| Griffon | |
| Griffon's Splashdown element | |
| Location | Busch Gardens Williamsburg |
|---|---|
| Park section | Aquitaine (France) |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | May 18, 2007 |
| Cost | $15,600,000 USD |
| Type | Steel - Dive Coaster - Floorless |
| Manufacturer | Bolliger & Mabillard |
| Model | Floorless Dive Coaster |
| Lift/launch system | Chain Lift |
| Height | 205 ft (62 m) |
| Drop | 205 ft (62 m) |
| Length | 3,108 ft (947 m) |
| Max speed | 71 mph (114 km/h) |
| Inversions | 2 |
| Duration | 3:00 |
| Max vertical angle | 90° |
| Capacity | 1,400 riders per hour |
| Max G force | 4Gs |
| Height restriction | 4 ft 6 in (137 cm) |
| Single rider line available | |
| Griffon at RCDB | |
| Pictures of Griffon at RCDB | |
| Amusement Parks Portal | |
Griffon is a Bolliger & Mabillard diving machine roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. On opening, it was the tallest of its kind in the world at 205 feet (62 m). Griffon originally had two other potential names — "IronEagle" and "Voltare" — before Busch Gardens decided on the name "Griffon". Griffon has notably replaced The LeMans Raceway, one of the park's original rides. Griffon was announced on August 23, 2006 and became the fourth diving machine coaster to be built worldwide, and the second constructed in the United States.
Griffon is themed after a griffin, the half-lion/half-eagle mythological creature, and not a griffon, which is a breed of dog. It is believed that the spelling used is the French version of the word. The ride features several new shops located in a new inlet area located behind the former Left Bank Portrait shop (now Griffon Gifts), near the Grande Gourmet ice cream and dessert shop. The ride maneuvers through this new section, including a water splash zone near the new "Bistro 205," a new all-you-can-eat buffet, and a first drop that dives under a bridge that is built up over the existing ground level.
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Park guests waiting in queue are able to see the first drop and Immelmann loop directly above, as well as the roostertail-like fountain of water from the train's two tailends as it dips into a nearby pool of water.
Each train features stadium style seating of three rows of ten seats. Once strapped in, the loading platform floor drops and a voice recording says, "Now, prepare to enjoy the power and speed of the mythical Griffon!" After a right turn out of the station, riders climb the 205 feet (62 m) 45-degree lift hill at a speed of about 10 feet per second (6.8 mph). Then they make another turn to the right and face the Royal Palace Theatre. The trains pause on the holding brake for six seconds before dropping 205 feet (62 m) at 90° at a top speed of 71 mph. The ride then climbs up into the massive 146-foot (45 m) Immelmann loop, one of the tallest roller coaster inversions in the world, before making a sweeping turn upward to the left and into the block brake. Riders then drop 130 feet (40 m) at 87° toward The Rhine River and into another 100-foot (30 m) Immelmann with flying views of the Loch Ness Monster. Finally, riders exit a bunny hop into the splashdown. Each of the three trains produces a different water spray pattern up to 45 feet (14 m) high. The trains then travel over a small dip just before the final brake run and station.
| Golden Ticket Awards: Best Steel Coaster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Griffon officially opened on Friday, May 25, 2007. A special employee first ride event took place on May 1, 2, and 3rd. A second special VIP event took place on May 17 following the May 16th media day event. There was a "soft opening" on May 13. The roller coaster ran all day May 13 with just a few stops. Lines were very short at first, then became packed later in the day.[1] Griffon opened on May 18 until May 25 for a "preview week." The official opening was on May 25, 2007. The ribbon was cut by a child who shares his name with the coaster. The lines for Griffon on opening day hit a wait time of approximately five hours, but the single riders line took approximately 1 hour. The wait was mostly due to technical problems stopping the ride, as similar sized lines in the following weeks only took an hour to an hour and a half.
Griffon was featured on the Discovery Channel show Build It Bigger. The show followed the construction of the second Immelmann loop on the coaster and showed how they constructed the coaster, and also featured its sister coaster SheiKra as the host of the show was sent down to the park in Tampa, Florida, to experience the type of ride they were helping to build up in Virginia. They also showed the host the control room of the roller coaster where the extra trains are stored and all of the computer systems that help keep the ride running safely and efficiently.
On April 3, 2011, Griffon was featured on the Travel Channel show Bert the Conqueror along with Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion.
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