Loch Ness Monster - The Legend Lives On! at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

The Legend Lives On! Nessie is celebrating 46 years as Busch Gardens’ most iconic attraction with a full restoration in 2024, including ALL-NEW thematic and experiential elements. Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA.
Model: Arrow Custom Looping Coaster
Opening date: June 6, 1978
Length: 3,240 ft
Height: 130 ft
Drop: 114 ft
00:00 Loch Ness Monster
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[@ReplyBy]

I'm going to miss those Toomer Transitions, lol. Looking great. I'm glad BGW put the money into LNM. Thank you BGW.

[@Noclue0828]

Whats a toomer transition?

[@ReplyBy]

@Noclue0828 Ron Toomer designed Lockness monster. He is known for some questionable transition in and out of turns.

[@Noclue0828]

@@ReplyBy 👀 questionable? What kind of questions?

[@ReplyBy]

@Noclue0828 Questionable - doubtful as regards truth or quality. Ron Toomer was a head of his time, but compared to today's standards, his transition are rough. If you have been on LNM pre-retrack, you will understand. It was a "if you know. Uou onow comment"It has to do with how he designed roller-coasters and hoe Arrow Development had the track manufactured. Google him, and days' worth of reading will come up.

[@surrahnt]

I have lost count of how many times I’ve rode this over the last 15-20 years, but that first drop and the tunnel get me every time! It’s so close in that tunnel, I get scared every single time😂 I have a very special place in my heart for this ride, as do many BGW fans!

[@lystheshaman]

I love what they did with this ride, I remember when this ride had no story or anything just fun now it’s got a amazing soundtrack and a amazing story to it. Always fun riding this ride, but they made it so much better. Like geiunally one of the greatest soundtracks on a Busch gardens ride ever.

[@rmannayr2129]

THE LOCH NESS MONSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rmannayr2129]

LOCH NESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JacobNovak-e8s]

This is & has always been my dad's favorite coaster Anytime we go to Busch gardens we ride this coaster first it's like a good luck ritual for us glad to see this being cared for & cant wait to see Son of Wolf next year ❤❤❤

[@Sonicstrumoffical]

If you don’t ride this when you go to Busch gardens idk what to say

[@russlasky6162]

Still the best ride at BG and that first drop hits different

[@CaptainCretaceous91]

It's no Expedition Everest, but it does look good.

[@TheGeekMonster]

I'm guessing the new support structures are just to help the coaster stay intact as it ages? Sad to see them interfering with the classic yellow view, but if it keeps Nessie around longer, I'll take it!

[@JakeWerkmeister]

By far the best of the old Arrow loopers. Glad to see that Bush Gardens gave it the TLC it deserves.

[@samplautz5586]

You can’t even tell that Premiere replaced 1/4 of the track. They blended it perfectly with existing track

[@sharpproductions]

Seamless work 🙌

[@beautyandbrains1695]

In my opinion, this roller coaster will likely never be dismantled or shut down forever. This is the last roller coaster in the world with interlocking loops. Even if busch gardens was to get rid of this, another theme oark would buy it and keep it running. Nothing this great or legendary will ever go out of style.

[@ronnie_astro]

They should re-track it like they did with the Python Rollercoaster in the Efteling Holland. It was the first inversion rollercoaster in Holland and it made many of my generation love rollercoasters in general. They got rid of the old Vekoma track and had a Belgium company deliver a new track identical to the old one. It runs smoother, better and can last for another 30 years or more. I can’t see why they can’t do that with this coaster as well.

[@jessiepatton6179]

@@ronnie_astro Premier Rides just did! I hear it’s very smooth now.

[@Sticky_wicky]

I love how it still has its janky charm. Also I’ve noticed that this ride never fails to rip the R2D2 screams from people 😂😂

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

You can tell Busch Gardens take really good care of Loch Ness Monster. It's still amazing to see that this ride still looks brand new, has had a lot of money spent on it, and the renovations it has received from Busch Gardens and S&S have really shown their love for this ride 46 years later. The maintenance team and S&S, gotta give kudos to them big time, because if Arrow Dynamics were still in business today, they'd be proud to see this ride still standing today.

[@ActuallyAJ_]

Dude this is actually like an experience this is what Busch can do! This might make a start for them making more story based coasters and rides!

[@keiichimorisato98]

Cobra's Curse and Curse of Darkcoaster were pretty decent story coasters.

[@Yikes_its_Psychs]

At one point Loch Ness Monster was a story coaster. So was Big Bad Wolf, Drachen Fire, and Alpinegiest. This is hopefully the mark of the return to story based coaster.

[@brianm9467]

They are going back to what made them great.

