Verbolten

Manufacturer

ZIERER

Model

Elevated Seating Coaster w/ Vertical Drop Element

Hamlet

Oktoberfest (Germany)

Official Opening

May 18, 2012

Soft Opening

May 11, 2012

Tallest Drop

88ft

Top Speed

53mph

Inversion Count

0

Launch Segments

2

Riders Per Train

16

Number of Trains

5

Height Requirement

48in

Verbolten is an indoor/outdoor ZIERER Elevated Seating Coaster that features a Vertical Drop Element. It officially opened in mid-May 2012 on the site formally occupied by the Arrow Suspended Coaster, Big Bad Wolf.

Videos​

Development Documentary​

• From Dreams to Screams: Verbolten by Devin Olson

Ride Recordings​

On-Ride Videos​

• Opening Year POV (Storm Sequence)
• Opening Year POV (Spirit Sequence)
• Opening Year POV (Wolves Sequence)
• Spring 2019 Lights-On POV
• 2012/2019 Side-by-Side POV

Backstage Footage​

• Verbolten Control Booth Screens

 

[Zachary]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong here, but it's my impression that the ride favors stopping trains on the first midcourse in the building if there's a delay or issue with the drop track, launch #2, etc. I assume this allows maintenance more flexibility to back trains off of the drop track onto the preceding drop if need be?

 

[Jonesta6]

Where's an ElToroRyan Problematic Coasters episode on bolty when you need it?

 

[Murphy]

Ha. “Booty”

Autocorrect strikes again?

 

[Jonesta6]

Ha. “Booty”

Autocorrect strikes again?

Yeah... Fixed it

 

[I305Evan]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong here, but it's my impression that the ride favors stopping trains on the first midcourse in the building if there's a delay or issue with the drop track, launch #2, etc. I assume this allows maintenance more flexibility to back trains off of the drop track onto the preceding drop if need be?

If true, I imagine it would also be to hide the drop track resetting to the riders. Or maybe it does this to not interfere with the timing of the show sequence. (so much for that these days). There's a lot of good reasons for the ride to prefer stopping on the first brake run really.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

If true, I imagine it would also be to hide the drop track resetting to the riders. Or maybe it does this to not interfere with the timing of the show sequence. (so much for that these days). There's a lot of good reasons for the ride to prefer stopping on the first brake run really.

But only really stops for a short second and then continues to the drop track. Honestly, you lose speed when the ride stops on the first break platform. It makes sense to use it if the ride is running more than two trains. But honestly, it's just as safe to disable it if the system had to wait for the drop platform to clear, before allowing another train into the event building.

I just feel that for the price the park paid for the ride, there should have been a bit more shock value to it. According to online references; Verbolten cost 54 million USD. That's more than what Revenge of The Mummy cost at Universal Orlando. And remember; Universal Orlando, already had the building. When you look at the construction pictures for Verbolten, the course in the event building is really not that big. Honestly; they could have made the event building bigger and put more scarier things in there.

 

[belsaas]

In all fairness, Verbolten was far more impressive back when all the lights worked. And the queue story. And the sound effects. And there was a spooky bridge.

 

[Jonesta6]

And as has been discussed here before, we don't know if the $54 million, assuming it's close enough to be correct (which I don't think there's a consensus on btw), all went to VB or it was the overall cost of the Oktoberfest refresh which included the ride plus infrastructure updates and changes.

Then there's the fact they went with Zeirer as the manufacturer in what appears to be a deliberate avoidance of Intamin, for whom this sort of thing is in their wheelhouse vs. a company primarily focused on smaller rides. This is likely because of the dissatisfaction Larry Giles has with Intamin from previous projects made him swear off choosing to work with them if he could avoid it (obviously this mindset has changed given Pantheon and the 2022 project).

Finally, even though it's marketed as high thrill, the park was essentially replacing one family ride (RIP BBW) with another and not trying to create another AC or Alpengeist type thrill experience so that more families with younger kids could all ride together.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

In all fairness, Verbolten was far more impressive back when all the lights worked. And the queue story. And the sound effects. And there was a spooky bridge.

Wait a second.

I actually find it more thrilling with the event building being dark. One of my favorite indoor rides is Flight of Fear at KD. However, many of us remember in 2009 when the ride was completely dark. That means the neon floor lights were shut off because they were installing new electric lines for I305. It was a once in a lifetime experience to be able to ride in the pitch black. So when it comes to "Verbolten" I am happy if most of the lights in the event building don't work. I think the most suspenseful part of the ride is approaching the tunnel at night time. Looking into it, and seeing darkness sets the mood.

What bridge are you referring to? The one after launch 2? Based on the older ride videos I've seen, the "bridge cracking" sound use to be a little louder. Who knows why they don't have it cranked up as loud. Maybe it scared kids too much.

Honestly, I can think of a tone of scary things that make Verbolten more thrilling.

 

[RollyCoaster]

To be fair, Verbolten was built as a complete themed experience and the pitch black, lack of curtains, missing set design, 1 eyed wolves, and blue screens don’t quite create the intended experience. The queue is set to begin the immersion, the stations and spiels follow, just to be thrown into a building that isn’t half of what it once was.

