Big Bad Wolf (roller coaster)

Infobox roller coaster
name=Big Bad Wolf


caption= The 80-foot drop over the Rhine River.
location=Busch Gardens Europe
section=Oktoberfest
type=Steel
type2=Suspended
opened=1984
manufacturer=Arrow Dynamics
designer=
track=Terrain
height=100
drop=80
length=2800
speed=50
greatest g-force=4.0
inversions=0
duration=3:00
restriction=42
rcdb_number=111The "Big Bad Wolf" is a suspended roller coaster in the Oktoberfest section of Busch Gardens Europe. A suspended swinging coaster has the cars hanging under the track, which swing freely after every turn.

Ride experience

"Thank you, and enjoy traveling at the speed of fright" are the words you hear upon leaving the station. After that you go into a very small dip (approx 5 ft) to gain momentum. The track then veers sharply to the left into the first lift hill. Once at the top, the train descends down reaching speeds of around 40 mph. The train then steers its way though a Bavarian village, narrowly missing houses and shops. The first section of the ride climaxes with a helix through a wooded area adjacent to the village.

The train then enters a set of block brakes in order to slow the train prior to the second lift. Following the brake, the track veers right and the second lift hill begins. This chain lift takes the riders up to an unsuspected 90-foot drop. This drop sends riders barreling straight towards the Rhine River at 48 mph, swooping right above the water, and making that image one of the most classic coaster images ever. The dive toward the water is also helped because the cars are below the track, making it even more convincing. Originally, mist machines helped to further convince riders that they were a little too close to the water for comfort. In recent years, these mist machines have remained inactive. After this close encounter with the fish, the train twists and turns and slowly makes its way back up to the station.

Technical information

The ride uses three trains, each comprising seven cars, giving a total capacity of 28 riders at a time. During the circuit, the ride ascends two lift hills. The greatest G-force experienced during the ride is 4.fact|date=July 2008

ee also

*Busch Gardens Europe
*Suspended roller coaster
*Arrow Dynamics

External links

* [http://rcdb.com/id111.htm Big Bad Wolf] at the Roller Coaster DataBase
* [http://www.coastergallery.com/1999/BGW09.html Big Bad Wolf pictures from CoasterGallery.com]
* [http://www.bgescape.com/Gallery/displayimage.php?album=25&pos=0 Big Bad Wolf aerial photo]