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Verbolten
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Verbolten
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
LocationBusch Gardens Williamsburg
Park sectionOktoberfest
Coordinates37°13′53″N 76°38′42″W / 37.231498°N 76.644919°W / 37.231498; -76.644919
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateMay 11, 2012
Opening dateMay 18, 2012 (2012-05-18)[1]
Cost$54 million
ReplacedBig Bad Wolf
General statistics
ManufacturerZierer
DesignerPGAV Destinations
ModelFamily Launched Coaster Elevated Seating Coaster
Track layoutCustom terrain design
Lift/launch system2 LSM Launches
Drop80 ft (24 m)
Length2,835 ft (864 m)
Speed53 mph (85 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration1:58
Capacity1400 riders per hour
G-force4.2
Height restriction48 in (122 cm)
Trains5 trains with 8 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 16 riders per train.
ThemeBlack Forest/Autobahn
TaglineBrave the Black Forest
RestraintsLap bar
Quick Queue available
Verbolten at RCDB

Verbolten is a Zierer multi-launched partially enclosed steel roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia. The concept was jointly designed by the park's creative design team and by Zierer of Germany.[1] "Verbolten" is a play on words of the German word verboten, which translates to "forbidden" in English.

History

[edit]

Busch Gardens Williamsburg announced a renovation to the Oktoberfest section in October 2010. This included a now defunct drop tower named Mäch Tower, which opened the year after. The remodel also included a new multi-launch coaster with first-of-its-kind elements.[2] In May 2011, the coaster's layout was made public during a James City County, Virginia board meeting.[3]

On September 17, 2011, Busch Gardens Williamsburg officially announced Verbolten, a family launched roller coaster with two launched sections and a building that houses special effects. The coaster was constructed on the former site of Big Bad Wolf.[4] The track layout was completed in January 2012.[5] Verbolten had a soft opening on May 11, 2012. A week later on May 18, the ride opened to the public.

Other coasters, such as Th13teen at Alton Towers and Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Islands of Adventure, also feature a vertical free-fall drop.[6]

On November 8, 2025, Busch Gardens Williamsburg announced that Verbolten would undergo a major re-imagining. The attraction closed on January 4, 2026, for refurbishment and retheming, and is expected to reopen in Spring 2026 under the new name Verbolten: Forbidden Turn.[citation needed]

Theme

[edit]

The ride was inspired by the Autobahn, the German highway system. As shown in the teaser video, a car takes a leisurely trip down the Autobahn, but suddenly lightning strikes the car and causes it to drive into the Black Forest, a "forbidden" forest in which the ride takes place. The dark forest encounters weather changes, such as lightning, as shown in the video.

The queue and station are themed as a motor tours agency owned and operated by the brother-and-sister team of Gerta and Gunter Schwartzwald. A portion of the queue is decorated as Gunter's office, which houses such curious items as plant samples, monitors, and the luggage of the unlucky tourists who have come before.[7] The station house is themed as a garage where riders board trains that resemble stretched roadsters in one of five colors. The theme of the ride itself is the Black Forest and various legends associated with it.[8]

The ride features an indoor portion (referred to as the "show building"), which represents a ride through the Black Forest and features one of three alternating special effects–driven story lines. The inside of the event building is decorated with painted drops and set pieces, as well as featuring unique sound and lighting effects, such as low whistles.[9]

Currently, there are three randomized story lines inside the event building:

  • The Spirit of the Forest: In this story, the effects feature a peaceful-sounding spirit who lures riders into the forest and then turns on them.
  • Lightning Storm: In this story, the effects feature a violent storm that threatens to destroy the riders and their vehicle.
  • The Big Bad Wolf: In this story, the effects feature a pair of glowing red eyes that stalk the train during its journey through the forest, a nod to the ride's predecessor.

The inclusion of multiple effects stories ensures that repeat riders will have a unique experience.

