Pantheon Challenges Visitors in 2020 at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

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originally posted on 8/10/2019

Logo: Courtesy Busch Gardens Williamsburg. View full-sized image.

In Rome, Italy, the Pantheon is a temple with the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, but in Virginia, it is the power of five Italian gods coming together for one power-packed roller coaster full of theming. Busch Gardens Williamsburg announced that it will launch into 2020 with Pantheon, adding to its already amazing coaster collection with North America’s fastest multilaunch coaster. The new coaster will feature four launches.

“Pantheon is going to be nonstop action for riders. We’ve designed it so that the experience is changing all the time and will keep riders wondering what’s next,” said Larry Giles, senior director, design and engineering. “Multiple launches, speed changes, a sharp drop and backward acceleration are just a few of Pantheon’s one-of-a-kind traits.”

Pantheon will be the first Intamin coaster installed at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The attraction is experienced through the five gods:

Chapter I: Minerva
Implore Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and war, to guide you along the extreme journey powered by three launches. The first is taken at 36 mph. Launch two drives challengers forward toward the top hat element at 61 mph. The third launch takes passengers over the top hat at 67 mph.

Chapter II: Mercury
Riders will run messages to the gods on Mercury’s lightning-fast wings with Pantheon’s maximum speed of 72 mph.

Chapter III: Neptune
Ride with the power of Neptune’s trident and plunge deep into the raging sea. A 178-foot vertical spike is entered with a reverse launch at 61 mph.

Chapter IV: Jupiter
Ascend to the epic crescendo and come face to face with Jupiter, the king of all gods. Whipping through a 95-degree drop, the maximum speed of 72.5 mph and the highest point at 180 feet are reached.

Chapter V: Pluto
Escape Pluto’s twisted underworld and be immortalized in the garden of the gods. This portion features two inversions.

Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.

Pantheon will reside in the Busch Gardens Williamsburg Festa Italia section of the park across the train tracks from the rest of the area. The setting allows it to run alongside the Rhine River. What views it will have! The site was previously a forested area and the site of horse stables. Riders will enjoy sightings of horse pastures and the occasional passing train as well as the Italian village that houses rides like DaVinci’s Cradle and The Flying Machine.

Pantheon’s two 20-passenger trains will be similar to those on Taron at Phantasialand (Brühl, Germany) that feature lap bar restraints. The 3,328 feet of track will take riders for a two-minute ride.

ACE President Robert Ulrich was invited to speak at the press announcement.
Photo: Elizabeth Ringas. View full-sized image.

Construction has already begun with the installation of foundations. Piles of dirt and steel rebar can currently be seen on site. Supports and track have yet to arrive.

To see more, check out ACE’s construction tour.

— Elizabeth Ringas
ACE Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative and ACE Communications Director

See what Pantheon is all about: