Griffon Up-Front Info
- Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 8.5
Diving features; open, floorless car; aggressive speed; height over 200 feet - Coaster type: Floorless diving coaster
- Top speed: 71 mph
- Height restriction: 54 inches
- Angle of descent: 90 degrees
- Drop: 205 feet
- Ride time: 3 minutes
- Griffon Photo Gallery
Minimal Cars. Maximum Thrills.
The six end seats offer the most open and unique rides. Because they extend beyond the track, passengers have nothing above, below, or to one side of them. The outermost seats in the front row are the primo riding positions.
As with other floorless coasters, once passengers are secured and the ride is cleared for takeoff, the loading platform drops away, and a gate in front of the car swings open with a dramatic flourish. The cars aren't completely floorless, however. Riders can let their feet dangle or rest them on a small bar under each row.
Enjoy the View
Then, eeeeeaaaahhhhh! The 90-degree drop reaches a bone-rattling 71 mph and feels all the more bracing with the open, floorless car. Griffon soars under a bridge and into a huge "Immelman" loop (a diving loop named for a German army pilot who performed acrobatic maneuvers). It then slows as it approaches a second 130-foot, 90-degree dive. Instead of hanging over the edge, however, it drops without hesitation and enters into a second Immelman loop. Griffon skids over a pool of water and sends huge plumes of water spray into the sky before it races back to the station.
Sorry, no Wimps Allowed
There's really no wiggle room for wimps to gather up the courage and tackle Griffon. It's an unapologetic thrill ride that coaster lovers will love and coaster wimps will avoid. But, with its unusual cars, thrilling dives, and water-shooting finale, it does provide quite a spectacle for non-riders to behold.
Griffon is located in Busch Gardens' France section. The park says that a Griffon is a mythical beast that's half lion and half eagle. It's also a gargoyle that adorns some buildings in France. There are no gargoyles on the ride's cars, track, or station, however. Griffon doesn't attempt to incorporate or convey any kind of story; it's essentially just a thrilling coaster. But oh, what thrills.
