October 2, 2023, 1:08 PM ·
Busch Gardens Williamsburg today revealed its plans to refurbish the Virginia theme park’s most iconic attraction.
Loch Ness Monster will close to the public at the end of the month for its transformation into Loch Ness Monster: The Legend Lives On next year. The 1978 Arrow Dynamics double looper will retain its iconic layout, but will be getting 900 feet of new track on its 3,240-foot layout, as well as new storytelling elements, including an all-new soundtrack created just for the ride, the park said. The ride’s queue also will feature “new storytelling elements,” and Busch Gardens also said that riders will “catch a glimpse of something monstrous lurking under the water” on the ride’s first drop.Loch Ness Monster will close to the public on October 31, though park membership holders will have exclusive ride time on the coaster on November 4 and 5. Loch Ness Monster: The Legend Lives On will open in 2024, with no date announced at this point.
There are two attractions in this world that represent canon events for me. The first is Tom Sawyer Island, which was my favorite attraction as child and the first attraction I worked as a cast member at Walt Disney World. The second is Loch Ness Monster, which was the first roller coaster with an inversion that I was brave enough to ride… and then became the first coaster with an inversion that my daughter ever rode, too.I do not want to imagine a world without either attraction, so Busch Gardens’ commitment not only to maintain but to enhance Loch Ness Monster while keeping its layout thrills me as much as my first trip through its interlocking loops. Stay tuned for more details on the refurbishment of Loch Ness Monster as we move toward to reopening next year.For more about the park, including our reader rankings and a link to discounted tickets, please visit our Visitors Guide to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. And to keep up to date with more theme park news, please sign up for Theme Park Insider’s weekly newsletter.
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