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

 

[horsesboy]

Wow. I never knew there were people stationed inside the building in case something happens. This is all news to me. Verbolten is my favorite ride at the park. I've always wanted to think that we're in the building alone until the ride gets back. The reason why I've always thought this, is because many people pull their cameras out on the ride. I guess the park doesn't seem to care much, nor are they going to stop the ride just for one smart phone.

Aside from that, how is the ride doing this year? Have they re-installed the curtain near the vertical drop, to block the sunlight? Also, has the park fixed the issue of the (STORMS) theme that keeps running each time the train enters the event building? This was a known issue that occurred towards the end of last season.

Also, does the park have any plans on adding enhanced theme to the ride? Imagine a werewolf animatronic that looks like the one in the attached picture?

I asked Kevin about if the park was looking at themeing based on KD's success with JX and his answer was basically they only have so much of a budget that they can use toward that end. So the answer is basically no.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

I asked Kevin about if the park was looking at themeing based on KD's success with JX and his answer was basically they only have so much of a budget that they can use toward that end. So the answer is basically no.

This is a shame. Verbolten could easily be one of those scarier attractions if they did this small thing. When I'm sitting on the vertical drop, I just want a scary animatronic werewolf to pop out and start snarling at the ride. If the sound effects were right, you'd literally be begging for the track to drop, so you could launch to safety.

Nobody ever said they had to buy the most expensive one. How much do you think Technifex would charge for one scary animatronic?

Werewolf reference

 

[Zachary]

BGW doesn't want to make their family ride "scary." Verbolten is meant to be spooky and surprising. It's a family coaster.

 

[warfelg]

I asked Kevin about if the park was looking at themeing based on KD's success with JX and his answer was basically they only have so much of a budget that they can use toward that end. So the answer is basically no.

I can’t wait for the current investment company or corporate leadership to be out.

 

[Coasternerd]

I can’t wait for the current investment company or corporate leadership to be out.

This exactly

 

[MikeLovesKD]

I can’t wait for the current investment company or corporate leadership to be out.

Why do you feel this way? Are they not doing a good job? How long has this leadership group been there? They've given us some cool rides; haven't they?

The little things we are talking about, could just be a park thing. Yes; corporate gets the say so of the rides that are installed, but the upkeep and improvement falls on the park. Little things like special effects have more to do with the park, than corporate. It's probably respected if they ask corporate first; but I'd bet money on it that BGW has a lot more creative power than what we give them credit for.

 

[metalman]

I just wish they’d refurb the thing back to full working order with a fixed bridge while they’re at it. I’m feeling like it’s turning into a false bill of goods.

 

[Zachary]

The little things we are talking about, could just be a park thing. Yes; corporate gets the say so of the rides that are installed, but the upkeep and improvement falls on the park. Little things like special effects have more to do with the park, than corporate. It's probably respected if they ask corporate first; but I'd bet money on it that BGW has a lot more creative power than what we give them credit for.

The WSJ reported that Scott Ross is meddling in individual, park-level, upkeep-type line items. SEAS is being AGGRESSIVELY controlled from the top down right now.

 

[CoasterTalkBob]

I've always wanted to think that we're in the building alone until the ride gets back. The reason why I've always thought this, is because many people pull their cameras out on the ride. I guess the park doesn't seem to care much, nor are they going to stop the ride just for one smart phone.

They are basically powerless to do anything along that type of enforcement and you essentially are in the building alone. The employees (or single employee if running single station) are actually in a separate room and it's not like they can just yell over at you on the train. If you're doing something incredible dangerous I'm sure that they would e-stop the ride and come out and deal with it but when it comes to phones out it's just not practical. If something does occur (like a fire, etc) it would take them a couple moments to get to the train but far less than someone responding from the loading station.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

Cool information.

I remember a time where it rained real bad and a lot of people left the park. When verbolten opened, me and my buddies were the only ones on. It's real awkward being in there and nobody else yelling.

Aside from that, what was it like when the curtain was up, near the vertical drop? Last season, I remember a few people on here telling me, there were a number of special effects that were down. Is this true? I kind of like it dark.

 

[warfelg]

Why do you feel this way? Are they not doing a good job? How long has this leadership group been there? They've given us some cool rides; haven't they?

The little things we are talking about, could just be a park thing. Yes; corporate gets the say so of the rides that are installed, but the upkeep and improvement falls on the park. Little things like special effects have more to do with the park, than corporate. It's probably respected if they ask corporate first; but I'd bet money on it that BGW has a lot more creative power than what we give them credit for.

As @Zachary said Hill Path Capital and Scott Ross are basically micromanaging every dime of what goes on with the park. If you really look into Hill Path Capital this sadly isn’t all that uncommon.

Here’s that article that was referenced:

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[SLC Headache]

since when was the show building ever rough

Yeah, the roughness was always on the outside.