[@HauntedElsieKirina]

@@keiichimorisato98Cobra Curse’s queue needs some TLC.

[@keiichimorisato98]

@@HauntedElsieKirina yeah... a lot of that park needs some TLC.

[@heliman29]

Looks amazing!

[@adalineelliott1491]

This ride was fun before but I’m excited to ride again

[@VanessaHolguin]

3:33 Cake day~

[@HauntedElsieKirina]

Which is better FRONT or BACK row? I’ll wait for the front row! 🙌🐉🎢🌊

[@laslibra]

I can't get enough of it.

[@HauntedElsieKirina]

It’s so much FUN! 🤪🐉🎢

[@sandraguerrero1209]

Love this!! Just had to watch again and again!! Woo hoo!!!

[@themiraclesalign]

came to the park for the first time and accidentally arrived early by an hour. we got on loch ness first and were somewhat close to the front of the line that formed before they opened the ride. didn't know i was one of the first couple of people to get on it for the new stuff they put there! really fun, too

[@keith3970]

I first rode this in 1978.Surprised they've kept it safe and operational.The tunnel looks great.

[@christopherwynn727]

Welcome Back Loch Ness Monster Happy 46th Anniversary

[@eviltom17]

Amazing refurb and upgrade! The monster is back big time! Still wish they never got rid of Big Bad Wolf though. :(

[@darkridearts]

Same. It’s ok though at least this is still alive and thriving.

[@beautyandbrains1695]

Yes. I wish I could have ridden big bad wolf. But Verbolten exists in its memory. Also, there was a coaster name drachen fire next to big bad wolf that I wish I could have ridden.

[@animegirl677]

I love this ride

[@HauntedElsieKirina]

Me too! ❤🐉🎢🥰

[@sharkyfish3492]

IT LIVES... Thank god this coaster is still around and (mostly) unchanged. It is indeed a classic

[@aslanpedersen7467]

I wonder who's the Scottish man talking in the background?

[@allenjones4168]

Seems like it's much smoother

[@sharpproductions]

For sure

[@happymaskedguy1943]

As a Scottish person who lives a couple of hours drive from Loch Ness, I really want to ride this 😂

[@sharpproductions]

😆 Nessie is waiting for you 🌊 🐉 🌊

[@happymaskedguy1943]

I have looked for her. I once spent a beautiful evening sitting beside the loch’s edge for a couple of hours. One thing that people might not know is that the water in Loch Ness is incredibly deep, incredibly cold, and almost black. So little light reflects, and the water is quite peaty. Due to the nature of the light and rock surfaces in Scotland, many of our rivers, lochs and even the sea appear almost black on cloudy days. Very atmospheric.

[@gstevens6948]

@@happymaskedguy1943very cool, I consider myself either English or Scottish with the last name Stevenson.

[@happymaskedguy1943]

@@gstevens6948Sorry dude, if you aren’t born and raised in Scotland, you ain’t Scottish 🙂‍↔️ Nothing wrong with being an American etc with Scottish ancestry - but that isn’t being Scottish. Come live here though, and I’ll personally anoint you with a dram and a dook in Loch Ness itself 😁 Ooh - fun fact regarding Robert Louis Stevenson: a lot of people mispronounce the ‘Louis’ as Lewis, when in fact RLS adopted the name after the French King Louis (pronounced Loo-ey). All the best man! Slanj!

[@davidnevolo4402]

So happy the park did this!! Hopeful that in the future they can clean up pantheon. But adding storytelling to this coaster , given that its more of a family thrill and needed updating, is more important and really well worth the effort. Wonderful

[@sharpproductions]

What’s wrong with Pantheon? Haven’t been on it since it opened. .

[@davidnevolo4402]

@sharpproductions nothing structurally, they just budget cut the landscaping and queue and station theming. A lot of busch gardens/sea world thrill rides opened for a few years without the optimal level of theming, but now we have examples of the alternative with loch ness monsters refresh, penguin trek, and the surf coaster.

[@boybabyboy29]

That was my favorite rollercoaster ride back in July 1990

[@emilyrose31]

0:17 oh hey that’s me! I was off in my own world 😅 I’m so happy they spent the time and money to keep nessie around and add more to the experience. I LOVED all the easter eggs on the cork boards that you can see at the beginning of the video. It seems like they are (at least somewhat) trying to tie all the mythical creature based rollercoasters together in theme based on the papers and pictures that were on said cork boards. That has nothing to do with the ride experience but i’m a sucker for easter eggs lol.

[@AirtimeAxolotl]

Your famous now!

