Big Bad Wolf is a world-class suspended roller coaster at Busch Gardens Europe. It’s unique layout uses the terrain of the hilly, wooded, park giving you an experience that would be nearly impossible to find anywhere else. It’s a suspended terrain coaster that flies you through a Bavarian village then plummets you to a river. Also, Big Bad Wolf is a classic Arrow suspended coaster. There are only six of these in operation in the World.
Sadly, as Big Bad Wolf turns 25, rumors are emerging that this will be its last year. ScreamScape, ThrillNetwork, and Coaster-Net are all speculating about the ride’s removal. I’m not really sure how the rumors began, but enthusiasts have noticed that Busch Gardens celebrated Loch Ness’ 30th last year, but they haven’t done anything for the Wolf. The park hasn’t responded one way or the other and to my knowledge no one has seen signs of its removal, but you would think the park would confirm that it’s keeping the ride if they were.
Possible Reasons for Big Bad Wolf’s Removal
The first thought that comes to my mind when a roller coaster is removed is always low-ridership. Low-ridership compounded with the expensive maintenance costs (that some speculate exists) may be enough for the InBev-owned Busch park to consider removing it. Add to that, some are stating that Wolf is subject to frequent downtime although on all of my visits its been up and running. Not to mention for years there has been speculation of the park adding a new section themed after another European country like Spain or Greece. Maybe the park feels that the space that ride takes up could be better suited for a new section.
ScreamScape is calling for anyone visiting the park to stop by the Guest Relations desk and tell them how much they enjoyed Big Bad Wolf. But, if the low-ridership/maintenance cost issues are true I doubt that there’s anything that can be done to save the ride. I suggest you ride it this year while you can. If it is removed this winter it will be quite a loss, but I can see why it might make a good business decision. As with any classic roller coaster if Big Bad Wolf is removed it will be sorely missed by fans of all ages. Check out my full Big Bad Wolf review.
UPDATE 7/24 – It’s official. Big Bad Wolf will close after September 7th. Read more about the ‘Wolf’s retirement.
UPDATE 9/8 – Yes. Sadly, Big Bad Wolf is officially now closed. After my visit to Busch this past weekend, I learned more about why the Big Bad Wolf has closed. Read more about why the park decided to close it and see a video of the final train in this post: A Legend Reaches Its Expiration Date
What’s Your Take?
Have you ridden Big Bad Wolf at BGE? If Big Bad Wolf is really on the chopping block would you be sad to see it go? Leave a comment below.
Coaster Critic 
27 responses to “Big Bad Wolf to be Removed?”
When I first rode this, I think it was heavily themed, but a let-down. The good thing was that it doesn't take too long to start a train. The day I went they were only running one train. And it's like a 5 minuete ride!
Sadly, I can pretty much garentee this. I have a friend who's dad works at BGE, and he said, "Something in Germany is going to be gone next year".
He also said his dad would kill him if he told me.
Now we can just hope that In-Bev doesn't touch Nessie.
That, and they'll build a GCI or GG masterpiece in its place.
I will now leave the computer and cry till I'm dehydrated.
When i walked up to this coaster, i thought it was going to be a good coaster. I mean if the ride has its own gift shop than it has to be good. The line was so big when i went. I thought it was going to be good, but it was a big let down. It was too rough. Also i didnt like all the sharp curves. It made a rough coaster a nightmare. But you know, i like this ride cause so many people are in line to ride it, that the rides near it have like no lines so thats the only bright side
I do like this ride a lot, especially the second hill, and it seems to be really popular among children. But in my opinion, it doesn't exactly live up to the quality of the other coasters at BGE. Perhaps they could replace it with an Intamin prefabricated wooden coaster like El Toro, Since there are no woodies at BGE…
And why don't they make a Scandinavian section? That'd be awesome for us scandinavians. 😛
I hate to rain on parades my source says a launch coaster will put in. He didn't say anything else. I'd like to see a terrained Intamin launch. The only company who I think could pull that off is GG.
But nothing is certain. BBW is still under consideration of being taken out. Stay tuned!
A launch coaster would also be nice.
They need to build a woody some where in this park. Im not a big woody fan, well i havent ridden alot of woodys in my life. I would love if they would make a wood coaster that would wake you up when you get there
Or a launch woodie!
GG has timberliners, which apparently has launch capabilities. But that is a topic for another post.
A launch woody…well the first thing that pops into my mind would be how TERRIBLY rough it would be. I cant imagine. Still a good idea for a new coaster idea
Not if it was an Intamin prefab launched woodie Matthew. A launched version of El Toro would be pretty cool. Not sure if we'll ever see a launched woodie, but those Intamin prefabs are smooth enough to handle a launch if that's even possible.