BGW doesn't want to make their family ride "scary." Verbolten is meant to be spooky and surprising. It's a family coaster.

I always felt the ride blew beyond "spooky" and into straight up "scary". If they keep it and plan on showing it some love, they might as well make it as intense as it can be.

But in this corner-cutting era, I have a feeling they'll keep it around while it becomes more of an eyesore.

 

[Coasternerd]

But in this corner-cutting era, I have a feeling they'll keep it around while it becomes more of an eyesore.

Or they get enough complaints.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

Yeah, the roughness was always on the outside.


I always felt the ride blew beyond "spooky" and into straight up "scary". If they keep it and plan on showing it some love, they might as well make it as intense as it can be.

But in this corner-cutting era, I have a feeling they'll keep it around while it becomes more of an eyesore.

I agree with "SLC Headache". It opened in 2012 and has been a balanced ride for nine years. Families have had their fun riding it. Why not do something to make it intense for the teens and adults. It's not like the ride is going to get taller of faster. All the park would be doing is spicing up the "Wow" factor that the ride has. In my opinion; it's the werewolf theme. Since the ride took the place of Big Bad Wolf, your thinking that there would be more of an encore factor for the werewolf; but no werewolf can be seen in the ride.

For Verbolten, we'd only be talking about vertical drop. So one animatronic is not going to break the bank for SeaWorld/BGW. I've always felt at this point; all three themes could be incorporated to the event building, for a more encore experience.

Evil Spirit: theme has always been hit or miss for me. I'd rather incorporate the evil spirit in a darker station queue at night time. Make it the backstory as to why the Black Forest is experiencing a disturbance.

Storm: The violent storm should just be a result of the evil spirit presence. A couple of water-sprits projectors could be installed inside the first launch to shoot a small projection of water at riders before the train dips down into the event building. Incorporate a few more violent thunder booms that startle riders, and the storms have done their job.

Werewolf: A menacing howl is is heard shortly after the first thunder boom shakes the Black Forest event building. Give the evil spirt lady some dialogue where she harasses you about your joyride and that you shouldn't have came here. Once the ride approaches the Vertical drop, it enters a tight surrounding of leaves and fog. There is a cage sitting on the right of the vertical drop. All riders see is two red eyes and a mean growl coming from the cage. The werewolf violently shakes the cage and let's out a menacing howl, shortly before a crack of thunder sounds off and the cage flies open. The ride drops riders to safety before the werewolf can strike.

 

[Jonesta6]

Uh... Because that's what other rides are for?

 

[Nicole]

Am I the only one getting very tired of this debate? It is family coaster, not a high thrill ride. It is targeted at kids, not adult coaster enthusiasts.

It has become clear over the past year that very few people support the idea of making Bolt either scarier or more intense. Both ideas keep getting raised, however. I can't really understand why.

 

[warfelg]

Am I the only one getting very tired of this debate? It is family coaster, not a high thrill ride. It is targeted at kids, not adult coaster enthusiasts.

It has become clear over the past year that very few people support the idea of making Bolt either scarier or more intense. Both ideas keep getting raised, however. I can't really understand why.

Very much agreed. It fits that nice inbetween spot that not a ton of parks actually have without doing an inversion of a family thrill coaster.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

Very much agreed. It fits that nice inbetween spot that not a ton of parks actually have without doing an inversion of a family thrill coaster.

True. It was just an idea.

Aside from that, What do you think they will do for the ride for it's 10 year anniversary? That would technically be this year; but it could always be done next year. This idea was brought up last year for the simple reason that it sits in BBW's place. That's the only reason why we were talking about this general idea of enhancing the ride experience.

 

[horsesboy]

True. It was just an idea.

Aside from that, What do you think they will do for the ride for it's 10 year anniversary? That would technically be this year; but it could always be done next year. This idea was brought up last year for the simple reason that it sits in BBW's place. That's the only reason why we were talking about this general idea of enhancing the ride experience.

They pushed the 10 year anniversary this year with the ride the 5 challenge snd other stuff I can't see them revisiting it next year. My hope is that when DarKoaster comes on line Verbolten will get some down time and TLC. Remember Bolt has basically running 2 years with no significant down period which is actually a pretty decent statistic. That of course doesn't excuse the state pre 2020 but does need to be taken into account.

 

[warfelg]

True. It was just an idea.

Aside from that, What do you think they will do for the ride for it's 10 year anniversary? That would technically be this year; but it could always be done next year. This idea was brought up last year for the simple reason that it sits in BBW's place. That's the only reason why we were talking about this general idea of enhancing the ride experience.

I think they should do the original theming as it was really cool, just do it on wood/metal rather than fabric like they did in the first place. They used a material they know wouldn’t last and act shocked when it fell apart.