Griffon (roller Coaster)

Griffon (roller Coaster)

Griffon is a Bolliger & Mabillard Dive roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. On opening, it was the tallest of its kind in the world at 205 feet (62 m). Griffon originally had two other potential names — "IronEagle" and "Voltare" — before Busch Gardens decided on the name "Griffon." Griffon has notably replaced The LeMans Raceway, one of the park's original rides. Griffon was announced on August 23, 2006 and became the fourth diving machine coaster to be built worldwide, and the second constructed in the United States.

Griffon is themed after a griffin, the half-lion/half-eagle mythological creature, and not a griffon, which is a breed of dog. It is believed that the spelling used is the French version of the word. The ride features several new shops located in a new inlet area located behind the former Left Bank Portrait shop (now Griffon Gifts), near the Grande Gourmet ice cream and dessert shop. The ride maneuvers through this new section, including a water splash zone near the new "Bistro 205," a new all-you-can-eat buffet, and a first drop that dives under a bridge that is built up over the existing ground level.