View source for Apollo's Chariot

{{short description| Roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg}}
{{about|the roller coaster|the mythological chariot of Apollo|Solar deity}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox roller coaster
| name                 = Apollo's Chariot
| logo                 = Apollo's Chariot logo.png
| logodimensions       = 180px
| image                = Apollo's Chariot (Busch Gardens Europe) 01.jpg
| imagedimensions      = 250px
| caption              = The first drop of Apollo's Chariot is at an angle of 65°.
| previousnames        =
| location             = Busch Gardens Williamsburg
| locationarticle      = <!--Must not be linked.-->
| section              = Festa Italia
| subsection           = <!--Should be linked.-->
| coordinates          = {{coord|37.23480|N|76.64130|W|type:landmark|display=title,inline}}
| status               = Operating
| opened               = {{Start date|1999|3|27}}
| soft_opened          = 
| year                 = 1999
| closed               = <!--Use {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| cost                 = US$20 million
| previousattraction   =
| replacement          =
| type                 = Steel
| type2                = <!--Must not be linked, will auto-categorize the coaster.-->
| type3                = <!--Must not be linked, will auto-categorize the coaster.-->
| manufacturer         = Bolliger & Mabillard
| designer             = [[Werner Stengel]]
| model                = [[Hyper Coaster]]
| track                = [[Out and Back roller coaster|Out and Back]]/[[Terrain roller coaster|Terrain]]
| lift                 = Chain [[lift hill]]
| height_ft            = 170
| drop_ft              = 210
| length_ft            = 4882
| speed_mph            = 73
| inversions           = 0
| duration             = 2:15
| angle                = 65
| capacity             = 1,750
| acceleration         = <!--Expression in full form e.g. "X to Y mph (χ to ψ km/h) in Z seconds". -->
| acceleration_from    = <!--Initial speed in mph or km/h defaults to zero, only numeric characters-->
| acceleration_mph     = <!--Final speed in mph may contain only numeric characters-->
| acceleration_km/h    = <!--Final speed in km/h may contain only numeric characters-->
| acceleration_in      = <!--Number of seconds may contain words -->
| gforce               = 4.1
| restriction_in       = 52
| trains               = 3
| carspertrain         = 9
| rowspercar           = 1
| ridersperrow         = 4
| virtual_queue_name   = Quick Queue
| virtual_queue_image  = Quick Queue availability logo (Busch Gardens).svg
| virtual_queue_status = available
| single_rider         = available
| accessible           = <!--Must be "available" if available.-->
| transfer_accessible  = <!--Must be "available" if available.-->
| video                = Apollos Chariot Busch Gardens Williamsburg B&M Hyper POVs.webm
| custom_label_1       =
| custom_value_1       =
| custom_label_2       =
| custom_value_2       =
| rcdb_number          = 531
}}

'''Apollo's Chariot''' is a [[steel roller coaster]] at the [[Busch Gardens Williamsburg]] amusement park in [[James City County, Virginia]], United States. The ride was the first [[Hyper Coaster]] designed by [[Switzerland|Swiss]] firm [[Bolliger & Mabillard]]. It officially opened to the public on March 27, 1999.<ref name="RCDB" /> This coaster is themed to the Greek and Roman god [[Apollo]], who is the god of the sun, music, and healing. Apollo used his chariot to control the directions of the sun. 

The {{convert|4882|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} ride is characterized by eight [[air-time]] hills, with heights ranging between {{Convert|49|and|131|ft|m}}. Riders ascend {{Convert|170|ft}} on the [[chain lift hill]] before dropping {{Convert|210|ft}} at an angle of 65°. Apollo's Chariot has been well received, consistently ranking in the top 10 of the annual [[Golden Ticket Awards]] from ''[[Amusement Today]]''.

==History==
Apollo's Chariot was announced on September 5, 1998, as the tallest and fastest roller coaster at [[Busch Gardens Williamsburg]].<ref name=Announcement>{{cite news|last=Deacle|first=Robin|title=New Ride Not For Mere Mortals|url=https://www.dailypress.com/1998/09/05/new-ride-not-for-mere-mortals/|access-date=January 28, 2013|newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]]|date=September 5, 1998|archive-date=May 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531185703/http://articles.dailypress.com/1998-09-05/news/9809050076_1_busch-gardens-chariot-facts-ride|url-status=live}}</ref> An article in the ''[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]]'' on January 23, 1999, mentioned that the ride was nearing completion with approximately 20 pieces of track left to be installed.<ref name="January construction">{{cite news|last=Deacle|first=Robin|title=Sweet Chariot|url=https://www.dailypress.com/1999/01/23/sweet-chariot/|access-date=January 8, 2013|newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]]|date=January 23, 1999}}</ref> Apollo's Chariot performed its first test runs in mid-February 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/archives/february99/news_feb99.shtml|title=Busch Gardens Williamsburg Starts Testing Apollo's Chariot|publisher=Ultimate Rollercoaster}}</ref>