[@Jcjc-lr4bf]

They did a FANTASTIC job. It’s absolutely unbelievable! I’d KILL for a lochness monster statue or even a cheap animatronic during the turn into the second loop at the end!

[@coasterviking305]

Rumor is some sort of statue/monster figure is supposed to be installed by the second loop next week!

[@Jcjc-lr4bf]

@@coasterviking305 NO WAY

[@Bucketdad427]

Bro that statue is up looks like it was made by the same people who made the raptors for the Velocicoaster in Orlando

[@jeremiahmcswain3392]

They did a big upgrade 👏 ❤

[@kev8346]

God they have such a perfect opportunity to put a giant loch ness in that river next the coaster. That would PERFECT it. I can see it now! Imagine its mouth open near the loop like youre looking at it flipping through the loop?!

[@sharpproductions]

Rumor has it there is another element by the loops that hasn’t been unveiled yet 🤯

[@jjrudy41]

I heard thats exactly whats going on.

[@voidshell]

There will be a Loch Ness monster in the water by the double loops. I saw them working on it the other day

[@DatOneGoat]

Just went yesterday and yes now there is a lochness monster right beside the 2nd loop but mostly visible throughout the first parts of the ride

[@davidtarantino5328]

Congratulations Premier Rides, on a job WELL done!

[@mattsedlar]

I’ll give this a shot next time I’m at the park. First time I went on it I swore to never ride again. So uncomfortable and a real head banger.

[@Noclue0828]

Ouch 🤕

[@aaronsteindler3245]

It was about the time when I got to the top of the 2nd inversion that I noticed that this roller coaster was a giant crustacean from the paleolithic era. He looks over and says "I need about tree fiddy."

[@OTownNews]

“I ain’t givin you no tree fiddy, you GD Loch Ness Monster!”

[@MarylandRailfanner-w2t]

They updated the ride since I been there

[@christianortiz-v1l]

This looks amazing! Great job Busch Gardens Williamsburg!

[@francisnguyen6349]

Loch Ness Monster is so scary.

[@dravenripley9468]

Looks like a much smoother ride as well. Last time I rode it was really rough. Way to revive a dying coaster. Alpengiest should be next, another coaster starting to show its age with a rough ride.

[@lucasbarszcz2738]

I miss that coaster. It was my first one with loops. May 18, 1991.

[@sharpproductions]

Nessie misses you too 🥹

[@Seven_Swell]

Me too! Except... A couple decades later. Still a ton of fun!

[@robertbarga3694]

I find this ride to be really charming. Bush Gardens Williamsburg doesn't have a single bad rollercoaster (I can't speak to the kiddie one as I have never ridden it)

[@nerfer1091]

I can speak to the kiddie one! It's suprisingly good for a kiddie coaster.

[@rogerkahler853]

It’s smoother coming out of the cave where you cling the hill again, but otherwise it’s the same ride. Effects in cave are underwhelming. Other revamped items like station and signage look good.

[@coasterviking305]

Cave ain’t finished yet

[@Youlosewewin]

In typical Busch gardens style excellent

[@Charles-i4y]

They did an awesome job with the upgrade. That bit with the wrecked coaster car is nice.

[@sharpproductions]

Wrecked car is my favorite part 👌

[@brianhartman2960]

Still has that slow ass chain lift...

[@HauntedElsieKirina]

She’s not exactly a spring chicken. 🐉

[@sharpproductions]

It is springy though

[@someidiot6067]

i went on this abomination and hated it. it made me puke and cry.

[@kingcallahan24]

This is dope… i wish it wasn’t raining this weekend because i would be there. Question: what type of camera setup do you have?

[@sharpproductions]

GoPro for the on ride portions, BGWs camera rules favor GoPros. Just a phone for the rest.

[@AtBillyBobbroccolis]

When I heard someone say that the Loch Ness monster had been completely changed, I was so worried but all it really looks like they did it just make the beginning a little bit longer and make the tracks mover and a story shift. That was a close one.

[@TonyBorda]

This is more of an upgrade than I expected! What exactly is in the tunnel? A screen with Nessie swimming by, or looking at you, or a statue of her or what? Hard to tell from this, but whatever it is, I'm sure it's gonna freak me out!

[@sharpproductions]

Nessie is on the screen, it’s hard to say what else is in there, this definitely needs a few more re-rides to take in all the details!

[@chrishoward1738]

Today for the member preview only one screen was working when in fact there are three full led panels. The one on the right was working today but the two on the left were off for some reason… how do I know this?I have leaked video of the construction. Disappointing to ride today and they are already having issues with the screens.

[@StamfordBridge]

It got Scottisher! Love this coaster so much. ❤️

[@HauntedElsieKirina]

Aye lassie. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🐉🎢

[@happymaskedguy1943]

Braw!