The crackling bridge you mentioned used to have a roof on it. Currently, looking up on the bridge all you see are horizontal steel beams to the sound of wood crackling. Totally immersive.

The ride is still good. It used to be great. I don’t think it would cost too much to get things in working order again. I’d love the queue to be fixed first. It’s one of the single greatest themed queue lines at a regional theme park. I’d then start with some of the easier repairs inside of the building. Getting some set pieces back where they used to be with proper lighting. Getting the curtains setup so the outside light from the drop track can no longer be seen throughout the course. Lastly I’d fix up the drop track sequence - It looks like shit now and all it needs is new lighting.

Next year is Bolts 10th. Maybe we finally see a bit of refurb take place?

 

[MikeLovesKD]

To be fair, Verbolten was built as a complete themed experience, and the pitch black, lack of curtains, missing set design, 1 eyed wolves, and blue screens. The queue is set to begin the immersion, the stations and spiels follow, just to be thrown into a building that isn’t half of what it once was.

The crackling bridge you mentioned used to have a roof on it. When riding, looking up all you see are horizontal steel beams to the sound of wood crackling. Totally immersive.

The ride is still good. It used to be great. I don’t think it would cost too much to get things in working order again. I’d love the queue to be fixed first. It’s one of the single greatest themed queue lines at a regional theme park. I’d then start with some of the easier repairs inside of the building. Getting some set pieces back where they used to be with proper lighting. Getting the curtains setup so the outside light from the drop track can no longer be seen throughout the course. Lastly I’d fix up the drop track sequence - It looks like shit now and all it needs is new lighting.

Next year is Bolts 10th. Maybe we finally see a bit of refurb take place?

I did not know it had all that. I'd agree. The curtain is needed. You want to keep the light hidden until it is time to leave the event building. But, tell me more how the line queue use to be. I thought it was well themed. But your telling me it use to be better? What else is there to it.

But pardon me for admiring the darkness . I just have this vivid imagination when it comes to these spooky themes. If this were my ride, it would be one of the rides that kids get off crying, if they're not prepared. If this were real, I'd picture Verbolten being just the way it is right now. Being launched down a pitch black tunnel and tight turns. Once your in this Black Forest theme, you quickly begin to fear what might be next to you. So when the train stops, there is this feeling of un-comfort to get the train moving again.

Hey. Here is a video link of a "RAKE" encounter story. Please fast forward to 8:35-8:41. I imagine the sound of this shrill howl as you get launched into Verbolten's dark tunnel.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Jonesta6]

Going with that thought, if they do refurbish the scenery they should avoid the cartoony designs of the forest and go a little more realistic IMO

 

[MikeLovesKD]

Going with that thought, if they do refurbish the scenery they should avoid the cartoony designs of the forest and go a little more realistic IMO

That's a good idea. They went with what was cost efficient. But this brings me to thought. When the theme parks think of these ideas; I wonder who's responsibility the theme design falls on? I would think that the ride manufacture does it all for the buyer, but I guess it depends on how the contract is written. You'd think that most of this stuff is programmed with the ride design, so it's probably the ride manufacture that does it, or contracts a 3rd party to assist them.

Realistic is good. I'd of course would think, they could put in artificial trees around the ride course. Maybe something similar to the tree that sits outside of Twisted Timber's entrance at KD. A few of those positioned around the course may in turn create a realistic forest atmosphere. You'd think that with the "STORMS" theme, you'd experience a bit of rain inside the event building.

With such a small event building; it's rather hard to squeeze effects for each of the three themes. Honestly, I think it would be a richer experience if all three themes were featured in the event building. Here's how I would do it.

(EVENT BUILDING 3 themes combined)
- After leaving station "Spirit Whisper SFX" play near the trees to the left of the ride.
- "Banshee scream SFX" catches riders off guard before launch.
- "Loud Thunder Crack SFX" inside launch tunnel w/ water drop projectile before first dip.
- "Werewolf SFX" will howl once.
- Near miss "Falling Tree".
- Break platform 1 features "Radio distress SFX".
- "Loud Thunder Crack SFX 2" flashes the event building as train approaches drop platform.
- Drop platform features menacing werewolf animatronic as riders wait to be dropped.
- "Evil Spirt Laugh SFX" before ride is released and launched out of event building.
- "Spirt Warning SFX" warns riders to never come back, as train prepares for final drop near the river.

 

[RollyCoaster]

@MikeLovesKD The queue actually isn’t in *horrible* shape. It could use some cleaning up but most of it looks the same as it once did. Gerta used to tell a story in the first queue house with a screen that coincided with the story of Verbolten. The 2nd queue building has a bunch of screens that no longer work showing the mysterious occurrences in the Black Forest, and finally the station had a bunch of similar screens on the opposite side of the station that you would see after being locked into your seats.

