Retro Mini Photo TR: Busch Gardens Williamsburg

[TheRapidsNerd]

Well friends, while scanning old pictures today, I found a handful of Busch Gardens Williamsburg. These were taken on a couple different occasions in/around 1988, namely a middle school band competition, and some other visit I vaguely remember. (We lost, Alto Sax and Francis Scott Key middle school in Springfield, Va, for the curious.)

 

Got a cold drink? A snack? Comfy? Alright Shermon, set the Way Back Machine to circa 1988, and off we go!

And we’ll end this gnarly TR with radical words of wisdom.

 

Thank you all for reading. I appreciate it.

Such a noble logo. Makes me want a pizza. Sound familiar, Ohio people?

Remember the souvenir towel I mentioned? Here it is. Makes you want to tie a sweater around your neck, pop your collar, slip on your penny loafers, and bust out that old copy of Weekend at Bernie’s, doesn’t it? Now where are my aviators…

On another trip, no more blue water. I remember a storm soaking my friend and I so badly, we bought towels and flip flops. My shoes were ruined. BUT, Roman Rapids line was empty after the storm, so my friend and I rode about 5 times in a row. Great fun!

Notice anything missing here? Yep, no 25 cent water cannons or B&M named after a Rocky prize fighter. As you can see, it was tougher to air dry back in the day. The password is: souvenir towel.

Look at that fine sparkling blue Roman water. Makes you wanna hop the fence and take a dip, doesn’t it? Brought to you by MM Flushus. (M=1000 in Roman Numerals)

Last year I searched for who this statue might be. Found something close, but can’t remember. Nottus Mentobeus will have to do.

I meant to put that pole there. It’s a little thing called style. (cringe)

Saving the best for last (and humoring you coaster enthusiasts first) here are a few Roman Rapids shots from opening year and a few months later.

No flipping for you, however, my Czech brother.

GG, you are one wild and crazy guy!

Anybody remember Gladiator’s Gauntlet? It swung and stretched, and even cruised successfully in tight slacks.

NOT Little Red Riding Hood approved.

Ok, I’m gonna let you all in on a little secret. This is a primo photo angle of Big Bad Wolf. Now, whatever you do, keep it under your hat, or else everybody and their cousin will have this picture.

What up all you drop hill and ¾ loop enthusiasts!

We’ll call this the brochure shot. It’s one of my faves.

After Manny, Moe and Jack, and before Alpie, Apollo, and Grif, Nessie owned the skyline.

Happy 30th Nessie! I still remember when you were just a little wet behind the ears. Now that you’re older, you should star with Tim Busfield in a coming of age TV drama. On a random note, dig that Mr. Bubble shirt!

[bgeguy]

I wish they kept that blue water and the landscaping actually looks a lot better on RR than it is today. Great photos!

[swampfox]

Oh my. Now I remember why the 80s aren't known for fashion. Although I do miss bright colored clothes... everything is so colorless now.

 

My first visit to Busch Gardens wasn't until like 1995, but even then the park looked sorta like it did in 88. It's interesting to see BBW with the trees not fully grown back in around it yet.

[Olsor]

Awesome stuff, RapidsNerd!

 

To think Big Bad Wolf was only four years old in those pictures. All grown up now... [sniff] such a big boy... [sniff, sniff]

[Kingbooba]

Oh, it was a Zamperla Wind Shear... I thought Gladiator's Gauntlet was a Top Spin... I didn't even know its name.

 

Thanks for this! I never knew what BGE looked like 20 years ago!

[TheRapidsNerd]

Thanks for the kind words all. Much appreciated.

 

To think Big Bad Wolf was only four years old in those pictures. All grown up now...

Wow! That's right! Good call on that.

 

Just for comparison:

2007

1988

[All Clear]

I rode Gladiator's Gauntlet! I'd forgotten all about that thing. I'm thinking '88 might have been my first trip to Busch Gardens. It was a marching band trip.

 

BBW was my first grown up coaster evar.

[cinciDAWGS12]

Wow there is so much difference in those two pics! The water was very blue and clean back then. It must have been really cool then. Great TR!

[pkdcoaster]

Awesome pics! thanks for the pics of GG, one of my favorite rides back then even though it did not do much.

 

Very funny how most shots of the coasters look like they could have been taken yesterday, not much difference. not so much with Roman rapids though.

 

JEFF

[TheRapidsNerd]

I rode Gladiator's Gauntlet! I'd forgotten all about that thing. I'm thinking '88 might have been my first trip to Busch Gardens. It was a marching band trip.

Sounds like you and I were at the same band competition, and you're also close to my age. Pretty cool!

 

Wow there is so much difference in those two pics! The water was very blue and clean back then. It must have been really cool then.

