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Griffon (roller coaster) - Wikipedia
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Griffon (roller coaster)

Griffon is a steel roller coaster located at Busch Gardens Williamsburg amusement park in James City County, Virginia, United States. Designed by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), the Dive Coaster model opened to the public on May 18, 2007. It climbs to a height of 205 feet (62 m) and reaches a maximum speed of 71 mph (114 km/h). It features two Immelmann loops, a splashdown, two vertical drops, and was the first B&M Dive Coaster to use floorless trains. Griffon was well-received by media and enthusiasts, and it placed third in 2007 in the category of Best New Ride polled by Amusement Today for their annual Golden Ticket Awards. Since its debut, it has also consistently ranked in the top 50 among steel roller coasters worldwide in the same annual publication, peaking at #19 in 2010.

Griffon
Griffon's lift hill and vertical drop
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
LocationBusch Gardens Williamsburg
Park sectionAquitaine (France)
StatusOperating
Opening dateMay 18, 2007 (2007-05-18)
Cost$15.6 million
ReplacedLeMans Raceway
General statistics
TypeSteel – Dive Coaster
ManufacturerBolliger & Mabillard
ModelDive Coaster
Track layoutTwister
Lift/launch systemChain lift
Height205 ft (62 m)
Length3,108 ft (947 m)
Speed71 mph (114 km/h)
Inversions2
Duration3:00
Max vertical angle90°
Capacity1400 riders per hour
G-force4
Height restriction54 in (137 cm)
Trains3 trains with 3 cars. Riders are arranged 10 across in a single row for a total of 30 riders per train.
Quick Queue available
Single rider line not available
Griffon at RCDB
Video

History

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On June 30, 2006, Busch Gardens Williamsburg announced that LeMans Raceway would be closing to the public on July 5, 2006 in order to make room for the next year's new attraction.[1][2] Construction for Griffon began the next day with the demolition of the raceway.[2][3] A trademark for the name "Griffon" was filed by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment on July 12, 2006.[4] The roller coaster was announced to the public on August 23, 2006.[3] On December 11, 2006, two cranes installed the highest piece of Griffon with an evergreen tree.[5] The vertical drop and Immelmann loop were completed in January 2007 and the final piece of track was installed in late February.[6] After testing was complete, the roller coaster opened on May 18, 2007; one week earlier than its original scheduled opening date.[6][7]

When Griffon opened it 2007, it held the records for the tallest and fastest Dive Coaster in the world, both of which were previously held by SheiKra at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.[8][9] Griffon was also the first Dive Coaster to feature floorless trains.[3][10] When Happy Valley Shanghai opened Diving Coaster in 2009, it took the drop length record at 213.3 feet (65.0 m).[11]

Ride experience

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One of Griffon's trains passing through the splashdown element

After the floors drop and the front gate opens, the train is dispatched from the station and makes a downward right turn immediately followed by an upward right turn which leads directly to the 47-degree inclined chain lift hill.[12] Once the train reaches the top of the 205-foot (62 m) lift, it makes a right turn into a holding brake where the train slowly moves over the first drop, stops for five seconds, and then is released down the 90 degree drop. By the time the train makes it to the bottom of the drop, it reaches its maximum speed of 71 miles per hour (114 km/h). Then, the train enters a 146-foot (44 m) Immelmann loop before dropping back to the ground and making a banked upward left turn into the mid course brake run. After the train slows down, it enters a second 130-foot (40 m) near 90 degree drop into another Immelmann loop. Following a small airtime hill, the train goes through a splashdown where the car's rear scoops spray two 50-foot (15 m) plumes of water into the air.[13] Finally, the train makes a banked turn to the left leading into the final brake run.[14] The ride lasts three minutes.[15]

Characteristics

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Track

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Griffon's steel track is 3,108 feet (947 m) long and its lift is approximately 205 feet (62 m) high.[15] There is an elevator that can return riders to ground level if a train must be evacuated on the lift hill.[12][16] The supports are light blue and the track is a darker blue.[17] The track was fabricated by Clermont Steel Fabricators in Batavia, Ohio, which manufactures Bolliger & Mabillard's roller coasters.[18][19]

Trains

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Griffon operates with three steel and fiberglass trains, colored red, yellow, and black.[7][17] Each train has three rows that seat ten riders across for a total of 30 riders per train; each seat has its own individual over-the-shoulder restraint with a seatbelt.[7][15][17] This configuration allows the ride to achieve a theoretical hourly capacity of 1,400 riders.[15] Unlike traditional coasters, Griffon's trains are floorless, allowing the riders' legs to dangle throughout the ride. Riders also experience up to 4 times the force of gravity.[15]

Reception

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Preston Wong from Hampton Roads said, "[The floorless trains] giv[e] riders a sense of vulnerability and, for those in the front row, an idea of what it must feel like to fly" and that enthusiasts would like the ride.[20] Nicole Paitsel, Lisa Deaderick, and Joe Atkinson from Daily Press each rated the roller coaster for its vomiting and scream factors. Nicole and Lisa rated the vomiting factor a one (out of five) for the roller coaster's smoothness; Joe gave a four as he began feeling ill after his second ride. For the scream factor Nicole gave a five, Lisa gave a ten, and Joe gave a four.[21] Mike from NewsPlusNotes praised the first drop for its freefall experience.[22]

