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Apollo's Chariot at BGW's Halloween Harvest.

New Realm Bavarian Prince

True--My guess is that staffing has a lot to do with deciding how much of the park to open, as well as state pandemic guidelines.

Halloween Harvest, or “Howl-o-Scream Lite.” Busch Gardens is sticking with its “reservations only/limited attendance” events with Halloween Harvest during October. This is sort of “Howl-o-Scream Lite,” with kid-friendly activities during the daytime session (11:00 am-3:00 pm) and slightly scarier stuff in the evening (5:00-9:00 pm). During the day, the park offers “contactless trick-or-treating” and a scavenger hunt, in addition to a selection of rides, such as Apollo’s Chariot, Tempesto, and the attractions in the Sesame Street Forest of Fun. But in the evening, monsters also take over Festa Italia! It’s a rather motley crew, too, representing Howl-o-Screams past--for example, Jack the Ripper, fiendish clowns and ringmasters, and a reaper or two. (They were pretty active, particularly as you crossed the bridge into Festa Italia.) There are no mazes. The food selection isn’t as strong as during “A Taste of Busch Gardens” last month, but Marco Polo’s Marketplace is open, and you can get the same German meatballs they serve up at the Brauhaus at the Vesuvius Grill across from Escape from Pompeii. France, Fort New France, and part of Oktoberfest are closed, though (but you can ride Verbolten). And, yes, Jello-shooter syringes and other Halloween cocktails are available. Halloween Harvest has proven popular, so the park has added extra days (Wednesday-Sunday). Who wants to join for "Howl-o-Scream Lite"? Maybe we can seek a peek at Pantheon while we're at it. This photo perfectly illustrates visiting parks during the pandemic. Wear your masks, people! No Ripper Row in England this year. Here’s where you can go. No France or New France for you! The horror . . . the horror . . . If you want a nice snack, I recommend the German meatballs at the Vesuvius Grill. If you want some good beer, go to Grogan’s in Ireland. Spookiness level increasing. “So, I ain’t scary enough for you in broad daylight, eh? Well, come back later.” Who wants a look at Pantheon? Those who would gaze upon Pantheon . . . . . . must get past these fiends . . . why, hello. Behold the “Most Anticipated Attraction of 2020, er, 2021”! The bridge spans the Festa Italia Train Station. The steps to Mt. Olympus! Even the gods must comply with the ADA. Here’s a look at the station. Not sure if it’s “finished” yet. Sigh! I hope we'll get to experience that Intamin airtime next spring. I’m not sure what this little structure is, but it appears that something has yet to be installed. Maybe lockers? Well, at least we can ride Tempesto--in every other row. I didn’t notice any such restrictions on Apollo’s Chariot, but they were using a grouper (you couldn’t just queue for any row you wanted). They did this for Griffon and InvadR last month, too. The lines moved pretty well for Tempesto, Apollo's Chariot, and Verbolten that night. Why is that Victorian-era prostitute giving me such a dirty look? The Headless Hearseman is in Italy this year (he’s usually in England). Gaze upon him while you eat a sloppy Italian dinner with lots of red sauce sauce for that Halloween feel. The weather was perfect that evening. Yep--if you’re gonna plunge to your doom in the Rhine River, it may as well be during pleasant weather, right? (Seating was in every other row--like on Tempesto.) OK, now it looks a little more “Halloweeny.” “Yoo hoo! Who’s up for some unspeakable evil?” “Now I scare you good, right?” One last walk over the spooky Oktoberfest bridge. By the power of the full moon, I invoke thee, Pantheon! The Red Skull says, “Visit us again, soon. And tell Captain America I will totally kill him someday!” Thanks for reading.

It's good to see that Knott's has managed a Halloween event, even if it isn't Scary Farm (I definitely want one of those chicken tacos and a cookiewich with pumpkin soft serve).

Verbolten at Busch Gardens Williamsburg last night.

I really hope they're just throwing candy at children! I think they should launch the candy across the park with a catapult from InvadR--Halloween done Viking style! They could call it the "candypult."

Busch Gardens is offering another limited-attendance, reservations-required event for October: Halloween Harvest. There will be multiple four-hour sessions during the day and evening. It'll be kid friendly, with contactless trick-or-treating and other fun stuff for families, by day, but monsters will roam sections of the park by night. Italy and the Sesame Street Forest of Fun will be open, and the park will run additional rides (such as Apollo's Chariot and Tempesto). And, of course, there will be Halloween-themed food and drink. Reservations will open on Friday, September 25th, at 11:00 am. For more info, check the park's website.

Unfortunately, Pirate's Cove was closed in 2020 due to covid, but I really enjoyed that walkthrough back in 2017. Yep--unfortunate, but understandable.

I'm pleased the the old Biergarten was at least replaced with a Beer Tavern.

I hope they're able to stay open this time. I rather like this version of the Magic Kingdom.

