VACoasterdude

Look at my post under the BGW thread. There are no more one-park passes or memberships. If you convert to or buy a membership, it automatically includes BGW & WC. All annual passes will expire January 2019. I am currently paying $15 a month for one-park (BGW) passes for my daughter and myself. I will not be buying memberships after these passes expire.

BGW has posted the information about Memberships on their Website. https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/annual-pass/ Annual Passes are gone, and there is no Membership to just BGW! The Basic Membership has Blackout dates, which probably means most Saturdays June - August, October and December are blacked out!

So will Twisted Timbers be open in time for Pass Holder Preview Night on March 23. Has anyone heard when Media Day is for TT? March 22?

Didn't see this posted, sorry if I missed it... BGW announced yesterday that David Cromwell is leaving BGW to pursue an interest with a sports franchise. BGW appointed Kevin Lembke as the new President, BGW & WC. Article here: https://wydaily.com/latest-news/2018/01/25/busch-gardens-under-new-leadership-kevin-lembke-named-president/

Congrats! The hard work you guys do shows up in your awesome videos. Keep it up. BTW, got a new UHD 4K 55" TV over the Holidays. Watching your videos in Hi Def on that TV makes them even more amazing!

Once again, SFA gets an addition to the water park when it really needs a new coaster or Roar to be RMC'd. Can't say I am totally surprised! SFA really is the red headed step child of Six Flags. I have already decided I will not be renewing my SF membership for 2018 (unless they offer me a hell of a deal when I call to cancel later today) and honestly see no reason to visit SFA for the foreseeable future!

Looks like a great addition to KD's lineup. Platinum Pass a must for 2018. Has anybody compared the clues released over the last several Tuesdays, to the announcement today?

SV looks like an amazing, balls to the wall, helluva coaster. Can't wait to get to CP in 2018 and ride it. Between SV and Twisted Timbers @ KD and Mystics Timbers @ KI, I will definitely be purchasing a Platinum Pass for 2018!

I wouldn't expect crowds to be too bad, since many local schools are heading back into session, although if you want to get re-rides on Volcano I would recommend a FL+. KD is very lenient with its article policy; bring a string bag for your stuff and every dry ride has -free- article bins on the ride platform (this may change next year with Twisted Timbers, but enjoy it while it lasts). The only mandatory fluffy bunnies are in the waterpark, but cargo shorts should also be fine. I would recommend jumping on I305 first thing in the morning to get a front-seat ride and a few rerides, since the front-row line is sequestered and inaccessible to FL+. I would also recommend jumping on I305 after dark for one of the best night rides ever. Have fun! Hmmm, I hadn't even thought about certain sections of the train being inaccessible to Fast Lane users. That stinks about the front row being blocked. The last time I went to SFGAdv I bought the Gold Flash Pass which allows re-rides and all the ops were more than accommodating to put me in ANY row I wanted. I'd definitely spend the $$ at SFGAdv for another Gold Flash Pass if ever I return. Doesn't sound like KD offers that much freedom. I have new thoughts to ponder over the next few days. Thanks for the input @certifiedcoastergeek. Its not that certain sections of I305 are inaccessible to Fast Lane users, its that the line for the front row gets so long by mid day, it can be 20+ riders long while other rows are a walk on or one - two train wait at the most. FL for I305 dumps you out at the back row. You can still access the front row, you may just have to weave around other riders and back track through the queue to get there. As Chuck mentioned, you really shouldn't need Fast Lane on a Friday in late August. I would hit the park and see how the crowds are before purchasing. KD might have one train ops on all coasters if it anticipates light crowds, so that could increase wait times. I would hit Volcano first (sometimes it opens later than 10:30am, FYI), then I305 for Front Row and a couple of rerides, then FoF, BLSC, then I would hit the rest of the park and return to I305 later in the day. Unfortunately, the park closes at 8pm this Friday, so night rides on I305 won't be possible. Have fun!

Traffic on I 95 at that time should not be too bad. There is some long term construction so you might check this site www.511virginia.org/ before you get on the road. KD will operate rides in light rain and long as there is no lightning in the area. If lightning is reported, rides may close for 15 - 30 minutes until the storms move out of the area. If it is a prolonged period of heavy rain like yesterday, both the rides and waterpark may close early. KD will announce this on twitter and FB.

They went on sale in early March for $149 and quickly sold out. Got an email early last month, saying the FL+ season passes were available again but when I checked the price increased to $199 + taxes and fees.

