While writing the first installment of the Influential Coasters of My Childhood series, I began to insert a “modern take” section at the conclusion of the blog. The more I thought about it, the more I decided I wanted that portion to be its own blog. So here you have my modern take on a coaster I once loved as a child. Have my views changed? Find out…
Related Article: “Influential Coasters of My Childhood – Loch Ness Monster” – June 20, 2022
Ever since visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW) for the first time on a family vacation in 1991, I have been enamored with the park. The atmosphere, the food, the shows, and of course, the rides have always been top notch. If I’m being honest though, it was the Big Bad Wolf and Loch Ness Monster that cemented my fondness of BGW at the age of 12. Even though those were the only coasters in the park at the time, they were memorable experiences and had me bragging about them, and the park, to all my friends.
A little over a week ago I covered my earliest memories about Loch Ness Monster in “Influential Coasters of My Childhood – Loch Ness Monster.” If you haven’t had a chance to read that yet, I encourage you to do so before moving on. I will be discussing how things have aged over the 31 years since that initial visit. I also encourage you to check out my thoughts on the Big Bad Wolf and it’s replacement, Verbolten, once you’re done here. I covered them as part of this series back in March 2021. I’ll leave the links as the conclusion this blog. Now, let’s talk Loch Ness Monster, or as the park regulars call it, Nessie.
My Love for Nessie
For those of you who follow my Pin Collection, you know that BGW pins make up almost 1/7 of my entire collection. The park is constantly releasing new ride pins and series that I try my hardest to scoop up as soon as possible. Add in the buttons I came across on eBay and Nessie is well represented within my collection, as you can see. That being said, there are a few I haven’t managed to find as of yet, but they’re always on my radar.
Aside from my Nessie pins one my most treasured coaster-related item is the woodcut I commissioned from Dave Taylor’s 3D Wood Art. The 3-foot by 3-foot piece is a slight altercation of the ride’s 40th anniversary logo. I removed the festive kazoo and the 40th anniversary text, replacing it with “The Old Country.” Be sure to check out Dave’s page for more of his amazing work.
If you’re asking why I included this in my Modern Take on Nessie it was to cement how much I love this ride. Whenever I add a new Nessie pin, or buy the newest Loch Ness shirt from The Emporium at BGW, a flood of memories from the last 31 years come to the forefront. This truly is one of the most Influential Coasters of My Childhood and remains one of the most important coasters of my adulthood.
With that out of the way, let’s get into the ride itself.
The Ride Experience Still Holds Up
Let’s kick things off with something many others echo about Loch Ness Monster – it’s one of the better running Arrow Dynamics coasters in operation today. I still give slight nods to Tennessee Tornado at Dollywood and Canyon Blaster at the Adventuredome on smoothness, but Nessie is 15 and 20 years older than those two coasters respectively. Nessie also is a longer, coming in at 3,240 feet of track, compared to Tennessee Tornado at 2,682 feet and Canyon Blaster at 2,423 feet. Canyon Blaster is also located indoors and I’m guessing is a lot easier to maintain. So kudos to BGW for the tender loving care they’ve given their iconic coaster, especially with its challenging location over the Rhine River and on steep hillsides.
You can see for yourself the amazing condition this coaster is kept by in watching the POV I filmed (above) back in April. I ask you to keep in mind that this POV was the first one I ever recorded using my GoPro’s hand mount. There are a few areas where the coaster looks like it hits potholes, but those moments are not at all violent. It was just so hard to keep my hand steady at several points throughout the ride. Sadly, my chest-mounted footage was a lot smoother, but was less appealing since I was sitting so far down inside the train. And speaking of trains…
Nessie's Trains
In 2018 BGW replaced the trains on Loch Ness Monster with ones produced by S&S Worldwide. They appear very similar to the Arrow-made trains we are all used to, but they feel like they offer a bit more space and a slightly more comfortable seat. This may vary person to person, but this train feels more roomy and comfy than say, the train on Anaconda at Kings Dominion or Carolina Cyclone at Carowinds.
While I do like these S&S trains, I wonder if the newer trains being used on Vekoma Boomerangs and Blue Hawk at Six Flags Over Georgia can be made to work on Arrow track? I feel like they could, but I am not aware of an instance where that has happened yet. If anyone is aware of one, or know if the trains can indeed fit, please let me know.
I strongly feel that coasters such as Loch Ness Monster, Anaconda, Carolina Cyclone, and other Arrows featuring over the shoulder restraints would instantly become a more enjoyable experience using the vests found on the Vekoma trains. Sidewinder, now Jolly Rancher Remix, at Hersheypark and Sea Serpent at Morey’s Piers certainly are much improved.
