Apollo's Chariot Review Busch Gardens Williamsburg World's First B&M Hyper Coaster
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2024
- A full in depth look at Busch Gardens' iconic hyper coaster, standing 170 feet in the air, dropping 210 feet down, weaving through the trees!
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Remember when Taylor had this roller coaster in his top 10? Time flies.
Time flies indeed
That's what happens when you right literally every single coaster in the world.
His top his top 10 is literally in a nutshell at this point
I think I was maybe 13 or 14 when I rode this the year it opened. For its time it was amazing.
Coasterguy14 era
It is STILL one of my favorite rides. It just does everything SO well. Without a doubt it is my favorite layout of any coaster ANYWHERE. It truly, TRULY feels like you are soaring through the air and swooping, falling....
It doesn’t do much well
@@alessio2968 Neither do you,
@@fivetenfiveeleven5325 wow what a comeback that was I’m terrified now 😂😂
Apollo's Chariot may not be the best B&M hyper anymore, you can't deny that it's still a solid B&M hyper for its age. It proved what B&M could do with a 200+ foot coaster and even with some of their giga coasters, and they've perfected it again and again overtime. If it wasn't for Apollo's Chariot, I wouldn't have rides like Behemoth or Leviathan at my home park, Canada's Wonderland. For a first B&M hyper, I think B&M did the very best that they could, and they did it very well. And as Theme Park Crazy would always say, "You can never go wrong with a B&M hyper."
Like fine wine.
I think that Apollo’s Chariot holds the title of the best first rides I’ve had on a coaster. On my first ever ride, the fireworks were going off, and when I got to the top of the first airtime hill, the finale of the fireworks show was happening, and it lit up the turn over the lake. It was an unbelievable experience, to have that be my first ride on it
It might not quite hold up to the best B&M hypers, but it was the start of an excellent coaster model.
Yeah, B&M hyper coasters had to start somewhere.
I think you’re absolutely right about it being hit or miss with way more misses as of the recent years. But I don’t know if you remember maybe like 5-7 years ago when this thing was absolutely elite. For some reason it’s just not aging well which is a shame. I remember when every hill gave great airtime and it was a comparable ride to other B&M hypers. Maybe something can be done in the coming years to possibly fix it and return apollos chariot to its former glory.
This ride is so aesthetically pleasing to me that I can't help but appreciate it even more. Definitely cannot wait to get back this summer, it has been several years since my last ride. Out of the B&M hypers I have done (not many) I still like this the best.
i’ve been watching your content for more than five years now. you do great work for the coaster community. any possibility we see coaster parodies and coaster wars/park battles come back.
actually just looking back i’ve been watching you for seven years now, since before the top ten manufacturers video.
thank you for supporting the channel for so long! Unfortunately there are no current plans for park battles or coaster fights to return, sorry about that. Parodies will be back soon though!
@@CoasterStudios Is 5-year plan series making a comeback? I miss it
It’s not as great as Mako, but it’s still a phenomenal ride, especially at night. For a first attempt, it’s a terrific ride. Like Theme Park Crazy says: “You can never go wrong with a B&M hyper.”
As a floridian I agree with this, but the scenery is better with AC.
I went to BGW this past August and since the park was practically empty, I was able to marathon Apollo’s Chariot 10 times in less than an hour. Those 10 rides were some of the most fun I’ve had riding any coaster by myself, especially since my expectations were very low. The first drop and drop off the midcourse were powerful and sustained moments of floater and I didn’t find it too rough. It didn’t try to rip my head off, but it didn’t have to. I was just able to kick back and enjoy a relaxing roller coaster
Love this coaster. It gives you that good stomach feeling. Also one time I went on it, and as I went up, the fireworks started. Super cool.
Still a favorite of mine. Especially at night.
Just because it doesn’t quite stack up to Mako or Diamondback doesn’t mean it’s not a great ride. This is easily the best terrain-using hyper B&M built and it still is excellent today. My last visit to the park in December 2021, I got 10 rides, most in the back row, and it really was running better than I’d seen it in a while.
