Mäch Tower

Manufacturer

Moser's Rides

Model

Gravity Tower

Hamlet

Oktoberfest (Germany)

Opening Date

August 18th, 2011

Closing Date

January 8th, 2023

Attraction Height

240ft

Duration

About 90 Seconds

Riders Per Cycle

30

Height Requirement

48in

Mäch Tower was a Moser's Rides Gravity Tower located in the Oktoberfest section of Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Originally planned to debut in the spring alongside Beste Brezeln und Bier and numerous other alterations to the Oktoberfest hamlet, Mäch Tower faced months of delays throughout the first half of 2011. Ultimately, the attraction did not open to the public until August 18th, 2011.

Mach Tower was typically converted into an observation tower named Nächt Tower for the park's annual holiday event, Christmas Town.

On December 16, 2022 it was announced by the park that Mäch Tower would close on January 8th, 2023. The ride did not operate in it's typical Nächt Tower mode in 2022, in order to have final sendoffs in the normal drop tower mode.

When it debuted, Mäch Tower featured an onboard audio system which would play music throughout the ride's ascent and a seat vibration effect that would trigger immediately before the drop. A POV featuring the on-ride audio can be found below.

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Direct Link to Embedded Media Source

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Sources:

1. Mäch Tower Announcement Press Release
2. Official Statement Regarding Opening Delays
3. "Waiting for the Mach Tower to Drop" via The Virginian-Pilot
4. "Busch Gardens opens towering drop ride after 3-month delay" via The Virginian-Pilot
5. First Ride Video & Opening Day Photos via BGWFans
6. Early Mäch Tower Ride Impressions via Theme Park Insider

 

[Zachary]

I've actually seriously considered moving it elsewhere. I'm pretty sure it operates less than the park's seasonal attractions at this point.

 

[Party Rocker]

I think we should make it a rule that if an attraction does not operate for so many consecutive weeks, it is moved elsewhere.

 

[chickenking]

I suppose it's too much to hope for Nacht Tower for CT...What is there going to be for people to do??

 

[whispers]

I forsee the world's tallest Christmas Tree in Oktoberfest this year...

 

[chickenking]

From BGW facebook page...

Guest #1 - "Is something wrong with Mach Tower? It seems like it has been closed for a while?"

Guest #2 - "Motor is in the process of being replaced."

Though this is similar to something I have heard, can we get a confirmation on this?

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

From BGW facebook page...

Guest #1 - "Is something wrong with Mach Tower? It seems like it has been closed for a while?"

Guest #2 - "Motor is in the process of being replaced."

Though this is similar to something I have heard, can we get a confirmation on this?

If it is that would be what, the second time since it has opened?!

 

[Hoopla]

^Then why was it down the other 5 million times?

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

^Then why was it down the other 5 million times?

I'm talking about the time when it was broken down for weeks, other times were just regular maintenance issues.

 

[chickenking]

Mach Tower is performing tests at this moment. Just witnessed a drop from the train. So...Nacht Tower for CT? :shocked:

 

[CastleOSullivan]

Mach Tower is performing tests at this moment. Just witnessed a drop from the train. So...Nacht Tower for CT? :shocked:

At this point, I wouldn't even risk it during Christmas Town.

 

[wannaplay1999]

I agree..would be afraid of ruining the night being stuck on Mach tower

 

[Zachary]

I'm officially calling Mach Tower SBNO. Thread moved. I've heard that the park basically gave up trying to get it running before the end of the season a few weeks back. There are whispers that they may not even bother trying to run it during Christmas Town as well. There haven't been any official moves by the park thus far to say it's closed indefinitely (Europe in the Air style), but it seems more or less implied at this point. Stay tuned for more and if anyone knows anything, get in touch. I have a lot of loose ends that need additional confirmation.

 

[Zachary]

It actually opened today. Sure it broke down multiple times and was down most of the day anyway, but that's beside the point- it actually provided a few rides. Basically a record breaking day for Mach Tower.

 

[Shane]

Franco will hate me for saying this, but I honestly would like to know what is causing all its issues. I have a feeling even maintenance doesn't know, otherwise they probably would have found a mostly permanent fix. The maintenance department just seems to walk around it and hit it with a wrench a la RCT style in the hopes it will make a difference.

 

[Party Rocker]

Duct Tape and DW30 fixes everything.

 

[Zachary]

Duct Tape and DW30 fixes everything.

But only after 6+ weeks.

 

[kenwa]

My guess for the problems is excessive vibration causing the break fins to fracture close to where they attach to the tower. I rode the thing awhile back and noticed many little circles on the fins drawn with a Sharpie. When I was closer I could see the cracks in the circles, made me think twice before riding.

 

[Party Rocker]

But I thought vibrations had been disabled for most of the season.

 

[netdvn]

The ride has tons of moving parts and tons of sensors that are easily tripped. Any slight mishap brings the system down.

- You could say the ride is too safe for it's own good.

 

[Nicole]

Maybe I am in the minority, but I like the fact that rides like MT and the roller coasters have very low safety tolerances. I would much prefer that the ride be down, than find myself trapped at the top (or worse), because it had broken.

I get that the chief complaint here is how often MT breaks, but I am speaking more generally about people's irritation when any of them close.