Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[Hilltopper39]

Cheetah Hunt through leaked concept art and speculation looked like it would be awesome but turned out to really be kind of average as far as coasters go, Verboten's leaked concept art and initial impression is kind of average so maybe it will turn out to be awesome. It's impossible to judge a ride that hasn't even been announced yet.

 

For the record I think the whole project looks awesome and represents a great addition. I think it will be better than Cheetah Hunt.

 

Seriously though, unless it is WAAAYYYY better than their concept art I will be dissapointed...the park deserved better than this. Apart from Alpengeist and Apollo's Chariot, BGW seems to keep getting the short end of the stick as with Drachen Fire and now this...Im not saying it will be a Drachen Fire but BGW ususally opens their version of a BGTB coatser but bigger and better...this does not look like it will be either.

 

What about Griffon? Wasn't that a bigger version of Sheikra? And Drachen Fire opened in 1992, a year before Kumba, so at the the time it opened it was the biggest and best ride of it's type around, far from the shot end of any stick. B&M was just getting into the game at that time and with their standups and first ever inverted, and Arrow was the industry leader. I think your point is actually completely opposite from the truth, everything BGW has ever opened has been an amped up (but not necessarily better) version of an installation at BGT. Python in 76, Loch Ness Monster in 78. Montu in 96, Alpengeist in 97. Sheikra in 2005 Griffon in 2008.

[cfc]

Big Bad Wolf was a member of a dying breed--the suspended coaster. While I liked BBW and thought it was fun, it was hardly a top coaster for me personally. However, with its 40-inch height minimum, it was a solid coaster that families could enjoy together, and I think that's what BGW is aiming for with Verbolten. As others have said, I'm glad that the park is doing something interesting by including an indoor section (rather "Disney-like" of them).

 

Time will tell--let's see how the project progresses.

Edited August 16, 2011 by cfc

[Hilltopper39]

I'll say this about the new coaster... while I never complain about a coaster before riding it I think this coaster will be judged very harshly because of what it's replacing. People tend to overrate coasters (and everything else) once they're not around anymore COUGH BIG DIPPER. I try very hard not to do this but Big Bad Wolf WAS a world class coaster and was definitely in my top 10. It was definitely my favorite coaster at BGW (Don't kill me but Apollo did nothing for me and I went before Griffon was built).

 

I probably rated this coaster higher than a lot of people but I think it's safe to say that almost everyone really enjoyed this ride. Fair or unfair... everyone is going to compare this coaster to Big Bad Wolf and it's going to be ridden and discussed VERY critically.

 

I kind of agree that BBW was one of the best coasters at the park but I really don't think that many people will compare the new ride to the old ride. If they replaced BBW with a suspended terrain coaster maybe, but this experience will (likely)be so unique and different it should be almost impossible to practically compare. Does anyone ever compare El Toro to Viper? or Hydra to Hercules? or The Vortex to the Bat? Or King Kong to Revenge of the Mummy? Why does one ride have to be compared to another just because it occupies the same plot of land, seems kind of silly to me.

[RocketJet94]

Well We cant really yet because at least from what we have seen so far, they are two very different rides where their layout do not really do the same things so I dont think that comparing them will be an issue. The only thing that some will say and I agree with is that we want the coaster that replaces BBW to be an experience that holds a candle to the original-meaning that it is something that offers a fresh new experience that does a litttle of what BBW did great but also something differeent too. But to tell you the truth, I think their next thrill ride will be build on the drachen fire site but it has taken a lot longer than I would have thought.

 

I personally think that BGW's collection of steel coasters is great and a woodie would compliment this well. I dont know if we need a gwazi, but I would be very interested in getting a larger version of Balder (Im sure Elissa would agree) if it is Intamin or Roar of it is GCI. But seriously, I miss the Drachen Fire, it didnt need to leave. If it was at a Six FLags park, it would have stayed

[coasterbill]

I'll say this about the new coaster... while I never complain about a coaster before riding it I think this coaster will be judged very harshly because of what it's replacing. People tend to overrate coasters (and everything else) once they're not around anymore COUGH BIG DIPPER. I try very hard not to do this but Big Bad Wolf WAS a world class coaster and was definitely in my top 10. It was definitely my favorite coaster at BGW (Don't kill me but Apollo did nothing for me and I went before Griffon was built).

