Verbolten is awesome. Full report tomorrow
Yes it is. I don't have a full review but just a few thoughts. First what works. The themeing and queue on this thing is really well done. The wrecked car out front set the stage for an awesome experience. There was even a weird moss in the interior of the car. Really nice touch. I would compare Verbolten's queue to Expedition Everest (albeit on a much smaller scale) with it's queue and theme. The first indoor queue portion showcase really neat posters and various curios to suck you into the story. The video within is corny, but it works. A quick side note, I am really pleased that most of the queue seemed to be in shaded areas when not in the indoor portions. It was a beautiful day yesterday, but later in the summer, guests will be pleased that they are not in direct sunlight. I wish I could have spent more time in the second indoor portion because that seemed to have a lot of things to look at. This is a testament to how quick the line moves, though. There were a few monitors with "security camera" footage of the black forest which really set the mood.
The ride itself is very fun. That first launch is intense. The speed being one thing, but also knowing that you are being launched in complete darkness. The G-forces you pull surprised me the most, however. I remember there was one portion where it felt as if I was one with my seat, haha. The element at the end of the indoor portion of the ride caught me by surprise too. I knew it was coming, I just couldn't tell when. The Rhine River Drop is as thrilling as ever. It helped with that second launch as well.
Things that didn't work for me. The special effects, while done okay, was a bit underwhelming. I wish they would have done more than black lights and cardboard. The length of the ride too is pretty short. Although, I will say that the elements make up for most of that. These things keep this attraction from being "Perfection" to just "Outstanding". It is a great start and I hope that Busch Gardens builds from this to bring us more great attractions.
