Chuck's Busch Gardens Williamsburg Thread

[alilstronger]

Awesome update Chuck! Thank you

[LiMiT]

So it actually was warm that weekend? I was expecting the update to show people in heavy winter wear riding roller coasters. But it looks like the weather turned out for the better!

 

I'm very intrigued about the psychedelic London show idea. You should totally give us a report on that once you see it.

[cfc]

^It was spring on Saturday, but winter again on Sunday. The weather has been crazy in Williamsburg this year.

[Chefkitchen]

Great update! Looks like Alpengeist is overdue for a paint job!

[jray21]

Great update Chuck! This is one of the parks I'm dying to get back to!

[cfc]

Happy Easter from Busch Gardens--Now with Extra Leaves

 

In my previous update, I showed you Busch Gardens bald. Yes, bare trees everywhere. But that's all changed now that spring has finally arrived in Williamsburg (after about a dozen or so false starts). Yes, the park looks more "alive" now then it did a month ago.

 

As is my usual Easter custom, I visited the park and took a bunch of pictures. I got there a little after opening, and all the rides were running with very short waits (well, except for one, of course) until I left around 3:00 pm, when business picked up. It was sunny, but a bit windy--shorts-and-sweatshirts weather--but everything was abloom, and the park looked great. I even partook of the wine tasting over in Germany. They've made quite a bit of progress on the new structure they're building for the London Rocks show, too.

 

I caught a bit of Entwined over at the Festhaus. Let's have a look around.

Nice to see the coaster tree in bloom.

OK, should one "zoom" or "spring" here? It's all quite confusing.

I still have no idea how this new building is going to help "London" in its quest to "rock."

Nice construction walls, though. This is a pretty substantial structure, too--not a temporary one.

But today is all about the purty flowers.

Griffon is finding it easier to hide among all these leaves.

Behold the state flower of Virginia!

Behold not the state flower of Virginia.

I can still see you, Griffon!

It is useless to hide from me!

Even Europe in the Air looks kind of pretty today.

"Patience, patience . . . wait until he lets his guard down, then strike!"

This shot is for both flower enthusiasts and train enthusiasts. You're welcome.

Ha! I told you it was useless to hide!

Running away won't save you now!

Aghh! I'm now damp! You've made good your escape--this time.

Well, I guess I'll stalk Alpengeist, then

Not as much fun as chasing Griffon, though.

The park does have a bit of a mushroom and snail problem.

Frightening.

"Whoa, mon! If I ever see a bunny like that, I'll give up the ganja!"

Even the Minions are ready for a nice spring round of golf.

Sure, giant butterflies are pretty. But giant caterpillars can be a pain--just look at Mothra.

Elissa, here's a place where you can put your silks skills to good use--Entwined over at the Festhaus.

These two look like Delta Burke in Disney drag.

I wonder if she's "sized up" Pinocchio yet? Is he as "gifted" as his nose implies?

"Isn't that always the way? I go out for a wild night of Jager shots and Bloody Marys with a goat man, Magic Beans Jack, and Pinocchio, and I wake up chained to a giant bottle of hot sauce. Will I never learn?"

Ah, the ultimate irony: Mach Tower is actually up and running, but can't be operated due to high winds.

But Verbolten says, "High winds? Bah!"

Here's a view from the Rhine River Cruise.

I like this ride quite a bit--a worthy replacement for the Big Bad Wolf.

"Yoo hoo! Mach Tower! I don't care about the wind, either."

"Hell, I'm old as the hills, and little bit of wind ain't gonna stop me."

Time to go. Thanks for reading.

Edited April 26, 2014 by cfc

[jray21]

Great update Chuck! The park looks amazing. What a difference a season makes!

[Midgetman82]

Great update, park looks beautiful. I hope to make it out there someday, because I'm sure the atmosphere is far different from the one in Tampa.

[cfc]

Star Spangled Nights: Italy Gets All Patriotic

 

I've always thought of July 4 as an "awkward" holiday for Busch Gardens. The park celebrates European culture, including that of our former colonial overlords, so it seems a bit odd to shoehorn an Independence Day celebration into the place. Why, it would be like the U.S. celebrating Cinco de Mayo or St. Patrick's Day . . . wait, those are holidays that we misinterpreted and turned into excuses for drinking margaritas and green beer, so I guess they don't count.

