Tips for BGW on Saturday

[BarryH]

Well, if I'm going to SFGAdv to ride Kingda Ka, I might as well go through BGW too. I've never been there and it's on the way for me from Florida. As much as I don't want to, I might have to do it on a Saturday. So any tips on how to survive BGW on a Saturday? I'll arrive 1 hour early to ride DarKastle a few times and then the coasters. If there is time, I can wander around and ride the flats and see the shows.

 

Besides PKD, are there any other coasters within the BGW area?

[Rugged One]

I was at the park last Saturday (5/14) and had to deal with sickening crowds. The key is getting there early. We arrived a little after 9 am, got into the park and quickly rode Loch Ness Monster without a wait. Right after we got off at 9:30, they dropped the rope next to Nessie that leads down to the river and up into Germany. Pretty much walked right into the Darkastle preshow, did the ride, and ran back around for a second one. The line moves so slowly though that as we waited for the second ride, the line slowly started to build. We figured 2 rides was good enough (ymmv) and then started working our way around to Big Bad Wolf, Alpie, and Apollo's Chariot with light to moderate waits.

 

As soon as it got towards noon though all of the coasters queues filled up completely (with all coasters running 3 trains) and stayed that way for the rest of the day. We just chilled out during that time, got some food, did some shopping, took in some shows, and went to beer school (make sure you sign up early). Later in the evening the lines went down and we were able to get in some more rides with moderate lines. Sorry if this sounds like pretty much like a trip report but this plan worked out for us on a very busy May Saturday, which is probably what you will experience as well. Btw, I don't believe there are any more credits around the PKD, BGW area. I think Virginia Beach used to have a spinning mouse but it is gone.

[PKDFreak]

There was a spinning mouse at Motorworld in Virginia Beach...but they took it down. Like what is s aid above...GET THERE EARLY! BGW has crazy crowds on Saturday..so get as much done as early as possible!

[CoasterFanatic]

As was mentioned by everybody ... get there early!

 

The lines for DarKastle grow really quick, so unless it is the only thing you plan on doing you may want to limit it to a time or two. Not nearly as good as "Spidey" in my opinion, but still pretty cool.

 

Here is my personal experiences with full queues on all the coasters:

Big Bad Wolf - 45-60

Apollo - 45-60

Alphengeist - 45-60

Lochness - 30-40

 

All of those times are estimated with "good" operations. Sometimes the crews on Alpie can slack a little bit. A good dispatch is the train leaving the station as the previous one exits the MCBR.

 

I have always found that Big Bad and Alpie are usually the two worst waits. Hit them early and hit them quick!

[shepp]

In another thread, it was said the earliest-opening path to DarKastle goes through Ireland and France, but here that it's through Germany. So which is it?

[pianojohn]

The shortest path is down the steps next to Loch Nessa, along the Rhine River, and back up the steep hill by Land of the Dragons. This is the most direct route, but it also involves a steep descent and ascent. Once you come up the hill, go straight ahead and Darkastle should be on your right.

 

The guests coming the other way have to walk through Banbury Cross, pass the horses, through Ireland, around the old Threadneedle Faire, through France, into NEW France, across the bridge by Alpengeist and then through Reinfeld to the ride. If you have a stroller or wheelchair, this is the only way you can go.