 

I probably rated this coaster higher than a lot of people but I think it's safe to say that almost everyone really enjoyed this ride. Fair or unfair... everyone is going to compare this coaster to Big Bad Wolf and it's going to be ridden and discussed VERY critically.

 

I kind of agree that BBW was one of the best coasters at the park but I really don't think that many people will compare the new ride to the old ride. If they replaced BBW with a suspended terrain coaster maybe, but this experience will (likely)be so unique and different it should be almost impossible to practically compare. Does anyone ever compare El Toro to Viper? or Hydra to Hercules? or The Vortex to the Bat? Or King Kong to Revenge of the Mummy? Why does one ride have to be compared to another just because it occupies the same plot of land, seems kind of silly to me.

 

I don't think many members of the GP will compare them... but it's going to happen a lot on coaster message boards. Viper and Hercules sucked and the coaster community was likely much different when they closed the bat. Big Bad Wolf was a VERY popular coaster.

[vdejarnette]

Well We cant really yet because at least from what we have seen so far, they are two very different rides where their layout do not really do the same things so I dont think that comparing them will be an issue. The only thing that some will say and I agree with is that we want the coaster that replaces BBW to be an experience that holds a candle to the original-meaning that it is something that offers a fresh new experience that does a litttle of what BBW did great but also something differeent too. But to tell you the truth, I think their next thrill ride will be build on the drachen fire site but it has taken a lot longer than I would have thought.

 

I personally think that BGW's collection of steel coasters is great and a woodie would compliment this well. I dont know if we need a gwazi, but I would be very interested in getting a larger version of Balder (Im sure Elissa would agree) if it is Intamin or Roar of it is GCI. But seriously, I miss the Drachen Fire, it didnt need to leave. If it was at a Six FLags park, it would have stayed

 

 

With all due respect you were 4 or 5 when Drachen Fire was closed, how could you possibly miss it?

 

It was a beautiful looking coaster but it never rode nearly as well as it looked and the GP hated it for being physically abusive if you didn't know how to ride it right.

[QueerRudie]

As much as the BBW was a favorite of mine (Particularly in the Fall under a full moon...) I will miss it- but I know I won't compare Verbolten to it's predecessor- much as people didn't compare BBW to it's predecessor, Wildkatze.

 

Verbotlen to me is going to be a great family coaster that (if it's done right, and I suspect it will be!) that will please Mom, Dad and the 2.7 children, as well as the coaster community as a whole. I have to give kudos to BGW for going after a themed coaster that has some teeth to it, and that going beyond the "Build another Coaster, Build another flat, Build another coaster" style/motive that has become a habit of many parks in the USA.

 

People complained incessently about Drachen FIre when it was opened, and just as loud complained at it's removal. We should be looking at this as the loss of one (BBW) with fondness for it's memories- and look forward to the new one (Verbolten).

[_koppen]

I would be very interested in getting a larger version of Balder (Im sure Elissa would agree) if it is Intamin

 

Balder is like the best wooden coaster on the planet, why would you need a bigger version?

[T-BONDIcoasterkid]

Oh, oh, I know! To make the people of Kingsmill happy we can put the new woodie in a giant sound-proof bubble! Right!?

[RocketJet94]

ahaha well I suppose with the right incentive and the right amount of cash somethign is going to have to beat Balder someday:)

 

And are you serious about Drachen Fire? I dont miss it because I miss riding it, I miss it because it was a unique coaster with elements that were exclusive to it and can no longer be experienced. Plenty of coaster enthusiests miss the Chrystal Beach "Cyclone" but since im sure most of us were not born yet when it was in operation, im pretty sure they could not have been on it. When I say I miss the Drcahen Fire, I suppose I should right missed because I leterally missed it but it is my #1 coaster I wish to ride but cannot. In fact, I argue that it has the best layout of any Arrow coaster...ever

[cfc]

^I suppose that's one way of looking at Drachen Fire. Mine was through double-vision after it had beaten me senseless. Well, maybe I wasn't actually seeing double, but I did have a throbbing headache, an upset stomach, and two huge bruises on my shoulders after I rode that thing for the first time.

