SheiKra vs. Griffon: Dive Coaster Showdown
Comparisons between America’s two dive coasters, Busch Gardens Africa’s SheiKra and Busch Gardens Europe’s Griffon are inevitable. From the time Busch announced Griffon’s details enthusiasts the debate began.
Theming
Busch did an excellent job integrating Griffon into New France. The station, landscaping, and shops of were all complete when I visited BGE not long after Griffon opened. I liked how Griffon had its own section in New France. The splash section was off to the side unlike at BGA where SheiKra’s splash spilled over to the main pathway through Stanleyville. They are both themed well and integrated into the parks well. But I give the slight edge to Griffon.
Edge: Griffon
The Drop
The drops on both of the coasters are insane. It’s a twenty-story drop at a staggering 90-degrees. Griffon’s is slightly taller at 205 feet versus SheiKra’s 200 feet. While the 5 foot difference in height is negligible, the bridge you pass under at the bottom of the Griffon’s drop gives a decent arm chopper effect. Edge: Griffon
Loops
Both roller coasters feature Immelmann loops. An Immelmann is a simultaneous loop and roll, the named after a World War I German flying ace who invented the maneuver. SheiKra offers one 165-foot tall Immelmann while Griffon’s has two Immelmanns, the largest of which is 146-feet tall. Believe it or not, you really can feel the difference between the loops. The highlight of SheiKra for me was its extreme Immelmann where the track goes straight up for what feels like a long time before inverting and finishing the maneuver. I prefer SheiKra’s extra-large loop, but Griffon has two loops. It’s a tough call.
Edge: SheiKra
Verdict
To be fair I only rode SheiKra once and I got three rides on Griffon. I think the airtime on Griffon gives it the edge over SheiKra. The two loops and passing under the bridge further help Griffon’s case. But they’re both great coasters.
Winner: Griffon
What’s Your Take?
Which dive coaster do you prefer SheiKra or Griffon. What do you think? Leave a comment below.
December 2, 2007 at 14:00
Personaly i've never been on any of them but, i've seen videos of both of them and i liked Sheikra better. i like the loops and the plumets. but the best part is when you go threw that mountain thing. IT'S THE BEST!!!
March 13, 2008 at 03:44
Ive been on Sheikra hundreds of times since i live 15 min from Busch Gardens Tampa,the theming is awesome but i think Griffon looks better i plan to go to Busch Gardens Williamsburg eventually since i have alot of family in VA and MD.
August 1, 2008 at 16:40
Never been on Griffon but just rode Sheikra for the first time…it's like flying! This coaster really is in a class by itself for smoothness and exhiliration. I say go to whichever Busch Gardens park is closest to you, and enjoy.
July 1, 2009 at 08:31
I say Sheikra because it has a great tunnel and 2 very good sharp turns. It could depend on where you live also. If you live near BGA closer, you probably think that sheikra is better. If you live closer to BGE you probably think Griffon is better. I think they are both great but completely different theming of rides but I think Sheikra won a bit with the theming and the ride itself. Griffon is a great ride but not much theming to it.
July 30, 2009 at 12:29
why is this even a comparison? Griffon is a CLONE of SheiKra. THEY ARE EXACTLY THE SAME!!!
December 11, 2011 at 01:58
Oh dear, well where can I start, the lift goes up, same. But, Griffon is 205 FT and SheiKra 200. SheiKra is a 180 degree turnaround griffon is less, 120 I believe, then the drops are 205 and 195 respectively, one has a 145 FT immelmann and one has a 165 FT, SheiKra having the larger, then both have different layouts to the MCBR, then Griffon has a smaller exposed 2nd drop into a second, smaller immelmann, while SheiKra's is enclosed into another banked 180 into a splashdown, Griffon's is after the immelmann, then SheiKra has a small helix and brakes while Griffon has an airtime hill and then brakes. So there. Perfect "clones".
July 31, 2009 at 10:59
Read the post Millennium Fan. They're not clones. I wouldn't compare clones.
July 31, 2009 at 15:01
Dude, they definitely aren't the same. Dive coasters. Basically the only similarity.
July 31, 2009 at 15:45
yeah its just like saying apollos chariot and nitro are the same. They look the same, and they have the same restraints, but they arent the same trust me. The Griffon is 5 feet taller than Shiekra. The first inversion i dont know how to spell it on the shiekra seems to be longer than the Griffon. And Shiekra only has 1 inversion but the Griffon has 2. And after the first inversion on Skiekra notice how the Griffon and how the Shiekra turn differently. Trust me dude, they arent even close
July 31, 2009 at 15:49
hey coaster critic, you know right before the Griffon goes under the bridge you hear this click noise do you know what that is. Just look at a video of it. Right when your about to go under the bridge you hear this click thing
August 15, 2010 at 08:39
i noticed that too its nothing to be worried about. i think it has something to do with the wheels pressing against the track harder or g forces.