Layout

[edit]
Verbolten tracks, August 2013

The train departs the station gently dipping to the left into a leisurely winding S-curve. Exiting the S-curve, the train enters the first linear synchronous motor launch, accelerating through a stone archway into the event building and cresting an airtime hill. This is followed by a dive into a series of high speed turns and a helix that guides the train onto a brake run, where a psychedelic visual of leaves with wind-blowing sounds are on display. The train then dives into a curve and up a medium-sized hill onto a second brake run, as it slowly comes to a stop. During this time, more psychedelic special effects are displayed, which vary depending on the theme's rotation that switches from ride to ride. After the train stops for a few moments on a pitch black section of track, magnets suspending the train release, quickly dropping riders 18 feet (5.5 m) feet vertically while they remain facing horizontally.[10][11]

The train rests for a moment before descending a short dip into the second LSM launch, accelerating the train to its top speed of 53 mph (85km/h) out of the event building and through an ascending reverse S-turn. This leads to another brake run on a decaying covered bridge accompanied by sound effects of the bridge creaking in the wind. As a recreation of the Big Bad Wolf's finale, the train drops 88 feet (27 m) off the bridge into a hard left-hand turn along the river bank. A high speed S-curve follows, as the train traverses a bunny hop and a turnaround into the final brake run.[12]

Tributes to Big Bad Wolf

[edit]

Multiple nods to Verbolten's predecessor, the Big Bad Wolf, can be found throughout the ride and queue:

  • One of the five trains, the orange train, reads "WOLF X ING" on its license plate.
  • One of the three stories played within the event building features glowing red wolf eyes that chase riders through the forest.
  • The final drop down to the riverbank as well as the turns that follow it copy the original coaster's drop towards the river and reuse the concrete footers.

Rankings

[edit]

Verbolten was ranked in the Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards for best new ride of 2012 with 7% of the vote, to come in fourth place.[13]

Golden Ticket Awards: Best New Ride for 2012
Ranking
Golden Ticket Awards: Top steel Roller Coasters
Year 1998 1999
Ranking
Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Ranking
Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Ranking 36[14] 38[15]
Year 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Ranking N/A

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Verbolten is a multi-launch located at in . Manufactured by the German company Zierer, it features a partially enclosed indoor/outdoor layout with two linear (LSM) launches, reaching a top speed of 53 over a track length of 2,835 feet, including an 88-foot drop and a duration of approximately 3 minutes and 25 seconds. The ride, themed as a high-speed "Black Forest Motor Tour" inspired by , incorporates elements with eerie effects and a sense of forbidden adventure, requiring riders to be at least 48 inches tall. Opened on May 18, 2012, Verbolten replaced the park's former suspended coaster and was constructed at a cost of around $54 million, marking a significant addition to the section of the park. The coaster's innovative design includes a forward launch into a portion simulating a detour through the mysterious , followed by forward acceleration and airtime hills outdoors. It has been praised for its family-friendly thrills combined with immersive storytelling, drawing on the German word "verboten" (meaning "forbidden") to evoke suspense and excitement. The ride experience begins with a slow-moving segment featuring folklore-inspired scenes, building tension before the first launch propels trains forward at 45 mph into a forested enclosure with shadowy effects and sudden drops. A second forward launch reaches 53 mph, leading to the signature 88-foot drop and subsequent elements like speed changes and near-misses, culminating in a high-speed escape from the "forbidden" woods. Verbolten accommodates 16 riders per in 8 rows of 2 riders each, emphasizing accessibility while delivering intense yet controlled forces suitable for a broad audience. As of November 2025, Verbolten continues to operate in its original form through January 4, 2026, after which it will undergo a retheming and enhancements to become Verbolten: Forbidden Turn, a darker evolution of the attraction set to reopen later in 2026. This update aims to amplify the ride's atmospheric elements while preserving its core multi-launch mechanics and track layout.

