Defunctland: The History of Busch Gardens' Swinging Classic, the Big Bad Wolf
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- čas přidán 20. 05. 2018
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On this swinging episode of Defunctland, Kevin tells the history of Busch Gardens Williamsburg fan favorite, the now-defunct Arrow suspended coaster, the Big Bad Wolf.
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I love how high quality this series is. I feel like it could be an actual tv show with the amount of effort put in.
Devin Simmering right? Can someone get Kevin and crew a tv deal!!!
Devin Simmering This is better than most tv shows. Jersey Shore is back 😩.
Devin Simmering true, but it would be a little different on tv.
Lore, the Podcast got a tv show. I’m sure Netflix can be persuaded.
The intros are out of this world
The final drop on this coaster was like the fine wine of the coaster world. Not the tallest or fastest, but so well done over that lake that it was a "holy shit" moment every time. Loved it.
Agreed, it was a fantastic drop.
Absolutely!
I still remember that fall like it was yesterday.
you all prolly dont give a shit but does anybody know of a method to log back into an Instagram account..?
I somehow lost the login password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me!
@Milan Alfonso instablaster ;)
As a Virginian this was my childhood right here. I miss this ride so much
Same. Many great memories
You are so lucky to have ridden it!
Verbolten is good, but it's not Big Bad Wolf
The zipping through the village, feeling like your feet just might catch on the corner of a building as you zoomed by, was the best.
@@rdarkstorm8414 I haven't been back to Busch Gardens since right after they took down the Big Bad Wolf, so I haven't ridden Verbolten. I didn't realize it retained a drop from BBW. I live only 45 min from the park so I should go back soon!
"Prepare to ride at the speed of fright." I can still remember waiting in line hearing that slogan coming from the TVs.
Lazy Daze i can still remember the sound of the announcer at the qeue station
Same, I totally forgot about that but when he mentioned that it all came back to me
With the coca-cola bears ads 😂
Oh my gosh!!
A Defunctland episode.....without a jab at Michael Eisner??????
I'm giving him a week off after the last two episodes.
@@Defunctland NO NO NOOOO YOU ALWAYS USE EISNER ALWAAAAYYYYSSSSSSSSSS
It's happened before, but it never feels right.
This video has really inspired me. I think I want to create...
_...the world's first suspended coaster!_
Sorry, I already built the first suspended coaster
the hunterator Nah, I built the first suspended coaster
@@KonstellationsTV darn it
the hunterator it’s ok, ill let you sign it for half credit
@@KonstellationsTV that sounds fair
This was the first “real” roller coaster I went on so it’ll always have a place in my heart. Luckily Verbolten is a really good follow up, also an awesome ride
I really do enjoy verbolten. Sadly I never had a chance to ride the big bad wolf. I've been to Busch gardens a few times but I was always too scared of roller coasters until a couple years ago
That surprise drop inside the tunnel is awesome
Verbolten is cool but the Big Bad Wolf is definitely better :P
@@Barrylocke I actually had the same trouble, we went to Busch gardens when I was still too scared to ride coasters and my sister really loved the Big Bad Wolf. When I came back years later, it had already been replaced. Verbolten is certainly fun, regardless!
@@Barrylocke yeah the big bad wolf closed when i was one so i obviously never got the chance but verboten is still really good
Why am I watching this series? I’ve rode maybe 3 coasters, but the documentary style of this is fascinating.
I have long come to accept that I love learning about things I have no interest in experiencing first hand.
Ex: I *HATE* the taste of alcohol, but I love wine culture.
When someone asks you to bank the turns you always say "YES!"
Meh, overrated. I mean did you ever get on THE BAT?
Cj W u say the same thing whenever someone asks if ur a god
@cooper minion - yep, its always a good idea if you don't want your city destroyed
When Werner Stengel quits over a difference of engineering opinion, there is a problem.
That's a Big Twinkie. !!!
This ride will always hold a special place in my heart! I was actually able to ride it on the last day it was open, I just happened to say to my mom "Hey let's ride this one, it looks fun!", and little did I know, that would be the last day anyone could've ridden it
I rode it with my family that day, because we knew it was being closed
I got to ride it the last day too. I barely met the height requirements.
I have my doubts because in the article that he showed when talking about the coaster's closure it talked about people auctioning off the last seats for the coaster. I highly doubt you were able to ride on a whim.
@@cfdeers I vividly remeber waiting almost 4 hours in line. I 100% remeber being on it the last day it was open
@@miller.b.1399 Ohh. You see, I wasn't even alive by the time the ride closed, so all the info I had was off of the article that he showed and my skepticism of CZcams comments. They tend to be exaggerated for fake internet points.
Now if you'll read my rant on this, there was this 1 youtube comment on Liam Triforce's Half-Life retrospective about a dudes grandpa having fun with him in Half-Life 2 and the episodes but he died before episode 3 came out. The problem I saw with it is that most grandparents see videogames as nothing more than devices that suck their children's soul out of them, know that a "Nintendo" represents all of gaming, and that they likely had other hobbies than watching what their grandchildren did on a screen for hours on end.
Oh yeah, and there was this 1 comment that said that a certain CZcamsr's videos saved them from suicide but it was only temporary. That comment was what really pushed me onto the side of constant skepticism because it had 2.7k likes and so many gullible repliers.
This is definitely on my shortlist of coasters that I’m heartbroken that I’ll never get to ride. I remember reading about Big Bad Wolf all through my childhood about what a different and revolutionary coaster it was. It always seemed so special and it was one of the rides I always wanted to go on if I ever got to travel.
Growing up in central VA really spoiled us when it come to world class, unique, and historically significant coasters. Big bad Wolf and Volcano will be missed
The Big Bad Wolf is one of my favorite coasters. The second drop is roller coaster legend.
They replaced Big Bad Wolf with Verbolten, kept the second drop.
This series always makes me want to go out and experience everything before it's gone.
I live an hour away from Busch gardens and I can tell you that people ADORE big bad. They still talk about it to this day. It was like a funeral when it closed
Talk about the REEAL accident waiting to happen:
*Trying to 1v1 a Torte Cake as a 10 year old then ride Apollo's Chariot.*
Something similar happened to me when I was there with some friends a few years ago
Me: Let’s ride Apollo’s Chariot first then get food
Friends: We’re hungry
Me: fine we’ll go get food, but I’m not going to eat anything
Friends: you know if you don’t eat anything we won’t wait for you when you want to eat
Me: fine
Me: *gets a really greasy pizza*
Luckily I chickened out and didn’t get on after the pizza😂
you just reminded me of the time i ate an _entire funnel cake_ before going on griffon 😭😭
My FAVORITE part of these videos by far is the classic commercials. I miss the weirdness of classic commercials
What was with that Big Bad Wolf commerical? Like he flew on a rocket and then became a werewolf in broad daylight??????
????????
Judging from that commercial I was half-expecting an Evil Dead coaster
Agreed I saw no wolf
It was the 80s, give it a break!
I'm sorry, have YOU had an encounter with a werewolf before? That's what I thought.
I thought he got grabbed by a red willow wisp. But yeah, it was bizzare.
Excellent job guys. Very well produced video! I had the chance to ride Big Bad Wolf back in the day and definitely enjoyed the experience. It was one of my first "big boy" roller coasters, so it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Thank you! Loved your Coaster Parody on Verbolten. Keep up the great work!
Coaster Studios we're all connected!!!!!!
YES TAYLOR
When I saw your footage of the Bat, I squealed! When saw you in the comment section, I squealed again! When I saw Defunctland saw your Verbolten Parody, I almost fainted!
Coaster Studios I feel the same way. Big Bad Wolf was my first “real” coaster as well. I think Verbolton is a good coaster, but it isn’t a good replacement. It just doesn’t fill the same niche. Also, I think riding on the track, as opposed to hanging underneath it, spoils the last drop and turn. It just doesn’t feel like you’re about to careen uncontrollably into the river.
Busch is one of my "home parks" and I have heard the legends of The Big Bad Wolf for years, having never experienced it for myself. I'm so glad you took the time to document this beloved coaster for those of us who never got a chance to see it for ourselves.
Been going to Busch Gardens since I was a kid, Big Bad Wolf was always one of my favorites. I met one of the workers and he would always let us through the front so we could skip the line. Also remember finding a top of the line camera during that time and couldn't find the owner so I got to keep it.
So many good memories at BG.
I will always remember this ride as my first “big boy coaster”
I freaking adore the writing on these videos. I don’t even know half of the attractions you talk about but the videos are so interesting and immersive, they are the best. The editing and writing are just amazing ❤️
Same! I have only ever had the opportunity to go to a theme park once in my life, Six Flags in Missouri, and I barely even remember it. So I am basically totally unfamiliar with every ride he talks about. But he just makes it so damn interesting! There's a couple Disneyland related channels I enjoy a lot too despite never having been to any of the Disney parks (I think Offhand Disney would probably have to be my favorite of those). I don't know what it is exactly that makes these videos so fascinating to me despite my lack of familiarity with anything they discuss. Good writing definitely plays a part, though.
