Roller coasters change every year. New coasters are built with huge drops, amazing heights and unusual techniques that challenge riders to brave their fears. With all the amazing new coasters that come along, very few make it to legendary status. Very few coasters get to have a history as long and shrouded in mystery as The Loch Ness Monster, but then again very few coasters are as challenging as the double looped monster.
Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a unique beast, to say the least. Opened in 1978 and built by Arrow Dynamics, and designed by Ron Toomer, it was the first roller coaster in the world to have interlocking loops. If you’ve never been on the coaster, and have no clue what that means, it simply means that one loop goes through a second loop. Ground breaking for the time, it still stands as one of the most visited coasters in the world, just for the interlocking loops. The coaster features two lift hills, and a huge tunnel right in the side of a hill. The tunnel used to feature show elements such as fog and a light up cartoon picture of the Loch Ness Monster, but the ride through the dark has proven to be thrilling enough.
On June 6th, LNM will turn 35. 35 years is a long time to search for a legendary monster, it’s a long time for just about anything. On June 6th the park will be giving fans some special surprises in the park.
Here’s what the park has in store:
- June 6, a special offer from merchandise will be available for June 6 only – purchase a 6”x8” Loch Ness Monster ride photo for only $5.35 (regularly $15.99).
- June 6, guests will also have the opportunity to purchase a Loch Ness Monster 35th anniversary commemorative drink vessel for only $7.99 and get $.99 refills for the rest of the year.
- Commemorative T-shirts for the first 135 guests and special Loch Ness Monster Cookies
Here’s a special message from park president Carl Lum about the 35th anniversary:
I found the monster recently, in 2009. As I looked at the bright yellow track and green cars rattling down the track I had one thought: “This is going to hurt”.
While it is an older coaster, it does retain a lot of it’s smoothness. While the coaster itself isn’t very tall, and most definitely doesn’t have one of the highest or steepest drops in the world that big drop of 114 feet into the Rhine River seems to sock me in the gut every time. It’s a feeling like you accidentally stepped off a cliff and have no control. The only thing you can do is scream and close your eyes. Then you get whipped into the first of two locking loops. From start to finish it’s one amazing ride that is very deceptive at first sight. What many may mistake as a kids ride is a legend that still lurks in the water, and hopefully will for years to come.