I definitely think Apollo is better than Mako, the only B&M hyper I've ridden that's better is Diamondback
I love this thing. So many B&M hypercoasters have a boring setting. This one might have the best, only rivalled by Mako and to some extent Diamondback. And I agree that the night rides are fantastic. I actually really like the pacing in Apollo's Chariot. Most B&M hypercoasters just have hill after hill that gets progressively smaller but I think the return trip mixes it up with the drops switching between large and small. I think this doesn't trick you anymore since it's your home park so the effect is warn off on you. I'll admit that the pull out from the first drop, the turn around and the final breaks can be a little rattly but I find this to be smoother than coasters like Goliath at SFOG.
I agree that the front and middle are underwhelming but I have yet to ride a B&M hypercoaster that I thought wasn't a back row ride so it doesn't change how I ride it.
Such a great coaster!
This will still forever be in my top 20, such an iconic coaster. Also being that it was one of my first "big" rollercoasters. I love the length, the track colors, and the location, giving that "flying through the woods" feel. And so true what you said about it giving a fantastic night right!
Loved your review, I think you were spot on with some of the points you made about the ride especially in comparing it to rides like Raging Bull and other Hypers that B&M has built keep up the good work can't wait for more videos!!!
I just love this coaster. It’s just satisfying from beginning to end - and yes, night rides are spectacular.
I rode this before I was an enthusiast, and had no idea how tall it was. My friend even convinced me to ride front row. I’m glad I went in not knowing anything, because I absolutely loved it. It’s been almost 8 years since I’ve been, so we’ll see how I feel about it.
looks like an interesting ride hope i get there one day.
Great review! For the first ever B&M hyper, this looks awesome!
Out of the 13 rides I have on apollo back is the best and a night ride with the fireworks going off is phenomenal. 9/10 day; 10/10 night
This coaster is the DEFINITION of SCENIC!! Hence why I love it so much! It might not be as intense as Mako, but MAN, is it a beautiful ride. 😭
Exactly!
Mako isn’t intense at all
I just went to Busch gardens for the first time today. Went on 5 coasters and this was the second. Probably one of my favorites with verboten and griffon.
My absolute FAVORITE coaster ever
This ride is in my top 5. I haven't been to too many parks though, but I still think it's an extremely fun ride
A very fair review of this ride at its current age. I can attest that night rides on Apollo's are exceptional and was fortunate to get multiple-night rides during BGW's Christmas Town event last year. It was great getting to see the lights while going up the lift and then being in complete darkness in the trees for the rest of the ride!
My 2nd favorite B&M Hyper, it's so underrated
This is at my home park and still one of my favorites I rode it 4 times last week
I’ve ridden Apollos Chariot over 40 times in the past 2 years, and I agree with everything you said. I first rode it in 2020, and surprisingly it ran really well in the back and front row. Got great floater airtime in the back, and sometimes same in the front. It was also glass smooth, and it had great pacing, etc. But this past year or so, it hasn’t been the same. It’s been quite rough in the back row, and you get absolutely nothing in the front. You also don’t get much airtime in the back anymore, especially if it’s cold out like you said. Last summer it was hauling every time I rode it, so maybe the cold might just be the reason why it hasn’t been running too well lately. I guess I’ll just have to wait until this summer and ride it again.
Yeah. It’s just it’s new computer trimming much more than usual for some reason on the wavy turns and the first trims seems to be very little to none trimming at all. Sometimes the mid course brake or final brakes would brake so aggressive out of no where which is really strange. I’m guessing trims for lower maintenance on tracks.
