Pun_Machine

In the spirit storyline i want to see this placid face turn into a freakish demon just before the train drops... how cool would that be?!

I will be there on the 18th bright and early, will be sure to post my report.

On-board audio? I recall the leaked plans calling for speakers mounted at various points in the event building. Not sure which to believe. If it is on board audio there's potentially a lot of electronics to charge up in the station: On board video equipment for the souvenir videos, on-board audio system, and potentially working headlights. The alternate storyline aspect just got me more excited than ever about this ride, that's enough to keep me in line all day next Friday to try and experience them all!

^ I haven't heard anything official on this but it does sound like a reasonable response... at least for opening weekend or the first few weeks. They will want to keep capacity high and be as efficient as possible to keep the lines manageable. It sucks for those of us who want to ride in the front but it works out better for everyone in the end... I'd rather take any seat than wait in a 5 hour queue.

I noticed something cool. If you pause the testing video at about 20 seconds in, after the drop section falls and inspect the theming element directly in front of the train you may see a face that closely resembles what we're seeing on this shirt. I hope they do something really cool with this, lighting, sound... perhaps some other effects (fog?) to really heighten that moment before the train drops out from under you.

^ I believe it. The dummies in the video look like they're getting some good air when it drops.

Official testing video. MOD EDIT: I embedded the video in your post. thanks for sharing the link. Chuck

^ I remember when there was a list of potential names being circulated, "Verbolten" was my least favorite in the list.

Just for fun: "You may leave your luggage with us."

^ I plan to go on the 18th, opening day, and i expect no less than a 3 hour wait. This is based on my experience with new rides in the past... They tend to have extremely long lines for the entire first season. I have a feeling opening day will be a zoo.

I don't think those are vines. Looks more to me like a patina, oR perhaps moss or mold... What you might expect to see on an old wooden bridge. I'm more upset that they didn't disguise the steel beams more, but that won't affect my enjoyment of the ride.

^ no matter how fast it goes inside it will feel much faster due to the theming inside.

New testing footage shot yesterday: ADMIN EDIT - Sorry we do not support the people who shot this video. Link removed.

There's a contest going on for an invitation to a VIP event the evening before Verbolten opens to the public. Here are the details: http://www.buschgardensvablog.com/are-you-ready-verbolten It ends tomorrow, sorry i just found out about this moments ago.

From the Wikipedia page: If this is accurate it sounds like a nice touch.

Someone's added a new description of Verbolten to the Wikipedia entry. Some of it doesn't sound very accurate, and i'm also curious about all of the mentions of Gunter and Gerte interacting with the guests. I suppose if this is a feature of the ride it requires a lot of video monitors. Thoughts? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verbolten

I can't see that happening to the ride. It would be cool to have vines crawling all over it like the station, but what we see in that image is so far from the reality of what we'll actually get. I think the artist was trying to combine the sensations that we'll be subjected to in the show building with the final drop element for a more complete depiction of the ride in general.

No problem really, i just think it's funny.

It's kind of hilarious that they're using B&M track on all the artwork. I know people have mentioned the absurdity of the inverted track on some of the other collateral, but even in the latest stuff it's B&M track. There was one concept painting of the bridge section that came out before the ride was announced officially that accurately portrays the track.

I don't recall anything like this in the concept art or plans, though it has been stated that the black forest has something to do with the collapse of the bridge in the 'story' of the ride. I think that would be an amazing touch to have either a mess of vines crawling around the structure or one massive one strangling it. Seeing what they've done with the station so far it's a possibility we might see something like this, but that's speculation on my part.

I read a rumor online that there's the possibility of a soft open as early as this Friday. Can anyone substantiate or disconfirm this?

I just noticed that, looks like 'do or do not, there is no try' -- Yoda, followed by 'grab an axe' -- Gunter

I studied German in college, and i love a good pun (hence the name) but that 'Fahrt' joke is just stupid. Nobody's going to get it unless they know what that word means. I'm not so worried about the floating tunnel. When you're on the ride it's probably not as noticeable that it just ends. Thanks for another great update Chuck, the ride just keeps looking better and better!

Does anyone have a realistic idea of what the crowds will be like on the 18th? I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to take the day off work to ride Verbolten on opening day. It seems like the crowd might be lighter than it would on that Saturday or Sunday since it's a work day for many, but then again, it's a big ride premiere and others might have the same idea.

Some testing has already begun, at the Hardhat tour they mentioned that the train had already made the circuit and they were fine tuning the drop track. I'm pretty sure they're doing the bulk of the testing, if not all during the week when the park is closed to the public. The drop section is the first of it's kind in the states, but not the first of it's kind worldwide. It opens on May 18th.