The actual tallest invert is in my Planet Coaster park

As an Alpengeist fanboy, I appreciate your reissuing this ride review and offering a more diplomatic take on it the second time around. 😄👍🏾 Not everyone’s gonna be a fan, but it’s bound to leave a strong impression, wherever you land on it. Given your particular critiques, I think 7 is a fair rating.

Remember when taylor did park and coaster battles? Og coaster studios

Takoda: “How do you pronounce this thing?”

what's really interesting about Alpengeist is that it's the only B&M invert in the world with a 0 car which was never done on an invert but alpengeist is

The entrance to the cobra roll is probably my favorite part! Quite intense.

I never noticed the skis below the Immelmann. You're going too fast!

The Cobra Roll is one of my favorite moments. Riding in the back makes it feel like your legs are going to fall off.

Alpie is definitely my favorite in the park. That bank into the mid-course is a doozy, but I LOVE the cobra roll. It's the one element that makes me yell out "WOOO" twice.

Taylor: "There are some B&M's that have developed a rattle" *shows video of Firebird at SFA* Me: "He's not wrong tho"

This was a 100% true analysis, this is the only ride at busch gardens that makes me sick sometimes only because of the transition in to the cobra roll it really whips

Alpi is phenomenal. It's in my top 15 coasters out of 239 creds... That cobra roll is hands down one of the best elements on any coaster ever.

I love Alpengeist! Awesome invert and people say it's rough but I found it smooth.

I will forever remember my ride on this during night ERT at CoasterCon two years ago. It was raining fairly hard, turning it into a psuedo water ride. I ended up getting off soaking wet, it was awesome!

I LOVE Alpengeist in the front row. Otherwise, I'm not as big of a fan. I think that smaller inverts are less drawn out in their elements which is why I think Taylor likes them more. It would be very hard to have a coaster this tall have really tight elements because it would be really hard on the track. I personally really love the setting and terrain interaction of the coaster and I enjoy the gigantic elements. But I can understand why it wouldn't be a lot of people's favorite, especially if your head is banging.

I rode it yesterday. New paint job looks great, and it was one of the smoother rides I can remember on it. In the past, once has been enough for me, but I hopped back on for a re-ride right after. 25 years old, and the thing's still near the top of the B&M invert food chain in my book. Crawling into the break run does kind of suck, but the second half is scenic after the adrenaline rush that the first half brings. That first drop through the immelman is special. Long live Alpengeist!

I think this is my favourite BGW coaster even despite the newer additions like Pantheon or Griffon. Its intensity is unlike anything else at the park.

Missed opportunity for the park to make Alpengeist a hyper coaster.

You know you’re old when you remember Alpengeist opening and being fresh.

Love this ride so much. Visited that park twice in different years back when I was first getting introduced to upside down roller coasters. Lochness monster was the first upside down coaster I ever rode in my life

Nobody: Takoda: Apegnest👁👄👁

I cannot wait for the updated Afterburn review

Didn't do any of the "defense" riding techniques and thoughts this was one of the best coasters in the park. The intensity is what makes it awesome. Especially if your used to the head crusher that is MindEraser from Six Flags America.

I personally rank this currently as the best coaster at BGW (my home park). The theming is there; the station does look like a building you’d find at a ski lodge. While the ending is a little slow, it works for me since you have snow to look at. The inversions are all great (yes, even the cobra), especially that zero-g roll next to Le Scoot. Butter-smooth, whippy; just as an old-school intense B&M should be. Ranking it next to other B&Ms, I put it higher than Raptor since Raptor has a stronger ending, but lacks the theming and setting that Alpie does.

Why do people think Banshee is rough, I mean it has a slight rattle, but if you come off that thinking its rough, you might want to ride Racer in the same park, that was unbearably rough this year

Best invert in the US and you can’t change my mind

Definitely my favorite because of the height, speed, the layout of the inversions, the theming, the tunnels and how close you get to the ground especially near the very end.

I've always thought I was crazy when I thought the transition in to the MCBR was rough - glad I'm not the only one who thought that.... My dad would never ride this when we went - always gave him a headache and ruined the rest of the day for him.

