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What Have the Roman Gods Wrought? Some Thoughts on and Photos of Pantheon Sing to me, o muse, of Busch Gardens Williamsburg and its tribute to the majesty of the Roman gods! Swift Mercury of the winged feet! Minerva, whose wisdom and beauty shamed the rosy fingered dawn! Neptune, master of the wine dark sea! Pluto, the sinister lord of the Underworld! And Mighty Jupiter, father of the gods and the most powerful of all! OK, my knowledge of classical poetry is a bit rusty, so I think I'll stick to regular old prose now. Pantheon, Busch Gardens' new multi-launch coaster, opened to the public on Friday, March 25. Well, "officially" opened following a few weekends of previews for Busch Gardens member passholders. I rode it three times during those preview days--front, middle, and back. The verdict: It's a very good ride that's finally brought some nice Intamin ejector air to the Williamsburg park. Here are a few thoughts: For me, the backseat is the best place to ride most coasters, and Pantheon is no exception. The ejector airtime is more pronounced, and when you go backward up that spike (excuse me, "Neptune's Trident"), it's pretty hair raising looking straight down. That being said, the front seat offers a great ride too--especially when it comes to the hangtime through the inversions. The initial launch into an inversion is a great beginning, and the weird outward-banked bit just before the brake run is a good finish. I like the outward-banked turn near over the banks of the Rhine River, too. I wish the Rhine River Cruise was operating, as you can get some good views of Pantheon from down there. The station is rather small for such a big coaster. The queue is a bit odd, too. The ride is susceptible to windy conditions; that is, they'll suspend operations during gusty days until things die down. Although this isn't a "top 10" ride for me, it could find a place in my "top 25." My first ride was in a middle seat during a cold day, and the coaster seemed a bit sluggish. But when I rode it on a warmer day in the back and front seats, I thought, "This is more like it." Let's have a look at Pantheon. This rather threatening sign shows you the way to Pantheon in Festa Italia. Those who would ride Pantheon must get past this imposing iron monster! (Fortunately, that's pretty easy to do.) Here's what you'll be getting yourself into. You can put your bags in the lockers on the left. There is a wire basket on the station for smaller loose objects. I think you can wear glasses on Pantheon as long as you have sport straps for them (they've been getting stricter about glasses on coasters this year.) After you leave the station, Winged Mercury gives you a nice launch through this inversion, which I think has something to do with Minerva. Perhaps Minerva, in her wisdom, is preparing you for what's to come. Come on, Mercury! You can do it!! Oops! Big raspberry from Jupiter, try again. Fortunately, Neptune is there to help with his trident. Jupiter says, "Greetings, mortal fools!" Yep--nice pop of air in the back seat here, as the train just makes it over the hill. Pantheon: Hi, Tempesto! Tempesto: Back at ya, new kid! Here's part of what Pluto has in store for you after your initial plunge. "Nice view . . . aghh! What the hell?" You can get a good view of this element from the bridge between Italy and Germany. It's such a weird (but cool) feeling as you lean toward the river. Tempesto: Hi, Loch Ness Monster. Loch Ness Monster: Best returns of the day to ye, laddie--as long as ye show proper respect to your elders." Verbolten: Ach! don't mind him, Pantheon. Those old Arrow coasters are always grouchy. Congratulations, mortals! Your quest is at an end! And that's a wrap from Pantheon. Get out to Virginia and ride it, lest your cowardice anger the gods! Thanks for reading.

I agree with the sad aspect of it, however I'm also thankful for clear video proof of more and more accidents these days (as eye witness accounts can be dramatically different depending on person.) Similar to black boxes on major airlines.

It's not a "park" the way they're talking about it on the news. Icon Park is just an outdoor area of I-Drive that has a ton of restaurants and shops NOT ASSOCIATED IN ANYWAY with the Slingshot Group/Funtime/Free fall accident. We eat at the Carrabbas, Outback, Shake Shack, and Yard House there all the time.

Popped into SFFT yesterday after a day at SWSA for the Seven Seas Food Festival. I'll have way more pics up later. . but damn, does Dr. D's Cliffhanger look INCREDIBLE in person, and they have so much of it done already!

That I agree with but I just think it could also be handled differently with the person who took the video giving it to the friends there and authorities instead of rushing to social media to post it. Just would never cross my mind to rush to social media to post something like this if I had been the one filming it.

Unless we find out that the restraint check system told them that the rider wasn't secure, I don't think we can say it was the operators fault. I would like to think that people would know that he didn't look safe, but come on. This is so sad. A belt between his legs could have saved him. It wouldn't have been fun, but it should have been there. Honestly, the safety systems and engineering behind these restraints just seems sloppy. I know that other manufacturers have made mistakes, but we need to learn from them. I don't mean this to be rude, but they need to consider the safety of larger passengers. Either make sure they're safe, or make sure the ride won't let them on.

Honestly I thought by this point in time having a seatbelt that runs between the legs and connects the seat and the OTSR would be standard equipment for any drop tower. With S&S I believe they have always been there, Intamin started putting them on drop towers following the accident at Great America and old ones also got them added, even the Larson towers have them. Besides serving as a way to prevent riders from falling out under the OTSR, they also have the bonus benefit of keeping riders too big off. You may be able to pull the OTSR down but if you are unable to fasten the belt you still are too big to ride.

How is this not even close? Genuinely curious. Other attractions, due to fault of restraint design much like this, have had incidents that have killed riders elsewhere that did not cause the closure of the entire park following... SROS at SFDL, SROS at SFNE, Perilous Plunge, New Texas Giant, Drop Zone, etc... The rides close for investigation, the parks do not. I don't see why in this case why it would be any different. Why do you?

