworld from when it was constructed 1984 until AstroWorld closed in 2005...
at Six Flags Astroworld
Six Flags Astroworld
AstroWorld was a seasonally operated theme park located on approximately of land between Kirby Drive and Fannin Avenue, directly south of Loop 610 in Houston, Texas, USA...
in 1984. Big Bad Wolf was completed and opened shortly thereafter. XLR-8 continued to operate until the closure of Astroworld in 2005.
On July 24, 2009, it was announced that the Big Bad Wolf would be retired after 25 years of operation.
Ride experience
Following a safety announcement and recorded departure message, "Thank you and enjoy your ride at the speed of fright!", the ride would start out with a small dip out of the station, then ascend the first lift hill. It would then go down the first drop, reaching speeds of around 48 to 50 mph (77.2 to 80.5 km/h). The train would then steer its way though a BavarianBavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
village, narrowly missing houses and shops. The first section of the ride climaxed with a helix through a wooded area adjacent to the village.
The train then entered a set of brake runs in order to slow the train prior to the second lift. Following the brake, the track veered right, beginning to ascend the second lift hill. This chain lift took the riders up to a 100 feet (30.5 m) drop, which sent riders barreling straight towards the Rhine River at 48 miles per hour (77.2 km/h), swooping right above the water.
Originally, mist machines were used to enhance the effect that the train was too close to the water. A few years prior to the closing of the ride, however, those mist machines were removed. After passing by the mist machines, the train then twisted and turned and made its way back to the station.
Technical information
The ride used three trainsTrain (roller coaster)
A roller coaster train or car describes the vehicle which transports passengers around a roller coaster's circuit. More specifically, a roller coaster train is made up of two or more "cars" which are connected by some sort of specialized joint. It is called a "train" because the cars follow one...
, each comprising seven cars with four seats in each, for a total capacity of 28 riders per train. During the circuit, the ride ascended two lift hills. The greatest G-force
G-force
The g-force associated with an object is its acceleration relative to free-fall. This acceleration experienced by an object is due to the vector sum of non-gravitational forces acting on an object free to move. The accelerations that are not produced by gravity are termed proper accelerations, and...
experienced during the ride was 4.