Glad to see you revisiting coasters from your past and giving them reviews from a more experienced coaster enthusiasts perspective. Personally I haven't ridden Alpangheist since 2015 so will definitely be looking to give this puppy a try next year. If covid doesn't affect plans

I remember riding this when Alpengeist was only a few years old; it was the same season they opened Apollo's Chariot. For the record, she was buttery smooth back then. It was like riding a cloud and it wasn't clinking so loud getting up the lift hill. There are also vents they aren't using any more; it made the area look like it was snowy and they were everywhere I have since ridden again and I think Busch Gardens should let her sit out a year for a bit of a tune-up.They haven't been maintaining her like she deserves. I am pretty sure it's not the transitions that are the problem. First off, they need new trains. The ones on the track are quite literally the same ones from 1997. You can see the wear and tear on them and some of the stickers for the rows are kaput. New trains on Alpengeist that are less rigid would help a lot. She needs to have some parts fixed, too: The Big Bad Wolf died because the track was not checked enough and the wear on it got dangerous. After millions of goes around the track, Alpengeist by now has wear and tear on the tracks and supports. Time for a checkup and repair. Turning the old vents back on would also be a plus.

I road this many, many years ago! It was fun!!!

The Supports Kinda Reminds Of The Ones On Baron 1898

Keeping my head forward is how I ride all B&M inverts honestly

It’s remarkable to hear that it’s gotten rough. When it first opened in 1997, I went on it. I went to college at William & Mary. It was the smoothest roller coaster I’d ever been on at the time. Either others have been built smoother, or it’s just gotten old.

This one was a bit shocking to me at first, but on like my third ride, it was solidly my favorite invert of all time. Probably in my top 3 coasters I’ve ever ridden. Crazy intensity and strong positives. Also, while my rides did shuffle a bit, it never got to be a real Jack-hammering like dominator when I rode it.

0:48 I see what you did there. Saying cool in a snowy themed coaster review... lol.

F in the chat for the old Alpengeist review

I love Alpengeist, it's a Monster!!!

I swear to God, I never fall in love

Apegnist -Takoda

Back in the day when the ride was new (I'm 21 so I didn't experience it this way) the mid course basically didn't grab the trains at all. They flew straight on through and hit the zero-g roll with way more speed. It's hard to find video footage of it after that but I'm sure that the rest of the layout would also see a bump in speed compared to modern ride on Alpengeist.

The cobra roll on this is huge. That has a lot to do with jolt going into it. Also the mid course break run really does kill the momentum and honestly it should cause up until that point it’s hauling. Given how intense it is in the first half, it’s gotta let up on it in the second half. I honestly think that’s why the ride has lasted so long.

This is my favorite in the park (before Pantheon opens) I actually really like that cobra roll and the ending has some good foot choppers.

Alpengeists twisted drop is awesome, I’m exited to ride it next year :)

Just rode it 4 times, recently. Found it very smooth for as old as it is. I didn’t find the cobra roll to be rough at all. Going into the mid course, sure. However, the same critique I say about Raptors final brake run. That’ll snap your neck. Nobody says bad on that, but Alpengeist mid course? Lol.

Hmmmm I always wondered when you guys speak on rattle...I've ridden Banshee maybe 4x in my life....I don't feel any rattle...what the heck are you guys talking about when you say rides have a rattle lol. I grew up riding Mean streak and I feel like anything less than that , that has a shake or vibration or "rattle" is child's play and easy to deal with LOL..

Its been way too long, but I rode this during the fireworks finale on the 4th of July and went down the drop as it started. I will always love this ride 😍

I kind of agree with your point that smaller and more compact inverts are better. I prefer raptor and Batman over Alpengeist and banshee

My favorite inverted coaster. Alpinegiest has my favorite cobra roll. It's the only one that I've experienced that is forceful.

These re reviews are really cool and it’s awesome to see how your opinion has changed on a coaster!

