When I went on the behind the scenes coaster tour, they said the coaster could not operate if the pool didn't have water in it because they act as breaks.
Griffon
- Thread starter Zachary
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This is more of a running joke than seriousness. The absurdity of the statement, like how on earth could Oblivion be better when it just has a drop and thats it, coupled with the fact that there's actually a half decent argument there too hiding underneath...CarterGee said:
See, I find Griffon kind of boring.. I don't quite understand why, but it's drops are completely forceless and not in the slightest bit intimidating, whilst Oblivion is genuinely terrifying. Griffon is very much a big floaty fluffy graceful experience, and there's nothing wrong with that, but as someone who's grown up with the idea of dive machines as being the ultimate shit-your-pants ride type it seems wrong to me. It's very much a nostalgia thing I'm sure, as most of the Americans who rode Oblivion post Sheikra don't "get it", whilst the majority of Brits think Oblivion is incredible. It's worth noting that Oblivion is a very special ride to enthusiasts because it's one of the only coasters ever built that no one knew what it was until the day it opened. Literally. Can you imagine how incredible it must have been on opening day?
I think Sheikra and Griffon's problem is that the drop gets lost under the rest of it. With Oblivion, you obviously don't have this. It's ALL about the drop. From the very second you approach that area of the park, all eyes are on the drop. Griffon, and more so Sheikra, exist as a mass of track that could be any ride.
I think Sheikra is better than Griffon as a pure visceral experience. There's no repetitiveness, and Sheikra has more force, including some weird force in the outside seats that I've not felt anywhere else.
But, where Griffon deserves praise is that it took one of the things that Oblivion does so well and blew it out of the water. Interaction with non riders. Something few parks care about but that I personally think is a BIG deal, and it shows in that the parks who care about it are the most successful and more pleasant places to be. It's a demonstration of BGW's audience as a family park... With a minority of guests going on the big rides, it's important to entertain those who sit them out with the same equipment to get the most bang for your buck and keep everyone happy and entertained and enjoying themselves. That bridge and splashdown are simply amazing. It's beautiful and so much fun to walk around that area. The entrance area for Griffon is tranquil and open and inviting. There's something incredible about the way they have taken such scary hardware and dressed it up to be so warm and inviting. It wouldn't surprise me if people who wouldn't think of riding Sheikra or Oblivion get into Griffon's queue.
Griffon is a spectator ride. As a physical ride it's kind of meh I think. The highlight on ride is the turn aroudn after the splashdown and seeing the big wave cascade through the track. It's very much a visual experience. It comes into its own of an evening, with the lighting giving the whole thing a warm amber glow as the track gets kinda lost in the dark sky.
What did you make of Oblivion? Even if you don't think it's better than Griffon in any way, shape or form.
I kinda feel Sheikra interacts with guests a little better than Griffon IMO. While Griffon is kinda tucked away from the main path, Sheikra's directly on top of it, not only interacting with the path itself, but the train as well. The splashdown is also well-done letting you get hit from two sides instead of one like Griffon's.
The theming around Sheikra is better, but Griffon's station house is far superior (even without that cool bridge thingy inside the loading area - then again, Griffon has the bridge going over the first drop so I guess that makes up for it).
I may be an oddball here, but I didn't feel too many forces on Sheikra like I did on Montu or Manta. Nothing that Griffon delivered at least. I sat on an outer edge seat (back row for that awesome sensation of air) and got a solid ride, but nothing too special.
The theming around Sheikra is better, but Griffon's station house is far superior (even without that cool bridge thingy inside the loading area - then again, Griffon has the bridge going over the first drop so I guess that makes up for it).
I may be an oddball here, but I didn't feel too many forces on Sheikra like I did on Montu or Manta. Nothing that Griffon delivered at least. I sat on an outer edge seat (back row for that awesome sensation of air) and got a solid ride, but nothing too special.
I think Sheikra doesn't make a big enough spectacle of it's drop. And it feels more secluded than Griffon. I'm kinda used to rides having their own designated area and would rather that for creative theming potential than them just chilling out in a main pathway.netdvn said:
I can't even recall any theming around Sheikra other than styalistic buildings and the tunnel?
What forces and where do you experience with Griffon? Maybe I've just not sat in the right place. With Sheikra, no way is it even vaguely comparable to Montu or Manta for force, but it had some weird force on the outer seats during the immelman.
Yeah. Swarm's weird forces are most similar to those found on Sheikra's outer seats, but exaggerated massively. The corkscrew-like inversion on Swarm pulls hard enough to effect my vision.
I think riding in the third row is much more intense as you are pulled over the edge into the drop. Big grins for me...
Eric M
Eric M
The entire area is themed with stylistic buildings, the tunnel that sits up against the path, and that really cool splash area that blends in with the surroundings. Maybe its just me, but I really like the secluded look and feel of Sheikra over Griffon's more open air approach.
I was surprised that you couldn't see Sheikra from most points in the park as it was always hidden whereas Griffon dominates the skyline when you're at certain areas of the park and hides behind trees in other areas.
Both DMs give crazy ejector if you sit toward the back, but that's really about it. Otherwise, they pretty much deliver the exact same ride, just a different setting. Even after sitting in the potential money seat (back row, outer edge for both coasters), I didn't feel any forces.
Girffon's splash area basin received some love this off season, not sure if it is just a new coat of paint or something a tad bit more.
That is good to know. I actually knew various people in the company that was subcontracted to build the basin. They were so proud to be a part of Busch Garden's coaster legacy. I imagine that if work has been done to keep it looking nice this year, they will also be thrilled to know.
Actually, that area's open during HOS/Christmas Town (for Catacombs/penguins), so you could get a shot like that then. 
Glad the park is opening up that area during the regular season. Hopefully that giant grey door is covered up though. It looks tacky.
Glad the park is opening up that area during the regular season. Hopefully that giant grey door is covered up though. It looks tacky.
Okay here is the write up about Griffon's break Down last night that I promised.
So I'd just finished eating at the Canada Booth, then I was walking towards Crepes & Coffee. I heard the normal screams as they were hanging but then it went on for about 10 seconds. I saw people looking up at Griffon so I decided to look up and saw that the hanging chain had stopped and people were hanging there for another minute. Then the chain pulled them back up from the hang. Then while I ate my crepe they sat up there for 30 minutes until they finally got it working and released the train back onto the chain, and it went through the normal ride, then it got back to the station, and they shut down the ride for the rest of the night.
So I'd just finished eating at the Canada Booth, then I was walking towards Crepes & Coffee. I heard the normal screams as they were hanging but then it went on for about 10 seconds. I saw people looking up at Griffon so I decided to look up and saw that the hanging chain had stopped and people were hanging there for another minute. Then the chain pulled them back up from the hang. Then while I ate my crepe they sat up there for 30 minutes until they finally got it working and released the train back onto the chain, and it went through the normal ride, then it got back to the station, and they shut down the ride for the rest of the night.
Hoopla said:
There is none. The jets are pointed at an angle to where riders practically get nothing, where as if bystanders may only get a misting at times. Like posted previously, Pompeii or Roman Rapids is you best bet, or just Roman Rapids
Stand by the fence in the splash zone. You know, across from the Bistro. Good splash area to STAND in.