Comments on: Loch Ness Monster @ Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Coaster Reviews

By: Lev

Lev — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:46:45 +0000

I like the second lift hill. That's a rare thing in coasters and it's a cool chance to catch your breath after being in the dark for so long.

It's a perfect coaster, love it. Lines are always long at this at the start of the day as it's the closest to the entrance. Tends to be close to a walk on in the late afternoon.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:49:31 +0000

Spot on review coaster critic!

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:11:42 +0000

I was shocked at how fun and smooth this ride was. Like c c said it is an arrow looper and they offer rough rides. But this was very smooth, and rerideable. Other arrow loopers I have only went on once and not made an effort to reride them due to their pain. On Nessie I had 3 rides! My favorite part is probrably the helix in the tunnel. It seems like it is never ending, but in a good way because it is fun. The interlocking loops are fun as well. And I also like that the ride is very long, so long in fact that there is probrably a minute that the station track is empty! (most coasters have a train come back in as soon as another leaves the station). I like long rides. This ride is very fun and unique, and a masterpiece of arrow engineering.

By: Eddie

Eddie — Thu, 12 May 2011 11:39:36 +0000

Coasters built by Arrow are notorious for being bumpy and banging your head, and this one is no exception! The discomfort actually starts before the train leaves the station! The shoulder harness is quite low and if you are tall you might feel crushed into your seat; this has probably been done to accommodate more kiddies. I had the same problem on Big Bad Wolf, although due to the nature of the ride it wasn't painful.

The ride is beautifully situated over the Rhine River and was the first coaster to feature interlocking loops; thankfully, these are the only two inversions on the ride because I don't think my collar bone could have taken any more. There's quite a big first drop but the loops are too tight and intense. For me, the best park of the ride was the spiralling triple helix inside a cave where you come face to face with a rather poor imitation of Nessy (the Loch Ness Monster). Maybe if you're not too tall the ride might be a better experience, but my first ride was far from enjoyable, although my second ride was not as bad, but one ride per park visit is enough for me!

By: DRU

DRU — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:12:48 +0000

Rode it this Easter sat and sunday 2011. WOW! The way it hugs terrain is incredible. I just wish there was more room for the height of my shoulders. Ouch! Only 6'2"

Thanks for the great info…

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 22:49:46 +0000

I rode this the year it opened and then a couple years later, and finally go the opportunity to ride it again a few days ago (I don't live in the same time zone any more).

The last car was rough, especially compared to the wonderful Apollo's Chariot and Griffon. Two rides was enough to relive what it was like to ride this when it was a record breaker.

In contrast, Apollo could be ridden all day long, it was exquisite in comparison. Apollo was the most rideable and fun coaster in Busch Gardens. Griffon was the most intense. Alpengeist was the most forceful. Loch Ness Monster was the most nostalgic. Sad to say I never went there during Big Bad Wolf (that will date me).

By: Ava

Ava — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:15:51 +0000

Hi, I'm Ava and I'm seven years old. Loch Ness Monster is the best roller coaster I have ever been on! I really liked the dark tunnel, it was very cool! I also liked the loops. If any of you go on it again, I hope you have the best time of your life!

By: Andre

Andre — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:58:05 +0000

I loved the Loch Ness Monster when I was younger, but unfortunately I outgrew it…literally! I can't fit comfortably in the cars because the seats are too low, and when the shoulder restraint comes down, it gets me in a cramped position and always end up hurting my back and tailbone. Alas, it's the same with all the Arrow coasters that use these same types of cars…the Anaconda at Kings Dominion, and the Corkscrew in Cedar Point are pretty much off limits to me as well.

Is my mind playing tricks on me, or back in the old days did they flash images of the Loch Ness Monster and other things on the walls inside the cave? I remember the mist pretty well, but I'm fuzzy about the flashing images? But hey man, it was the seventies!

By: The Coaster Critic

The Coaster Critic — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 06:12:33 +0000

Hoss, that's a good question. I'm sure many have had similar questions. I guess I rate more on potential or compared to similar roller coasters. It's tough. SROS at SFA is a lesser hyper coaster compared Apollo's Chariot, Nitro, etc. The layout and lack of air reduced it to 7 for me. But that's still a Good rating, so I'm not calling it bad or anything.

For an Arrow looper, Loch Ness is amazing and as you called it "unique". That's what I was thinking when I gave it an 8. I also do throw in how much fun I have, but that is affected by how much fun I could have, if that makes sense.

Late in the day, I would definitely choose Loch Ness over SROS. So I guess that aligns with your thinking. And I rode SROS at SFA before the masterpiece in Mass. SFA's just falls short in general, not just compared to SFNE's.

Good question. And thanks for the comment. Feel free to ask me about any other ratings.

By: Hoss

Hoss — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:27:15 +0000

Question coastercritic: Do you rate these roller coasters based simply on how much "fun" they are to ride or based on how well they are designed/potenial? I've been on both Loch Ness and SROS at SFA and was surprised that you rated SROS a whole point less than Loch Ness. Loch Ness definitely is a very good roller coaster so don't get me wrong.

But having said that, I have a hard time believing that if it was late in the day, and you had the option of riding either SROS or Loch Ness as your last ride, that you would not be picking SROS.

On the other hand if you rated these two roller coasters on their potential than I can definitely see why you would rate LochNess higher. Loch Ness is maybe the most unique arrow looper in the world. On the other hand I can definitely see why you would be dissapointed in SROS after ridding the real one in Massachusetts.

I'm not trying to start a debate or anything, I just found these two ratings and several others puzzling if they are based exclusively on how much "fun" a particular ride is. Just curious.