[@ParkTwister]

THIS LOOKS AMAZING! 👏

[@HauntedElsieKirina]

It’s beautiful!🤩🐉🎢

[@happymaskedguy1943]

Questionable Scottish accent aside, as well as the more Irish rather than Scottish music, it’s great to see a coaster leaning more into its theming. Some fog wouldn’t go amiss for that tunnel entrance.

[@AirtimeAxolotl]

Hopefully they re track more coasters made by arrow

[@sharpproductions]

Viper at Magic Mountain isn’t as old as this but it’s always been rough! I vote for that one next time

[@pcruzinn]

Just from this video it sounds so much smoother already, so glad to call Busch Gardens Williamsburg my home park.

[@sharpproductions]

Smoothest “46 year old” coaster in existence. 🙌

[@AuraHero]

@@sharpproductions Smoothest Arrow ever?

[@markvolpe2305]

@@sharpproductions Looks like they fixed the janky transitions too?

[@Rohrbach00]

@@AuraHeroFor me, honestly hard to say as we also have Tennessee Tornado at Dollywood which is also a smooth Arrow Looper. I’ve ridden both that and Nessie (before the retracking) and I did not see a difference between the two but I will tell you is that Nessie appears to be much smoother after the retracking according to those who rode the coaster over the past few days

[@laslibra]

Wild!!

[@HauntedElsieKirina]

Mysterious!

[@gradyjenkins9808]

Never been there, but I’ve been excited about this, and now planning a trip there.

[@starapton5374]

This looks fantastic. Is the theming new I’ve ridden Loch Ness Monster once, and I don’t remember any theming

[@Rohrbach00]

As a matter of fact, all the theming is new not to mention that 900ft of the coaster track was completely retracked as well

[@MrLeo778]

Are you guys going to Queen Marys Dark Harbor in Long Beach this year?

[@sharpproductions]

Yes! Definitely in the plans!

[@m.hreels9822]

Really cool! I've been looking forward to seeing what they've done ✅👍🏻❤ decent upgrades! I love the destroyed coaster car at the beginning but the stuff in the tunnel was pretty much what I was expecting. I know they can't do much because the tunnel is pretty cramped. Hope the video screen is cool inside ❤ I have mixed feelings but I like how they put on board audio 🔉

[@jedinerd77]

Clearest and steadiest footage on KZbin. Very "sharp!"

[@breaksquad1236]

Noooooo they got rid of the old safety spiel

[@HauntedElsieKirina]

What did the safety spiel say?

[@joeyleemv]

What changes did they make?

[@Rohrbach00]

They retracked 900 ft of the coaster’s track and added more theming to the ride, basically on-ride audio, Nessie Statue next to the bottom loop, and screens/lights in the tunnel. I should note that the theming inside the tunnel isn’t finished yet according to other coaster geeks commenting on here

[@wrestlertown007]

I'm glad they retracked it. This ride needs to be around for another 50 years. But audio on rides is dumb. The adventure is moving along the track. Nobody wants to pay attention to what a dude yells in a speaker when you are flying through beautiful scenery. They should have just put some hilarious animatronic into the ride instead and called it a day.

[@Tomtycoon]

You would think they would order some new trains from Vekoma but NOOOO... But still looks really pretty, 1:45 That yellow track above the treeline, so nice!

[@Tomtycoon]

My bad, the trains are new, but they look like old arrow ones.

[@sharpproductions]

It bruised my shoulders and a knee but I successfully fit. . Newer style restraints would definitely be appreciated, these are not designed for tall people.

[@cjones3710]

Too damn loud. See my recording from the Aeronaut sky ride. That loud annoying tape on new loch ness can be heard all over the north west side of the park. I prefer the anti roll back sound of arrows.

[@sandraguerrero1209]

Which do you prefer? The first car or the last? I imagine that the last car has like a whip effect. 😂

[@HauntedElsieKirina]

The front car! I like to face my fears head on! But I will close my eyes the whole time! 🫣🐉🌊

[@WednesdayAddams5150]

I prefer the back car for the airtime you get on the 2 main drops

[@adriangarcia543]

I like to watch live stage show

[@HauntedElsieKirina]

Yes but what about roller coaster 🎢 videos? 🤪

[@negan5986]

It was so good!

[@Mattanimus]

6:57 fluffy Scottish cows! 🐄

[@HauntedElsieKirina]

IT’S SO FLUFFY!

[@happymaskedguy1943]

In Scotland we call them Heelan Coos. They’re also famously well natured cattle, despite their wild appearance. Among many, many things in Scotland, they’re a source of national pride.