I remember someone posting here a few months ago about seeing the balloon while they were at BGW. Since they have three years to build it, more than likely it would be a new attraction in 2019. May not be a new coaster, though. Could we see a clone of Falcon's Fury, @ BGW?

I have made tentative arrangements to be off work and head to KD on 8/16 for the announcement (once confirmed). If, "Just remember...things aren't always what they seem." is for real and the announcement is about upcoming changes for Haunt and not the new and improved Hurler... That'll be 2 years in a row KD's PR has fooled me with their announcement BS!

Did a search and did not see anything posted on this. My apologies if I missed it. There is an online auction next week of items from one of Hershey's warehouses. There is some junk, and a lot of stuff from the hotels, but there are a lot of park related items as well, including old signs, maps, bumper cars, lights, parts from Lightning Racer, Rolling Soaker, Sidewinder, etc.. Inspection is Wednesday June 21 from 2:00pm to 6:00pm EDT. You can bid online for the items, but they have to be removed by Saturday June 24. More info: rasmus.com/auction/315988/all-things-hershey-online-auction/

Thanks for the awesome (as usual) trip report on the F&W festival, Chuck! Unfortunately, I viewed it right before lunch and now I am really hungry! Looking forward to getting down there this weekend or next!

Did not see this posted, my apologies if I missed it. BGW has posted the menus for the Food & Wine Festival on Its website. Prices seem pretty close to last year's. Three new food stands will be available this year: India, Mediterranean, and Island Freeze Frozen Drinks (prices for this stand aren't posted yet!) An interesting write up about about how the India food stand was developed is found here: https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/food-and-wine/menus/india/look-book India includes Tandoori Chicken, Samosas (Indian savory pastry filled with curried potatoes & peas), Spicy Potato Curry, and Mango Burfi (mango & coconut snowballs). Mediterranean includes Halloumi (grilled greek cheese with honey), Lamb Burger Slider, Falafel, and Bakalava. Island Freeze Frozen Drinks includes Rum Runners. Pina Colada, Mojito, Bahama Breeze, Sangria (also found at the Spain food stand), Strawberry Daiquiri, Shark Bite, Belini. Food and Beverage Sampler - 10 food and beverage samples - $45, 15 food and beverage samples $60. More info about BGW's Food & Wine Festival: https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/food-and-wine I plan on going in a couple of weeks. Looking forward to Chuck's report sometime after it opens May 26.

Trapper's Smokehouse used to cook their ribs outside on the large grill in front. The cooks would be there slathering the sauce on the ribs and the big fans were used to blow the smoke all over New France which would make guests hungry and draw them to Trapper's. However, I haven't seen them use the grill in several visits, both last Fall and this Spring. Maybe the ribs are pre-cooked now!!

Mystic Timbers sounds like an awesome coaster. Will have to make a trip to KI soon for for some night rides on this and the Beast.

Late night news reports stated riders stuck on JJ were given a refund of their ticket (not sure what season pass holders got), a meal and an American flag blanket to make up for their 4+ hour ordeal. They interviewed some teenagers who were happy to be off the coaster but planned on riding it again.

InvadR is a very smooth coaster and very rewritable. I rode several times today during the Media Event and all positions offer a great ride, but as Chuck said the back is a little better. It will definitely be a hit for for BGW this summer. I wonder if the 46"'height requirement is from BGW's insurance company.

Rode InvadR during the soft opening tonight. Awesome family coaster. First drop better than expected and decent floater air in front seat. Very smooth and I enjoyed it overall. Night rides in the dark will be even more fun. Only complaint would be the station is really compact limiting the number of riders that can enter the station, so the line will grow really fast. Other than waiting 25 minutes for InvadR rest of park was not crowded at all, every ride was a walk on

Bring a Friend for Free is back for Passholders. April 28 - June 30. Available online starting April 24!

Thanks for posting! Looks like a cool place, I could literally spend several nights there playing pinball. As a pinball collector, I always check out the arcades at every park I visit and am usually disappointed when I find the newest dance games and no pinball machines.

Did anyone receive the InvadR First to Ride Reservation email from BGW yesterday morning and were you successful in signing up? Apparently, the email went to those who participated in the, "Decide the Ride," social media campaign BGW ran last year. It was for the first ride after the ribbon cutting ceremony on April 7. I participated in the campaign, but did not receive the email. Apparently it filled up very quickly. (A friend forwarded the invite attached) InvadR First to Ride.pdf InvadR First to Ride Invite