Apollo Should Have Been the Roman God of Airtime
After having not ridden one of my top coasters for over three years I was excited to see that it still shined. All of the pluses that had made it one of favorite roller coasters were still there.
Apollo’s Chariot was designed by the legendary Bolliger & Mabillard, it offers one of the airtime-packed rides anywhere, and it’s located at one of the most critically acclaimed theme parks in the world. Needless to say if you’re a coaster enthusiast, Busch Gardens Europe should be on your trip schedule. Especially, with Griffon opening in a few months.
A Lively Station and Unique Trains
Like some of the other top rides I’ve ridden, Apollo’s Chariot still has a hyped up station that’s buzzing with excitement. It takes so little to have ride ops that simply ask how your ride was and offer a little personality. But it can add a lot to the excitement level of the experience. The trains are different from non-B&M hyper coasters. They have nine rows of four seats across that helps with ride capacity and keeps the line moving. They are also THE most comfortable seats and restraints out there. Not to mention they are elevated and open allowing your legs and arms to swing freely.
The Trip Out
The small drop off of the chain lift before the first drop is good
because it allows the train to fall down the hill without the last couple cars still being stuck on the chain. The breathtaking 21-story drop to the ravine below (something Fabio would like to forget) is great. The train climbs up a second hill and drops into a tunnel. Your trip out ends with a 144′ banked, twisting drop that has the train speeding along side the ground. If you sit on the left side of the train, you get the full effect of this drop with the ground whizzing by you. All the while, Apollo offers one of the smoothest rides you’ll find anywhere. Especially in the 70+ mph category.
The Airtime-Packed Trip Home
Next, you rise up into a funky helix and drop down into the brake run. You only slow down for a moment as your trip home is one to remember. They didn’t just tack on an ending to Apollo’s Chariot, some would say that they saved the best for last. After the flat track of the brake run, you fall immediately into the first of many airtime drops. The negative g-forces are undeniable as you hit three of these shorter but more intense drops back-to-back. There’s one more relatively shallow drop followed by more straight track. At this point you’re near the station and first-time riders probably assume it’s all over now. But there’s one more great airtime drop left where the camera snaps pictures of the surprised riders at the very end of the ride.
Aside from Superman: Ride of Steel at Six Flags New England, I haven’t ridden a steel coaster with so much airtime. Best of all, you can really embrace ride because of the openness of the trains. Quite often, you’re over 100′ in the air and your legs, arms, and upper body is completely free to move. Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure, another B&M hyper coaster, offers a similar
experience, but I still give the nod to Apollo’s Chariot. I’d have to say this is one of B&M’s signature rides as it has everything that makes their rides great from the design to the theming. It’s fast, smooth, and thrilling with great views. What else could you ask for? Final Rating – 10 (Superior)
Apollo’s Chariot is rated ‘IN’ for Intense. It’s a 4 out of 5 on my Thrill Scale for of its height and speed.
What’s Your Take?
Have you ridden Apollo’s Chariot? Leave a comment below. Photos 1 & 3 courtesy of CoasterImage.com
Coaster Critic 
48 responses to “Apollo’s Chariot @ Busch Gardens | Coaster Reviews”
another great ride although I found the center turn around/helix/etc. second of the ride to be kind of ho hum. Kind of like I don't like the big swooping turns on MF at Cedar Point. I'd rather tighter smaller helixes or do something wicked like enclose part of the turn a la The Beast
I like the section you're referring to but I know what you mean. Unfortunately, I haven't ridden Beast, but there's an enclosed helix on Legend at Holiday World that's pretty sweet. Something like that on Apollo's Chariot would be great. Also, if you like tighter smaller helixes and B&M hyper coasters like Apollo, you'd love Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, IL). It's a hyper twister. Thanks for stopping by.
just got back from Busch gardens. likes this coaster because of its classic nature and simpicity
I LOVE this coaster. My whole family likes it. It is smooth, except for the low part after the first drop. I can see my house from up there!
For a hyper coaster, there is no way this ride can get any better. It has the huge drop, it has the eye peeling speed, and my favorite: ALL THE AIRTIME. For a hyper coaster, those 3 things are the only things to look for. I dont disagree with you one bit. This has been and will be my favorite roller coaster ive ever ridden
i always had a probelm understand apollo is supposed to be 170 ft but is 210 ft i have seen that a lot and it really confuses me
malcolm, the life hill is 170 ft, not the drop. The drop goes farther than the lift hill. The height of the ride has nothing to do with the drop
Malcolm, it is 170ft. high off the ground at its highest point. But because BGE is awesome they built it on a hillside so it drops 210ft. Don't know how else to explain it.
nice defunct coaster thingy at the bottom of the review page!
it`s cool how it fly`s over the lake and there was one bunny hop into a ditch that was realy suprising, looks like it`s got some god cenery too. i can`t wait to ride it.
CC, do you think Appallo`s Chariot`s pre-drop is that important to the ride?
ok, ill stand in 4 C.C here. i think the predrop is not that important on this ride, just to get a little speed.
most other B&M would be awfully rough without it.
hope this helped!! 🙂
Thanks James, but I think that the pre-drop is pretty important, at least to the first drop. As I said in the review:
"The small drop off of the chain lift before the first drop is good because it allows the train to fall down the hill without the last couple cars still being stuck on the chain."
Have you ever noticed on most roller coasters (those that drop off of the crest) that if you sit in the very front you creep down the first bit of the drop? B&M's pre-drop section helps with that. The entire train is ready to drop.