I always loved the supports on the lift hill

I rode this coaster yesterday, my first time, and I closed my eyes half the time lol

Great review. I think it would be great to see a re-review of Apollo’s Chariot down the line.

It's been years since I went to BGW but Alpengeist was definitely my favorite coaster in the park. Lines were basically nonexistent so at one point I rode it 7 times in a row without getting off. I can see what you're saying about the whippy transitions but for whatever reason that didn't really bother me that much. I definitely think the theming/use of terrain is really cool (no pun intended), and I thought the layout was quite fun. I'd be interested in riding it again to see if it's really as good as I remember.

I don't think Alpengeist is rough at all! Even the transitions. It was my #1 invert for a long time until I rode Montu. Alpengeist is still my favorite coaster at BGW! Front row at night especially!

soooo close to a hyper-invert :(

Good review I really love alpengeist for its intensity and speed.

Love that you’re revisiting your early reviews. So, so excited!

I can’t handle roller coasters very well bc I get sick but I have ridden Alpengeist and I remember how intense it was. That first half is just awesome

This is my 2nd favorite invert only behind Banshee. I rode this coaster 25 times in one day in March 2019

I enjoyed this ride here. It was full of surprises to say the least! It was great!

i LOVE alpengeist it was my fav at the park! but i’m a sucker for inverts

7:19 you forgot the final score text 😂

Back in the day I wasn't the biggest fan of this but after 2 marathon sessions this fall this claimed the title of not only my #1 invert but my #1 B&M overall. While I do think it could finish a bit stronger the insanity of the first half 100% compensates for that...the cobra roll is so whippy and I love it.

I rode Alpengeist in 1997 - it was my very first inverted roller coaster and it was brilliant. The trim off the lift was off and the mid-course, to my knowledge, wasn't on (if it was, it was unnoticeable). The entire train received a dose of airtime when dropping off of the mid-course brakes. Also, it was glossy smooth. I rode again in 2008 and it was a sad shadow of what it once was. RIP, Alpengeist of 1997 :-(

why is the lift hill so loud?

I like the cobra roll it’s insane

I rode Alpengeist the year it opened (I was 15) and it has changed significantly over time. It was super smooth in the early years, including the cobra roll and the MCBR. They both are much more noticeable today (as you pointed out). I remember when it first opened, it was a 3 hour wait and the line went all the way across the bridge overlooking the log flume. It's a shame because it really has aged, but still remains my favorite ride in the park.

This man really gave the best invert a 7/10? Imagine

Tried having a conversation with someone going up the lift hill with a mask and gave up after a few seconds. It’s still one of my favorites at Busch Gardens and your analysis is very spot on to my own ride experiences.

3:44 is so effortless and elegant!

Compared with my fav invert, Montu, Alpengeist loses some speed at the end with helix. I actually never noticed that. Also, the skis are pretty neat. When flying by so fast, you cant quite see the skis very well.

Not sure what BGW did recently but Alpengeist seems to be running a little faster and smoother recently. Rode second to last row (third seat) twice in the past two weeks and got a Grey Out each time. Thought it was a fluke until I heard others saying out loud what I was thinking. Riders on my row and in the lat row all saying the same thing. Worth visiting for anyone interested in testing this out. 19 Aug 2024.

I remember reading that the lift hill supports were designed as such to eliminate the need for huge support columns scattered throughout the hamlet that was already existing. And I remember back in '97 that lift hill was very quiet going up and those mid-course breaks were barely tapped when going through. It's been years since I been on Alpengeist

My first B&M, invert, and coaster with inversions. My first B&M would’ve been Kumba but a violent thunderstorm shut down the park while I was on line for it. Alpengeist’s first drop was much higher than it appeared from the ground, and entering that cobra roll felt very rough, but the ride overall wasn’t as rough as either of the Dueling Dragons. Talon is the smoothest invert I’ve ridden by far, and I have Hydra and Nitro tied for the smoothest B&M’s I’ve ridden.

You should review like millennium top thrill and maverick again

Hi Taylor! If you don’t remember my name I sent you a letter and a drawing. I really like the coaster studios wristband that you sent back and I didn’t expect you to write a letter back but thank you!