It’s not rough at all it was just as comfortable as mako for me I rid it twice at night in cold weather last month and I got floater on every hill I know it has days where it doesn’t run well but i can’t see it being rough
Agree on several points (being a B&M fan), it is hit and miss most days now, the best rides I can remember are from the early to mid-2000's. The night rides are still good, however the pacing has definitely slowed over the last 10-12yrs as age does to certain coasters. Wish that some of these parks like BGW (which we frequently go to) would take some of the capital and appropriate it to refurbish/re-track or even in some circumstances replace sections of existing good coasters and make them great again! Would love to see new tracking and train cars for Lockness, idk, just my 2 cents worth. Thanks Taylor, really enjoy your reviews!
I love this ride so much and it’s one of the only roller coasters I can get my husband to ride. For that reason alone I hope it stays at Busch Gardens for years to come
I went back to Busch Gardens for the first time since the early 2000’s in September with a friend that is a coaster enthusiast. We were there at park opening and went to ride Tempesto first. We went to Apollo’s Chariot right after. We had one of the first rides on it with a mostly empty train, and even though we were in the back there was no airtime. We went back later in the day and at night, and it was so much better. It was especially great at night.
I love this ride. Granted I haven't ridden it in about 5 years but it's not just about the ride. It's placement and the setting is just excellent. I like it way better than many other B&M's for that reason.
As someone who has only been to Six Flags Great America…….. Raging Bull references put everything in perspective because I am new to coaster terminology
Love this ride. So happy I got to ride it when I was younger. Went their twice on vacation with my parents and friend
I get it. This was my first Hyper when I rode it in 2000. I went back in 2006 and again in 2021. Every ride was absolutely different. There are some way better hypers now, and the weather totally plays in, but overall - the back row is pretty much perfection! And the pre-drops are awesome.
This was my favorite hyper!
I love Apollo's Chariot! I prefer it over Nitro and Diamondback.
I was one of the first 1000 riders on Apollo’s Chariot. There was a delay when Fabios nose ran into a goose.
It's been a hit on my 2 visits to this park in 2018 & 2021. Those have been on hot days, on very busy weekdays, so the trains were full. The airtime still wasn't as good as later B&M hypers, but it still delivered. It's my favorite in the park, barely ahead of Griffon & Alpengeist.
That last drop is so incredible
idk if I just got really good rides on it, but it was amazing this week. the intensity was incredible. I did get stung by a bee that was on the lap bar though 😭😭😭
The thing about so many of my enthusiast friends is that they only want to ride in either the front or back row. And Apollo ain't great in either of those rows. I have a hard time convincing anybody of this but this is a hill I will die on: Apollo's Chariot is, has always been, and will always be the best in the middle of the train. That's where it does its best floaty-hangtime work.
Row 5, far left seat. THAT is Apollo's Chariot's sweet spot! If the restraint doesn't get stapled, you actually get like 4-5 seconds of no seat contact on the first hill and nearly that much again on the second hill. No other hyper I've ridden gives that kind of hang-time that high above the trees.
I rode it for the first time last year and I think it’s my favorite ride in the park with the Griffin being a close second. My favorite night ride is surprisingly The Boss at Six Flags St. Louis, my mom and I are trying to go the Six Flags every year around Halloween and last year when we rode The Boss it was a night ride and it was so much fun,yes it was rough but it was fun.
I remember when you first rode raging bull, I was part of your group of 30, The first thing you said after riding it was the drop was insane
MY FAVORITE ROLLER COASTER!!!
🎢🙌🏻❤️
Maybe I just rode it on a great day getting lots of night rides, but this is actually my favorite B&M hyper (I’ve ridden Candymonium, Nitro, Goliath SFOG, and Mako)
I just love you for bringing up raging bulls first drop in this. I think that rides twister layout is prolific and is really underrated. You look at all the new giggles and you look at the Intamin megas and rmcs, and while raging bulls forces could be stronger, the layout and elements are a lot more commonplace now on these ride types. And the first drop, exactly. Nothing like it anywhere
I haven’t ridden in a long time, but my thoughts are so opposite of yours in this video lol. I always found the helix to be one of the least exciting parts of the ride, it’s just not very dynamic at all and because it’s so long that hurts the pacing.