Continued Upkeep of Entrance & Queue Props
One thing that breaks my heart is when you see amusement parks starting to neglect the theming of an older ride or one that is experiencing a decline in popularity. Thankfully that is not at all the case when it comes to Loch Ness Monster. I fell in love with the numerous props I saw at the ride’s entrance and throughout the queue as a child. They intrigued me and helped tell the story of the ride I was about to experience for the first time. Then the second and third times through those lines, I kept seeing things I missed the first time around. I loved it.
It’s been years since I’ve waited in a line outside the station for Nessie. Still, those props are still there and still plentiful. I’m glad they haven’t removed them or let them get weathered and fall into disrepair. They keep them looking up-to-date and I wouldn’t doubt, replace some from time to time – especially the signage telling the story of the expeditions and legends found here and down along the river.
During my visit to BGW last week I made sure to stop and take a couple of photos of these props since I knew I’d be discussing them in this Modern Take follow up. I wanted to show just how well-maintained these items are. One day I hope to have access to see all the props around the back side and photograph them in more detail.
Lack of Special Effects... Why?
Years ago, long before We Were Inverted was an idea in my head, I visited BGW and eagerly jumped onto Loch Ness Monster. That’s the day I noticed something off – literally… off. The special effects inside the cave portion of the ride were nowhere to be found. No fog/mist, no strobe lights, and thus, no vision of Nessie going around the helix. I was bummed, but I figured that the park was working on them or something and had them turned off during repairs/updates.
A few years later I’d visit again and once more, no effects. At this point in time I was starting to focus more and more on this hobby and found web sites talking coasters. This was still before the advent of social media so things were a little harder to find, but they were there for those who looked. One thing I was seeing on these sites people asking about Nessie’s special effects. They were wondering the same thing I was, with a few out there wondering if they had imagined it like some sort of Mandela Effect. People in the comments, however, assured them that was not the case and the effects had indeed been missing for a while. Sadly they still are to this day with some saying they made a brief return during one of the ride’s anniversaries.
I cannot seem to find any concrete answer as to why the park no longer features the effects in the cave. There is speculation about them being off due to the strobe lights, but Verbolten uses flashing lights inside its show building, so I can’t see that being the case. I’d ask if anyone knows why this is the case, but I feel it would just be more speculation at this point. All I do know is it is missed and I hope the park seriously considers bringing it back. And if the ride did indeed have them for an anniversary, I’m guessing they can bring them back. Fingers crossed!
The Monster Stirs at Night
Is there a coaster at BGW that doesn’t offer an amazing night ride? Every major coaster at the park, with the exception of Tempesto, goes for a darkened journey throughout the park’s lush landscape when the sun goes down. While no longer my favorite night ride at the park, Nessie still holds up in this regard. I found it amazing, along with Big Bad Wolf, when I was 12, and now that I’m 43, I still find the night rides enjoyable. As a matter of fact, it’s a must. Going out into the dark and only seeing those illuminated loops throughout the journey is such a unique experience.
For those not on the coaster, walking along the Rhine River during the day is a breathtaking experience. At night though, it’s next level. I find it a bit eerie down along the water a night. It’s so dark and it feels like the Monster can come up out of the water at any time to get you. Speaking of those illuminated loops, is there a more photogenic coaster element anywhere in the world? I say no.
An Epic Ride? No. Historic? Yes.
When I was 12 Loch Ness Monster was truly an epic ride. It felt so long, so intense, and so unique. While its uniqueness still holds true, the ride has been surpassed in so many ways, even by other rides in the park. Alpengeist has long been my favorite coaster at BGW and for many of the same reasons as Nessie back in 1991. The theming, the setting, and ride experience also wowed me on Alpengeist and does to this day. Still, Nessie holds a special place in my heart that cannot be forgotten.
Riding Nessie is still a must whenever I visit the park. I get a sense of history on each and every ride, whether that is my own memories of riding the coaster for 31 years and counting, or the ride’s and park’s history going back even further. Nessie is one of a kind and a ride that should not be skipped. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of Arrow coasters, give this one a chance. It might not have the same sentimental value for you as it does for me and so many others, but any coaster enthusiast with an appreciation for history would be elated to have this credit on their lists.
Thank you BGW for giving this ride the love and updates it deserves. Maybe one day the full experience can return with the special effects restored for all to enjoy. I loved it so much as a kid and I’m sure all the children visiting the park today would love it just as much. What do you say BGW?
For those of you who missed the Big Bad Wolf entries into this series, please check out the links below. Big Bad Wolf was the first entry in the Influential Coasters of My Childhood series where I discussed a now-defunct coaster. The Modern Take follow up focuses on Verbolten instead and discusses whether or not I find it to be a worthy successor:
- (05.13.2021) “Influential Coasters of My Childhood – Big Bad Wolf“
- (05.29.2021) “Modern Take on Influential Coasters of My Childhood – Big Bad Wolf“