At least this one was replaced by a good ride that honored what came before.
Maswartz226 yeah but, why replace it though... I’ve heard the ride was great and they just decide to replace it, while draken Fire’s plot of land was able to be used
BBW was expensive to maintain as I believe they only make the parts overseas now and it was probably cheaper to build verbolten using the same track layout ( mostly) and station as BBW Then to develop the drachen fire land again
Maswartz226 *cough cough* revenge of the mummy *cough cough*
Maswartz226 Verbolten is a fun ride with great themeing, though the track does rattle a little bit. It's also worth noting that it has the rare vertical track drop element, making it one of only 4 in the world, I believe.
Alex I'm British and the closest thing is th13teen at Alton towers. In fact verbolten is basically a rip-off of th13teen.
I loved Big Bad Wolf. One of my all-time favorite coasters. I worked as a performer at BGW in the mid-90s and rode "Wolfy" at least once a day. I was a near-perfect coaster, IMO.
fun fact, big bad wolf is still on the top 100 roller coaster list!
I can't get enough of this show! My husband just doesn't understand my excitement when I see your uploads 😁😁😁
my girlfriend either haha
I just found it and i already like it. From a business stand point it's interesting to see why things failed. Even rides must have good placement in parks things customers are not thinking about.
Yup. My wife doesn't ride a lot of coasters LOL.
Thank you for creating this video. I was there on the opening day for Big Bad Wolf. I’m a lifelong resident of the area and have been going to the park since the 1970’s. Busch made a really big deal about the premiere of this coaster. They hired Vincent Price to appear at the park on opening day. He was newly “hot” again, at the time, coming off of the success of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. This coaster was plagued with mechanical problems, and opening day was no exception. You couldn’t ride BBW on opening day. At the entrance to the park that day, all the guests were given a wordy, form letter explaining that the coaster was not going the be operating. At the end of the letter, Busch offered everyone the chance to use the letter for free admission to the park at a later date. Many people didn’t read that far into the letter and subsequently threw the letter into the garbage. My friends and I dug through the trashcans at the park that day and collected a stack of the letters, which we used to gain free admission to the park for the next couple of years. I remember being at the park many times, over the years, when the BBW was closed due to mechanical issues. I, and many people I know, got stuck on the coaster more than once. One time, I was riding in the front car and the ride came to a complete stop right as we were starting to descend into the last big drop. I was sitting there for at least 10 minutes while a bunch of wasps swarmed around me. They had likely built a nest close by. There was also a mechanism at the bottom of the last drop that sprayed riders with a mist of water (that is, when it was working properly). Other than the frequent mechanical issues, I believe that the ride ultimately faded away due to lack of interest from park goers. Even by the 1990’s it seemed that park regulars and locals with a season's pass had lost interest in the coaster. It was beautifully designed, and a cool concept, but in my opinion, the ride was kind of boring after the first couple of times riding it - and this was my thought as a 12 year old boy. Even the aging Lochness Monster was a much more exciting ride. Although I barely rode it in later years, I still kind of miss it being there. Nostalgia is a powerful force. Thanks again for making these videos.
That is a great story! I remember the mist machines--in that era there were strobe lights and, I think, fog in the Loch Ness Monster tunnel too.
Seconded.
1. I saw the scary commercials as a kid and thought that BBW would be a more exciting experience than it actually was when I rode it as a teen.
2. LNM was more thrilling.
3. In the early 1990s, there was virtually no line to ride BBW but you had to wait over 45 mins for a ride on DF.
Did you get stung by said wasps?
Part of the reason nobody rode it is because it was hidden! All other rides you can see from outside the park or throughout. But BBW was hidden in trees and so was its queues line. You had to walk between these other little games and such into the trees to find the line and you couldn’t see the ride at all unless you were walking under Loch Ness and heard the people screaming over lake for that brief second. Lol
When I was a little kid and my parents took me to Busch Gardens, I barely realized it was even a theme park. For the longest time, I just remembered it as that place where everyone pretended to be European for some reason.
Thank you so much for doing this episode!
Big Bad Wolf was the FIRST "big" coaster I ever rode. Before that, I had been deathly afraid of roller coasters. My parents practically dragged me onto this one. I can say I'm glad they did because as a first experience, it was a rush.
I'd always wanted to go back there and ride it again. I had no idea they had taken it down.
One thing I remember about the ride was the final drop to the river. I swear there was a water spray that came up out of the river to give you the feeling that you had come a LOT closer to it than you did. I might be mistaken in my memory, but I do recall this feature.
