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

 

[sotomexx]

Had a great time at BGW this past weekend. Rode Verbolten first thing on Saturday and the lights were all on in the building, which was a first for me. Then on Sunday, rode it 3 times at opening, blue car every time. Since they were running 4 trains we got to experience each theme, so that was also pretty cool and my kids loved it

 

[Icer]

I would love a train tuning to help with that horrific rattle. I loved this ride so much until that rattle, and now it ruins it for me, since I just ride dreading the final turns back to the station. Especially since the special effects aren't as good anymore, it is hard for me to justify waiting in that oddly long line.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

I would love a train tuning to help with that horrific rattle. I loved this ride so much until that rattle, and now it ruins it for me, since I just ride dreading the final turns back to the station. Especially since the special effects aren't as good anymore, it is hard for me to justify waiting in that oddly long line.

I have to say I love the rattle.

I have a vivid imagination, so I kind of like the feeling of being on the edge. In a real scenario of escaping a Black Forest; you'd be speeding out of there too. Don't you think your car would throw you around as you whip through the turns? The only thing I don't like about this ride is a lack of pull in the first launch. We discussed this before and the reason given was that the LSM strip does not run the entire length of the first launch. But does that play a roll in the pulling sensation you get when launching? I've rode the front car, back and middle. On the second launch; you get the tug. But does that also come from the train taking a small dip out the building and making contact with the LSM stator?

Either way, the ride would be more menacing if the first launch yanked you in the tunnel. Not sure if this plays a safety concern with the dip that comes shortly after the first launch. I'd say no; but only the ride manufacturer can attest to that. Maybe it just results in a more thrilling experience through the first couple of turns.

 

[RollyCoaster]

The rattle feels uneasily sketch at times. It’s butter smooth inside the building even after the second launch. I think it’s the track profiling on that last stretch that is messing with the undercarriage (have no clue if this is the actual reason). Regardless, Bolt sounds and tracks really bad through those last 3 turns in comparison to the rest of the ride.

 

[vacoasterfanatic]

this is right after the 2nd drop. the trackwork looks, questionable to say the least.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

What I find most entertaining about this picture is the deer on the other side of the fence.

What's wrong with the track? Does it look labored? The ride opened in 2012; right? No paint jobs are anything sense then? That's probably the spot where most of the pressure is put on the turn. That support beam has probably gotten a workout sense the rides first debut.

 

[Griffbolten]

Just throw some glue on it it’ll be aight

 

[MikeLovesKD]

Hey, I have a question about LSM systems. Is it possible that the computer could be programmed to launch the ride harder during certain times if the day, or is it always subject to weight? I've always wondered how much flexibility the rides programming and computer systems give them.

 

[Jonesta6]

Although I could be corrected, I think most systems are generally attempting to provide consistent operations in that trains are consistently spaced as required to ensure nothing block checks or sets up.

However, I also believe many of them allow for a certain amount of operator control, though depending on the ride usually that's a maintenance function and not standard for daily operations.

Btw, I'm mostly paraphrasing from what I learned on ElToroRyan videos, so YMMV

 

[I305Evan]

I'm not an electrical engineer in anyway, but here is my take. Could they change the launch performance based on the day? Sure... Do they? Most likely not. The system will launch based on the train's weight, temperature, wind speed, cycle time, etc. from my understanding how the systems work. This will help every train launch at the same speed each time.

 

[ControlsEE]

Just to clarify a few things:
1. The ride computer (PLC) will only take into consideration what data the programmer is giving it. For instance, it will not take the weight of the train into effect unless there is a scale and it is programmed to weigh the train before each launch. From my very good knowledge of Verbolten, I know that the train is not weighed and really the only data the PLC is using to launch the train is how fast the train is moving at any given time, through the use of track sensors and timing how long it takes for the train to go between them. The PLC will then adjust the launch speed to reach a preset speed by the end of the launch, using an algorithm known as a PID loop. If a train is going slower, it will adjust the output of the motors higher to get it to reach the desired speed. If it is going faster, it will slow the motors down as to not launch too fast. All of these calculations are happening very fast and are recalculated every 10-50 milliseconds, depending on what the programmer has setup.

2. I do not know if maintenance is able to adjust the speed of the launches, but I would assume not, given the disastrous consequences if they got it wrong. Chances are that the final speed is hard coded into the program and it would take someone to open up the program and make the coding change to change it.

3. To answer Mike's original question, sure it could. PLC's are very versatile and pretty much you can do anything with them given the right input. If you gave it weather and other data, you may be able to program it to auto-adjust the final speed to help it throughout the course. However, if a ride's functionality changes based on the day, ie it will make it around at some times, but not others, it has some mechanical design flaws that need to be accounted for. To my knowledge, the only rides that have that bad of a problem are KK and TTD and well, you see why no one has built others like them. Even they will usually only have issues on cold windy mornings, but will make it around any other time of day.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

Just to clarify a few things:
1. The ride computer (PLC) will only take into consideration what data the programmer is giving it. For instance, it will not take the weight of the train into effect unless there is a scale and it is programmed to weigh the train before each launch. From my very good knowledge of Verbolten, I know that the train is not weighed and really the only data the PLC is using to launch the train is how fast the train is moving at any given time, though the use of track sensors and timing how long it takes for the train to go between them. The PLC will then adjust the launch speed to reach a preset speed by the end of the launch, using an algorithm known as a PID loop. If a train is going slower, it will adjust the output of the motors higher to get it to reach the desired speed. If it is going faster, it will slow the motors down as to not launch too fast. All of these calculations are happening very fast and are recalculated every 10-50 milliseconds, depending on what the programmer has setup.

