More Insight Into Big Bad Wolf’s Closing: “Service Life” Defined
Yesterday, the Big Bad Wolf made its final run. While on the Busch Garden’s Roller Coaster Tour over the weekend, the tour guide Zach Gray admitted he was sad to see Big Bad Wolf go just like everyone else. Like many locals his age, it was his first roller coaster. He explained that the ride was closing because it had reached “the end of its service life.” The service life term appeared in the park’s official statements, but I never really understood what Busch meant by the term.
Zach explained in so many words that based on the ride’s dynamics, design, and specific installation, the manufacturer (Arrow), set a service life for the roller coaster. He compared it to the rider height requirements set by 
coaster manufacturers that parks agree to follow. In other words, Arrow may have told Busch that Big Bad Wolf will last about 25 years. Zach also informed me that cost was not an issue. If it was simply cost then, the park would have kept Big Bad Wolf open, he stated.
The Big Bad Wolf portion of the tour was brief. The tour guide explained that Big Bad Wolf had different maintenance operations than the other coasters. It only involved a quick look at the trains from the station. I’ll have a full trip report of the Roller Coaster Tour up soon.
Coverage of Big Bad Wolf’s Final Day
BGW Fans has in-depth coverage of the Wolf’s last hours. The station was pretty lively with Big Bad Wolf chants and wolf howls. Busch Gardens promised to stay open later than normal if needed so that everyone in line could get a ride. On a night when the park was supposed to close at 9 PM, the Wolf was still running at 10:45 according to ScreamScape. Here’s a video from BGW Fans of the last train returning to the station:http://www.twitvid.com/player/3D5E2
Don’t Expect to See Big Bad Wolf Relocated
For anyone familiar with Big Bad Wolf’s layout, it’s pretty clear that its custom terrain-based layout couldn’t simply be disassembled and placed at another park. In addition, we won’t likely see other parks use the Wolf’s trains. Big Bad Wolf is a second generation Arrow suspended coaster. The other suspended coasters still in operation are newer generations and have slightly different specifications.
Big Bad Wolf now joins the ranks of popular (if not legendary) defunct roller coasters like Hercules at Dorney Park, Drachen Fire at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and the original Steel Phantom at Kennywood. More than anything, I will miss the ride’s exciting flight through that Bavarian village filled with scared villagers watching from their candle-lit windows. I really hope that the new ride uses the same village in some way. It would be a real waste to tear all that down. Read my full Big Bad Wolf review.
What’s Your Take?
Are you sad to see Big Bad Wolf go? Leave a final goodbye or other comment below.
Coaster Critic 
45 responses to “Big Bad Wolf: A Legend Reaches Its Expiration Date”
This is a sad day. I'm from Florida and I was able to ride this ride when I was about 13 when visiting cousins in VA. It's not so much the ride I'll miss, but the great day of fun that it represented.
I think its a good thing that the park kept it open so that everybody who wanted to ride got to, well done to them for that(not sure if thats the usual practice over there in the US)
Shame to see this go as I also read that Eagle Fortress at Everland maybe on the way out.
Still if the park can replace it with a B & M flying coaster that uses the unique terrain it could be a top 10 coaster. Greatness could emerge from this loss.
ppl, just cause its closed now dosent mean its just gonna skip a season and come back… and how about the christmas thingy???
So long old friend, I will miss you very much.
If xlr8's trains went six flags magic mountain isnt it possible that the bbw trains could go to some other park.
Very sad to see the Big Bad Wolf go, but glad that our entire family go to experience it together a few more times last month. My 5-year-old still talks about the ride…he loved it and I'm so glad he got to experience BBW as his first "real" coaster. He's been on others, sure, but this one was IMHO his first "big" one. So long Wolf!
I and the entire world is so sad. What is this world coming to? I mean, first it was The King Kobra at KD decades ago, and now this. We rode the BBW in July and it was smooth as butter and looked fantastic at the young age of 25yrs old. My 8 year old is really upset. He loved the BBW. All we do now is watch it on youtube every night. Next, they'll want to tear down The Lockness Monster. And she is much older. I bet it has something to do with this health care debate. They are trying to kill the coasters, because they can't afford the health insurance on them. Okay, I digress. uggg. So long my friend, I will never forget the way you swung me, turned me, and dropped me at the end.
This absolutely breaks my heart. This was my first roller coaster…I rode it when I was six. I made my father "hold me in" with his hand on my knee and then made him promise to buy me a "prize" at the end. He did, and I still have that dumb BBW pin. I was lucky enough to bring my kids this year to it's 25th anniversary. Needless to say, they are sad too. Nessie is my favorite…always has been, but the Wolf held a special place in my heart as my first. They tear down Ness and I'm not sure I'll be able to make it to the park again. And I hate that…it's a GREAT park!