History

Announcement and construction

On September 17, 2011, announced Verbolten, a new multi-launch intended as a replacement for the retired suspended coaster. The announcement, made by park president Carl Lum during a pass-member event, highlighted the ride's innovative design featuring multiple electromagnetic launches and unique effects not previously seen on U.S. roller coasters. PGAV Destinations served as the lead designer for the project, focusing on creating an immersive experience tied to the park's German-themed area. The selection of Zierer Rides as the manufacturer marked a deliberate shift toward a thrill ride, contrasting the intensity of the original while maintaining excitement through a partially enclosed layout. Zierer's Family Launched Coaster model was customized for Verbolten, incorporating elevated seating and a track layout that blended high-speed outdoor sections with indoor segments. This design choice aimed to broaden appeal to a wider audience, including families, by combining coaster thrills with accessible height and intensity requirements. Construction commenced in the summer of 2011 on the former site within the area, involving site preparation such as clearing debris and pouring concrete footers to support the structure amid the park's natural hills and valleys. Workers assembled the 2,835-foot steel track progressively, with the outdoor portions—including launch straights and turns—erected first to integrate with the terrain. By January 17, 2012, the full track was completed, allowing for initial testing phases ahead of the spring opening. The station house, styled after European roadsters, was nearly finished by this point, accommodating five 16-passenger trains equipped with onboard video cameras. A pivotal aspect during was the seamless integration of indoor elements with outdoor launches, requiring the erection of a large enclosure to house sensory illusions and transitions. This hybrid approach demanded precise coordination between Zierer's coaster expertise and ' engineering team, led by VP Larry Giles, to ensure smooth vehicle propulsion via linear synchronous motors (LSM) across both environments. The enclosure's completion in early enabled installation of effects systems, culminating in a cohesive ride that transitioned riders from high-speed outdoor acceleration to immersive indoor sequences without disrupting momentum.

Opening and initial operation

Verbolten underwent a soft opening on May 11, 2012, primarily for media, VIP guests, and initial testing, marking the culmination of construction efforts in the park's area. The official public debut followed one week later on May 18, 2012, introducing visitors to the multi-launch coaster's unique indoor/outdoor layout. At launch, the attraction operated with an initial capacity of 1,400 riders per hour and enforced a minimum height requirement of 48 inches (122 cm) to ensure accessibility for a broad range of guests. Early operations encountered challenges during the testing phases, including a block brake malfunction inside the indoor section that caused a train to stop unexpectedly in late April 2012, prompting additional safety checks and briefly delaying planned employee previews. These issues contributed to postponing an earlier soft opening anticipated in April, with extensive on-track testing using water-filled dummies to simulate rider weight only completing shortly before the May debut. A media preview event occurred on May 17, 2012, allowing journalists and influencers to experience the ride ahead of the public launch. Busch Gardens marketed Verbolten as a thrilling yet family-oriented coaster immersed in a Black Forest theme, emphasizing its low height requirement and balanced intensity to attract both thrill-seekers and younger riders as a "first big coaster" option. The attraction received positive initial public response for its innovative effects and thematic storytelling, contributing to strong early ridership and helping boost overall park attendance in its debut year.

Recent maintenance and future plans

In early 2025, Verbolten underwent an extended maintenance closure for repairs to its track and launch system, with the ride reopening on June 6, 2025. On November 8, 2025, announced that Verbolten would be rethemed and enhanced as Verbolten: Forbidden Turn, set to debut in 2026. The original version of the ride will continue operating through January 4, 2026, after which it will close starting January 5, 2026, for the transformation. The planned changes introduce a "dark side of adventure" theme, emphasizing the perils of folklore and mysterious forces, while retaining the coaster's core multi-launch structure and Autobahn-themed vehicles. Themed enhancements, including a signature "forbidden turn" in the storyline, will amplify the sense of danger and immersion in the existing indoor and outdoor layout. This refurbishment will impact park operations during the 2026 off-season, with construction and theming work commencing immediately after the January closure to ensure a timely reopening later that year.

Theme and design

Theming and storyline

Verbolten is themed as a high-speed along the German Autobahn through the legendary , framed as an excursion offered by the Black Forest Motor Tours agency, where guests board stylized roadster vehicles for a journey blending , mystery, and thrill. The overall narrative draws on German cultural elements, portraying the forest as a once-charming landscape that shifts into an ominous realm of watchful woods and hidden dangers, evoking the duality of fairy-tale whimsy and darker forces. The ride's indoor portion delivers one of three randomized storylines to enhance unpredictability and immersion. In the "Spirit of the Forest" scenario, riders encounter benevolent nature guardians that unexpectedly turn malevolent, unleashing chaotic woodland spirits. The "Lightning Storm" storyline immerses guests in a violent tempest, with effects simulating thunder, , and winds that threaten to engulf the . The "Big Bad Wolf" narrative features a tense pursuit by a pack of glowing red-eyed wolves, directly tributing the park's former wooden coaster of the same name. Visual and audio theming reinforces the atmosphere through German-inspired architecture in the station and queue, such as timber-framed buildings and signage evoking a rustic motor tours outpost. Inside, dynamic projections depict dense, shadowy forests and creatures, while layered incorporates rumbling engines, whispering winds, eerie howls, and accelerating speed cues to heighten the sense of mystery and urgency. Looking ahead, the theme will evolve in 2026 with the reimagined "Verbolten: Forbidden Turn," where Black Forest Motor Tours falls under new management, inviting explorers into "forbidden" paths that amplify peril—such as one wrong turn leading to irreversible danger—while preserving the core Autobahn-through-Black-Forest motif and its folklore roots.

