Alpengeist

Infobox roller coaster
name=Alpengeist


caption=
location=Busch Gardens Europe
type=Steel
type2=Inverted
opened=March 22, 1997
status=Operating
manufacturer=Bolliger & Mabillard
model="Inverted Coaster"
track=Terrain
lift=Chain lift hill
cost=$20,000,000 USD
capacity=1820
length=3828
height=195
drop=170
inversions=6
speed=67
duration=3:10
angle=
acceleration=
gforce=3.7
restriction=54
rcdb_number=277

Alpengeist is the tallest and one of the fastest full circuit inverted roller coasters in the world. Alpengeist opened in 1997 at Busch Gardens Europe. It was built by Bolliger & Mabillard and features six inversions: an Immelmann loop, vertical loop, cobra roll, zero G roll, and a wing over.

Alpengeist has an Alpine mountain region theme. The "Alpengeist" (German for "Ghost of the Alps" or "Alps Spirit") was the legendary snow beast of the Alps. The ride itself is themed to a runaway ski lift

Ride Experience

Upon exiting the station, the floor drops beneath the riders feet and the riders ascend the 195 foot tall chain lift after hearing the send-off recording. Then, riders are swept to the right after seeing a view of the Anheuser-Busch Williamsburg brewery and looking up on Griffon and descend 175 feet, going past The Land of The Dragons, hitting 67 miles per hour. Following the drop, passengers go into an enormous Immelmann loop, which is a half loop with a twist at the top. After the Immelman loop, riders go into a 104 foot vertical loop. The riders then enter a wooden tunnel where there was an on-ride photo (It has since been removed due to the two inside seats not being clear in the photos). A large cobra roll follows over the Rhine River, right next to the Lochness Monster and Griffon. A Cobra Roll consists of two inversions. The block brake comes after a high speed curve. Immediately after the block, a drop that goes right into a zero-g roll that gives airtime right beside the "Le Scoot" log flume. After a corkscrew and a helix, the train brings the riders into the station. Alpengeist is an intense thrill ride that is not for the weak of stomach or handicapped.

Popular Culture

A few years ago, Alpengeist was featured on a Pepsi commercial involving a man taking a cup of Pepsi on a the ride and not spilling it. Afterwards, he spilled it when a girl asked him for the time.

Ride Elements

*Immelmann loop
*104 foot Vertical loop
*Cobra roll 2 Inversions
*Zero-g roll
*Corkscrew
*Helix