(Don't take this as fact. It is my opinion!)
1. I don't think health care has any thing to do with it. I don't think the amusement parks provide insurance on the rides. They just pay the money once they get sued.
2. I don't think Nessie is going anywhere. Because of the ride dynamics, it doesn't cost nearly as much maintain. Also, it takes up very little room and the track is in a much more acceisible spot.
3. My friend (see BBW to be Removed Post) said that BBW is going to be removed because of maitinence. Then again, he only knows what his dad tells him.
4. Next years addition will be a 30 foot half-pipe for an extreme BMX show (I know! It just makes you think Europe! ;)). This will go where Drachen Fire stood. My conclusion- don't expect anything since 2012.
5. I said to him the enthusiast community wants a B&M Flyer. He didn't appear to know what that was. However, he seemed to understand after I explained. You can take that either way.
6. The "launch coaster" statment in BBW to be removed post has apparently been canceled. For curious minds, it was going to be called "Autobahn". From what he discribed, it seemed like either Test Track or a Vekoma Booster Bike.
7. I was in the car with his parents on the way to BGE when he said this. He was about to tell me the plans when he asked permission. No more was said about BGE's future the rest of the trip
8. BBW deconstrution has not started yet. There is still a "ghost train" on the track. It was one of the saddest things I have ever seen.
So that's what I know.
Just sad.
Oh yeah, I am the anonymous above, but I'm just letting ya'll know about the name change.
Totally sad. Save the wolf! Save the wolf! Save the wolf! Maybe we can call in PETA. They might help to 'save the wolf!'
Hey, anyone know??? I heard somewhere; or read somewhere on line that Busch Garden's new owners did not want to be in the rollercoaster/ theme park business. Anyone have any info on this? If this is true, this is sad. Busch garens rocks!
It sucks that Big Bad Wolf is gone, Lochness was my first coster and BBW my second and I have gone back every year for the last 22 years. I was just glad I went on Labor Day weekend and was able to go on it one last time.
They're replacing it with a flying launch coaster like the superman but with a launch. I'm glad they're tearing it down because it sucked and it was old.
yeah right. good idea, but no. NOT A FLYING LAUNCH COASTER!!!
whered u get that idea?
hey, keep the language G ppl!
Yeah a flying launch coaster? not gonna happen. I would like to see a regular flying coaster though. Maybe they could make the longest flying coaster and make it go through the village bbw went through
maybe it could be like the phantoms revenge type, or son of the wolf?
I think they should just add some enhancements and keep the village, make it a better coaster, and place the end hill on larger 'legs'….it could nearly have the same course, but make it longer and more exciting, and call it "son of the wolf." I think that would be a great idea. That way you still satisfy "us" bbw fans, yet modernize it to be a better coaster that they can have a 'good contract of maintence on.'
I REALLY think the best ride they could get would be a terrain woodie. They could try and take the record from the Beast for the worlds longest woodie. As rollercoaster dude said they could just keep the village and make the new ride a part of that.
not a woodie, last time Busch tried that, we got cursed with Gwazi. Why do you think we never saw another>
U TOOK MY NAME!
You pulled that one on yourself JaMeS 😉 .
PS-Again, they should have Vekonama rebuild it but whith lap bar restraints and other seet, stuff. i haven`t ridden it so i couldn`t see any other problems whith the trains
I'm very sad today…I recommend a terrain woodie to maintain that "through the woods" experience.
i`m all for the "replace it whith a Woddie" idea. ayone else?
Yeah, that would be a great idea! I think they should make it an pre-fab that goes though a few tunnels.
I really think since it was just 'issues with maintaining it,' that they should come up with "Son of the Wolf" and make it the same style, but 'updated' for longevity's sake, so it can last more than a quarter of a century, and make it taller and more exciting. Like, make the hills twice as tall, and make it more thrilling. NOW THAT would bring people out to "Son of the Wolf"!!!!
Umm, that's a good idea in theory, but I'm not so sure it would work out. What if we had another Son of Beast on our hands? Son of Beast is a good ride, don't get me wrong, but through all the controversy, only one thing is clear – it is ROUGH! What if "Son of the Wolf" came out and it was rough? Also, BBW is specially made for the terrain it was on. How can another, taller, longer ride fit in the same space? Maybe we need to revisit that idea and change it. I personally like the idea of a new woodie.
also, BBW is supposed to be a family ride. making the hills twice as tall would make it less of one. i think making a pre-fab woodie whith tunnles a Tom suggested would be a great addition to the park.
and all u ppl are taking my name! OMG!!!!!!!!!