Technology and engineering features

Verbolten is a Zierer-manufactured multi-launch steel roller coaster that utilizes linear synchronous motor (LSM) technology for propulsion. The ride features two LSM launches that accelerate the trains from a standstill to speeds approaching 53 mph (85 km/h), marking one of the first implementations of such a system in a family-oriented coaster in the United States. The coaster's track measures 2,835 feet (864 meters) in length and reaches a maximum height of 88 feet (27 meters), culminating in an 88-foot drop over the Rhine River rapids. A key engineering innovation is the 18-foot vertical drop track within the indoor show building, where high-powered magnets suspend the train at the apex before releasing it into free fall, creating a sensation of weightlessness integrated with thematic effects. The ride duration is approximately 3 minutes and 25 seconds, with maximum lateral forces approaching 1 G during launches. The vehicles consist of five automobile-themed trains, each with eight cars seating 16 riders in a 2-across configuration with lap-bar restraints for comfort across both indoor and outdoor sections. These are designed for smooth transitions between the coaster's high-speed elements and enclosed portions, ensuring operational efficiency with a capacity supporting multiple dispatches. In preparation for its 2026 reimagining as Verbolten: Forbidden Turn, the attraction will undergo refurbishments including updated effects and structural enhancements to maintain reliability.

Ride experience

Queue and station

The queue for Verbolten is themed as the Motor Tours agency, immersing guests in a vintage German automotive office setting with posters advertising scenic drives through the countryside, interactive displays showcasing old maps and vehicle models, and ambient sounds of rustling leaves and distant to evoke the surrounding forest. This pathway leads indoors to the loading station, an elevated platform divided into dual tracks that allow simultaneous loading of two trains, each configured with eight cars seating two riders across in a single row for 16 passengers total. Safety briefings are delivered through themed video presentations featuring a German narrator emphasizing restraint use and ride rules, while Quick Queue access provides a dedicated lane for priority boarding to bypass the standard line. The single station manages efficient rider flow with thorough restraint checks by attendants before dispatch, supporting a theoretical capacity of 1,400 riders per hour across up to five trains operating in a block system to minimize downtime. In preparation for the 2026 reimagining as Verbolten: Forbidden Turn, the queue will receive updates including new signage hinting at a darker, prohibited theme under changed management, enhancing the sense of impending mystery without altering the core agency layout.

Launch sequence and track layout

The ride begins with a slow roll out of the station, followed by the first linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch that accelerates the train backward to 25 mph into the enclosed building. Inside, riders encounter a vertical drop track of 18 feet before the second LSM launch propels the train forward to 35 mph outdoors. Following the second LSM launch, which propels the train outdoors at 35 mph, riders enter a 180-degree overbanked turn that transitions into the ride's primary outdoor layout. This sequence of two LSM launches creates a dynamic progression without relying on traditional chain lifts. The outdoor portion emphasizes high-speed maneuvers and airtime effects, beginning with a series of airtime hills that deliver sensations of as the train crests at 53 mph. These are followed by an 88-foot drop, providing intense freefall before the track banks into a 289-degree turn. The layout then features bunny hops for sustained airtime and a speed hill that maintains the coaster's top velocity of 53 mph. A 49-degree inclined adds lateral forces, culminating in trim brakes that slow the train for a smooth return to the station. Designed as an inversion-free experience with a maximum height of 88 feet, Verbolten prioritizes family accessibility while delivering thrilling physics through its 2,835-foot track. In 2026, the ride's reimagining into Verbolten: Forbidden Turn will introduce a signature "forbidden turn" thematic element while preserving the core multi-launch mechanics and track layout.