The show building needs the most work by far. But these story driven screens are some of the most powerful interactive theming on the ride. It’s all designed to flow together. You seem interested in the ride, I recall a documentary a few years ago about the design and opening of bolt. I’ll like it so you can check it out. It does a much better job of explaining the story and details of Bolt than I can over a 15 minute work break.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

@MikeLovesKD The queue actually isn’t in *horrible* shape. It could use some cleaning up but most of it looks the same as it once did. Gerta used to tell a story in the first queue house with a screen that coincided with the story of Verbolten. The 2nd queue building has a bunch of screens that no longer work showing the mysterious occurrences in the Black Forest, and finally the station had a bunch of similar screens on the opposite side of the station that you would see after being locked into your seats.

The show building needs the most work by far. But these story driven screens are some of the most powerful interactive theming on the ride. It’s all designed to flow together. You seem interested in the ride, I recall a documentary a few years ago about the design and opening of bolt. I’ll like it so you can check it out. It does a much better job of explaining the story and details of Bolt than I can over a 15 minute work break.

I'm a big Premier Rides fan. They make some very cool attractions. When I got on Verbolten, I noticed that the track is very similar to Stunt Coaster at KD. I'm a big theme park enthusiast. I like to learn a lot about the rides because I'd like to one day own and operate a theme park. That's why I play the jackpot . Theme has always interested me. I can look at just about any ride and say, if the ride had A,B and C; it would be a much better ride. The Tempesto theme actually impressed me too. Rather than just building the same ride that other parks have built, Bush Gardens actually took time to say, we should theme it this way. I enjoy the string lights when you first enter the queue and then there's the actual instruction video with the stunt actor.

With Verbolten; it's people's reactions that do it for me. I'm pretty sure back when it was built, more people talked in line about what the ride features. But after so many years most people who have been to the park already know what to expect. But there's always the tourist and people like me who hadn't been there in over 10+ years.

 

[Jonesta6]

I was thinking -

When I was a kid I wanted to be a roller coaster designer (before I realized I'm too lazy to do that well at math and the likelihood of getting a full time job instead of contract work wasn't all that good), I was inspired by the storage shed switch tracks on BBW to 'design' (in crayon on a giant piece of butcher paper) a ride that now that I think of it is similar to what they did with VB.

While my thought was they there'd be switch tracks through various sections of the layout, the main idea was that riders would have different experiences each ride... Which is what the VB theming was designed to do.

 

[I305Evan]

When I got on Verbolten, I noticed that the track is very similar to Stunt Coaster at KD.

I'd say Verbolten resembles Intamin's 1st gen 3 rail track more. Verbolten does use the flat 2 rail track in the station area and the s-bend leading to launch 1 that Backlot uses. But from the event building to the finale, it uses a 3 rail triangle setup primarily. Intamin does this same thing- 2 rail track in the station and brake areas and the 3 rail track on the course itself.

You can see how Bolt uses two different track types in this image from Coasterbuzz actually.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

I was thinking -

When I was a kid I wanted to be a roller coaster designer (before I realized I'm too lazy to do that well at math and the likelihood of getting a full time job instead of contract work wasn't all that good), I was inspired by the storage shed switch tracks on BBW to 'design' (in crayon on a giant piece of butcher paper) a ride that now that I think of it is similar to what they did with VB.

While my thought was they there'd be switch tracks through various sections of the layout, the main idea was that riders would have different experiences each ride... Which is what the VB theming was designed to do.

That would be a cool idea. Wouldn't the event building have to be bigger in order to accommodate the alternate courses? They already spent a good penny on the ride. In our imaginations, we are trying to add a more suspenseful experience. The company's goal was probably to make a decent family thrill attraction. I don't think this country will ever see an over the top scary thrill attraction, because companies want to bring in mom, dad, grandma and grandpa. That's where there dollar is made.

The closes I have experienced to a semi-scary ride was Dinosaur at Disney's Animal Kingdom back in 2010. The carnotaurus encounter at the second stand still was scary to kids. But I think Disney quickly toned this down. Most of the videos show a less aggressive animatronic.

 

[netdvn]

@MikeLovesKD The queue actually isn’t in *horrible* shape. It could use some cleaning up but most of it looks the same as it once did. Gerta used to tell a story in the first queue house with a screen that coincided with the story of Verbolten. The 2nd queue building has a bunch of screens that no longer work showing the mysterious occurrences in the Black Forest, and finally the station had a bunch of similar screens on the opposite side of the station that you would see after being locked into your seats.

If I recall, Gerta's spiel and the TV screens in the back office were still turned on in 2019 before COVID was a thing. The only TV screens that weren't in use were the ones in the back station (possibly because the park mostly went down to one station due to budget cuts). My guess is once COVID is done, the TVs in the front and back office will come back on (unless this is a permanent thing to save money). I'd imagine the park did that to keep people from loitering in the queue and staring at the TV screens.

 

[Mwe BGW]

If I recall, Gerta's spiel and the TV screens in the back office were still turned on in 2019 before COVID was a thing. The only TV screens that weren't in use were the ones in the back station (possibly because the park mostly went down to one station due to budget cuts). My guess is once COVID is done, the TVs in the front and back office will come back on (unless this is a permanent thing to save money). I'd imagine the park did that to keep people from loitering in the queue and staring at the TV screens.

The only TVs that are working are 3 in Gunters office.