Ultimate Rollercoaster > Discussion Forums > Roller Coasters, Parks & Attractions > Thoughts on Verbolten

Thoughts on Verbolten

Posted:
5/25/12 at
1:25:56 PM

Maybe it's social media, countless photo trip reports with
construction shots, or just stronger word of mouth. There is little
left in the way of surprise when it comes to experiencing a new
attraction these days. Even most custom layouts can pretty much be
ridden through Keith McVeen's stellar simulations or actual POV
footage and provide reasonable expectations based on the park it
resides at or manufacturer/designer of the hardware.

With that said, here comes Verbolten. Given BGW is not your "typical"
park that installs "typical" coasters (at least at their time of
installation), there was one mystery factor. Given Zierer has but one
major non-tivoli style coaster installation in North America in their
one-off tower launch at Lagoon in Utah, there was another mystery
factor.

Starting on the midway, the new attraction's installation completes
the look of the revamped Oktoberfest. An area of the park with decent
attraction density, there had been nothing major added with the
exception of DarKastle since Big Bad Wolf's debut in 1984. Reworking
the area's layout, moving out the Eli Scrambler to New France for the
installation of the Moser Mach Tower drop tower, and the installation
of Verbolten now make this area the center of activity in the park.

Because Verbolten is mostly track in a warehouse, a quick run to the
Rhine River drop and "S" curve, much of the attraction's theming takes
place in its richly detailed queue and loading station. This is very
much the "Fahrt" of Expedition Everest queue lines. The queue also
moves at about the clip of Everest thanks to an efficient dual-loading
station and easy to enter/exit trains with a simple lapbar restraint.
With no downtime and four train operation, the queue proper holds
about a 45 minute wait. When the queue stretches about 1/3 of the way
across the Rhine River bridge to Italy, you're looking at about a 60
minute wait. Not too shabby. I pegged hourly capacity in the 1150
range, which would probably bump close to 1300 when the Yellow (fifth)
train is put into operation.

The trains look sexy, and as previously stated, the simplistic
restraint system allows for quick load/unload/dispatch. The initial
dip and run to launch one roughly follows the old Big Bad Wolf's run
from station to lift one. An uphill launch takes trains into the
large event/show building where this "Italian Job" becomes a "Skull
Mountain". Several of the helices were tight enough for me to see
stars. After hitting a block, trains take another drop and rise to a
second block leading trains onto the drop track.

My understanding as to the difference between the Intamin and Zierer
version of this element is that the Intamin drop track is
hydraulically powered, whereas the Zierer version is a true freefall
into magnetic brakes. Whether or not that is true or if my
information is reversed doesn't really matter- the element works.
It's a short drop to be sure, but it will catch you by surprise unless
you're really paying attention.

Back on ground level, trains advance forward and dip into the second
LSM rolling launch- this one taking trains from about 10-53 MPH in
quick fashion. The launch is forceful enough that if you're not
prepared, you may introduce the back of your head to Mr. Headrest in
somewhat of a sudden and uncomfortable manner. The track rises and
zig zags its way to the (not quite) collapsing bridge perched about
100 ft above the Rhine River where Big Bad Wolf riders once braced
themselves for that ride's legendary finale. Verbolten trains glide
slowly through a set of magnetic brakes and suddenly plummet down
towards the river before taking the same famous "left/right/left" that
the Big Bad Wolf traversed for 25 years. In lieu of being able to
swing side to side, Verbolten throws a (not quite) airtime hill into
the mix before gliding into the brakes alongside would-be riders
waiting their turn in the queue.

Riders exit left and now cross over the track towards the front end of
the station directly over the hold position where trains dispatched
from positon 2 await for the train dispatched from position 1 ahead of
them to clear the first block. An on ride photo point of sale (taken
on the not quite airtime hill near the end of the ride) and a merch
shop completes the Verbolten experience.

Description complete, the ride perfectly compliments the rest of BGW's
roster of rolley rides. It certainly walks the line between family
coaster and intimidation, but does so in an admirable fashion and is
sure to act as a great compliment to Nessie as a building block for
guests to step up to the B&M trio on property.