Indoor sections and effects

Following the first launch, riders enter the enclosed show building, a tunnel where the multi-launch transitions into an immersive narrative experience through the . This indoor portion features randomized across three distinct storylines—"," "Lightning Storm," and "Spirit of the Forest"—delivered via synchronized projections, dynamic lighting, and surround-sound audio that align with the vehicles' speed and position for heightened immersion. In the "Big Bad Wolf" storyline, a tribute to the park's former ride of the same name, glowing red wolf eyes appear through projections and lighting effects, stalking the train as it navigates the darkened , accompanied by audio cues to evoke a sense of pursuit. The "Lightning Storm" sequence simulates a violent tempest with flashing strobe lights mimicking strikes, rumbling thunder sound effects, and simulations that intensify the feeling of an elemental assault on the . For the "Spirit of the Forest," ethereal projections of a serene guardian initially lure riders with calming audio and soft lighting, before shifting to ominous tones as the spirit turns malevolent, using synchronized shadows and whispers to build tension. These effects are programmed to activate in sequence with the train's movements, ensuring precise timing that enhances the storytelling without disrupting the coaster's momentum. While primarily visual and auditory, the indoor section incorporates wind machines to replicate forest gusts, adding a tactile layer to the sensory immersion. In preparation for its 2026 reimagining as Verbolten: Forbidden Turn, the ride will undergo enhancements to the indoor effects, introducing darker, more adventurous thematic elements while preserving the core multi-sensory journey. The original configuration will operate through January 4, 2026, after which the attraction closes for these updates.

Legacy and reception

Tributes to Big Bad Wolf

Verbolten incorporates several deliberate tributes to its predecessor, the Big Bad Wolf roller coaster, which operated from 1984 to 2009 in Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Oktoberfest section. Constructed on the exact same site, Verbolten reuses the original station building, queue line, and portions of the concrete footers, maintaining the area's thematic focus on Black Forest wolf folklore and ensuring continuity in the park's immersive storytelling tradition. This placement honors the legacy of the suspended coaster's narrative, where riders encountered a menacing wolf stalking through Bavarian villages. A prominent physical homage appears on one of Verbolten's trains: the orange train bears a front license plate reading "WOLF X ING," directly referencing the wolf theme of the . These customized plates, unique to each of the ride's five trains, integrate subtle nods to the park's history into the ride vehicles themselves. Within the indoor portion, Verbolten's "Big Bad Wolf" storyline pays explicit tribute through audio-visual effects, including pairs of glowing red wolf eyes that emerge in the shadows and accompanied by eerie howls, evoking the suspended sensation and predatory pursuit of the predecessor coaster. Riders experience this sequence as part of one of three randomized narratives, where the wolf's presence builds tension before the outdoor launches. Fans have warmly received these elements as an effective bridge between the park's past and present attractions, with many enthusiasts praising the sentimental details—like the reused path for the final river drop and the thematic callbacks—as respectful acknowledgments that soften the replacement of a beloved classic. These tributes help foster ongoing appreciation for Wolf's influence, even as Verbolten establishes its own identity.

Awards, rankings, and cultural impact

Upon its opening in 2012, Verbolten received recognition in Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards, placing fourth in the Best New Ride category with 7% of the vote. In subsequent years, it earned placements in the Top Steel Coasters rankings, achieving 36th position in 2018 and 38th in 2019; it has not ranked in the top 50 since then, as of the 2025 awards. Enthusiast communities have frequently praised Verbolten for its innovative blend of multi-launch technology and immersive theming, positioning it as a standout family-oriented coaster in personal and site-specific polls. Reviews highlight its unique indoor-outdoor layout and narrative elements as key factors in its appeal, often ranking it among the top experiences at . Verbolten contributed to Busch Gardens Williamsburg's reputation for high-quality, themed attractions by introducing design elements new to U.S. parks, such as its multi-launch system integrated with a sequence. This hybrid approach has influenced subsequent coaster developments at the park, emphasizing storytelling and effects in family thrill rides. In late 2025, Busch Gardens announced a retheming to Verbolten: Forbidden Turn, set to debut in 2026 with enhanced effects, potentially boosting its standing in future industry evaluations.

References

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