InvadR is a wooden roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg amusement park in James City County, Virginia, United States.[1] The coaster was designed by American designer Skyline Attractions and built by American manufacturer Great Coasters International, and opened on April 7, 2017.[1] The ride features a 74-foot (23 m) drop, a maximum speed of 48 miles per hour (77 km/h), and a total track length of 2,118 feet (646 m).

InvadR
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
LocationBusch Gardens Williamsburg
Park sectionNew France
Coordinates37°13′57″N 76°38′55″W / 37.23250°N 76.64861°W / 37.23250; -76.64861
StatusOperating
Opening dateApril 7, 2017 (2017-04-07)
General statistics
TypeWood
ManufacturerGreat Coasters International
DesignerJeff Pike
Skyline Design, LLC
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height60 ft (18 m)
Drop74 ft (23 m)
Length2,118 ft (646 m)
Speed48 mph (77 km/h)
Inversions0
Height restriction46 in (117 cm)
Trains2 trains with 8 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 16 riders per train.
RestraintsLap Bar
Quick Queue available
InvadR at RCDB
Video

History

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After a three-month web-campaign on March 19, 2016, Busch Gardens Williamsburg announced that a new wooden roller coaster would be introduced in 2017.[2][3] The park let fans vote among three names – Viking Raider, InvadR, and Battle Klash – until April 1, 2016.[3] InvadR was ultimately chosen by the Internet poll.[1][4] On May 30, 2016, it was confirmed that trains from Gwazi, a defunct roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa, would be repurposed for InvadR. The attraction opened to the general public on April 7, 2017.[5][6][7]

Ride experience

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After leaving the station, the train makes two right turns and climbs the 60-foot (18 m) chain lift hill.[8] Upon reaching the top, it makes a left turn, goes through a tunnel and drops 74 feet (23 m) at 48 miles per hour (77 km/h). The train makes a sharp right turn and ascends several airtime hills, before making a right and then left turn into a helix. Afterwards, the train enters the final brake run and returns to the station.

Awards

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Golden Ticket Awards: Best New Ride for 2017
Ranking
Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters
Year 2019 2021 2022 2023
Ranking 41[10] 48[11] 45[12] 45[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Vera, Amir (April 5, 2016). "Fans have spoken: New coaster at Busch Gardens is named InvadR". The Virginian Pilot. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  2. ^ Kennedy, Sean (March 19, 2016). "New roller coaster coming to Busch Gardens – and you can help design it". The Virginian Pilot. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Kubersky, Seth (March 20, 2016). "Busch Gardens Williamsburg unveils InvadR wooden coaster for 2017". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  4. ^ "Busch Gardens reveals name for new roller coaster". The Virginia Gazette. April 6, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  5. ^ Black, Jonathan (November 1, 2016). "Busch Gardens' latest coaster, InvadR, appeals to ride enthusiasts". Daily Press. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  6. ^ LaRoue, Jimmy (April 7, 2017). "Busch Gardens has a welcome InvadR". The Virginia Gazette. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  7. ^ Staff (April 7, 2017). "Busch Gardens' first wooden coaster 'InvadR' opens to public". Williamsburg Yorktown Daily. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  8. ^ "InvadR Roller Coaster Opens At Busch Gardens Williamsburg". Coasternation.
  9. ^ "Park and ride winners" (PDF). Amusement Today. September 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  10. ^ "2019 Top 50 Wood Coasters". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  11. ^ "2021 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2021. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  12. ^ "2022 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Golden Ticket Awards. Amusement Today. September 2022. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  13. ^ "2023 Golden Ticket Award Winners". Amusement Today. 27 (6.2): 71–72. September 2023. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2024.