Home > Virginia > Busch Gardens Williamsburg > Apollos Chariot > Review Comments


 Review of Apollos Chariot @ Busch Gardens Williamsburg
4 Rating Posted by: Canobie Coaster on 10/9/2006 11:38:00 AM
Apollo’s Chariot is often regarded as one of the most enjoyable coaster experiences our planet has to offer. I mean, here it has gotten spectacular review after spectacular review and it has a massive reputation and hype many coasters simply couldn’t live up to. Some rides that have been ranked highly have delivered great rides for me (Steel Force and Phoenix), while others were a tad disappointing (Alpengeist). Could Apollo’s Chariot live up to the heavenly hype that constantly surrounds it? In one word, YES!

Busch Gardens dense and beautiful vegetation conceal many of the parks attractions from view as you drive up to the park. But nothing can conceal the parks star attraction, Apollos Chariot. The massive purple and yellow colored ride was visible for quite a distance and made me even more excited for my ride. Once entering Busch Gardens Europe, how could one coaster enthusiast but head for this colossal coaster?

Occupying the entire left side of the park, off-ride you cant see very much of the layout except a few of Apollo’s towering hills in the distance. But being nestled next to trees isn’t the only thing that helps conceal this ride, as it is literally is one with the land. Despite being a hyper coaster, Apollo should be considered a terrain coaster, as every drop and turn goes way down to ground level. This may not seem like much, but somehow despite being an out-and-back coaster, the layout was a surprise thanks to the noticeable height differential in the sizes of the ride’s majestic plunges.

I had heard that Apollo’s Chariot was a capacity machine prior to riding. Each train holds 36 people as each row seats 4 people (which I like because single riders like me can get on quicker if there’s an open seat and the operators ask for a single rider ). While the trains each sat plenty of riders, many of the operators just sat fidgeted around and when they did check restraints they were pretty slow, leading to some horrible stacking. Nonetheless, I encountered waits of about 15-25 minutes depending on whether or not I chose the front or back seat.

As for the highly praised B&M hyper-trains, they simply didn’t disappoint. Apollo’s open-air, trains were amazingly roomy and exceptionally comfortable. The only thing securing you is a red lap bar, which is amazingly secure and comfortable at the same time. For most of my ride, I didnt even notice the lap bar even there!

Apollos Chariot begins like many other coasters, a relaxing (well for me anyways) climb up to the heavens, which provided great views of Busch Gardens off to the right. But once at the top of the 170ft tall lift hill (it seems higher), Apollo toyed with me and the rest of the train with the ingenious straightaway that really builds anticipation for the experience that follows. And the attraction begins with simply the greatest first drop of any coaster! Not only is the drop incredibly long, steep, and thrilling, but there’s amazing sustained floater air the entire way down that is simply unmatched by any other coaster that is made even better by the heavenly restraints. While it lacks major Gs of Intamin’s highly-touted hypers, this drop is just pure bliss. Wow!

Well, it’s definitely a hard act to follow, but Apollo manages to with a great parabolic hill that follows that gives some more world-class air throughout the train, especially in the front cresting the top. Following that came the insane turnaround that is visible from the parking lot. Beginning with a steep, swooping plunge that gives even more sweet air for riders, especially for riders on the left-hand side of the train, it’s followed by a fast and furious turnaround that literally hugs the ground. While it unfortunately isn’t overly forceful, the speed maintained throughout the graceful twists is simply incredible, especially in the front seat at night. Few coasters can match the sensation of speed Apollo provides during this segment, and the only one I’ve been on that can is Superman (er Bizarro) at Six Flags New England.

After a quick mid-course brake run, there comes arguably two of the most forceful drops I’ve ever experienced on a coaster. Whoever says B and Ms are gentle have to experience these two drops, as they provide absolutely mind-blowing ejector air that even rivals, dare I say it, Intamin hypers. Each drop is not only intense, but travels right on down to ground level as well, so don’t be fooled by their rather unimpressive height since they are simply incredible. Of the two, the second one is slightly better if I remember correctly since it just seems longer and more thrilling in my opinion.

Afterwards comes a unique little S-hill that looks innocent, but provides some decent floater air throughout the train, but especially for riders on the right hand side of the train. Finally there is the final hill, which has a little tease drop that gives a small pop of air, but that’s only the appetizer for what’s to follow. To punctuate an incredible ride, there’s a sudden final plunge that gives some dazzling ejector air. And during this, don’t forget to smile for the camera unless the sheer abruptness of the air is simply too overpowering for you. What a finale to a great ride!

Apollo’s Chariot simply is an all-around world-class coaster that holds the title as my number one coaster, both wood and steel! Yeah, it’s just that amazing. It’s got absolutely amazing air, the most comfortable trains of any coaster, great landscaping, and it’s a glass smooth ride I could ride over and over again. In fact, I did ride it over and over again and it simply blew me away time and time again. In my opinion, the ride is flawless! Of the seats, I personally enjoyed the back better because of the crazy air achieved during the drops, but in any seat you can’t go wrong on this extraordinary coaster. Under no circumstances should you even consider skipping this absolutely incredible coaster during a visit to Busch Gardens.
 

Review Comments

BobFunland on 10/9/2006 1:25:29 PM said:
hey Yoshi, if I didnt welcome you back.. well, welcome back! I have really enjoyed your latest reviews, awesome work man :thumbsup:
Canobie Coaster on 10/9/2006 2:56:14 PM said:
Thanks. I still have to finish Busch Gardens Europe and Paramount Kings Dominion. Also, I updated all my old reviews so theyre like this now.
Post Review Comment
You must login or create an account to post a review comment.

 
Clicky Web Analytics