Busch Gardens was one heck of a trip, I was going to take my kids there a few years ago, but it just didn't work out. Maybe some day...
1:06 1902?! I was always under the impression that rollercoasters started in the 40's - 50's. I feel so out of the loop. I love this channel. I learn something new every episode.
Haha, out of the loop.
There are several coasters from the 1910s still in operation actually. Heres one for example.
rcdb.com/1136.htm
Go watch the Black Hole/Alton Towers and Son of Beast episodes as well - you'll see why
The first rollercoaster opened in 1817 at The Parc Beaujon in Paris. Though this was preceded by The Montana Rusas of Russia, being produced as far back as the 17th century. Currently the oldest surviving rollercoaster is Leap-The-Dips at Lakemont Park, PA, which has operated on and off since 1902.
There were even looping coasters from the 19th century up to about the 1920s, though they weren't very safe or comfortable. Then there was a long hiatus in which nobody dared try a coaster with an inversion until the mid-1970s, when tubular-steel construction and better design made it practical.
As a native of Central Pennsylvania, I'd like to see you guys do a video on the legendary theme park from my area. . . Hersheypark!
Julius von Brunk is Hersheypark better or worse than Kennywood ?
Dude, as your southern neighbor (maryland), I would also like to see a video on Hershey Park. IDK what he'd cover, but I am sure he'd find something cool in the history.
Heck yes! Until 2013, it was the only amusement park to which I'd ever been, & it's got an interesting history in it.
@@amazonstorm There are some defunct rides there--the ones dearest to my heart would be the Giant Wheel, and the Von Roll gondola skyride (yes, they had a big skyride in addition to the little one that's still there). Those Von Roll skyrides might be a good subject collectively, since so many of them are gone--I think Busch Gardens is still running theirs.
Sadly he hasn't done this, and it seems like he's not doing many actual theme park ride videos anymore, which is disappointing although I do enjoy his new content. I went to Hersheypark 4 times as a kid, I think it was my parents' idea of a replacement for never going to Disney. It was a lot of fun though, they had some great coasters and I was so excited each time I came back and had reached the next candy bar height level. I also distinctly remember choosing a giant Hershey's Kiss as my souvenir, spending days trying to finish the damn thing and semi-regretting my selection...then doing the same thing again the next time every time lol
Maaaaan that jab at XL-R8 at the end was like a knife to the heart as a native Texan. I miss Astroworld so much. :(
This was my favorite ride growing up. Thank you so much for this. As rough as it was, it was a classic. Hey, any chance you could do a history of Busch Gardens Williamsburg? Its so rich in history and I would love to see it properly produced by you.
Another edit: Verbolten is a worthy replacement. It isn't quite the nostalgia of Big Bad Wolf but it is my second favorite coaster in the park.
Yea it did get to be a bumpy ride towards it end, but in the beginning it was smooth!!
I’m so excited to finally see a defunctland on a ride I’ve actually ridden! It’s a weird and great feeling
Yeah! BBW was awesome. ( gotta admit I love verbolten too tho)
The only Defunctland episode I've seen of a ride that I've ridden is Disaster Transport.
Same, it was one of the first coasters I rode!
Sad to see this one come to an end. This was the first roller coaster I ever rode on with my dad. One thing your channel shows off better than any of the others that do segments like this, is that time is always moving forward, and things are changing whether we want them too or not. As always another fantastic video Kevin.
Stephen LaRoche This was also my first roller coaster. My dad convinced me to go on it with him when I was 7 and it started a lifelong love of coasters. I was excited to see it featured.
Stephen LaRoche I wish I could of rode this when I went but I didn’t realize till I got there that it was gone
Ditto to all of that!
How was the ride on big bad wolf I wish I could have rode big bad wolf but why replace it with a dumb veterbolten
Quinton Parchment verboten is actually a really cool ride too it’s hard to describe roller coasters and what they do with words
I still have my "Big Bad Wolf" sweatshirt. I chose that as my one allowable souvenir for the year.
I remember everyone howling like a wolf as you leave the station!
The Big Bad Wolf was the first coaster I ever rode and got me into riding coasters in general. Great vid, brought back some great memories.
Same here bro.
Mine too. I LOVED it, even though it totally banged your head around.
It' was my first grownup Coaster, still sad that they got rid of it.
