Apollo’s Chariot opened on March 27, 1999, at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia, and earned the distinction of being the first hypercoaster ever designed by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard. Standing 170 feet tall and delivering a breathtaking 210-foot drop at a 65-degree angle, it quickly established itself as one of the premier steel coasters in North America.
The ride stretches 4,882 feet of track through the park’s rolling Virginia terrain, sending riders over eight relentless airtime hills at a top speed of 73 mph. With roughly 26 seconds of cumulative airtime and zero inversions, Apollo’s Chariot is a pure speed-and-float machine that has earned consistent placement in the industry’s top-ten coaster rankings for over two decades.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Location: Williamsburg, Virginia
- Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard
- Opened: March 27, 1999
- Height: 170 ft (52 m)
- Drop: 210 ft (64 m)
- Top Speed: 73 mph (117 km/h)
- Length: 4,882 ft (1,488 m)
- Inversions: 0
- Duration: 2 min 15 sec
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 carefully contoured to the natural Virginia terrain, 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 2 minutes and 15 seconds, Apollo’s Chariot offers more sustained airtime per ride than most coasters twice its age.
Legacy and Recognition
In the years since its 1999 debut, Apollo’s Chariot has become a perennial Golden Ticket Award contender, reaching as high as fourth place among steel coasters in 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2012. Its longevity in top-ten rankings is remarkable in a category where newer, taller rides frequently displace established favorites.
The coaster also entered pop culture history on its opening day when model Fabio was struck during the inaugural ride—an incident that generated international headlines and cemented Apollo’s Chariot in theme-park lore. Today it remains one of the most beloved attractions at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and a landmark example of B&M’s hypercoaster formula that the manufacturer has since replicated at parks around the world.
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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 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 at Apollo’s Chariot’s opening in 1999?
On the inaugural day, model and actor Fabio was aboard a media ride when an impact occurred on the first drop, leaving him with a facial injury. The incident made international news and became one of the most famous moments in roller coaster history.
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Photo: myself (User:Piotrus) / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.