Honestly the best coaster in Busch gardens. Especially the inversions!

Actually my favorite invert, strange to me to hear any of it described as slow as well I wonder if on my next visit this won't feel like the ball of steel I thought it was

The cobra roll and entrance into the mid-course brake run feel like rough moguls on a ski slope.

I gotta say I disagree about the cobra roll, I think it’s the best part purely because it is so intense and crazy snappy. Feels like a more intense version of raptors cobra roll which is my favorite part of raptor as well.

I agree with the great theme elements. The seats are small and the big person seat which I generally get pushed to is in the middle of the train where you can't see anything. I think sitting in front would have been much better.

This is the greatest coaster in the world for the simple fact that no other trains in existence feature a goofy little raccoon face on them 11/10.

I brought my husband to BG for his first time in 2021, and I hadn't been on Alpengeist in years. We both agreed - front row was PERFECT, any other row, I'd take Griffon or Apollo over it. But he DID say to me after his first ride "wow it feels like we're falling forever!" Which is totally true.

I love this coaster since its a long ride and the lines are usually not too long, especially in 2022 with the arrival of Pantheon

kinda confused how people say this is rough. I thought it was smoother than apollos chariot whippy isnt rough whippy is good, that cobra roll is amazing. also the speed and force is crazy, favorite invert by far 9/10 ride for me

I loved this a lot its my number 2 behind Pantheon. I only got on five coasters at night though I was supposed to have daytime rides

It was funny to me at 2:39 in the video where you see Taylor’s review of Aplengeist and then Airtime thrills’ review of all the US B&M inverts on the right

Interesting take on the Cobra Roll. The Cobra Roll in general is my favorite inversion with the one on Alpengeist being my all time favorite Cobra Roll. Being a Drachen Fire veteran, I guess I never had a problem riding Alpengeist.

I love alpengeist. it was my favorite ride when i lived out there. BUT i have to say, Black mamba feels more intense - I think it's to do with the close-calls and the fact they can't build over the treeline - so a lot more twisty, helixy layout - whereas what i loved about alpengeist was the first drop and that immelman. the nostalgia man haha

Riding this with glasses is like putting your ears in between carpenters with sledgehammers. Still love it though

I rode this for the first time in June and I made sure that I was keeping my head forward. The main part that got me was the midcourse brake run. It nearly stopped the train completely and it felt like my head was going to detach from the rest of my body. Did not expect it at all.

i just rode for the first time this weekend (july 2024) and heard it was supposed to be rough, going in with that expectation, i found it on the same tier as great bear in terms of roughness, it wasn’t rough at all, sure a few moments of shake but not as rough as some describe

This was my first roller coaster ever when I was a kid

I'd love to see you rank all the inverts!

You'll love Nemesis and Inferno in the UK.. They really are phenomenal.. I've been on Montu at Busch Gardens Tampa.. and Seriously they are so different but both equally as good as each other.

There's only TWO inversions in this world that were so violently intense to where it made drool come out of my mouth. Those being Montu's last corkscrew in the back row right seat, and Alpengeist's cobra roll in the back row right seat. I was NOT expecting that cobra roll to be that bonkers, I mean my GOSH, haha. If it wasn't for that AWFUL mid-course that brings the pacing of this ride to a screeching halt, this would definitely be my favorite invert. But alas...that dumb mid-course. My first time going through that I literally said out loud "What the heck was that?? Really?" I enjoyed it more the second time, but come on BG.

R.I.P 2014 old review Taylor please don’t delete it it’s quality content 👌 and iconic!

As a huge fan of BG Williamsburg, and after going there for years, Alpengeist used to be my least favorite ride at the park. The head slamming in the cobra roll and the MCBR and getting ride sick during the final helix/left turn combo used to turn me off. I had to learn how to ride Alpengeist, and once I did, it’s now in my top three favorite rides in the park. Though, I still get ride sick through that final helix.

I know you said it dies at the end but at the end, it has that snowy ground theming and if it was super intense at the end, do you think the snow would be as noticable or enjoyable?