Should've been lochness smh
Same! Remember the day they shut it down to turn it into Verbolten
So glad to see this! One of my favorite memories is introducing my 12 year old niece to roller coasters on the Big Bad Wolf. It poured that morning but we were, fortunately, grabbing a snack in Italy when it started. When the rain let up, the park was almost empty. We were the ONLY people in line for the BBW when it reopened. She was scared but I convinced her to go by saying she'd have bragging rights with her friends that we got first car. When we pulled back into the station, there was no one there. We went again. After 4 or 5 rides, folks wandered in and we gave up first car. By then she had caught the fever. We rode BBW 27 times (no, I'm not exaggerating) before the crowd was big enough for us to need to exit. She talks about it to this day!
I live in VA and I visit Busch Gardens all the time. It's absolutely one of my favorite parks of all time, because the rides are awesome there. My favorite must be Alpengist. But anyways, I'm happy you made a video on this and many other videos that are apart of my childhood. I love your channel so much with love ❤️
I rode this coaster and Drachen Fire in the early 90's. I grew up in Ohio, and spent every summer at Cedar Point (home to another Arrow-designed inverted coaster, the Iron Dragon, which is shown at the end of this video and still operating), so it was particularly surprising to find that the lines for these two coasters were incredibly short. I remember riding Drachen Fire 10 times in about 30 minutes. A couple of times I got to ride multiple times in a row as there was no one waiting in line, and the other times I just had to run down and back up to the waiting area. I couldn't figure out why these coasters were so empty. But it was great to ride them so many times. Seeing the video of the drop into/over the water really brings back memories.
For now it’s operating these trains are hard to duplicate and parts must be expensive along with Schwarzkopf coasters remaining those trains are unique too
I thought that was Iron Dragon I saw!
That was my first coaster I ever went on, but my first "real" coaster I ever went on was the Magnum XL... By myself.
As a 12 year old...
Fun times 😂😂
Iron dragon is sick! Only issue with it is how many damn stairs you have to climb to get to the platform.
Great content, probably the best theme park channel on CZcams. I was lucky enough to ride this coaster before it was demolished. Miss the park being operated by Anheuser Busch though :/
I miss KD being ran be paramount
Wow, that post credit scene....Marvel who? Kevin is coming for your brand.
Kevin is the name of the guy who runs the MCU.
Krombopulos Michael Life imitates art.
I remember riding this ride a lot as a kid. I fucking loved it. And I kind of cried when the ride closed.
I loved “The Big Bad Wolf” awesome roller coaster.
Verbolten is a fun ride,with its references to Big Bad Wolf and theming. But Big Bad Wolf will be remembered and no suspended coaster can beat it. Great video
Nol Dur Although I'm sure they try. Cedar Point keeps pumping out coasters like there's no tomorrow.
I take it you aren't familiar with Eagle Fortress.
Christopher Sobieniak True, they’ll probably come up with something innovative in the suspended coaster department sooner or later.
I never been to Busch gardens Williamsburg put why tear down big bad wolf for a dumb veterbolten, why couldn't they have torn down nessie
About time Six Flags gets the defunctland treament, I can't wait for the Astroworld episode
Or New Orleans
Zachary Woodman that will be cool too but I think he hinted at the next episode being Astroworld at the very end of the video
I'd like to see a defunctland of Freedomland in the Bronx.
Man I remember riding this with my family when I was a kid. Even though I was/still an afraid if rollercoasters, I really enjoyed this one. One of my favorite experiences
just being honest,, verbolten is still one of my all time favorite roller coasters ever lol
SAME! It was the first 'adult' (I was like 9 when I rode this) roller coaster ever
I've ridden verbolten, and wolf. The wolf is definitely better, but that's not to say verbolten doesn't have it's quirks.
Same verbolten is my absolutely favorite ride!
I loved this. The Wolf was one of my favorite coasters, even though I’ve only ridden it a few times. My dad once lost his sunglasses on the big river drop. I remember going there in 2009 for the final year, and still getting the same thrills as years before. We were sad to see it close.
I love the little teaser for XLR-8 too. I think you should dedicate an entire Defunctland episode to all of Astroworld. That park had an incredible lineup of unique coasters.
And lastly, since we’re still on Busch Gardens, I’d love to see an episode about the recently-closed Curse Of DarKastle. It’s one of those dark rides that everyone seemed to love, but I never got to ride myself.
What? It was open last Howloscream. Wth?
Curse of DarKastle was always one of my favorite rides. It was air conditioned so you could escape the heat of the summer, and it stayed open even in bad weather. I was super sad to see it go...
The Big Bad Wolf was fun the first time ever riding it but it was pretty boring overall. The novelty wore off for many of us.
Hol up, they closed DarKastle? When?
