Apollo’s Chariot opened on March 27, 1999, at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia, and holds the distinction of being the first hypercoaster ever designed by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard. Standing 170 feet tall with a 210-foot first drop taken at 65 degrees, it launches riders to 73 mph and has stayed near the top of steel-coaster rankings for more than two decades.
Beyond the stats, Apollo’s Chariot is famous for two things: relentless, floating airtime across eight hills of Virginia terrain, and a 1999 opening-day incident involving model Fabio and a goose that made international headlines. This guide covers everything a rider needs before getting in line — height requirements, what the ride actually feels like, how it stacks up against Griffon and Verbolten, and how to plan a visit.
Quick Answer
Apollo’s Chariot is a 170-foot-tall Bolliger & Mabillard hypercoaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg with a 210-foot first drop, a 73 mph top speed, zero inversions, and a 52-inch minimum height requirement. It opened March 27, 1999, as B&M’s first-ever hyper model.
Height Requirement and Rider Restrictions
Riders must be at least 52 inches (132 cm) tall to ride Apollo’s Chariot, per Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s official ride guidelines. There is no maximum height, but riders must be able to sit with the open lap-bar restraint secured low and comfortably against the thighs — the ride uses B&M’s signature raised, open-air seating rather than an over-the-shoulder harness, so loose articles, hats, and anything not secured must be left in a locker before boarding.
Because the restraint system is a simple lap bar, Apollo’s Chariot is one of the more size-inclusive hypercoasters in the park’s lineup, though guests with certain mobility or health conditions should check the ride’s posted health advisories at the entrance, which flag it for back and neck conditions, motion sickness, and pregnancy due to the sustained airtime and speed.
The Ride Experience
From the moment the train crests the 170-foot lift hill, Apollo’s Chariot delivers an immediate, near-vertical plunge that accelerates riders to 73 mph before pulling into the first of eight sweeping airtime hills. Each hill is contoured to the natural terrain of the park, giving the layout an organic, out-and-back flow that keeps riders weightless for seconds at a time rather than delivering quick pops.
Trains seat 36 riders across nine rows of four, and the open lap-bar restraints — a B&M hallmark — allow full freedom of movement that amplifies every float. The final approach back to the station threads through lower-profile hills that still generate surprising lift at speed, making the ride feel relentless from first drop to final brake run. At about 2 minutes from dispatch to return, Apollo’s Chariot offers more sustained airtime per ride than most coasters twice its age, and front-row and back-row seats each produce a noticeably different sensation — front for visibility and the sense of falling, back for the strongest whip of airtime over each crest.
Stats at a Glance
Park: Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Location: Festa Italia section, Williamsburg, Virginia. Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard. Opened: March 27, 1999. Height: 170 ft (52 m). First Drop: 210 ft (64 m) at 65 degrees. Top Speed: 73 mph (117 km/h). Length: 4,882 ft (1,488 m). Inversions: 0. Trains: 3 trains with 9 cars each, seating 36 riders. Minimum Height: 52 in (132 cm). Ride Duration: roughly 2 minutes.
The Fabio Goose Incident: What Really Happened
Apollo’s Chariot became a permanent part of theme-park pop culture on its public debut. Model Fabio Lanzoni was invited to ride during the coaster’s opening festivities, and during the run down the first drop a roughly 10-pound Canada goose collided with the train, striking Fabio in the face. He suffered a bloodied nose and minor cuts and was treated at a nearby hospital, while the goose did not survive the impact.
The story made international news within hours and remains one of the most-cited incidents in roller coaster history. In interviews years later, Fabio clarified conflicting accounts of exactly how he was struck, and enthusiast investigations have since debated the precise mechanics of the impact — but the core event, a bird strike on Apollo’s Chariot’s opening run, is well documented and is a large part of why the ride still draws curious first-time visitors today.