 

There are those who have ridden Drachen Fire, liked it, and now miss it. I am not among them, although it wasn't as bad as GASM (Rest in Pieces) at Six Flags Great Adventure.

[RoCo]

I only rode Drachen Fire a couple of times, but I do recall that the bizarre "cutback" first drop/inversion was pretty thrilling. And the light-up-at-night trains were sweet. Love it or hate it, that was a unique ride.

[RocketJet94]

but rougher than Viper I presume?

[amy_mel]

The first time I rode Drachen Fire, my mother and I disregarded the warning signs stating remove earrings. This coaster was so rough that I got off the ride bleeding from the neck where my earring posts had pierced the skin. Rough enough? Don't get me wrong, it is still one of my all time favorites but only because it was so unique in it's elements. And I didn't come to appreciate it until much later when I really began to understand how coasters work. I also rode it pre-1994, before the removal of the corkscrew after the brake run.

[BigBadWolf666]

Does anyone have any pictures of Drachen Fire at night? I'm curious to see how those lights looked.

[braztaz]

^I googled "Drachen Fire at night" and a picture of Zooey Deschanel came up. Interesting.

[cfc]

but rougher than Viper I presume?

 

I'd say so--I think SFMM's Viper is OK. Drachen Fire was a nice-looking ride, at least (especially at night).

[crazywolf88]

For those of you that don't think that this will be thrilling look at this:

 

This...is another zeirer coaster of the same model verbolten will be.

 

And it will be family friendly and not top notch, top ten thrilling because it has a job. To fill a void made empty by the removal of BBW. If this ride is as thrilling as some people want it, then first timers coming to the park will have to jump the thrill level gap from grovers alpine express to lochness monster. That is the gap BBW filled when it was still around, verbolten must fill the same gap and add enough thrill so the thrill seekers wouldn't be left out.

 

That is a tough assignment that BGW has to accomplish, so those of you complaining early think about this task at hand, then model your opinion.

 

EDIT: I also agree with skycoastin steve that you have to WAIT and RIDE to formulate a final thought about the ride. I mean it hasn't even been formally announced yet and people are already complaining! Is it me or do people in Virginia seem to bitch more than anywhere else.(I 305: bitching about everything even though you have a top ten coaster.)

 

-Peter "shut up until it is announced" Petri

Edited August 16, 2011 by crazywolf88

[Kumbarider1993]

And are you serious about Drachen Fire? I dont miss it because I miss riding it, I miss it because it was a unique coaster with elements that were exclusive to it and can no longer be experienced. Plenty of coaster enthusiests miss the Chrystal Beach "Cyclone" but since im sure most of us were not born yet when it was in operation, im pretty sure they could not have been on it. When I say I miss the Drcahen Fire, I suppose I should right missed because I leterally missed it but it is my #1 coaster I wish to ride but cannot. In fact, I argue that it has the best layout of any Arrow coaster...ever

 

Actually, drachen fire wasn't the only coaster with those elements. Kennywood's skyrocket and DLP's space mountain both have cutbacks, cobra rolls and interlocking corkscrews have been done several times now, and airtime hills have been done. But Drachen Fire was unique in it's layout and i love the flow and the pacing was brilliantly. Also, the first drop looked great and was totally out of the box for a steel looping coaster. But the coaster was just executed in the worst way possible - much like The Bat at kings island or The Rattler at fiesta texas. Beautifully unique concept but executed poorly. If only Arrow had involved Mr. Stengle or at least used hearlining. Arrow always had really unique ideas though...

[RocketJet94]

For those of you that don't think that this will be thrilling look at this:

 

This...is another zeirer coaster of the same model verbolten will be.