2. I do not know if maintenance is able to adjust the speed of the launches, but I would assume not, given the disastrous consequences if they got it wrong. Chances are that the final speed is hard coded into the program and it would take someone to open up the program and make the coding change to change it.

3. To answer Mike's original question, sure it could. PLC's are very versatile and pretty much you can do anything with them given the right input. If you gave it weather and other data, you may be able to program it to auto-adjust the final speed to help it throughout the course. However, if a ride's functionality changes based on the day, ie it will make it around at some times, but not others, it has some mechanical design flaws that need to be accounted for. To my knowledge, the only rides that have that bad of a problem are KK and TTD and well, you see why no one has built others like them. Even they will usually only have issues on cold windy mornings, but will make it around any other time of day.

I always thought it would be fun as a hobbyist. Owning a park and having that one popular ride that everyone loves to ride. Maybe during the day the launch ha soft so that families can enjoy; but during the evening hours it's amped up for all the coaster fanatics. Mom and dad decide to ride it again and it's a whole new experience than that it was when they ride it earlier. That would be rather cool.

In Verbolten's case, that would be something cool to do. The way it's designed; the families can enjoy it, without it giving too many people a scare. But imagine it doing what I said; and having an entire creepier thrilling atmosphere at night.

 

[ControlsEE]

I always thought it would be fun as a hobbyist. Owning a park and having that one popular ride that everyone loves to ride. Maybe during the day the launch ha soft so that families can enjoy; but during the evening hours it's amped up for all the coaster fanatics. Mom and dad decide to ride it again and it's a whole new experience than that it was when they ride it earlier. That would be rather cool.

In Verbolten's case, that would be something cool to do. The way it's designed; the families can enjoy it, without it giving too many people a scare. But imagine it doing what I said; and having an entire creepier thrilling atmosphere at night.

The trick (and I can speak from experience with backyard launch coasters) is knowing the mechanical limits of the ride as to not overpower the brakes or pull too many G's around curves and over hills.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

True, I know this. Most parks look for efficiency. I have not been to one park yet that operates as a hobbyist. If I ever hit a jackpot; I'd probably be the only one in the world that would, while serving families too. Sad to say, there is no psychological thrill rides in existence, because there is no selling point to it from a corporate view.

The Mummy at Universal Orlando was the closest, until they toned it down.

 

[halfabee]

Williams Grove seemed to be run substantially as a hobby effort for many of its later years, IMO.

Maybe not the best example to emulate, though.

 

[GoHokies87]

The Mummy at Universal Orlando was the closest, until they toned it down.

what?

 

[matthewcsoup]

rhine river cruise re opened so we finally get to see this lovely angle again

 

[GrantLee123]

View attachment 24261
rhine river cruise re opened so we finally get to see this lovely angle again

Ah yes, the rattle rolls

 

[MikeLovesKD]

what?

Yes. The Mummy at Universal Orlando was intense back in 2005. When me and my family had both went; I wasn't too interested in riding it because I thought it was like a Disney kids ride. Well, it was a major shocked after the scarab beetle encounter. The launch hill was a lot more aggressive back in that year. There was a FAST LAUNCH up the hill; not a slow one. I'm not sure why Universal changed it or never revived it. Because 5 years later I went back and the launch was similar to old granny walking up the steps. This could be for a number of reasons. Most of us assumed, the park wanted grandma and grandpa to ride it. Other speculation was to make the ride a little easier on the breaks for the fire room. Back in 2005, the train rocketed through the course so much, that it came to a hard stop in the fire room. This may have been uncomfortable to riders.

Overall, the technology is there to make a psychological thrill ride. But as I mentioned; the profit return is not there. Theme parks and tourist destinations are geared towards families. In theory; Verbolten could have been something similar to a Missing 411 narrative; but that's a bit more along the lines of psychological thrills. It involves intense animatronic encounters and possibly realistic sound with loud thunder cracks. Things like this, are a bit scary for kids. You'd experience more kids clinching to mom and dad, and that's not what theme parks want.

Just imagine hearing something this loud in Verbolten's event building.

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[Zachary]

.... You realize Verbolten was specifically built to be "Baby's first real coaster," right?

Ignoring all of these (totally anecdotal and unsubstantiated) Mummy claims, a desire to make Verbolten—already considered by many to be on the intense side of the scale for its target audience—more intense, makes less than zero sense to me. Verbolten is so popular because it is so accessible. Even if you could magically speed up a coaster with a complete and utter disregard for the physics of doing so, messing with success is absurd.

I enjoy crazy, radical concepts as much as the next guy, but normally there should be at least some dash of reality in a discussion like this. Maybe the idea is super expensive and something the park would never do but there could a good business reason for doing so. Maybe the concept is something riders would really, really enjoy but the execution is particularly difficult. Ideas like those have a strong driving force behind their discussions even if they're highly unlikely to occur.

"Make Verbolten more intense" doesn't satisfy the attraction's riders, is physically unrealistic, would require enormous, incredibly expensive modifications, doesn't make sense in BGW's lineup, would likely increase downtime, would likely decrease ridership, would likely increase maintenance costs, etc. I just don't understand the reason behind this idea or this discussion as a whole at all.