Let's not get to another name fight, like on Discussion Page a few weeks ago. CC could have kicked us off the chat.
If you look at the demolition pictures they're tearing down the bavarian village.
All I know is tearing down this ride, along with the village, is a mistake. Even if in the near future BGW gets another world class coaster. It was enough that they stopped the ride, but the village could have def. been used in any future plans.
I bwet they aren't DESTROYING the village, just taking it apart and putting it some-where else
[…] Florida’s oldest amusement park, Cypress Gardens closed after ditching its roller coasters and trying to reinvent itself. The great stand-up roller coaster (yes, that’s not an oxymoron) Chang was removed from Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom and shipped to Six Flags Great America (Chicago). This could signal the beginning of the end for Kentucky Kingdom. Rumors are that it may transition to a water park. And lastly, as I covered on the blog in much detail, the Big Bad Wolf closed at Busch Gardens. It had apparently reached the end of its service life and it was time for it to go. See coverage of Big Bad Wolf’s final run. […]
Hey guys, bit of a heads up, The reason BBW is going away is due to it reaching the end of its maitainable life. aka they don't make proper parts for it anymore, and using newer parts would make it unsafe (anyone remember "The Bat" at Kings Island?) As for nessie, she uses a more conventional design so she'll be here for quite a while longer.
i thought you were talking about nessie as in the person! i was thinking: she? well i don`t know about that, but i thought vekoma could replace the track.
This was my first coaster and my son's first coaster. It's still a favorite for our whole family. I understand having to pull it out for safety reasons, but it does break my heart. And Nessie may be more conventional and therefore able to keep running, but should she really? That is one rough ride. Last year we finally gave up the ghost and quit riding her because she makes our heads hurt. If one of the oldies had to go, I'd rather it was her.
I read no woody because of noise ordinance issues. Bummed I never got to ride it. Grew up with Great Adventure, just discovered Busch Gardens. Loved it!
My boyfriend told me about Big Bad Wolf. He took me to Busch Gardens for the first time last weekend. I saw the old spot. Saw the old loading area. The whole ride is gone except for the station and the cement blocks that were the bases of the supports were. I wish I had gotten the chance to ride it. Oh well. Maybe I will get the chance to ride the replacement.
This wasn't my first coaster, but it was the first one I loved.
The early advertising for it always stressed the "village" section at the beginning. I remember the first time I rode it, thinking it was over when that bit was done, then realizing that after the brake run there was that mysterious second lift, with the track turning left at the top toward *something* hidden by the trees…
I loved the big bad wolf! They replaced it with Verbolten.I noticed the BBW was gone so I rode Verbolten and I stayed and rode it every day for a week. On my last day, Verbolten was closed because they were already having issues. I'm sorry for people who like it but the big bad wolf definitely beat Verbolten. The ride was to over don't and you were dropped a couple of feet. The drop could have been better because it seemed to slow and the caves/leaves really didn't look good compared to othe Busch garden rides. I love Apollo though. It's now my favorite ride. We always end our vacation on Apollo, I love it. I'll always carry the BBW in my memories and it will always be my old favorite ride. I always had to go by muse
F because my dad was to scared. I loved the part wher it went over the lake and through the two pillars. It had a great view of the park at that point. I could rode on it every day all day. R.I.P The Big Bad Wolf!
I loved the big bad wolf! They replaced it with Verbolten.I noticed the BBW was gone so I rode Verbolten and I stayed and rode it every day for a week. On my last day Verbolten was closed because it was already having issues. It had only been opened a week at this time. The ride was sucking and it went to slow it some parts. Also the leaves and caves didn't even go with the theme. They also were very bad and to fake. I mean busch gardens really stepped down on this ride. I love the big bad wolf and I will always love. I remeber going to wher it was is 2009 and it was gone. Nothing was left not even a pillar of the old ride. I almost cried. Then in 2010 or 2011 I went and verboltenwas up. I still hate Verbolten.i go to Busch gardens every day and now I only have lock ness, apollo, the griffin, and Alpengeist. Rest in peace big bad wolf!
This was the first roller coaster I ever went on and only one for the longest time. I felt comfortable and just wasn’t too bad. It was the best roller coaster I have ever rode. Sad that it is gone and that my kid can’t be able to have that same thrill I had when I first rode big bad wolf. I’m sad I didn’t even know they closed it. I came to Virginia just to go to Busch gardens due to being military. It will truly be missed.