Golden Ticket Award Rankings Through the Years
Apollo’s Chariot debuted on Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards steel-coaster countdown at #20 in 1999 and climbed steadily, peaking at #4 in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012 — an unusually long run near the top for a ride competing against newer, taller coasters opening every year. Its ranking has softened more recently, landing at #25 in 2024 before rebounding to #14 in 2025, still a strong showing for a coaster now more than 25 years old.
That longevity is largely credited to the ride’s airtime-first layout: unlike coasters that chase records with loops, launches, or extreme heights, Apollo’s Chariot was built purely around sustained floating sensations over natural terrain, a formula B&M has since repeated at parks worldwide but rarely improved upon for sheer consistency.
Apollo’s Chariot vs. Griffon vs. Verbolten
Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s three headline coasters each deliver a different experience. Griffon, at 205 feet, is the park’s tallest ride and its most intense, dropping riders 90 degrees straight down before sending them through two vertical Immelmann loops — it’s the pick for riders chasing height and inversions. Verbolten combines a dark-ride launch through the Black Forest with an 88-foot drop over the Rhine River, making it the most heavily themed of the three and a good fit for riders who want story and surprise without going upside down.
Apollo’s Chariot sits between them as the pure speed-and-airtime option: no inversions, no theming gimmicks, just eight hills of sustained floating sensation at 73 mph. Enthusiasts often recommend riding Griffon for the biggest single-drop thrill, Verbolten for the most varied experience, and Apollo’s Chariot for the smoothest, most repeatable airtime — which is why many regulars name it as their most-ridden coaster in the park even though it isn’t the tallest or the newest.
Planning Your Visit
Apollo’s Chariot operates during Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s regular operating season, which typically runs spring through fall with an extended schedule during Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town events; exact operating hours vary by day and season, so check the day-of schedule before you go. Tickets are sold as single-day admission, multi-day passes, and season passes, with optional Quick Queue add-ons available for priority access to Apollo’s Chariot and other headline rides during busy periods.
For current hours, ticket prices, parking rates, and any temporary ride closures, use the official Busch Gardens Williamsburg website as the canonical source — it reflects same-day schedule changes and seasonal pricing that can shift throughout the year.
Apollo’s Chariot FAQs
What kind of roller coaster is Apollo’s Chariot?
Apollo’s Chariot is a steel sit-down hypercoaster built by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard. It was B&M’s very first hyper coaster model, featuring no inversions but eight large airtime hills.
How tall do you have to be to ride Apollo’s Chariot?
Riders must be at least 52 inches (132 cm) tall, per Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s official height policy for the ride.
How fast and tall is Apollo’s Chariot?
The coaster stands 170 feet tall and features a 210-foot first drop that launches riders to a top speed of 73 mph. The track runs 4,882 feet in total length.
What happened to Fabio at Apollo’s Chariot’s opening in 1999?
During the coaster’s opening festivities, a roughly 10-pound goose struck model Fabio Lanzoni in the face as the train sped down the first drop, leaving him with a bloodied nose and minor cuts. The incident made international news and remains one of the most famous moments in roller coaster history.
Is Apollo’s Chariot the tallest coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
No. Griffon, at 205 feet with a 90-degree first drop and two inversions, is the park’s tallest and most intense coaster. Apollo’s Chariot focuses on sustained airtime rather than height or inversions.
Does Apollo’s Chariot have any loops or inversions?
No. Apollo’s Chariot has zero inversions. It is built entirely around airtime hills, delivering weightless moments over eight hills rather than loops or twists.
Where is Apollo’s Chariot located in Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
Apollo’s Chariot is located in the Festa Italia section of the park in Williamsburg, Virginia.
How has Apollo’s Chariot ranked in the Golden Ticket Awards?
Apollo’s Chariot debuted at #20 in the 1999 Golden Ticket Awards steel-coaster rankings and peaked at #4 in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012. It ranked #25 in 2024 and #14 in 2025, keeping it among the longest-running highly ranked steel coasters in the country.
Get More from Apollo’s Chariot
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Apollo’s Chariot, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.