Thanks, i must of not noticed that part of the review.
i still hold my opinion! 🙂
Quite possibly the best coaster every made. I love it.
opps. Ever made I mean.
Rollercoaster Dude, try going back to grammar school, emphasis on grammer. 🙂 The word is OOPS, not OPPS!
I've never been on Apollo's Chariot, or any hypercoaster for that matter( unless you count Son of Beast, which I'll never ride again). Can anyone tell me what to expect when I ride Intimidator Carowinds?
Expect to stand in a long line when you go to ride Intimdator! 😉
of course that, and also this is probably the better of the two. But, since the other is taller, there will probably a lot littler crowd. expect to feel lots of airtime, and lots of adrenaline climbing up the lift hill
Since it`s a B&M, dont expect the forces to be too intense, but expect a good ride.
While we are on the topic of intimidator, does anyone know if a single rider line has been announced? I know they announced it for 305.
CC, Apallo is the Greek Sun God.
I haven`t seen anything on screamscape.
I'm aware Quil. Apollo is actually both the Greek and Roman sun god. Seeing as how Apollo's Chariot is located in the Festa Italia section (Italy = Rome = Roman), the ride was themed after the Roman god.
I thoroughly enjoyed it because of its smooth hills, the theming, and the fantastic view at the top of the lift hill! The pre-drop causes some to scream before realizing their mistake.
The pre-drop also helps reduce stress on the chain by keeping the train at a generally lower speed until completely off the chain.
i've read a lot of debate or people commenting on were the best ride on Apollo's Chariot is and I wanted to throw my 2 cents in to anyone who is going to ride it. Definitely ride it in the front! This past weekend my wife and I rode in the back first then went and got front row seats and without a doubt (IMO) the front had the best airtime and exciting ride! No matter where you sit it is great but the front gets my vote for the best seat!
I loved this ride but my friend kept yelling "CRAP I'M GOING TO DIIIIIIIIIIE" It was hilarious. Now I want to ride front row!!!!
i need to work in a trip to busch gardens this summer. i need to persuade my parents. 😉 lol would you guys say this is a good ride for a teen and not scary? i love coasters but haven't been to BGW yet. only KD! 🙂
shut down while i was in line grrr
hate when that happens 🙂
I love this ride.. It was my first coaster EVER. (what can I say, my girlfriend is persuasive). Anyway, quick question.. If I love AC will I enjoy Alpengeist?
They're completely different rides. So I'm not sure. If you like loops then you may like Alpengeist. Let us know what you think after you ride it.
Loops to me are okay. I like large drops more then loops.. Give me more of a thrill.. I shall report back after I ride Alpie.
I noticed your thrill scale and have most of the coaster's i'm interested in rated.. But not this one? Would you consider this one a level 3 thrill or a level 4 intense ride? Thanks! Great review.
Apollo's Chariot is a 4 out of 5. I've started adding the thrill scale just since I created. I haven't gone back to my older reviews like this one add the scale, but ask and ye shall receive. I've added it above.
Thank you very much! Love the blog.
My first coaster too! Went to BGE in August and rode Apollos Chariot, but then chickened out on the others… shame on me! Going back in a week to ride all 4. Oh, and Coaster Critic, this website has been a big help for me getting interested in roller coasters, and helping get over my fear, so thank you 🙂
I have ridden Apollo's Chariot, I think it is BG's best ride, however Griffon is smoother.
I rode this when I was nine. I didn't realize it was a hyper coaster. I just wanted to get on. I loved it.
Sweet ride! Though I think Nitro is better, faster, scarier.
It is a good ride. It has lots of airtime and comfortable seats. However, it is a bit bumpy. Not at all rough, but shaky. And the straight sections after the first drop and after one of the hills on the way back were kind of strange and made the ride that way. I prefer Nitro because it has no straight sections and is somewhat smoother.
The best part of this ride is the restraints and cars. You feel SOOOOOO open! It's ridiculously comfortable, almost like it was molded to fit your lap. Something about enjoying a ride with most of your body free is incredible.
loved the zero g airtime! great coaster At a great park
Doesn’t Diamondback at Kings Island hold the world record for most “airtime”? Isn’t more, better?
Apollo’s Chariot is tied with Griffon for my #2 spot right now.:)
I rode for the first time (right outside seat, 6th row) last time I was at BGW, which was October 13.
My thoughts: Those restraints are really comfortable. Although it seems like there’s not much holding you in, it also does NOT feel like you’re going to fall out. (Sounds contradictory, but anyways…) The reason I’m mentioning the ‘eek-I’m-going-to-fall-out’ feeling is ’cause in the queue line, my dad went on and on about how you don’t feel secure, the restraints are loose, blah, blah blah. I think he just didn’t want to ride it and was trying to get me to not want to either ’cause it’s most definitely not true. And he said there was n’t any airtime-that’s crazy!! There’s airtime all over Apollo’s Chariot!
On that first drop, I just put my hands up and SCREAMED. Best drop yet for me! I like going at 70+ mph w/ just a lap bar; it’s great!
My rating: 10/10 (Absolutely nothing wrong with it IMO:))
I still want to ride the very front and the very back.;)
Totally agree with you on this one.. Nice that you also noticed the crest before the drop, which really allows the train to take the first drop at full speed. For me, the back is it in AC, cause the way you get whipped down the first two drops is unparalleled in any other steel coaster rear seat I have ever experienced. A timeless classic, a 9 for me, would be 10 without the slightly excessive trims. Brilliant ride and much better than Nitro.