Waldameer is definitely worth a visit for Ravine Flyer II, the Wacky Shack, and Pirate's Cove. Comet's a pretty good little ride, too.

I haven't been to Tripsdrill since 2007 and would love to visit it, again--a unique park.

Phantasialand's theming is often impressive (the area around Taron, their launched Intamin, looks great). Vekoma has been on quite a roll lately, and I hope their latest take on their "Flying Dutchman" coasters works out.

Alpengeist at a Taste of Busch Gardens.

1. Steel Vengeance (Cedar Point) 2. Schwur des Kärnan (Hansa) 3. Skyrush (Hersheypark) 4. Phantom's Revenge (Kennywood) 5. Nitro (SF Great Adventure) 6. Apollo's Chariot (BG Williamsburg) 7. Superman: Ride of Steel (SF America) 8. Diamondback (Kings Island) 9. Thunder Dolphin (TokyoDome) 10. Hyperion (Energylandia)

BEHOLD! "Sweet mystery of life, at last I've found you!"

Hmm--deep fried alligator sounds good. I like their deep fried pepper jack cheese, too . . . then again, I don't think I've ever had a bad snack at Knobels.

A Taste of Busch Gardens Busch Gardens bounced back a bit in August with their Coasters and Craft Brews event, which was held on selected days and inspired (somewhat) by their annual Bierfest. Now they're offering the "greatest hits" of their annual Food and Wine Festival: A Taste of Busch Gardens. This month's event seems a bit more "festive" than Coasters and Craft Brews, in that they really are offering something beyond their usual dining menu (the "Craft Brews" thing last month meant that Grogan's Pub was open in Ireland). More of the park is open (Forest of Fun and Italy remain closed), and now you can ride Griffon, InvadR, Alpengeist, Verbolten, and Le Scoot, in addition to a few more flat rides (no Loch Ness Monster, though). You can enjoy some unique food, such as Gamba Fritters and Mushroom Risotto, in Ireland, France, and Fort New France. Tasting cards are available, too: five samples for $30.00 and ten samples for $60.00. The park offers two separate sessions on select days (11:00 am-3:00 pm and 5:00-9:00 pm), and you have to reserve the day and time you wish to attend (check the park's website for details). Admission to a Taste of Busch Gardens is part of your park membership; otherwise, it's $44.95 per person. I went there after work on Friday, September 4--here's a look. And remember: Masks must be worn, except when eating and drinking, and rides are run at lower capacity (but there will only be 1,000 people at the park, anyway). Be sure to walk on the right when entering to maintain proper social distancing. The park seemed a bit busier than it did during Coasters and Craft Brews. No Loch Ness Monster for you! This map will tell you what's open and where to get some chow. "Wilbur, can't a horse get some privacy to take a bath around here?" I recommend that you drink plenty of beer to wash down some fritters, then ride Finnegan's Flyer. The results could be either amusing or unfortunate, depending on where you are. Get yer tasting cards here, folks! (Or at other places, since this register is closed.) This place is now offering more than just baked potatoes. Here's where you find the good beer, as the Festhaus is still closed. There isn't as much indoor seating as they offered last month, though. Here's what was on tap. That is one big owl. I know you're not supposed to feed the animals, but if that big scary bird wants one of my fritters, he's getting one! Where they grow sangria. Yummy desserts are available in France . . . . . . as are tasty fries. The German Frites (French fries with curry wurst) were very good. Hmm--I haven't ridden Alpengeist in about a year. The socially distanced line moved pretty well. They were letting in enough people for a train, then holding the line until it dispatched. Ugh! Shouldn't have ate all that curry wurst! For all you log-flume fans out there. Note the extra plexiglass in the seating area near Alpengeist. Hey! Shouldn't that naked chick be wearing a mask? No games or Festhaus in Oktoberfest this year--but they're redoing some of the gift shop. Hey--what's that ride in the lower left "2" of the pink 2020 shirt? Oh--that one. Sigh! Our anticipation for one of the "Top 10 Anticipated Rides" continues. Mach Tower is being put to good use during a Taste of Busch Gardens. Hmm--logical. No Mach Tower, but you can ride Wirbelwind. I would've ridden Verbolten, but it broke down earlier, and the line was too long when I came back. I finished my evening with fritters, gyoza, and beer. Thanks for reading.

Waaay too kind. Thanks for laying out all the elements. Although I knew it was a "launched flying coaster," I had no idea what other elements it had.

Busch Gardens is bringing back it's Food & Wine Festival for September! You can experience a Taste of Busch Gardens on select days from September 2-27. From the park's website: Italy remains closed, but more rides will be open (check their website for more details). Some favorites from past Food and Wine Festivals will be offered, such as Bangers and Colcannon, Gamba Fritters, and Steak Chimichurri.

I've just had breakfast, yet I'm already hungry again!

It’s all the work of the Emperor!

Yep--one click. They can ratchet down on you during the ride though. I'm not a bit fan of the restraints, either, although I think Skyrush is a great, legitimately terrifying ride.