Griffon - The In-Depth Report

Well, I'll start on Saturday, May 12.

I got to the park to hang out with some friends, but also for another reason, to ride Griffon. I was very expectant of a soft opening that day, so I hung around for a while, but after aproaching the guradspeople (employees who were assigned to stand by the bridge and water splash and answer guest's questions) and asking them if there was going to be a soft opening, they just smiled and said, "Griffon will open on May 25". I took this as a bit of a hint, but at the same time, I noticed that they seemed to be busy with some electrical wiring and some other small things, so I left, but kept my eye on the ride the whole day, to see if they were running it. Well, alas, it was 10:00 and it hadn't run yet, so it was time to leave, and I arrived home a bit disappointed, and decided to just wait until next weekend.

It was now Sunday, Mother's Day, and we had a nice morning, followed up by the plan to work on packing our house, since we're moving this summer. Well, that never happened, and it was 6:30 that afternoon. My mom was going to take us out to dinner, so I was getting all ready to go. I decided to go through my daily list of roller coaster forums (Yeah, I'm a nerd) right before we were going to leave and I got to BGEscape, to see that William had reported a soft opening, with Ferg and K.B. racking up 10 rides. Well, I ran to my mom, who knew how important riding Griffon was to me, and she decided to take me and my sister to ride it. Well we got there at 7:00 P.M. and ... now to the review:

Having seen the village the day before, it was nothing new, but the atmosphere is given on nicely, and within a few years, trees, shrubs, and vines will give the area a really nice feel. I easily found the entrance, and figured out the queue line. The wait was fairly short, with some what I call back and forths (The type of queue that is evident on every major roller coaster, you know, where it just goes back and forth over and over) when I got to an employee polling people on how many persons there were in their party. I was sort of expecting this, so I politely told her 2. Our group of 10 was sent to the front row, which I was very happy about and we had to wait only one train. The floor comes up in 2 pieces (the front has three), with part of the train making the third (or fourth). There are two end pieces that move horizontal, then vertical; and in the front, there is one piece in the center that rises vertically. We got on, and alas, my sister was wearing flip flops, and they don't have cubbys. She and others had to sit on their loose articles (hats, shoes, etc.). Anyways, to the actual ride experience:

I got the left end seat in the front row. The train pulls out of the station, and the dip feels odd. I realized it's because the train is so wide. It's a weird feeling. Anyways, we turn up to the lift, and just like Sheikra, it feels like you're going to fall back, because the lift is so steep. Well, the lift went too fast for me to look around, and next thing I know, we're being stopped by the brakes right before the holding chain. We start to creep over the edge, and I'm looking straight down, just thinking. Holy crap! Next thing I know, I'm in free fall screaming my head off. I didn't notice the headchopper bridge, as many people mentioned, and all of a sudden I'm turning upside-down. The inversion is interesting on the left end seat. You can probably see that from pictures. So anyways, the train pulled up on the MCBR, and was very slow over the second drop. More than I would like, and more than Sheikra's. It was still a nice drop though. Just as intense as the first drop, but a little shorter. Then the second immelman, which was much like the first. Followed by the airtime hill, which I didn't notice the first time, but I paid more attention the second time, and it was definitely there. The water splash was actually very cool. I barely felt and slow-down drag, and flying over the water that fast was surprisingly fun. The turnaround was O.K. and the last bunny hop had a pop of floater on it. The brakes were a bit choppy, but better than Apollo running with three trains. We pulled into the station, with the ride op actually saying how to get off the train, instead of relying on a recording. We ran off to our picture, which was done nicely by the way, and quickly went for another ride before the park closed.

Overall, I was very impressed with Griffon, but I will not give it a rating yet. I haven't ridden it enough times to give it an accurate score, but rides take a while to grow on me, so Griffon will definitely be up there with Apollo and Alpie.

Hope you guys enjoyed! Feel free to ask any questions!

Ahh! Sounds like a great ride, can not wait to get on! Hopefully soon cause I gots me a platnium pass.

Illegal!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDiDq-HTyVU

Why do you guys care so much that it's illegal?

Haha, I have no idea.

Well I don't, but I know some people do [;)]

It's because BGE checks websites. If they find a site violating a perfectly clear rule, then they will not reap the benefits from that park (hard-hat tours, ERT, etc.). Not to mention the legal side of it. . .

Poor Youtube. The flagrant violation of that POV policy will strip the many coaster enthusiasts on that site of participation. [:(]

It's Youtube. Not a respected fansite, like BGEscape, which removed CK's link. It's just against the rules. It's as simple as that. Rules aren't meant to be broken.

It doesn't sound as good as Oblivion

When you say CK are you referring to me? Because I didn't post the link to that video.

^Oh, I assumed it was you, because you posted it here. Sorry.

Nice avatar BTW.

sounds/looks pretty fun. hopefully my family can get some free tickets to BGE with the military discounts and whatnot. My last final is on the 23rd so if it's opening the 25th, bonus!

ahh, just missed it by 1 day! i was just in virginia, and having gone to busch gardens once this year, i could go again..., (randomly having my ticket with me...), i asked my parents to drop me off and pick me up a little later, they did, but i missed it by one day im sad i wonder if i saw you there on saturday...

I dont know the next time I'm going to Busch Gardens, but I want to go now!

my family is going over summer..