I personally don't have a problem with the park opening up, but my tolerance for these sorts of things is higher than most. It's like... what is the industry standard for how long to stay closed "out of respect?" Pace yourself. When it comes to jumping to conclusions, it's not a race.

I love thrill rides outside of skyflyers and slingshots and the chain swing rides, so a massive drop tower sounded great to me but tbh I didn't realize there were no seatbelts. I have total faith in hydrolics/ratcheting restraints. Fun Time has a lot of things to address here. I really hope we are able to understand what the hell happened and why and can learn to never ever ever ever ever have a situation like this happen again. I am so sad for the family who was out for just good clean fun like the rest of us not even thinking something like this could ever happen.

You've been on this forum for some time I'm surprised you're pressing this question. Why? You're not comparing apples to apples. It's not even close.

I wasn't going to go anywhere near these rides even before the accident. Neither one interested me.

Found on Twitter. . .Dollywood statement on why Dropline has been down Fri/Sat.

How is this any different than when SROS threw someone, Holiday World, Knotts, etc... Did any of those parks shut down the day after? Highly unlikely... Why would this be any different? It's one thing if the tower itself was open again... But who cares if other stuff in the park is/was?

No, I will not be arguing with no ride ops... You kidding me? I simply will try to get in line and if they deny me, then I move on and move on with life. While I like coasters, I am not some credit whore who will get all upset and throw a tantrum because I couldn't get on a ride. Plenty of other great things to do in the park and this won't make or break my trip/visit by any means. And no, I doubt my "bell" will get rung at 70mph by being 1" over the max height (also note, people hold their height differently... So while some may be 'short' enough to ride, may have longer arms and/or torso than I, therefor, their bell can be easily as rung while still being 'legal' to ride).

At the park now. Uploading some new images of Pirates Of Speelunkers Cave and Aquaman: Power Wave.

Oh STFU

Thank you all! I'm glad I found this community!

I agree with everyone else, do SeaWorld.

I've never Ubered, since I drive from Austin. . but I'd assume they would be able to drive you from the Hotel up to the Main Parking Lot and drop off. (The "main Gates" to the park are a bit away from the Parking Lot, but it's just a short walk). Worst case? they drop you at the Parking Lot Booths entrance, and you have to walk to the front gate from there. . . slightly longer, but still not bad. Just be sure the Uber doesn't drop you off by the SeaWorld sign at the street. . you need to AT LEAST be at the Parking Lot Booths. . as the Parking Lot Booths are a good bit away from the main "street" entrance (by the SeaWorld sign).. and you'll be walking a good 25 minutes just to get to the front gates from the street.

While SFFT is by far the superior park, in terms of Rides/attractions? 1) Your hotel is directly across from SWSA. 2) SW has what I think is the best Wooden Coaster in Texas, Texas Stingray. 3) SW has in total 4 Coasters (5 if you count the kiddie) and only 3 adult Flats + 2 water rides. VERY easy to do in a few hours, if you only care about the rides, and purchase Quick Queue (you'll need it for Wave Breaker: Rescue Coaster - as that family coaster gets huge lines & Rio Loco - a very good rapids ride). 4) Seven Seas Food Festival starts tomorrow, and will be running when you're there next weekend. So EASY choice for me here. . . buy quick queue, buy a Seven Seas Lanyard, and eat and ride to your hearts content in those 4 hours. ^edit to add: one of those 3 adult flats is the brand new Tidal Surge - the Tallest and Fastest Screamin Swing in the world. . . and it's pretty damn fun.

This is a weird take, but I actually feel like if this park just went back to exactly the way that it was in 2015 it would be a better park. Much prettier, better food, better Mystery Mine, Slidewinder and no coaster that never works making you feel like you're missing out when you show up and it's closed 50% of the time. The only thing that I'd miss is Drop Line and a few infrastructure upgrades.

Absolutely Texas fly into dallas/fw rent car do SFOT then take the drive down I35 thru Austin (COTAland proper won’t be open but if you time it during an event at the F1 track you can get a ride on the Schwarzkopf Wildcat that’s already up) take a quick detour thru Seguin for a few rides on the unique Switchback at ZDTs. Then continue on to San Antonio for full days at SFFT &SWSA either drive back to Dallas for car return (or if cost is not considered? Return car and fly back from SA) if you have extra time in SA? Can always do river walk or historic stuff like the Alamo. And the San Antonio zoo is a good one some notes: it WILL be scorching hot. Drink lots of water (cups of water are free at all parks at any food service place) the busiest park will be sfot. Because the water park up in Dallas is across the freeway from six flags. On both San Antonio parks? The water park is in the same footprint and drains a lot of people from the dry areas (tho the water rides will get long lines). Also note that at sfft? The water park is included. No separate ticket needed if you like water parks? On i35 from Dallas to San Antonio you’ll pass both kalihari (worlds biggest indoor water park) on round rock. And schlitterbahn (always ranked among the worlds best) in New Braunfels Water parks aren’t my thing. But just mentioning for ME? It’s not worth the detour to Houston. But if you wanted to you’ll also be able to do the kemah boardwalk outside of Houston and the Galveston pleasure pier but come to Texas. The sa parks in particular will blow you away

This story just shows the worst aspect of social media. I can't even imagine being those parents and family/friends and knowing that so many people watched a video of your loved one dying.

I just listened to few Foo Fighters songs in succession: Learn to Fly, Everlong, My Hero, and Love Dies Young. RIP Taylor Hawkins.