I KNOW DARKASTLE WENT SO SUDDENLY!!! I was always scared of it as a kid but grew to love it’s corny jokes and sweet sweet air conditioning. I really wanted to share it with my friend last summer, only to find that it had recently closed 😞
Well done, Kevin. I've been a loyal follower of Defunctland since the very first episode, and each upload is seemingly better than the next. You've made Monday into one of the best days of the week, so keep up the good work!
I immediately thought that I recognized this design and had ridden it before. The Bat at King's Island is a sister coaster to Vortex at Canada's Wonderland, which I am very familiar with. I love Vortex.
this is the first rollercoaster i’ve ever been on when i was a young kid, and even tho it closed down a couple years ago it’s still my favorite ride
I love how each episode feels distinct from each other makes all the video's stand out. Very nice
Holy crap it finally came!
And honestly, I hate BGW's reasoning for removing the ride. People loved it. Saying "end of it's service life" while having Nessie in the same park is kind of dumb. It also gives us no *good* reason as to why it closed.
Same! I think the only reason they’ve kept Nessie is because it’s still the first and only locking loop coaster. BBW was my first coaster as a kid and I loved it. I really miss it too.
I wish they didn't remove big bad wolf but maybe they learned to go with what the public favors. I go to BGW frequently and people in the park still talk about missing big bad wolf.
I think the problem was more that they wouldn't be able to get the parts to keep it up. I can see keeping up Nessie because it's such a historic coaster. But having two coasters with high upkeep costs might have been too costly.
Generally, when something reaches the end of its service life, it means its reached the point where the costs of maintaining and servicing it have reached the tipping point of its commercial/economic value.
It doesn't mean its irredeemable, but that it could be prohibitively expensive to do so, such as if it needs to be completely refurbished or even rebuilt, which can potentially be more expensive than creating something brand new.
So its not as straight forward as pure age. A newer, but mechanically more complex, design may end up with a shorter service life by the higher maintenance requirements adding up more quickly. It wouldn't strike me as surprising that suspended roller-coasters that have to pivot and swing are going to become more expensive to run more quickly than a conventional design.
The Loch Ness Monster probably costs a lot less to maintain (parts and such) since it's a standard tried and true design. And the first drop is excellent.
I recall riding the Big Bad Wolf when I was a boy - that and the Loch Ness Monster were both amazing coasters. I'm sad to hear that it is no longer around.
I got to ride this when it was still fairly new. When I was a kid, my family went to "The Old Country" after a visit to relatives in Virginia.
Since we lived in Illinois, I had been to Great America several times but I was still afraid to go on any "big" roller coasters. My parents dragged me onto this one and didn't let me out of it. I'm glad they did. I enjoyed it so much I asked to go right back on it, and I remember asking again at the end of the day. This has given me one of my most vivid roller coaster memories, of swooping through the "village", climbing the hill, and plunging down toward the river and getting hit by a spray jet as we circled around the bottom.
The Big Bad Wolf was my first "big" coaster, and to this day remains my favorite experience. Sadly, it was an experience I wasn't able to give my children many years later when we were in the area. The ride had been gone from many years before (as you said, replaced by Verboten) and our vacation plans had to change as well. My kids got to see Philadelphia instead. The Liberty Bell and Edgar Allen Poe's house are not nearly as thrilling as a roller coaster...
I LOVE THE TEASERS AT THE END OF THE NEW EPISODES
If Last Episode’s Teaser Was For The Big Bad Wolf, I’m Excited For TheNext Episode About Astroworld
5:10 The Big Bad Wolf: The new line in the J Peterman range coming this summer along with the Urban Sombrero.
I remember breaking my nose on thay last drop when I was 8. Good times.
French here. I was lucky enough to travel to the US as a teenager twice with most of my English classmates: in 1990 and in 1992. We visited Busch Garden there, which was funny because back then, this park had the same name as the former president (not the same, I know, but remember that I was a French learning English). I rode the "Big Bad Wolf" as much as I could only one day (and the Lock Ness Monster). I hated the "24 heures du Mans" in the French part of Europe. This roller coaster still has a great place in my heart. I loved and still love it very much.
Ninja at Six Flags Magic Mountain is still in operation after 30 years.
The Iron Dragon at Cedar Point still is, too. 32 years this June!
Growing up in Virginia, this was a classic of my childhood and early teens. I have to admit that I was one of those who threw around wild stories I heard about people getting decapitated by the coaster's swinging cars. I also remember hearing that the cars originally skimmed the water on the main drop. Looking back, I was probably the gullible victim of having older brothers.
My favorite ride as a young kid scared to death of costers. Feeling so nervous, then screaming my head off as I realised how friggin high we were on that first drop! I can't believe I forgot about that until this video. Thanks for bringing an old memory back from the past!!