 

For the past few years, the park has put on a celebration called Illuminights, which featured mini-shows in France, Germany, Ireland, and Italy. Although it had its issues, for example, the really dumb, if elaborately staged, "Chicken Dance" show in Germany, I thought it was a clever idea for a park-wide event and a good excuse for fireworks--with extended pyrotechnics and music celebrating the U.S. tacked on to the colorful explosions in honor of Europe over July 4.

 

Well, Illuminights is now out, and the Star Spangled Nights event is in--and it's not terribly impressive. What they've done is turned Italy into a celebration of America. Yes, they hung up some red, white, and blue decorations, including the Statue of Liberty, and added a food booth that sells nothing but hot dogs, homemade chips, and bacon on a stick (lord knows you can't get much more "American" than that). There's also a bar set up like a WWII era USO Canteen that sells some decent beer, along with premixed drinks.

 

The fireworks, which are synced to patriotic music and narration, are OK, but the old Illuminights music and pyrotechnics were better.

 

Here's a look at Star Spangled Nights.

Yes, the "Fetid Fervor of Freedom" (quite from the Firesign Theater) begins here . . . sort of.

But, as we all know, freedom must be earned. Therefore, you must fight your way past the British first!

Actually, it's not that difficult, as these British tower guards are easily distracted by the smell of bacon on a stick.

OK, where's all the "patriotism"?

I guess you just follow the star-spangled decorations.

Noted! By the way, the park recommends viewing the fireworks in Italy, France (by the Griffon splash pool), or Ireland (which, frankly, is not an ideal location).

Behold! A statue that was a gift from France has been erected in Italy. If I were French, I'd be a little cheesed off about this, but Da Vinci's Garden does offer a nice setting for Lady Liberty. Oh, and my thanks to this group or people that just walked out in front of me and parked in front of the statue as I was trying to take this photo. Ugh.

Hmm--I smell pork-based products.

Here's the menu. I had the bacon on a stick, which was pretty tasty. They ran out just as I ordered, so I got a beer from the canteen and waited about 25 minutes until they brought some more out. For my patience, I was awarded with an extra portion. See--it sometimes pays to be polite.

John Adams tried to get New England poached salmon with egg sauce into the Constitution as the "official" food of the U.S., but southern states lobbied for crab cakes and pulled pork; therefore, we ended up with hot dogs. That's how America works, folks.

If this doesn't make you feel all patriotic . . .

. . . perhaps this will.

I decided to walk off my beer and bacon on a stick.

OK, they do reach beyond Italy a bit by decorating the Rhine River boats.

King Ludwig, though, will have none of that red, white, and blue bunting.

"Hello! I'm the official National Bird of the U.S., who was shot by someone exercising their Second Amendment rights. 'Murica!"

My god! A giant space amoeba is approaching! Save us, Godzilla!

Oh no! It's morphing into a giant, mutant Guy Fieri! I can see the outlines of his hair!

BGW retaliates with photon torpedoes.

And the Patriotic Orgy in the Sky comes to an end! Thanks for reading.

Edited July 12, 2014 by cfc

[Guy T. Koepp]

Patriotic Orgy. I think I saw them at Coachella this year.

 

Great TR Chuck! Sorry the event was a tad bit sub-par.

[cfc]

I have a feeling that they sunk a lot of the entertainment into London Rocks, being as they upgraded the theatre and have two separate casts for the show.

[Intimidator305]

Well with Illuminights the whole park was tacky... now at least only Italy and the bridge is.

 

I understand the desire for a summer event, but why can't the theme just be "summer" and have colorful lights/decor that will somewhat fit in unlike Illuminights and Star Spangled Nights.

 

Thanks for the report, I'll be checking it out soon!

[cfc]

At least Illuminights was an attempt to stick with the European theme, even though the little shows were pretty silly; I still have a soft spot for the giant coo-coo clock in front of the Festhaus.

[Ryan P.]

Well with Illuminights the whole park was tacky... now at least only Italy and the bridge is.

 

I understand the desire for a summer event, but why can't the theme just be "summer" and have colorful lights/decor that will somewhat fit in unlike Illuminights and Star Spangled Nights.

 

Thanks for the report, I'll be checking it out soon!

 

Completely agree. I was there last week and felt that Italy was ruined by the red, white, and blue. Nice decor and fireworks thats all id want.

[DJeXeL]

Can't get enough of this park.

 

Thanks for the reports, Chuck.

[jray21]

Great report Chuck! Such a great looking park. Too bad more parks don't do what BGW does!