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LOCATION: Busch Gardens, VA
TYPE: Bolliger and Mabillard Inverted Coaster
On a recent vacation, my family and I wanted to go a little farther than normal. We decided that Washington D.C. would be the best destination. However, I suggested that Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA, would be a prime addition to this trip. I was proven right.
I have seen many television specials about our beloved roller coasters. It was in these specials that I discovered Alpengeist. I have ridden several roller coasters similar to this one, including Raptor at Cedar Point and Batman: The Ride at Six Flags' Great America. However, Alpengeist is the only one of the three that is repeatedly in the higher rankings among its riders.
I arrived at Busch Gardens on a warm morning in late July. I could see Alpengeist looming in the distance. I was amazed as I approached the ride to see how it interacted with the theming of the park. To build the largest roller coaster of that particular genre and in that particular location was truly remarkable. I now was ready to ride this "frozen beast."
The ride held great similarities to Raptor. However, I was pleased to see that the inversions weren't completely in the same old fashion. Oppose to having the traditional loop after the first drop, Alpengeist throws you into a half loop and in-line twist combo. From there, you swoop through another drop and into the loop. Before you can catch your breath, you are upside down again in the monstrous cobra roll. After all of this comes a series of incredible dips, turns, and corkscrews before you return to the station.
I highly recommend riding this roller coaster. The intensity of this particular ride was like none I have ever seen. If you think there is a roller coaster worthy of recognition, drop me a message in my guestbook. Hopefully I will be able to check it out myself. Until then, I'll have to keep looking for the next big ride myself.
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