[@paulbohnert685]

Lovely! When are they fixing escape from Pompei?

[@sharpproductions]

Like, where the volcano doesn’t erupt? jk

[@RanHam]

In real life can you hear what the guy is saying?

[@sharpproductions]

Yes you can hear him from the shack through the lift and also the second lift. 🙌

[@ProfessorSnape22]

ITS LOCHNESS MONSTER!!

[@Gigadestroyermets]

Oh wow did this ride ever get an upgrade!

[@HauntedElsieKirina]

It’s smooth like butter!

[@Gigadestroyermets]

@@HauntedElsieKirinalike a criminal undercover 🎵

[@HauntedElsieKirina]

@@Gigadestroyermets Gon' pop like trouble breaking into your heart like that, ooh

[@davidnevolo4402]

Was the track simply replaced or was it smoothed out at all? Still has classic janky profiling so clearly not a full redesign by any means.

[@sharpproductions]

It’s the same layout with sections of the old track replaced. You can see when riding it that some parts are old track with a new coat of paint.

[@LoveStallion]

Was that a new trim brake on the drop before the first loop?

[@notkaywhy]

It’s always been there since Nessie first opened in ‘78.

[@chrishoward1738]

Congratulations you filmed a pov with half the tunnel working … on the left side of the tunnel there is several wrap around screens that where installed but didn’t work today for somone reason… you can see in this video on the left side two black squared at a certain point that are not on .

[@chrishoward1738]

@2:35 is where you can see the two huge screens that are off for today. That is where Nessie will appear.

[@sharpproductions]

Ohhhhh interesting, are they working today? Maybe we’ll stop by again

[@chrishoward1738]

I believe they won’t turn on until grand opening … they placed a sign outside saying some affects would be saved for opening

[@AuraHero]

@@chrishoward1738 They did have a few of the screens running last Saturday when I rode the coaster.

[@VelocicoasterFanboy]

What's in the cave?

[@Gigadestroyermets]

Nessie herself

[@sharpproductions]

🐉 👋

[@zacharyman9159]

They only fix stuff . Just add it a little bit more stuff on the ride . It nothing new. Just new paint and the other stuff. Busch Gardnes is. Run out of space to put ride at . They might need to take over the other side near Apollo's Chariot. That the only way to get more ride or something. Got to open it up got to spend the money .

[@jackschissler255]

So who did the new re-tracking?

[@mr.porkchopthepig4808]

Premier Rides

[@AirtimeAxolotl]

​@@mr.porkchopthepig4808I think it was S&S(I might be wrong)

[@jarettgrossman1807]

I’m so sick of SeaWorld/Busch parks claiming that they’ve done major work to something when in fact it’s always half assed. Yes this is improvement but they preached about “changes” when this was first announced and it’s literally THE SAME EXACT RIDE.

[@chicagocarless]

Am I the only one who thinks this is pathetic? The last thing this ride needed was intrusive ridiculous audio. I want to hear the actual ride. And oh great, now the tunnel is super bright and you can see all the track. But both lift hills are still super slow. Just a completely missed opportunity.

[@TechToyTV]

lol have you ever ridden the ride previously? The lift hills have always been slow. This refurb is fantastic. Loch Ness was approaching the point of not being able to be ridden. The re-tracking was a must. All the additional themeing elements bring a new a updated twist to it

[@traderentertainment5626]

The lifthills being slow are some of the best parts of the ride. The anticipation is what makes it. Glad they didn't change that.

[@AirtimeAxolotl]

The audio is annoying

[@Martin_ros]

Sorry but this sucks. The Lucky the Leprechaunesque bad Scotch accent narrator is annoying. And the original nuanced cave effects with the two eyes as you entered; the mural w the face jumping out at you and the mist as you exited - and not revealing the wood supports - was much better. Another cheap light video as w Dark Koaster and Verbolten.

[@MarcusBrannon]

If it's not Scottish, it's crap!

[@Drupp12]

Looks kind of weak

[@AirtimeAxolotl]

It was made in the 70s

[@keiichimorisato98]

this looks so good! i remember how rough the transitions were. they greatly improved the profiling of the track.

[@VBshredder]

I see the same thing - looks like they greatly improved profiling on the first turn around and after the first loop - also perhaps at the very end there?

[@keiichimorisato98]

@VBshredder yup. When I went on it a few years ago, the turn there wasn't nearly as banked cause me and my friend to get roughly jostled in the seat. This looks a lot more graceful and more comfortable of a turn. I'm glad the ride is here to stay, it's absolutely iconic to the park. I remember wishing to ride it whenever I saw commercials for Busch Gardens as a child.