The ride opened on March 27, 1999.<ref name="RCDB" /> Upon opening, it was the first [[hypercoaster]] from Swiss manufacturer [[Bolliger & Mabillard]].<ref name="HC search">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Roller Coaster Search Results|location=Hyper Coaster|url=http://rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&mo=8314|access-date=February 10, 2013}}</ref> Busch Gardens held Apollo's Chariot's opening ceremony three days later on March 30.<ref name="Rivenburg 1999" /><ref name="n108288732" /> Italian fashion model [[Fabio Lanzoni]] was brought in to promote the new roller coaster; this was part of Busch Gardens Williamsburg's annual program of celebrity appearances.<ref name="n108288907">{{Cite news |last=Holtzclaw |first=Mike |date=March 26, 1999 |title=Fabio an advertising Apollo for Busch Gardens' Chariot |pages=36, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108288952/ 37] |work=Daily Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108288907/fabio-an-advertising-apollo-for-busch/ |access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref> During the ride's inaugural run, a 10-pound goose struck him in the face leaving his nose covered with blood. He was treated at a nearby hospital for minor cuts, while the goose was killed on impact. In 2021, he  clarified that the goose hit a camera and a piece of that camera hit him in the face.<ref name="Rivenburg 1999">{{cite news|last=Rivenburg|first=Roy|title=Fabio Survives Goose Encounter, but Take a Gander at His Honker|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-apr-09-cl-25542-story.html|access-date=June 9, 2015|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 9, 1999}}</ref><ref name=n108288732>{{Cite news|last=Holtzclaw|first=Mike|date=March 31, 1999|title=Bird flies in face of Apollo's debut|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108288767/ 6]|work=Daily Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108288732/bird-flies-in-face-of-apollos/|access-date=August 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=March 31, 1999 |title=Bird slams into Fabio's face |publisher=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/News/9903/31/showbuzz/ |access-date=April 27, 2007}}</ref> A reproduction simulation in 2024 concluded that it was unlikely the goose struck Lanzoni directly in the face.<ref>{{cite AV media |last=Fingers |first=Bobby |date=May 15, 2024 |title= Fabio and the Goose |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RIEPKEhE2s|format=video |language= English |location=Austin, TX |publisher=YouTube |access-date=May 18, 2025}}</ref>

==Characteristics==
The {{convert|4882|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} Apollo's Chariot is a [[Hyper Coaster]] made by [[Bolliger & Mabillard]]. The park's existing [[Terrain roller coaster|terrain]] is utilized to allow a {{Convert|170|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} [[lift hill]] to be translated into a first drop stretching {{Convert|210|ft}}. With a top speed of {{Convert|73|mph}}, the ride features eight [[air-time]] hills. Riders of Apollo's Chariot experience up to 4.1 times the [[G-force|force of gravity]] on the 2-minute, 15-second ride. Apollo's Chariot operates with three trains with nine cars per train. Riders are arranged four across in a single row for a total of 36 riders per train. This configuration of trains allows for a theoretical capacity of 1,750 riders per hour.<ref name="RCDB">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Apollo's Chariot|location=Busch Gardens Williamsburg|rcdb_number=531|access-date=June 28, 2012}}</ref> Riders are restrained by a lap bar and the seats are elevated so riders’ feet don't touch the ground.<ref name=Announcement />

==Ride experience==
{{Stack|[[File:Apollos Chariot small drop.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|The final drop on Apollo's Chariot]]}}
After departing from the [[station (roller coaster)|station]], the station will spiel the send-off recording "Thank you and enjoy your voyage to the sun on the wings of Apollo's Chariot!" as the [[train (roller coaster)|train]] begins to climb the {{convert|170|ft|adj=on}} [[chain lift hill]] while loudspeakers play the official theme song.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxhXw2j5snw|title=Apollo's Chariot (Music from Busch Gardens)|publisher=SeaWorld Attraction}}</ref> When the train reaches the top, it drops down a few feet in a [[pre-drop]]. The pre-drop serves to reduce the stress and pull of the chain. After the pre-drop, the train goes down a {{convert|210|foot|m}} drop toward a water-filled ravine at a 65-degree angle and reaches a top speed of {{convert|73|mph}}. At the end of the ravine, the train enters a second airtime hill with a {{convert|131|ft|adj=on}} drop. A short, narrow, above-ground tunnel is at the bottom of the second drop. After the tunnel, the train descends a {{convert|144|ft|adj=on}} drop, which banks to the left as it descends. The train then goes through an upward helix. Coming out of the helix, the train drops {{convert|102|ft|m}} then turns right and rises up into the [[mid-course brake run]]. The train drops {{convert|48|ft|m}} out of the brake run followed by another drop at {{convert|87|ft|m}} toward the ravine. The train then banks right, makes a {{convert|38|ft|adj=on}} dip, turns left and goes through a small {{convert|16|ft|adj=on}} dip. The train then makes one last {{convert|49|ft|adj=on}} airtime drop before climbing up and into the final [[brake run]].<ref name=POV>{{cite web|title=Apollo's Chariot Front Seat on-ride widescreen POV Busch Gardens Williamsburg|work=CoasterForce|date=October 17, 2009|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGTOGzKMTbI| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211115/hGTOGzKMTbI| archive-date=November 15, 2021 | url-status=live|publisher=YouTube|access-date=January 28, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=CN>{{cite web|title=Apollo's Chariot at Coaster-Net|url=http://www.coaster-net.com/ride-gallery/6-apollo-s-chariot/|publisher=Coaster-Net|access-date=January 28, 2013}}</ref> There is approximately 26 seconds of airtime during the 2-minute, 15-second ride.<ref name="Ride screams fun">{{cite news|last=McDonald|first=Sam|title=Apollo's Ride Screams Fun|url=https://www.dailypress.com/1999/04/02/apollos-ride-screams-fun/|access-date=January 28, 2013|newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]]|date=April 2, 1999}}</ref>

