WILLIAMSBURG — The arrival of the Big Bad Wolf is approaching and official ride previews have begun at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Construction began on the ride in the summer of 2024, and it was announced as a surprise during the Howl-O-Scream preview event last year. Originally slated to have a different name, the park said fans were loud and clear on their desire to see it honor the legacy of an old favorite while launching the all-new family-friendly attraction. As a result, Busch Gardens Williamsburg chose the ride’s name specifically to build upon the history of the attraction, with a new twist.
With speeds topping out at 40 miles per hour over the 2,500 feet of track, Busch Gardens notes this coaster will be North America’s longest inverted family coaster. The ride also has two height requirements — 42 inches with an accompanying adult, and 48 inches to ride alone.
Members will be among the first to get the chance to ride starting May 16 during the park’s 50th-anniversary celebration, and members will also see additional exclusive ride times on May 17 and 18.
American Coaster Enthusiasts, an organization that describes itself as the world’s largest club of amusement ride enthusiasts, had a chance to enjoy the coaster along with the media at a preview event as part of its spring conference. The conference has brought over 700 attendees to Busch Gardens to celebrate both Big Back Wolf and the park’s 50th anniversary.
“This is a coaster that many of us in the older group brought us into the rollercoaster world. We remember that moment of that first suspended rollercoaster,” said ACE President Elizabeth Ringas. “If you have to lose the original, this is the best homage I’ve ever seen to bring a coaster back.”
The coaster reuses both the loading station and maintenance building from Draken Fyre, but Busch Gardens says it will not displace any of the current Howl-O-Scream haunted houses. The space utilized storage space in the back of the park that wasn’t open to guests with very little loss of trees, it added.
“It’s kind of surreal to be in this location because it’s been close to 30 years since an attraction [has been here.] We’ve done concerts and Howl-o-Scream and other things but to be standing back here and know guests will be back here on a daily basis is pretty surreal, but I couldn’t be more excited because I think this is going to be one of the signature attractions for the park,” said Busch Gardens Williamsburg Park President Kevin Lembke.
Lembke said during construction that the crew found pilings and ride foundations from Draken Fyre. Over 100 trees were also added to the area during the construction process.
“I think the storytelling and the richness of the theming and the look of the area, people are going to be blown away,” Lembke said. “I think the ride itself is a perfect combination of family thrills but can satisfy the coaster enthusiasts as well.”
“Many times this is going to be someone’s first roller coaster, and those are stories that people tell for years and years and years. It’s amazing that’s going to happen right here,” he continued.
A Grand Opening Ceremony will be held to honor The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge Friday, May 23 at 10:30 a.m. Guests are invited to experience the ribbon cutting, a DJ dance party and special photo opportunities in Oktoberfest.
For more information on The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge, the 50th-anniversary celebration and membership, visit BuschGardens.com/Williamsburg and follow Busch Gardens on social media.