Yeah El Toro is so smooth so yeah the launch would be pretty cool. But man if Cyclone was a wood launch coaster, man i would literally break my neak
This ride was awesome. And it is definite that it is being removed. I just went on it, 5 times in a row at night! Too bad – it was such a fun ride, not rough at all, but we know that another great ride will be put in.
I think that the fact that the ride is going to be shut down on Labor day and the dismantling will occur during off hours before the season is over is an indication that the park has some timeline they want to meet for a new project. I think that project is most likely going to be a new country connecting Festa Italia and Oktoberfest with a major attraction. I wouldn't be shocked if the bumper cars are quietly removed to make more room for a better (bigger) entrance to a new section of the park.
I dont like the area where they put the bumper cars next to this ride. When i walked on the bumper cars, its so dark because of all the trees next to it. I really hope they take that ride out with it. You know, with all that room where they will demolish big bad wolf, they could add a woody
I think that they should have a launch coaster, not a woody, looped like 8 times, and a 5 minuete ride, heavily themed. Only that could replace the wolf.
a wooden coaster would perfect in that area i just wished that the wolf didn’t have to see his spot get taken
Yeah i mean alot of wooden coasters are found in the forest. So what better place is there to put a woody. They really need a woody. Im just so bored of all the steel coasters i go on over there i just want to get banged up a little bit
A woody coaster would be horrible!!!!!
The Big Bad Wolf was my first roller coaster and until about a week ago, was the only roller coaster I would ride.
The Big Bad Wolf is a thrilling, pulse-rushing coaster and is the only ride that provides a under-the-track, no-upside-down ride that is a great first ride coaster. I have so many memories on that ride, and I would hate to see them all just gone in one day. However, I guess I do understand that it just certainly isn’t as popular as let’s say thr Griffon.
how would it be bad. Even if you hate woodys, many woody fans would love a woody in its place. It would get Busch Gardens alot of popularity
I rode this ride for the first time today (august 7) and I thought it was a blast. I loved the cars and how they kind of dangled. I'm very sad to see this ride go, I wish I could have ridden it more!
1st coaster I actually liked since my 1st was apollo's chariot BAD IDEA but this one is good for begginers like I'm 14 and this is my 1st year @ BG and the 1st year I ever rode a coaster in my life kinda strange huh due to financial reasons but I would hate to see this go but if the could make a good replacement thats ok would love another suspended coaster like it or same layout different cars like the ones on alpengeist since they have a higher rider capicity perfect for familys with 3 kids or more and my name for it
Rommels convoy (nazi genral) ok bad name but sounds pretty good though
The BBW I thought at first, why wold they remove the ride i ean WORLDS 1ST SUCCESSFUL SUSPENDED ROLLER COASTER the bat didnt last long but the BBW is the roller coaster that evry1 loved BGW sucks 4 tearn it down the only reason y i go is for the LNM,Alpengeist,AC,nd Griffon iv heard that they might take out italy nd (AC!) to guild a bridge or ,expand should i say, to germany or take out roman rapids. I tll u there will b problems if they try to take out AC. I will truely miss the Wolf t was a coaster that they should have fixed i mean if u hav enough maoney to make another park n Duabi then u should b easily able to fix a coaster the Wolf shall rest in peace i hope the museum they put it in sets up a nice little area for the Wolf cuz it will ride in2 history nd r hearts.
the BBW was popular, it wasnt a 205 ft 90degrees drop but it had the same popularity n a diff way worlds first successful suspended roller coaster
Nothin can replace the wolf that idea seems cool and all but there already debating if there gonna to put a drop tower there they didnt putany thintg where drachens fire was but the wolf!
the big bad wolf lives agian!
ARLINGTON, TX – (November 19, 2009) –Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
The National Roller Coaster Museum is hopeful, thanks to a generous donation by the management team of Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, future generations will learn what it was like to "travel at the speed of fright."
The museum will take possession of an original train, track section, sign package and accompanying support materials for the NRCMA permanent collection. "This is an incredible addition to the Museum collection," Gary Slade, NRCMA Board Chairman said. "When the ride closed on September 7, 2009, it was the oldest operating suspended coaster – and certainly one of the best. We want to thank the leadership team at Busch Gardens Europe for their gift."
The Big Bad Wolf was originally added to Busch Gardens' Oktoberfest section of the park in 1984. The project was originally a Schwarzkopf designed flying coaster but after 75 percent completion, the project was turned over to Arrow Dynamics. The "suspended swinging coaster" operated until Sept. 7, 2009 when contest winners rode The Big Bad Wolf for the last time at 8:42 p.m.
"We're honored that the NRCMA wants to add The Big Bad Wolf to their collection," said John Reilly, Busch Gardens' general manager. "It entertained millions of our guests over the years and now will now serve as a reminder for future generations of what the ride meant to the history of the industry."
"The Big Bad Wolf is historically significant in the industry because of its place in the lineage of steel rollercoaster design," Richard Munch, American Coaster Enthusiasts founder and NRCMA historian said.
English please?