Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens is close to reopening

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) — An historic roller coaster is rising from the watery depths. The Loch Ness Monster will soon return to Busch Gardens after a renovation.

The bold and bright flagship snakes around both sides of the river, home of the only interlocking loop left in the U.S. Of its more than 3,000 feet of track, about 900 feet had to be replaced. This includes the track pieces at its interlocking loop, the only such loop left in the country, according to park leaders. Ride engineers are calling this routine maintenance, starting when the ride temporarily closed in November 2023.

They are also using this as a chance to amp up the storytelling experience. Riders will dive deep into the story of Nessie while waiting in line. New set pieces are being placed along the track.

“Gave us the opportunity to add some more theming in the cave,” explained Suzy Cheely, vice president of design and engineering. “Back in the day, I think there were some lights and pretty primitive theming that you might have seen back then. Now, we have a lot more technology that can be used.”

The path of the coaster is still the same route many people have known and loved since 1978. Leaders of the park felt it was important to keep and maintain the beast — instead of retiring the ride.

“Everything has a life span,” Cheely said. “So you got to think about, “Hey maybe it’s time to go, right.’ With Loch Ness, with it being the only coaster left with the interlocking loops, we just couldn’t let that happen.”

They are still putting in final touches and running through tests, but Cheely expects this to reopen in the first half of May.

Check with WAVY.com for more updates.

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