October 23, 2009 at 16:06
I'm going to have to go with Sheikra on this one. My reasoning? … no lines today, so I got to ride it 5 times today compared to one shot at Griffon. Sheikra is also much more (easily) photogenic!
November 7, 2009 at 07:56
sheikra is the best i am only 10 years old and i went in the 1 row and did not evan scream!!!!!!!!!griffon sucks!!!!!!!sheikra shreds!!!!!!!!
August 27, 2012 at 15:21
Griffon does not suck. If you ridden it then you can say something about it. I personally like the griffon better and ive ridden both coasters. Griffon is just more powerful than sheikra.
July 15, 2010 at 20:28
The Sheikra is so much better then the grffof or whatever its called…The Sheikra is the best ride I have ever been on…and I've been on alot! The groffin (I don't care what it's called) sucks! The Sheikra is better also because it is in Florida…the best place ever!! The griffn sucks!
December 20, 2010 at 20:12
I agree with you. SheiKra is better all because it is like it has more intense feeling and adrenaline to it, especially the slow moving lift. Also, the mechanisms and gates in SheiKra's station is cooler compared to Griffon's. Then, when it comes to drops, there is not a huge difference. Griffon is five feet higher, but you can not tell. They are both 90 degrees. Lastly, SheiKra has the awesome tunnel at the second drop. To me, it felt like we were going to crash in the tunnel when a first rode SheiKra.
May 2, 2011 at 17:47
You haven't even been on the Griffon. You don't know anything! sheikra is smaller, lamer, and shorter. Sheikra sucks! Read the facts!!
May 2, 2011 at 17:50
Thats real safe, you felt like you were gonna crash.. People don't even like longer lift rides! And Griffon has more adrenaline because it is taller, and is in a BETTER park! What your saying doesn't make any sense!
May 2, 2011 at 17:48
You haven't even been on the Griffon either! DUH. You don't even know anything….
July 20, 2010 at 20:22
How on earth can you say a roller coaster sucks if you can't even remember it's name?
I've only ridden Griffon I refuse to compare to sheikra until i ride it Griffon is my 10th favorite coaster out of 71.
August 4, 2010 at 10:53
to be honest i hate both coasters because im not very into weightlessness but if i hate to say ill go with griffon because it taller and i quite like immelann loops
May 2, 2011 at 17:51
Wait, is this Temi?
August 29, 2010 at 10:30
Griffon all the way. Sheikra is a stupid copy griffon. Griffon came first!!!
November 24, 2010 at 11:03
Deion, for your information, SheiKra was built in 2005. Griffon was built in 2007. SheiKra is pretty much a classic, being America's first dive coaster. Griffon is a stupid copy of SheiKra. SheiKra came first!!! Next time before you say false information, check your research!
January 31, 2011 at 09:24
I like the SheiKra way more than the griffon I rode both of them the SheiKra is way better it is better than the stupid griffon by 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 miles!!!! the SheiKra is my favorite roller coaster out of 98 i rode!! and by the way i'm 12 years old and the SheiKra has a better name it makes it scary SheiKra RULES!!!!!!!!!!!
June 18, 2011 at 10:01
Have you even ridden Griffon?
August 27, 2012 at 15:30
Dude you can't say a coaster sucks just because you havent ridden it. Trust me ive ridden both rides and griffon kills sheikra. Griffon is taller and faster. The griffon trains look so much cooler than the sheikra train. Griffon's trains hold 10 people per row, sheikra only holds 8. plus griffo has an extra immmelman loop and it fits with the terrain vs sheikra's flat ground setting. Griffon wins
May 9, 2011 at 20:25
Hmm… This seems to be a high intelligence debate.
There should be a required question before posting on these kinds of showdowns:
Have you ridden both rides?
__Yes
__No
May 8, 2013 at 12:40
agreed!
June 17, 2011 at 21:09
Why are y'all arguing about somthing as stupid as which one is better. It doesnt matter which one is taller, or which one was first. Why don't we all agree that both are good rides.
June 23, 2011 at 11:22
I have family that lives in Virginia. A few years back, I wen't there and we wen't to Busch Gardens. Wow! what a rush! Griffon in my opinion is a bit better. Just by the fact that I have been on it and it won 3 out of the four awards.
June 24, 2011 at 07:57
I have been on Griffon many times and it is an awesome rollercoaster. I'm not saying its better than sheikra cause I have never been on sheikra but anyone saying that Griffon sucks has no idea what they're talking about!!! Also please dont comment on which one is better if you have not been on BOTH of them!