RE: Verbolten
The spirit of Wolfie was with me as I got the ‘Wolf Story’ the first and only time I rode it yesterday. It was very sweet of him.
Got off work at 6pm and made my husband haul butt up to the park. We got to the park around 7pm and I was in line about 15 minutes later. The line at this point was through the queue house and near the entrance, but they did not have the entire line open, as it was not needed. I was in line maybe a total of 30 minutes, BUT I almost wish the wait was longer. Crazy right? Nope. Here we go:
-The queue house. Oh my goodness, the queue house. I remember many moons ago, waiting in line for 5 hours and 45 minutes(!) on opening day of CoDK,thinking how awesome the detailing was on the themeing of the ride before you stepped foot on it, and how well they told the story, how they set the foundation…forget that. All of it. If what they did for Verbolten is the new starting line for themeing to come, then we really have some exciting things to look forward to. The detail the have put in here…there is almost too much to look at. With how quick they were loading yesterday, there was so much I missed out on. Not only should you be excited about riding multiple times to be able to get all the stories in the event building, you should also be excited about getting in that queue house to see all the little details put into it. I am still so impressed just by the stuff in the flipping line. The ticket booth is stunning. The addition of multiple ‘kameras,’ which I did not get to see but for a glance, was amazing. I know everyone is excited about getting on the ride, but just take your time and take it all in while waiting. I know that sounds dumb, but I’m serious. We should be proud of what our home park has given to us. This ride would have been equally as popular without the effort they put into it before you get on and they didn’t have to do any of it. But they did, and we should be thankful. I’m in awe.
-I was a single rider, and was a little bummed by the absence of a single rider line. However, what they did with the station with the double loading was again impressive. As I walked into the station, I was a little confused by the fact that they made a longer line near where on BBW you would have queued for about the middle of the train. As I quickly found out, there are two front row lines due to the double loading. This alone is going to be a long line eater, as the crew really had it down. But again there’s SO DANG MUCH to look at, it doesn’t even matter. I didn’t even look around in here, as I was watching the crew do their thing.
-I was paired up in line with a guy that was a cast member at the park. We had a piece of paper with him and when I asked him what he was writing down, he said that he was tracking how long he was in line each time. I started making small talk and I said that I read on a website that it was soft opening today and ran on up here. He asked which website, and I said ‘BGWFans…you know…the bad guys.’ He laughed and showed me the other half of the paper and it was a print out of the blueprint of the whole queue line and station that was leaked on here and that he lurks sometimes (Hi!!). I asked him if he could comment on the yellow train being on vacation and he said that he had heard while on a tour of the coaster, that something had happened, but that there were too many stories floating around about what exactly did happen. I asked him if they allowed him to see the front of the yellow train and he answered no, that they are keeping that under wraps. I also asked him if the color of the train had something to do with what story you got in the event building. He said no, and that even the maintenance crew and executives have been trying to figure out how to sync up what story you’re going to get on any given ride. I figured that each color train might have a sensor to tell the computer what story to tell, but that is false. Seems like the forest has a mind of its own. Kinda scary, but I’ll take it. I had told him that I was on the Wolf crew at a point, and he mentioned that he hoped the Wolf would appear.
-The ride! First, the seats are very comfy. Having popped out two humans in the past four years, I’ve gotten a little fluffy, but had no problems in this seat. I probably pulled the bar in too much. I hate drop towers, so I’ll admit I had butterflies about the drop track. My impromptu tour guide with me assured me that the drop would be nothing to worry about, so I kind of wish I had left a little slack for some air time. I know now. We left the station and got to the part where you can hear the engine revving up. I was also told by my co-rider that if the train gets stopped for any reason right here, the sound track switches to the sound of a car engine idling. Thought that was a really cute touch. As we headed off to the event building we hit the first launch with ease. It really was smooth, and not at all like a Volcano or FoF launch of death. Heading into the darkness was really something else. I will ride anything you throw at me at least once, and I trust Busch with my life on any ride, but I have to say, I really was nervous going into the event building. The fact that you have seen pictures of the inside and you know in your head what is the track looks like with the lights on will not prepare you for the sensation of flying through here in darkness. Once again, the detail of the all black track and supports they used supports the fact that you cannot see the track or where you’re going. Nothing can really prepare you for what you feel inside the event building. I was a little apprehensive when I heard that they were using black light scenery in here, but it is pulled off so, so well. My co-rider told me pretty soon into the building (and very excitedly, I may add) that we were going to get the Wolf story. So while a few of you are saying that most of the building’s scenery is the same for all three, I again have only been on it once, so I personally can’t confirm it. After the first half of the spaghetti bowl, I knew that we were going to stop for the drop track, but I was not expecting the block break before the drop track section. That was a nice surprise. As we got to the drop, red eyes surrounded us as we came to a stop. I swear that it went silent, then a noise, then a few seconds before the drop, but I could be mistaken. I was basically trying to brace myself for the drop, but this may take some mastering because I was way off. I do not have many details to talk about as far as the inside of the event building, because again, there is SO much to look at while you’re in here. There is so much going on, as in a matter of every sense (except smell) is being used at the same time. Not to be punny, but this thing really takes you on a ride in here. The overload has made this part a bit blurry for me, so I apologize.
- As we exited the building, I was surprised by the bit of a drop into the launch, which made this launch seem a lot faster and had a lot more oomph. It definitely caught me off guard. I will say that that I was concerned about the speed of the ride from the perception on the testing videos as I thought it looked a little too slow for my taste. I was wrong. It is just right as you climb up to the bridge. The audio on the bridge (not on ride as previously rumored) was a perfect touch, and again the speed of the train as you inch over the edge really made an impact in the same way that BBW did it. The drop is quick and a little short, but once you get to the trees, the speed really picks up as you go through what I think is the same course BBW took. The banking of the track really provides for some g’s and does not let up even as you go into the last turn into the station. Fantastic.
Overall, I am really impressed. This coming from someone who bawled on the last day of Wolfie (in the rain, no less. How John Hughes of me). I cursed the day they started deconstruction and swore that nothing could replace him. I was wrong. My bad.
It is nothing like a one-trick pony such as Griffon. No sir, this ride commands you to re-ride as much as you possibly can to get the whole experience. Even then, I think you’d have to piece together everything you have experienced, just to get an idea of what this ride has to offer in whole. I almost feel bad for the next ride that goes in at BG. You have a lot to live up to, sweetheart.
The one downside for me had to be that it did seem a bit jerky at times and I did get a headache soon after getting off. I have had some neck injuries in the past and I shouldn’t even be on these rides (screw that!), so please take that as you will.
A special thank you to the guy riding with me! He really made it a great first time ride, and I will always appreciate it.
-Jessica