In Griffon's opening year, it was voted the third best new ride for 2007 and the 27th best steel roller coaster in Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards.[23] It peaked at #19 in 2010 when it tied with SheiKra, another Dive Coaster.[24]

Golden Ticket Awards: Best New Ride for 2007
Ranking
3[23]
Golden Ticket Awards: Top steel Roller Coasters
Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018
Ranking 27[23] 20[25] 26[26] 19[24] 20[27] 26[28] 33[29] 33[30] 33[31] 48[32] 43[33]

Griffon has also made several television appearances. It was featured on Discovery Channel's television series Build It Bigger[34] and Travel Channel's television series' Bert the Conqueror and Insane Coaster Wars: World Domination.[35][36]

Incidents

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Main article: Incidents at SeaWorld parks

On August 5, 2010, five riders sustained minor injuries and were sent to a hospital after colliding with a 25-foot (7.6 m) balloon. The balloon was in the process of being deflated when it broke free and was carried into Griffon's path due to strong winds.[37]

On June 29, 2021, one of Griffon's trains carrying 28 riders stopped midride near the ground. All passengers were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported.[38]

References

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  1. ^ Gieszl, Eric (June 30, 2006). "Busch Gardens To Close Le Mans Raceway July 5". UltimateRollercoaster.com. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Vowell, Roberta (July 5, 2006). "Cars take their last lap at Busch Gardens' Le Mans Raceway". Pilot Online/Hampton Roads. Archived from the original on August 6, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c Marden, Duane. "Busch Gardens Europe Goes Over the Edge with "Griffon"". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  4. ^ "Griffon". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  5. ^ Marden, Duane. "It's all downhill from here, literally". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  6. ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Busch Gardens Europe's Dive Coaster Reaches New Milestone". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  7. ^ a b c Zielinski, Danielle (March 21, 2007). "Coaster opens May 25". Daily Press. Virginia. Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  8. ^ Marden, Duane. "Bolliger & Mabillard Coaster's By Speed". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  9. ^ Marden, Duane. "Bolliger & Mabillard Coaster's By Height". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  10. ^ Marden, Duane. "Dive Coasters By Bolliger & Mabillard". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  11. ^ Marden, Duane. "Diving Coaster  (Happy Valley Shanghai)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  12. ^ a b Vogel, Scott (July 22, 2009). "A Coaster Tour That's a Real Scream". Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 6, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  13. ^ "Images: Start-to-finish". Daily Press. Virginia. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  14. ^ "Griffon Front Row Seat on-ride HD POV Busch Gardens Williamsburg". YouTube. January 2, 2011. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  15. ^ a b c d e Marden, Duane. "Griffon  (Busch Gardens Williamsburg)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  16. ^ Albright, Mark (August 14, 2005). "King of the thill". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on May 16, 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2013.
  17. ^ a b c Marden, Duane. "Griffon Photos  (Busch Gardens Williamsburg)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  18. ^ Scott & Carol (December 11, 2008). "Scott & Carol Present: Getting On Track With B&M". NewsPlusNotes. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  19. ^ "Typical Clermont Steel Fabricators". Clermont Steel Fabricators. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  20. ^ Wong, Preston (May 20, 2007). "757: Griffon is a short ride, but a pure adrenaline rush". Hampton Roads. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  21. ^ Paitsel, Nicole (May 27, 2013). "90 seconds of fear & fun". Daily Press. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  22. ^ "A Whirlwind Trip to 'The Gardens' Part 1". NewsPlusNotes. August 7, 2009. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  23. ^ a b c "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 11 (6.2): 36–37. September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  24. ^ a b "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 14 (6.2): 34–35. September 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  25. ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 12 (6.2): 36–37. September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  26. ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 13 (6.2): 32–33. September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  27. ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 15 (6.2): 38–39. September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  28. ^ "Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 16 (6.2): 36–37. September 2012.
  29. ^ "2013 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 17 (6.2): 34–35. September 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
  30. ^ "2014 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 18 (6.2): 46–47. September 2014.
  31. ^ "2015 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today. 19 (6.2): 49–50. September 2015.
  32. ^ "2017 Top 50 Steel Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2017.
  33. ^ "2018 Top 50 Steel Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2018.
  34. ^ "Build It Bigger Coaster Build Off – Part 1". Sam Purse/YouTube. April 25, 2009. Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  35. ^ "Bert The Conqueror Series 2". Travel Channel. Archived from the original on June 1, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  36. ^ "Insane Coaster Wars: World Domination Pictures". Travel Channel. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  37. ^ "Griffon riders injured at Busch Gardens during Thursday's storm". WTKR. August 6, 2010. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  38. ^ Beaman, Jeremy (June 30, 2021). "28 people rescued after being stuck on stopped roller coaster". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
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