Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

2010 Best Theme Park Attraction: Apollo's Chariot vs. Griffon

March 30, 2010, 7:34 AM · Good morning! It's time to pick the finalists in each bracket of the 2010 Best Theme Park Attraction Tournament. Let's get started with the Best Roller Coaster bracket.

You can click the links or pictures below for a full description and video of each ride, along with comments from other Theme Park Insider readers.

2. Apollo's Chariot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg [Bolliger & Mabillard Mega Coaster]

Apollo's Chariot

vs.

6. Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Griffon [Bolliger & Mabillard Dive]

Griffon


Please tell us in the comments why you voted the way you did.

Wanna know the best way to keep up with the tournament, so you never miss a vote?

Next up, the other half of the bracket: 1. Cedar Point's Millennium Force vs. 5. Holiday World's The Voyage

Replies (13)

BellhopOwen
Michael Owen
March 30, 2010 at 7:35 AM · Griffon is a one-trick pony (albeit a very good one) which is why I voted for Apollo.
bluesrider
Writer
Derek Potter
March 30, 2010 at 7:52 AM · Surely Griffon, the most overrated coaster in the tournament, will go down.
Meep
Tim Odom
March 30, 2010 at 8:26 AM · While I disagree that Griffon is a one trick pony (I like the second drop better than the first), Apollo's is by far the better ride.
anonymous
71.213.135.27
March 30, 2010 at 8:34 AM · Griffin is unlike any other roller coaster! It's the best roller coaster I've ever ridden. I was scared of it for a few hours and eventually had to get on and have loved it ever since!
schwarj1
Joe Schwartz
March 30, 2010 at 9:03 AM · Apollo'S is one of the best if not the best Mega coasters out there. Great paceing . Wonderful airtime and super smooth. Griffon is exciteing but to short.
anonymous
155.217.1.38
March 30, 2010 at 9:06 AM · Apollo's chariot is a fast-paced,long ride that is most enjoyed by riding with your hands in the air so you enjoy the weightlessness of the up/down motion. Griffon is a fun ride but is very short, the first drop is tainted by the pause for dramatic effect and if you aren't in the front row you are missing the entire effect of the pause. That being said Apollo's Chariot gets my vote...Well played Apollo, well played.
anonymous
98.166.130.216
March 30, 2010 at 9:45 AM · Apollo gives you more of the out of your seat feeling.
JoshC.
Joshua Counsil
March 30, 2010 at 10:06 AM · Pretty hard to beat a B&M Mega. Like Robert said at the beginning of the tournament:
"...only one installation of any model would be included... Without that rule, five of the top 10 coasters in the tournament would have been B&M Megas."

With good cause. Sorry, Griffon.

Meep
Tim Odom
March 30, 2010 at 10:58 AM · One even wonders if Apollo's will be in the tournie next year (if these rules stay), as that new Intimidator at Carowinds looks pretty sweet, nevermind all the other awesome B&M Megas.
anonymous
98.166.164.38
March 30, 2010 at 12:59 PM · I love Griffon, but it is way too short. If there is not a long line, then it's really fun. However, if there is a long line, it is not worth the short ride in my opinion. I love the vertical drop, but I love big drops more than loops.

With that being said, I voted for Apollo's Chariot. It is a much longer ride, and many more drops. I still love Griffon, but when it comes down to it, I'd have to go with Apollo's Chariot :).

bluesrider
Writer
Derek Potter
March 30, 2010 at 1:29 PM · As I previously said, I don't think that Apollo is the best B&M hyper anymore. I say it's Diamondback at Kings Island.
JoshC.
Joshua Counsil
March 30, 2010 at 1:40 PM · You're probably right, Derek, but since the B&M Mega encompasses so many of my favorite coasters, it gets my vote.
ETHAN
Ethan Bernhardt
March 31, 2010 at 5:25 AM · Tough Choice but AC is just more fulfilling.

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