Also I’ve ridden AC a ton and RB maybe 8 times, and I didn’t like RB’s drop as much. It was very good, but because it’s a bit steeper and differently shaped, the airtime is slightly stronger and more brief. AC’s drop is great not because of strong negatives, but because if you sit in the back, you float between your seat and the restraint for the longest time possible. It feels way longer than it really is. Also the longer predrop flat and shallower predrop dip create more anticipation, which I prefer to the less controlled predrop of RB.
AC’s third hill back row is one of the most perfectly designed hills, with perfect floater, laterals making you feel like you’re going to fly out, a much longer drop than the ascent, and the scenery of the water and trees. Surprised that wasn’t mentioned as it’s one of the best parts easily IMO.
But to each his own. I definitely agree that pacing makes a big difference on a ride focusing on floater airtime, because it’s easy for floater to become no air if the ride is running slow bc of the temperature or number of riders. I hope next time I ride I’m still as satisfied as I was most rides so many years ago.
It's showing its age but still a fun ride. So many memories on this thing with family and friends
This was uploaded on my birthday! And it honestly made my day hearing an honest “not raving” review on this one, complete with a lower than expected score. Thank you for making my day 😂
I also agree with the “hit or miss” aspect. Also if I can be honest, think it’s slightly overrated, but still great nonetheless. Last ridden October 28, 2021, I can say it’s 4th best in the park. I still prefer Verbolten, Alpengeist, and even the legendary Loch Ness Monster to this one.
My Rating: 8/10 (Great)
It’s a great classic B&M hyper, but certainly NOT the greatest.
Aug 2024. Apollo's Chariot is running rough lately. Seems to be vibrating a lot, especially on the turns. Rode several times over the past 3 weeks in various rows and still the same shakes. Still decent airtime but it's dulled down a bit. Hoping they do a good maintenance overhaul on it soon.
I’m still excited to ride it again this year. Haven’t been to BGW in a few years and it’s no I305, but it’s a classic at this point.
B&M has most definitely perfected their hyper models since this debuted. You can’t go wrong with a B&M hyper but you have to respect the original.
Don't understand the hate for it. Still a phenomenal coaster with amazing floater airtime for me. Rode it 2 years ago after not having ridden it for 10+ years and it was still as good as ever in the back row. One of my favorite hypers!
I can agree with people saying even B&M made U.S. ones are "better" (and I am leaving the giga's out of it), like if you want more intense, Goliath at SFOG delivers, and so does Mako. However, if your keeping to the B&M floater airtime win, along with the scenic route way, I'd say it's one of the better. Especially if you start bringing in the Morgan ones-the exception being "Phantom's Revenge" and I feel like that is a breed of it's own (namely due to it originally being arrow, Vortex at Kings Island could've been something great like that if the park gave a crap or if Cedar Fair ever did).
I liked it a lot in 2014. It was hot when I visited and even though it isn't that intense, the setting and layout were incredibly fun for me. It had a lot more character than a couple of other B&M hypers I've experienced, but I can imagine that it's underwhelming when slower.
The back row, right seat is awesome on that 3rd hill. You get so much lateral forces you feel like it's trying to eject you out. Maybe it's nostalgia but, Chariot is still one of my favs!
I haven't ridden roller coasters in 6 years. Appollos chariot is my favorite ride but I'm really behind all these new coasters.
Mid-July night rides are amazing! If you have the chance to ride it at night during the summer you have to try it out.
I think you need to give this ride a lot more leeway in your ranking given it’s the first of its kind. I rode this as a teenager the year it opened in ‘99 and it was absolutely amazing for its time and still holds up. Of course B&M has made much better versions of this type of roller coaster but given the fact the B&M hyper concept is one of the most popular and well received of any roller coaster type period, Apollos Chariot deserves a lot of kudos. It’s similar to what New Texas Giant is for RMC. It introduced an amazing new coaster concept with huge potential.
