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Zachary

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Sep 23, 2009
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Busch Gardens Williamsburg said:
Are you ready to get in the loop? Our Roller Coaster Insider is the ultimate tour with a twist, taking you inside the world of Busch Gardens’ amazing roller coasters. Roller Coaster Insider is your chance to ride four of Busch Gardens’ roller coasters while learning about the history and mechanics of these thrilling rides.
Your tour includes:
- Behind-the-scenes look at the mechanical areas of Loch Ness Monster®, Griffon® and Alpengeist®
- Ride Griffon, Alpengeist, Apollo’s Chariot®, and Loch Ness Monster during the tour
- A special pass to use after the tour, for single-time priority boarding for Griffon, Alpengeist, Apollo’s Chariot and Loch Ness Monster
- A photo CD of your experience
- Free preferred parking upgrade for the day of your tour

Price: $75 or $50 without going to the top of Griffon
Link: Here and here




My quick review: 10/10, worth every cent. Also, check out Nora's coaster tour review from back in 2010, here
 
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RE: Roller Coaster Insider

So, I was thinking about booking a Roller Coaster Insider Tour (I'm still not sure I want to walk around on top of the Griffon), and I found this on the Pass Member page:

Ultimate Roller Coaster Insider (Participant)

Get some special ride time on ALL of our incredible roller coasters and go home with some behind-the-scenes perspective. This tour includes an up-close look at Busch Gardens’® newest roller coaster – Verbolten®. Visit coaster maintenance areas and speak with our mechanics about everything they do to keep these amazing scream machines rolling.


I went and double-checked and I don't see it on the main Behind-the-Scenes Tours page. Anyone know what is up with the discrepancy?
 
RE: Roller Coaster Insider

hmmm, they don't have that tour on their main page. It looks like a new ULTIMATE insider tour that added the Verbolten tour to it.
 
RE: Roller Coaster Insider

pandorazboxx said:
hmmm, they don't have that tour on their main page. It looks like a new ULTIMATE insider tour that added the Verbolten tour to it.

Exactly. But why is it only on the Pass Member page? I can't imagine that they don't want to give everyone the option of purchasing the more expensive tour? Maybe it just so new that they haven't gotten around to putting it on the main page. But why have they waited so long into the season to introduce it?
 
RE: Roller Coaster Insider

Nic said:
pandorazboxx said:
hmmm, they don't have that tour on their main page. It looks like a new ULTIMATE insider tour that added the Verbolten tour to it.

. . . it just so new that they haven't gotten around to putting it on the main page. But why have they waited so long into the season to introduce it?

Yeah, I think they probably have yet to add it for the GP because it just isn't available to them yet.

I think they waited so long until Verbolten kind've lost it's new spark and flare. Instead of it being something extra, it is now something included with everything else. I always expected Verbolten to become part of the Ultimate Insider Tour one day, just as long as that one day the coaster isn't brand new; which now it really isn't brand new, after a year and some change of being open.
 
RE: Roller Coaster Insider

I have to say, the addition of the Verbolten stuff makes this tour significantly more appealing to me. That said, I'm still not sold on the idea of walking around on top of Griffon.
 
RE: Roller Coaster Insider

I'm sure. But despite being a roller coaster junkie, I have a desperate fear of ledges/falling. Even mesh, metal stairs freak me out. I regret it every time I get bullied onto Mach Tower, the Drop Tower, and the Xtreme SkyFlyer (shudder).
 
RE: Roller Coaster Insider

oh man, umm, well just to let you know, when you get to the top of Griffon, there's about 6-8 grated steps that you have to walk up, and also walk down to get back to the trolley. Just don't look down, you'll probably be ok! :p

(I get a little vertigo too and those stairs definitely freaked me out a little.)
 
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Nic said:
I have to say, the addition of the Verbolten stuff makes this tour significantly more appealing to me. That said, I'm still not sold on the idea of walking around on top of Griffon.

I am right there with you, but last time I checked, about quite some time ago there was an observer tour that did everything except you didn't go to the top of Griffon and I believe you didn't have to ride the coasters either, it was priced lower because of the lesser of things you'd be doing.
 
Party Rocker said:
I am right there with you, but last time I checked, about quite some time ago there was an observer tour that did everything except you didn't go to the top of Griffon and I believe you didn't have to ride the coasters either, it was priced lower because of the lesser of things you'd be doing.

And there is the crux of the problem. To me the whole point would be to ride the coasters, so I wouldn't want to do the Observer Tour. I love roller coasters. It is just ledges that I can't stand.

Does this tour need to be added as a new thread, since it seems to be a new tour?
 
Nic, if I may try to push your boundaries of fear a little. I've taken the coaster tour three times now. It is intimidating walking on the top of Griffon, but it is also one of the most thrilling experiences I have ever had at Busch Gardens.

You feel like you are on top of the world! My friend who took the tour with me last time was also very scared to walk around the top and was not even sure he could step up to the ledge. He was tense the whole time, but after it was over, I have never seen him so happy.

I hope you take the tour. I really do. It is worth every penny!
 
From what I remember the Observer vs Participant option refers to the Griffon ascent. If you're an observer you still ride the roller coasters.
 
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pandorazboxx said:
From what I remember the Observer vs Participant option refers to the Griffon ascent. If you're an observer you still ride the roller coasters.

I have been on the tour a few times now with a few other people who have been observers. The tour guide gave them the option of either going to the top of griffon OR riding the coasters.
 
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Nic said:
SukaVayne said:
Do the tour, it's so amazing to challenge yourself to walk around GRIFFON. Nic, best thing to do is look always up but at an angle it helps out for me.

Is someone doing shots with me, when I'm with the Griffon Tour of Terror?
Of course I will if you need me too. Peer pressure is still bad at age 40lol. There you go Nic you made a new event GRIFFON TOUR OF TERROR mixed with exclusive front of the line passes for Demon drinks. Just don't think you would wanna be to buzzed out on shots up on Griffon tour.
 
SukaVayne said:
Of course I will if you need me too. Peer pressure is still bad at age 40lol. There you go Nic you made a new event GRIFFON TOUR OF TERROR mixed with exclusive front of the line passes for Demon drinks. Just don't think you would wanna be to buzzed out on shots up on Griffon tour.

I can confirm that alcohol and heights do not mix! Ever tried to get down from a rooftop party after several drinks? I seriously don't recommend it.

But I do like the new Exclusive Experience:
- Climb Griffon
- Ride MT
- Do shots
 
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