WILLIAMSBURG — Busch Gardens Williamsburg made a surprise announcement that it would be opening a brand new coaster based on a previous park coaster in 2025 during its Howl-O-Scream preview event.
The coaster’s story will continue the tale of the Big Bad Wolf, which opened in 1984 and was permanently closed in September 2009. Built by Arrow Dynamics, Verbolten currently sits at the former ride’s location. The new ride will be located in the Oktoberfest Pavilion behind Das Festhaus.
Much like its predecessor, the new thrill ride will be an inverted roller coaster. When completed, Busch Gardens said it will be North America’s longest inverted family coaster, with 2,583 feet of track traveled. The ride will top out at 40 miles per hour and will have two height levels requirement: 42 inches to ride with a supervising companion and 48 in to ride alone.
Busch Gardens is giving guests the opportunity to help pick the name of the new coaster. Now through Sept. 25, guests can vote from three options: WölfSturm, WölfsReign or GeisterWölf.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Park president Kevin Lembke said the park was always looking for ways to get its members and guests involved.
Guests will be able to see construction of the coaster while waiting in line for the Howl-o-Scream haunted house Monster Manor, which runs through Nov. 3 on select dates.
No official date for opening the ride has been announced outside of 2025. To learn more about the coaster or vote for a name, visit the official Busch Gardens website.