== Incidents ==
On July 15, 2018, a family from [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]], suffered injuries as they were riding the roller coaster due to a ride operator accidentally pressing the emergency stop button, causing them to report concussions the next day.<ref>{{cite news |author=Amy Poulter |date=July 15, 2018 |title=3 people suffer concussions after Busch Gardens employee accidentally hits emergency brake |publisher=The Virginian Pilot |url=https://pilotonline.com/news/local/article_68c48450-8ad9-11e8-bd29-778f4749d1dd.html}}</ref> In July 2019, a guest from Virginia Beach sued Busch Gardens Williamsburg's parent company [[SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment]]. The guest claimed that he had suffered severe injuries on Apollo's Chariot due to the previous year's emergency-stop incident.<ref name="Monroe 2019">{{cite web |last=Monroe |first=Madeline |date=July 2, 2019 |title=Virginia Beach man sues claiming he was injured on Apollo's Chariot |url=https://www.dailypress.com/virginiagazette/news/va-vg-busch-gardens-lawsuit-tillman-20190702-story.html |access-date=August 25, 2022 |website=Daily Press}}</ref><ref name="Fearing 2019">{{cite web |last=Fearing |first=Sarah |date=August 21, 2019 |title=Jury trial set for injury case involving Apollo’s Chariot, emergency brake incident |url=https://wydaily.com/news/local/2019/08/21/jury-trial-set-for-injury-case-involving-apollos-chariot-emergency-brake-incident/ |access-date=August 25, 2022 |website=Williamsburg Yorktown Daily}}</ref>

==Reception==
When Apollo's Chariot opened, the ''Daily Press'' described it as setting "a new standard in stomach-churning fun", enhanced by the fact that the ride had 26 seconds of airtime.<ref name="Ride screams fun" /> In the ride's debut year, Busch Gardens Williamsburg had lower than expected levels of attendance. This was attributed to prolonged periods of inclement weather. As a result of this, the park planned to relaunch Apollo's Chariot in 2000 in an attempt to drive attendance.<ref name="Amusement Business">{{cite journal|last=Powell|first=Tom|title=Williamsburg Busch Gardens Unveils 'Huge' Halloween Promo|journal=Amusement Business|date=September 13, 1999|volume=111|issue=37|page=33}}</ref>

In ''[[Amusement Today]]''{{'}}s annual [[Golden Ticket Awards]], Apollo's Chariot has consistently ranked highly. In its debut year, it ranked position 20. In the 13 years since, the coaster has consistently ranked higher, peaking at #4 in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2012.<ref name="GTA1999" /><ref name="GTA2012" />

{{GTA table
| type       = steel
| access-date = September 12, 2016
| 1999       = 20
| 2000       = 9
| 2001       = 7
| 2002       = 5
| 2003       = 5
| 2004       = 5
| 2005       = 4
| 2006       = 5
| 2007       = 4
| 2008       = 4
| 2009       = 5
| 2010       = 4
| 2011       = 7
| 2012       = 4
| 2013       = 5
| 2014       = 7
| 2015       = 6
| 2016       = 6
| 2017       = 11
| 2018       = 6
| 2019       = 8
| 2021       = 11
| 2022       = 8
| 2023       = 11
|2024=25}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/Attractions/Rides/Apollos-Chariot}}
* {{RCDB|531}}

{{Busch Gardens Williamsburg}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Apollo's Chariot}}
[[Category:Busch Gardens Williamsburg]]
[[Category:Steel roller coasters]]
[[Category:Roller coasters in Virginia]]
[[Category:Roller coasters introduced in 1999]]
[[Category:Roller coasters manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard]]
[[Category:Roller coasters operated by United Parks & Resorts]]
[[Category:Hypercoasters manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard]]