 

And it will be family friendly and not top notch, top ten thrilling because it has a job. To fill a void made empty by the removal of BBW. If this ride is as thrilling as some people want it, then first timers coming to the park will have to jump the thrill level gap from grovers alpine express to lochness monster. That is the gap BBW filled when it was still around, verbolten must fill the same gap and add enough thrill so the thrill seekers wouldn't be left out.

 

That is a tough assignment that BGW has to accomplish, so those of you complaining early think about this task at hand, then model your opinion.

 

EDIT: I also agree with skycoastin steve that you have to WAIT and RIDE to formulate a final thought about the ride. I mean it hasn't even been formally announced yet and people are already complaining! Is it me or do people in Virginia seem to bitch more than anywhere else.(I 305: bitching about everything even though you have a top ten coaster.)

 

-Peter "shut up until it is announced" Petri

 

Im sorry but this does not look appealing to me at all...

[coasterfreak101]

Oh my god. This thing should have a 100+ foot drop to the river, two launches, and some brand-new drop technology inside a highly-themed ride building. That's exciting to to about 99% of the coaster community, and I imagine the general, population.

[T-BONDIcoasterkid]

For those of you that don't think that this will be thrilling look at this:

 

This...is another zeirer coaster of the same model verbolten will be.

 

And it will be family friendly and not top notch, top ten thrilling because it has a job. To fill a void made empty by the removal of BBW. If this ride is as thrilling as some people want it, then first timers coming to the park will have to jump the thrill level gap from grovers alpine express to lochness monster. That is the gap BBW filled when it was still around, verbolten must fill the same gap and add enough thrill so the thrill seekers wouldn't be left out.

 

That is a tough assignment that BGW has to accomplish, so those of you complaining early think about this task at hand, then model your opinion.

 

EDIT: I also agree with skycoastin steve that you have to WAIT and RIDE to formulate a final thought about the ride. I mean it hasn't even been formally announced yet and people are already complaining! Is it me or do people in Virginia seem to bitch more than anywhere else.(I 305: bitching about everything even though you have a top ten coaster.)

 

-Peter "shut up until it is announced" Petri

 

Im sorry but this does not look appealing to me at all...

No one needs your negativity Anything Busch gets is a gift. Would you rather have this or NOTHING!? Seriously how is a new coaster not appealing???

[SoCalCoasters]

For those of you that don't think that this will be thrilling look at this:

 

This...is another zeirer coaster of the same model verbolten will be.

 

And it will be family friendly and not top notch, top ten thrilling because it has a job. To fill a void made empty by the removal of BBW. If this ride is as thrilling as some people want it, then first timers coming to the park will have to jump the thrill level gap from grovers alpine express to lochness monster. That is the gap BBW filled when it was still around, verbolten must fill the same gap and add enough thrill so the thrill seekers wouldn't be left out.

 

That is a tough assignment that BGW has to accomplish, so those of you complaining early think about this task at hand, then model your opinion.

 

EDIT: I also agree with skycoastin steve that you have to WAIT and RIDE to formulate a final thought about the ride. I mean it hasn't even been formally announced yet and people are already complaining! Is it me or do people in Virginia seem to bitch more than anywhere else.(I 305: bitching about everything even though you have a top ten coaster.)

 

-Peter "shut up until it is announced" Petri

 

Im sorry but this does not look appealing to me at all...

 

That's not appealing? Busch replacing BBW is not appealing? Brand new ride technology isn't appealing?

 

A giant indoor dark coaster section with Th13teen style drop technology isn't appealing?

 

A ride that everyone can enjoy, enthusiast and GP alike isn't appealing?

 

Zierer creating a coaster that has a very low height requirement, but delivers lots of thrills isn't appealing?

 

A highly themed coaster themed to the freaking Autobahn isn't appealing?

 

Really?

 

Last time I checked, this ride was quite appealing to most people. Care to elaborate on why it isn't?

[jarmor]

geesh guys...thats his/her opinion...

 

I think its gonna be a cool adition. anytime a coaster has a dark section to me, makes it seem like they are putting the effort in but if they dont like it then oh well....

[atem122]

^^Pretty sure he was talking about the video that was posted.