I was 8 when it closed down but it feels like I rode it yesterday. That was the staying power of this ride.
It would have been nice to specifically mention all 5 remaining:
1. The Bat (Kings Island)
2. Ninja (Magic Mountain)
3. Vortex (Canada's Wonderland)
4. Iron Dragon (Cedar Point)
5. Vampire (Chessington World of Adventures - later modified to also be floorless and essentially be an inverted roller coaster from a rider perspective)
Ben drdisque vampire is legit boring -- inverted coasters in the uk are arguably more common than normal ones.
So apparently, and quite inadvertently, I've ridden on 60% of those remaining suspended coasters - The Bat (when it was still Top Gun), Iron Dragon, and Ninja.
Ninja has almost the exact same track layout also. Easily my favorite ride at magic mountain.
Funnily despite its age, Vortex is still one of the most liked and most ridden coasters at Wonderland
As a kid The Vampire was the best! Havent ridden it in about 20 years tho...
I'm digging the new intro. At least they closed the ride instead of letting it run until an accident happened.
Justin Y. good your the real one not the faker. STOP SHOWING UP EVERYWHERE
Yo why do you have all the same interests as me
Justin Y. I'm suppose that's one bright spot in all this.
YOU
PLEASE STAHP
The big bad wolf was my very first roller coaster when I was 6, it was so cool and scary when I was that age. 10 years later I came back and though I was sad it was no longer there, verbolten was seriously cool. I know my dad sure got some intense motion sickness from it 😂 I think I even got the big bad wolf track
I’m still sad that it’s gone. It was my first “real” rollercoaster as a little kid and I would go on it at least 10 times in a row. It was such a huge part of my childhood and sometimes I remember it and get sad again.
Can I just say I love your new title cards for the Season 2 episodes?
Being from Southeast Texas, that last jab at *XL-R8* hit me square in the feels.
I made it back to 'Busch Gardens' VA this year for the first time since the coaster has been defunct. I could not believe it was gone! I remember, 1998, when I was a fourth grader, and all the 5th graders had just gotten home from their BIG end of year trip aka "Fifth Grade Trip" to Williamsburg/Busch Gardens. All the kids in the neighborhood were at the dead end street listening to Brian Wilson and Brittany Parker tell us all about it! The biggest most exciting part being 'The Big Bad Wolf' (and special mention 'Escape to Pompei'). All the older kids whod already had their own trip were confirming all the stories and everyone under 10 were just in listening awe. Then early in my fifth grade year we were already talking about our own "Fifth Grade Trip" and who would ride Coasters, most importantly 'The Big Bad Wolf"! Finally the day came and I tell you everything Brian and Brittany said was true... "A wolf with red eyes chases you, its so deep in the woods its always as dark as night, and you plunge straight in to the lake" lol. Somehow we survived. My 5th grade year was the premier of 'Apollos Chariot' which was really the star of the day (and my own "Fifth grade trip" dead end street story) . I will never forget 'Big Bad Wolf' though and I'm so sad it is gone. I am really thankful for your video. I am so happy you are giving all these old rides a proper burial and memorial
I was so scared of coasters as a kid but still love Big Bad Wolf. Just seeing the pov gave me so much nostalgia
WHO'S AFRAID OF THE BIG BAD WOLF???
ME. CAUSE I WANT TO LIVE.
hahaha Woohoo! I loved the classic coaster episodes from Season 1. So many crazy coaster stories. Great episode dude!
La la la la la?
No
Thank you for this. Been watching your videos for a long while and the teaser at the end of your latest episode made me so happy, I immediately recognized that snippet of the commercial!
Big Bad Wolf was my first roller coaster and as fate would have it, we got stopped at the top of the first lift hill due to a sudden torrential downpour. I'll never forget my first ride, sitting in that metal roofed car listening to the rain, scared out of my mind at the top of the hill.
Thank you again for this episode, brought a tear to my eye.
Oh my Gosh... I had completely forgotten about this ride. I went on this YEARS ago and all the memories came flooding back. Sad to hear it's gone!
One of my favorite coasters of all time! The theming, drop over water, terrain were all part of what made this ride great. Yea it's nothing over the top or even slightly intense but not all coasters have to be to be entertaining! Also this is one of my favorite channels on CZcams, the research and content in all of these videos is top notch! 🌕🐺🎢🏚
This made me tire up. This was the first rollercoaster I ever road. It broke my heart when it closed.
And yes I was afraid of the big bad wolf (at least at the time)
tear*
rode*
Did you fail English at school?
