Loch Ness Monster

Loch Ness Monster
Statistics
Location	Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Capacity	2,200 Riders per hour
Manufacturer	Arrow Dynamics
Height	130 feet
Top speed	60 mph
Inversions	2
Steepest Drop	55°
Maximum G-Force	3.5G

Loch Ness Monster is an Arrow Dynamics roller coaster located at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia. The ride, which opened in 1978, is the only coaster in the world to have interlocking loops, and was the first to feature this element. It also held the record of the tallest roller coaster in the world for 5 years at 130 ft.

History

Busch Gardens: The Old Country theme park in Williamsburg, Virginia, opened in 1975 with one roller coaster, Glissade. With the opening of the park's Oktoberfest section the next year, two roller coasters were added: Das Kätzchen, a children's coaster, and its adult counterpart, Wildkatze. As part of its strategy to add an attraction every other year, Anheuser-Busch announced the Loch Ness Monster on July 27, 1977. The thrill ride would be added at Williamsburg Busch Gardens in 1978 and would be the largest ride at the park upon its opening. The ride would be located in the center of the park in the Scotland-themed area and cost around $5 million. The announcement followed expansion plans for the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Williamsburg, as well as similar thrill additions being announced at other theme parks, including its sister park in Tampa, Florida.

Permits for the roller coaster's foundations and several Anheuser-Busch projects were approved in August by the James City County. In anticipation for the new additions, Busch Gardens Williamsburg would increase ticket prices in November. A groundbreaking ceremony was held and construction started in December. Supplemental construction permits were approved by the county in January 1978 for the roller coaster. Construction of the roller coaster was conducted during the winter months, which slowed progress, and was kept relatively hidden to build public anticipation. The Loch Ness Monster was physically revealed to the press on March 2. With the roller coaster nearing completion, the opening date was announced for June. The park's general manager, John Roberts, touted the roller coaster as being the fastest and tallest, and having the steepest drop in the world. The roller coaster would also debut with interlocking loops and a tunnel.

The roller coaster was topped off on April 13, 1978, with final welding, construction of the tunnel, and landscaping to be completed. As part of a marketing ploy, the park searched for eight people to be the first riders to take on the Loch Ness Monster. The eight people represented to take on the roller coaster were athletes in American football, NASCAR racing, ice hockey, and stunt personnel. The Loch Ness Monster opened to the public on June 2. A week later on June 9, the park hosted the inaugural American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) convention, partially surrounding the roller coaster's opening. The roller coaster was christened on June 19, by Alex Campbell, an individual claimed to have seen the Loch Ness Monster.

Following a month of rumors in September 2023, Busch Gardens Williamsburg announced the Loch Ness Monster would undertake a renovation for the 2024 season. Throughout the remainder of the 2023 season, sections of the track were replaced while a shade covering was added over the final brake run and various sections of track were repainted. The ride reopened on May 10, 2024 with new audio tracks added to the lift hills and lighting effects in the tunnel, while an all-new sighting center opened April 4-21 as a walkthrough attraction highlighting milestones and archived photographs of the attraction.

Photo Gallery

Close up of the Interlocking Loops

Preceded by Revolution

​World's Tallest Complete-Circuit Roller Coaster 1978 - 1983 ​

Succeeded by Dragon Mountain