Oh totally, which is why I brought that up in this video. This ride was super innovative when it came out- it just so happens that it doesn’t stack up anymore. But many rides are like that! That’s not uncommon as time goes on.
@@CoasterStudios I appreciate the response and great content!
I grew up with this ride. I remember how nervous yet excited I was when I finally hit 52 inches tall. It's still a fine ride to this day, but unfortunately, it's rapidly becoming dated. When it opened, the smoothness and speed of a B&M hyper was such a novelty. Every train returned to the station with applause. Nowadays though, Apollo's Chariot doesn't have any elements comparable to the best rides out there. It's simply not the thrilling ride it once was. It has several giggle moments, but you don't leave it feeling energized. Tbh, I think even Verbolten has moments of greater intensity than anything on Apollo. Also, at the end of the day, it's not bringing the crowds in anymore, and a more modern B&M hyper like Mako at SeaWorld kind of big brothers it.
If I'm Busch Gardens, I'm thinking long and hard about how Apollo's Chariot fits into the park's future. If it was torn down and replaced with an Apollo themed giga coaster, it would be a breath of fresh air.
Are you doing a re-review on Raging Bull? Your opinions have changed a lot.
It’s on my to do list
I will say my only knock on raging Bull even though it’s a coaster at my home park, is that it isn’t good in any other seat than the back.
I visit BGW quite often, and I seem to get a lot more good rides than bad rides. Most of the moments consistently give great floater for me. Compared to the other two B&M hypers I've ridden, which are Candymonium and Intimidator, this is probably my favorite.
Review I'm expecting for years
Excited to finally check this out this year
Thank you! I have honestly wondered why people rate this so highly. I've ridden it on two different trips and it's just so unmemorable. I remember no airtime. I do recall that weird final hill, though. People were blabbing about airtime and I didn't really understand what they were talking about. Then I rode Cheetah Hunt shortly after and that launch up the Windcatcher Tower made me realize what people were claiming was happening on Apollo's Chariot. A few years later I rode Diamondback and went, "Ohhhhhhhhhhh!" Basically proof of what Taylor is saying here.
The last 2 trips we rode Apollo's Chariot this year, it wasn't running its best but 3 trips ago it was HAULING like I have never felt it before. So many coaster experiences are dependent on what mood the coaster is in that day, lol. I think that is partially why so many people have vastly different opinions on coasters. Even a ride like Fury has MASSIVE swings in performance from day to day. For example people raved about Goldstriker and when I finally rode it, I was hugely disappointed. It felt super slow, grinded against the rails on turns, was rattly and just not fun at all. It actually reminded me a little of Hurler at King's Dominion before the refit. It seriously felt like one of the wheels was oval shaped or something.
First B+M I ever rode
Damn it feels like high school working this and then the Fabio incident..I missed working Drachen Fire but was at Pompeii before this.
I was wondering if you are going to do a video announcing pantheon’s opening on March 4th for platinum members? I’m so excited because that day is when I get home for spring break from college and I have been waiting 2 years for this ride!
this is my favorite b&m hyper because of its setting and how dream like it feels when i ride it and yes i like it more than mako
Love the review! Can you do a behemoth review if you get time?
Do they really need the brake run before the end? Seems like it would help a bit if it just kept the speed up.
For me personally, this ride holds a lot of nostalgia. The setting does a lot for me-I like it more than Mako.
But I mean, you know, it’s not better than mako.
Let me just have my childhood memories ok
OG coasters never get the respect.
Back left, summer night, fistful of room = pure bliss. P.S. that third airtime hill above the water with flick to the left is one of my personally favorite moments on any coaster
P.S.S. Apollo > Nitro
I agree with many of your points but I do like it yes it’s rough in some spots but the night ride is crazy and Terrain is great it good for the first B&M Hyper
Apollo's Chariot is #1 in my opinion.