Big Bad Wolf was definitely my favorite rollercoaster of all time, and I still miss it pretty dearly. The theme of it was simple, yet easy to love - especially with the feeling that you would crash into the village buildings! Makes me sad that they decided to remove it.
This was my first rollercoaster. I was absolutely terrified. My dad (who didn't ride anything the entire time we were there, he just sat and read the paper as my mother, sister, and I went around the park) said he would ride with me. On the ride he had his newspaper with his finger bookmarking a page in one hand and my souvenir cup in the other. I remember it so vividly.
The Big Bad Wolf has a special place in my heart. It was the first real roller coaster I ever went on, serving as an important gateway coaster to the bigger, faster, scarier ones I love now. It was also the only coaster I got to ride with my father before he died. What I’d give to go one one more run with him...
Busch Gardens was one of my favorite parks growing up. Have you looked into Kings Dominion at all? I remember they had this crazy animatronic Smurf Moutain ride.
I think that became Volcano: The Ride, right?
im honestly not sure. the last time i went i was really young. there was still hanna barbera theming haha. I also remember this haunted water ride. it terrified me but it was probably dumb.
Yep. I rode that kiddie dark ride when it was "Land of the Dooz". The fake mountain was originally called The Lost World. There were three rides in it: Land of the Dooz, a water ride called Voyage to Atlantis, and a Gravitron/Rotor type ride called the Time Shaft.
Before very long Voyage to Atlantis became The Haunted River, and later Land of the Dooz became Smurf Mountain. And later they ripped them all out and replaced them with Volcano: The Blast Coaster, which launches under the mountain and pops out of the top like you are the magma. I haven't been there since they did that...
this is the water ride im talking about czcams.com/video/ChsO65IzLYY/video.html
An animatronic Smurfs ride sounds horrifying.
This was my first coaster and my brothers first coaster. It was one of the few living memories we had of our mother. I remember standing there and crying the last season knowing they were dismantling Big Bad Wolf. I steal get teary eyed about it. They aren't just coasters they are memories, experiences.
This is the first coaster you have covered that I remember riding. I got sick on this one as a kid. I’m from DC and took many trips to Bush Gardens. I’m loving your work this series is awesome.
This was actually my very first coaster experience outside of maybe Disneyland in the mid nineties. Honestly why I still love coasters to this day.
Oh lord... The nostalgia! The Wolf was my favorite ride for many years until Alpengeist. Man I miss it.
I was absolutely terrified of the Big Bad Wolf, but am proud to say it was my first real rollercoaster! Verbolten is an amazing ride with a great catchphrase “Auf Wiedersehen!” Which will be stuck in your head days after riding
Big Bad Wolf was the first rollercoaster I rode on. I would always ride it when my family went to Busch. I was sad to see it go, but Verbolten is worthy successor.
Batman & Robin: The Chiller at Six Flags Great Adventure would make for a cool Defunctland episode
Stepkama15 was just thinking that during this video and then saw your comment, that ride brings back so many memories!!
COOL. I see what you did there. No one else mentioned it though. I’m sorry for the chilly reception.
This was the first roller coaster I ever rode. Followed immediately by Drachenfire. I loved them both. They hold a special place in my childhood heart.
Always was and will always be one of my favorites. The little nods to it in Verbolten really hit that nostalgia for me.
It was the first roller coaster I ever rode, I was scared of coasters till I rode it now i can't get enough. This ride has a special place in my heart, it was sad to here it go.
Aw this was the first real roller coaster i ever rode when i was a kid🥺
This was my favorite ride growing up. I was heartbroken when they closed it for good 😞
Big Bad Wolf was the first coaster I ever rode and the one that made me into a coaster fanatic. I'll always have a soft spot for it in my heart. Gone but not forgotten
One of the first coasters I ever rode... It'll always be special to me
It's sad to see it gone now. Me and the Wolf have a history. It was the very first roller coaster I had ever went on.
Your series is honestly the biggest reason I enjoy theme park history as much as I do. Always look forward to these episodes!
I LOVED the Big Bad Wolf as a child! Such a fantastic coaster and you REALLY thought you would hit those damn houses!! :)
I know right, always felt like you were going to hit the buildings... l miss that ride!!
Big Bad Wolf was the first (and to this day, only) roller coaster I ever went on. It holds a very special place in my heart, despite the fact it made little me sob so hard in terror I literally could not breathe.
Thank you so much for this. Despite the earth-shattering fear I felt in that moment, this video brought back the good memories of that day.
Keep these coming if you can! They always provide just the right amount of information to keep you interested but not bored like i find with other CZcams documentaries.