Loch Ness Monster

Roller coaster in the United States
Watch the on-ride POV
Loch Ness Monster
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Location Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
Coordinates 37°14′05″N 76°38′48″W / 37.234662°N 76.646695°W / 37.234662; -76.646695
Park section Scotland
Status Operating since June 6, 1978
Cost $5,000,000 USD
Rider height 48 inch minimum
Statistics
Manufacturer Arrow Dynamics
Product Custom Looping Coaster
Designer / calculations Ron Toomer
Type Steel - Terrain
Propulsion Two chain lift hills
Height 130 feet
Drop 114.2 feet
Top speed 60 mph
Length 3240 feet
Inversions 2
Drop angle 55°
Duration 2:10
G-Force 3.5
Rolling stock
Manufacturer S&S-Sansei Technologies (2018-present)
Arrow Dynamics (1978-2017)
Riders per train 28
HELP
A view of the interlocking loops

Loch Ness Monster is a steel roller coaster located at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. The ride was built by Arrow Dynamics and opened on June 6, 1978. It is the first of two full-circuit roller coasters featuring interlocking loops, with the other being the now defunct Orient Express at Worlds of Fun in Missouri.

History

On July 27, 1977, Loch Ness Monster was announced.[1] Construction began shortly afterwards. During the construction process, a bending track was found between the second vertical loop and final brake run.

In order to build the interlocking loops, one loop must be built above the track while the other must be built below it and the track must go in the center. Afterwards, the track must be installed above one of the loops and the other loop needs to be closed with a piece of track.

Loch Ness Monster opened to the public on June 6, 1978. At that time, it was one of the tallest and fastest roller coasters. The ride costed $5 million to build.[2]

When the coaster first opened, it had four trains with six cars. These trains would go through the interlocking loops at the same time. As the years went on, Loch Ness Monster would go through several changes. The trains would be downsized from four to three with seven cars.

After the closure of Busch Gardens Tampa's Python in 2006, the trains were sent to Busch Gardens Williamsburg to be reused as spare parts for Loch Ness Monster.[3]

On October 2, 2023, Busch Gardens announced the refurbishment of Loch Ness Monster. As part of the work, 900 feet of track is being replaced.[4]

Design

Elements

Ride experience

The coaster starts with two turns before the lift hill. The train makes a right turn and drops at 60 mph. After the left turn, riders go straight into the first vertical loop, which is 82 feet high. The train hits the brakes and enters the tunnel with a helix. After exiting the tunnel, the train climbs the second lift hill. It turns right and drops, reaching speeds of 40 mph entering the second vertical loop, which is 57 feet high. The train then returns to the loading station.[3]

Color scheme

Loch Ness Monster has yellow track and gray supports.

Trains

7 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows, for a total of 28 riders per train. Before 2018, the ride had trains from Arrow Dynamics. For the ride's 40th anniversary, they were replaced with new trains from S&S Worldwide.

Images

Facts

  • Loch Ness Monster has given over 58 million rides since opening.[5]

References

  1. "Busch Gardens To Add Ride".
  2. "A (Loch Ness) Monster of a Rollercoaster".
  3. 3.0 3.1 "40 Loch Ness Monster Facts to Celebrate its 40th Anniversary!". Coaster101.
  4. "A legendary roller coaster will get a big refresh in 2024". Theme Park Insider. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  5. "Loch Ness Monster". Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

External links

The category Loch Ness Monster contains additional media.
Tallest complete-circuit roller coaster
tied with
Giant Coaster

June 1978 - April 1987
Preceded by
Montaña Rusa
Tallest complete-circuit roller coaster
tied with
Giant Coaster

June 1978 - April 1987
Succeeded by
Vortex


Articles on Busch Gardens Williamsburg