I've definitely done a few night rides on this. Worst part was when some kids in front were throwing coins and a few hit me. On the bright side, at least it wasn't a goose - some of you might be too young to remember.
Are we gonna have a meet up for March 25th for Pantheon?!?!?!
This is maybe a ridiculous request but i really wish raging bull and apollos chariot could get a few hills reprofiled. Instead of spending 20 mill on a newer mega coaster at the same park, just fix 2 hills on each ride to have flo-je tor or outerbanked /wave turns, and call it a day.
Personally I'm still a huge fan of it, but I just have a soft spot for it (especially after riding it 30 times the last time i was at BGW)
When he said you could reach out and wack some grass I said out (thinking of grass cuts)
I'm not sure what I'd personally rate Apollo's Chariot, but I'd DEFINITELY rate it higher than 6.
RIP to the Goose that hit Fabio on Apollo’s Chariot during it’s opening day.
Yes to Raging Bull having the best first B&M hyper drop
I would love to see this get retracked like nemesis or hulk and even have B&M reprofile the elements while they are at it. Honestly with a steeper lift and modern style drop this thing could push a 300ft drop.
My #1 forever.
I’ll have my thoughts on October 1st
When I reviewed Busch Gardens, VA, I ranked Apollo's Chariot below Griffin, and I got thumbed down a lot. Looking back I probably would switch them now. I agree that for a hyper it's pretty forceless when it comes to airtime. Especially coming off of riding Superman at SF:NE
Maybe Raging Bull re-review? From the VLOG taken the last time you rode that you said great things about that ride.
It’s on my to do list
Only real flaw is rows 2-8 (of 9). Like all B&M hypers, it can really use the extra edge of night.
May have gotten my best airtime ever on Apollo about 6 weeks ago in about 45 degrees. Touched the bar enough for it to push my legs down to the front edge of the seat. By B&M standards, that's ejector. ;)
Surely a better ride than non-hypers you rate a 6, unless you're changing your scale. A really good ride is usually 8 or higher.
I rate coasters in relation to other rides of their type. So a smaller ride I might compare to family coasters. In this case, I compare this to other hyper coasters, and thats where Apollo's Chariot falls short. In my opinion, it's just 'okay'
First and best. And I've ridden most of the hypers in the country
Di you still really prefer Griffon to this?
Soooooo when can we see that updated raging bull review
It’s on my to do list
I agree with it being tempermental it chattered my teeth today did not know it can get that rough winter rides on it are not that bad still decent airtime
I rode this on a summer night… It was insane
Surprised B&M doesn’t increase the chain lift speed on cold days to give the train extra momentum so it is consistent.
Great review, Taylor! Out of interest, is Apollo's Chariot flat out your least favourite B&M Hyper, or are there others below it?
It’s my least favorite of the ‘true’ hyper coasters. B&M has done some ‘mini’ hypers (less than 200 feet tall) that I would put below this
Personally, I enjoy it more than Nitro, but yeah not as intense like it used to be. Still a fun coaster that's reridabile
Taylor another amazing video i will be riding this one day because im still new riding roller coasters my lagit first was phoenix at knoebles my second is going to be twister at knoebles. then a looping roller coaster any good seggestions for one near maryland ( hershey park does count btw) .
Six Flags America has Batwing, which is not everyone's cup of tea, but some people definitely love it. Carowinds if you don't consider that too far has options. Hershey has plenty of options. Kennywood has Steel Curtain, which holds the North American inversion record, which would be a hell of a first inverting coaster. BGW has an Arrow Looper and 2 B&Ms with inversions. You live in probably the best spot on the east coast outside of florida for park trips. There's an argument that it might be better depending on how faqr of a radius you are willing to go. You have so many options. Unfortunately I live in Connecticut where the only 2 good parks are SFNE and Lake Compounce, but those are pretty solid to have as home parks I guess.
@@jeffreypenkoff6178 Well im still new and i never rode a looping roller coaster .
@@raptorvloges2286 I understand that. That's why I gave you a wide list of options