Verbolten is a steel launched roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia, manufactured by Zierer and opened on May 18, 2012. Built on the former footprint of the beloved Big Bad Wolf suspended coaster, it sends riders hurtling through an elaborate indoor show building themed to a forbidden German Black Forest, reaching a top speed of 53 mph across 2,835 feet of track.
What sets Verbolten apart from most thrill rides is its randomized storytelling: each ride cycle triggers one of three distinct themed scenarios inside the show building, keeping repeat riders guessing before a dramatic 88-foot drop sends the train plunging toward the ground. The name itself is a playful twist on the German word verboten, meaning ‘forbidden’ — a fitting nod to the park’s German heritage.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Location: Williamsburg, Virginia
- Manufacturer: Zierer
- Opened: May 18, 2012
- Drop: 88 ft (27 m)
- Top Speed: 53 mph (85 km/h)
- Length: 2,835 ft (864 m)
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
Verbolten begins with an LSM launch that propels the train into a darkened indoor show building, where immersive lighting, sound effects, and animatronics set one of three randomized Black Forest storylines in motion. Riders may encounter electrical storms, supernatural forces, or other dangers lurking in the forest before a surprise vertical drop inside the building adds a gut-wrenching twist mid-story.
Exiting the show building, the train rockets across an outdoor section and over the Rhine River before cresting the signature 88-foot finale drop. The combination of launches, indoor theming, and a traditional plunge makes Verbolten one of the most varied ride experiences in Virginia, appealing to families and thrill-seekers alike with a comfortable 48-inch height requirement.
Legacy and the Big Bad Wolf Connection
Verbolten replaced the iconic Big Bad Wolf, a classic Arrow Dynamics suspended coaster that operated at Busch Gardens Williamsburg from 1984 until its retirement in 2009. The new attraction honored the spirit of its predecessor by keeping a similar Rhine River setting and family-accessible intensity, while introducing far more sophisticated ride technology and storytelling.
The coaster earned 4th place in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards for Best New Ride in 2012 in its debut season. In 2026 the attraction was reimagined as Verbolten: Forbidden Turn, receiving an updated storyline, new visual effects, animatronics, and puppetry — while retaining the same beloved track layout that fans had enjoyed for over a decade.
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Verbolten FAQs
What makes Verbolten different from a typical roller coaster?
Verbolten combines multiple LSM launches with a fully themed indoor show building that plays one of three randomized storylines per ride, plus an 18-foot in-building drop and an outdoor 88-foot finale drop — giving it a storytelling element rare among thrill coasters.
What coaster did Verbolten replace at Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
Verbolten was built on the site of the Big Bad Wolf, a suspended Arrow Dynamics coaster that operated from 1984 to 2009. The new ride shares a similar Rhine River setting but uses modern launch technology and indoor theming.
What is the height requirement for Verbolten?
Riders must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall to experience Verbolten, making it accessible to older children and adults while still delivering genuine thrill-ride intensity.
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Photo: Zboy zboy / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.