Believe it or not, the 2007 water was cleaner. Blue or green dye was used a lot at parks and mini golf courses to color the water. Kinda like a big ole pack of 2000 Flushes.

 

Very funny how most shots of the coasters look like they could have been taken yesterday, not much difference. not so much with Roman rapids though.

 

Very true. Just to make it fun, I'll throw in a few more "then and now" shots. Many thanks for the kind words and glad everybody's having fun. That's what really counts.

07 Bra

88 Dude

The Futurstic 2000's. Aren't we supposed to have flying cars by now or something?

Totally Awesome 80's

and 2007

1988

2007

1988

2007

1988

[griffon]

That's really cool, I love the comparison shots. They do such a great job of maintaining the park it really does look more similar than anything else I've seen from 20 years ago.

[smells_like_team_disney]

Awesome pics, love the comparison shots. It's amazing how much the foliage has grown in and almost consumed some areas, like the fountain.

[BeemerBoy]

I'll 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or whatever it.....the comparison shots are awesome! Very nice work!

[mike541x]

Awesome. I really like the Roman Rapids ride in the 80s. Also the comparison with the Nessie pictures, one of the skyride's cars look like they're in the same position.

[TheRapidsNerd]

Awesome. I really like the Roman Rapids ride in the 80s. Also the comparison with the Nessie pictures, one of the skyride's cars look like they're in the same position.

 

I ended up gravitating to the same spots and angles by pure chance while taking pictures. Didn't realize it until after the trip.

 

Will have to do more before and after shots in future TRs. Those are pretty fun.

 

Hey thanks all.

[coastercrazy216]

I am not quite sure if I like the current BGE or the old BGE.

[redfoot12]

I bet most parks aren't actually greener with foliage 20 years later like Busch is.

[Kingbooba]

Roman Rapids looks like it was more fun to actually SEE the themeing back when it was new, compared to now when I rode it a few weeks ago and it had the forest surrounding it. Plus Apollo's Chariot.

[TheRapidsNerd]

^ It was a mixed bag. I love the themeing, but it was great too to have Apollo flyover on the way back to it's station. The only thing I was really bummed about was how dialed back the falls near the end were. There was just one. Back in the day, there were 4 and they were cranked up to get you soaked. Half the fun of riding was to see how many falls nailed you. Take away that aspect, and the ride feels neutered. Still love it just the same and was overjoyed to ride again last summer.

 

Really enjoyed Alpie and Grif and got some wonderful pics and vids those days. I hung out in both those areas, just in awe.

 

BG Whatever is just an awesome park.

 

Glad everybody enjoyed and thanks again for all the kind words.

[dino]

Cool report [insert generic "love the comparison shots" comment here].

 

Alright Shermon, set the Way Back Machine to circa 1988, and off we go!

GG, you are one wild and crazy guy!

Love those references and how all the captions were kept in the 80's .

[TheRapidsNerd]

^ Glad somebody got those. You have to have a little fun with these reports now and again, you know?

 

I always get a kick out of Robb's every so often. Scott's too. Natatomic's are just plain hilarious.

[cfc]

Gladiator's Gauntlet was my favorite flat ride at BGE, and I was a little sorry to see it go when they built Apollo's Chariot. They used to have one of those "Himalaya-like" rides with ships, which would run backwards and forwards, too.

[carolinacaniac]

It looked like Gladiator's Gauntlet was in the DaVinci's Garden area based on the pictures shown in this thread, I never would have guessed it was in the same area as Apollo.

 

I am going to join the bandwagon for the comparison pics, I think it is always cool when you can make those kinds of comparisons.

[TheRapidsNerd]

It looked like Gladiator's Gauntlet was in the DaVinci's Garden area based on the pictures shown in this thread, I never would have guessed it was in the same area as Apollo.

 

I am going to join the bandwagon for the comparison pics, I think it is always cool when you can make those kinds of comparisons.

 

I took another look at the GG pics and saw an umbrella and light post belonging to RR. If you're facing RR que, the umbrella and light post would be to your left, which means I had to be facing left, toward the boat channel to get the pic. This puts GG somewhere in the middle of the area before RR's que. Come to think of it, I read somewhere that the big bushy area near the round table was GG's spot. Based on picture position, this would make sense. I lucked out and got a pic of that area when looking at the boats in storage.

 

If I can get at my parent's old pics and video of our trips to Disney World, Both Universals, and SFoG in the 90's, there will be more comparison shots for everyone to enjoy.

 

Thanks for the kind words everybody.

[coastercrazy216]

I love BGE, but I think that RR has gone down hill since it opened. Now you can barley see the theming and you can't even get the landscaping that you had when RR originally opened.