Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[Aceattack52]

I never noticed the Christmas lights on the remote-control trucks--good catch, Zach.

 

I never really liked the remote control trucks they have at some parks. They're just junk and it doesn't look like anyone ever uses them.

[zachclarke2]

^I agree, but it's money. That's really all it takes unfortunately.

 

With that being said, I have to say I like the RC boats at Pompeii quite a bit more. They fit the theming, at least.

 

Not the best picture for detail but it gets the point across I think...maybe...

[Aceattack52]

Wow the light up trucks and now the light up boats! Busch Gardens is really pulling out all the stops this year!

[simaticable]

It does seem that the park is really trying to go all out.

[netdvn]

The remote control boats have been around for a few years now. They're removed during Christmas Town because Pompeii is decked out in lights.

 

Not sure how long the monster trucks were around. I saw them in 2011 but I assume they've sat underneath Griffon since it opened.

[Aceattack52]

Drachen Fire looks interesting, too bad it was so rough. Do you think the ride would still be around if Arrow had started "heartlining" their rides with computer systems (Like B&M) in the late 80's/very early 90's?

 

They couldn't find a disc drive to hold a coat hanger.

Hearlining the ride in the design stages would have increased the output quality of the ride and therefore I Think it would have stayed. By heartlining it, the ride is almost on the same level as a B&M and there haven't been many B&Ms removed from parks, or at least not lately.

[simaticable]

Drachen Fire looks interesting, too bad it was so rough. Do you think the ride would still be around if Arrow had started "heartlining" their rides with computer systems (Like B&M) in the late 80's/very early 90's?

 

They couldn't find a disc drive to hold a coat hanger.

Hearlining the ride in the design stages would have increased the output quality of the ride and therefore I Think it would have stayed. By heartlining it, the ride is almost on the same level as a B&M and there haven't been many B&Ms removed from parks, or at least not lately.

That's mainly because B&M's also provided interesting new elements to the coasters that Arrow did not provide at the time. Also, for the most part, B&M's are capacity monsters and are very reliable.

[Jon Sabo]

I bet the residents of Kingsmill were thrilled when DF was taken down. They complained left and ride about the noise from the coaster.

I do miss the LED lighting on the side of the trains at night.

 

*Side note: Anyone seen all the track sections of the flume missing?

BG is putting alot of $ and effort to keep that flume ride open....coming up on 40th Anniversary pretty soon.

 

here are some great photos of the park (including park construction)

"Back in the day"

links:

http://touch.dailypress.com/#section/-1/gallery/p2p-49691936/

http://touch.dailypress.com/#section/704/gallery/p2p-78447220/

[netdvn]

Came back yesterday from a quick show run.

 

Deck the Halls was a great show. Good cast, fun music. It was about on par with last year.

 

Miracles on the other hand. Wow. I dunno what changes they made to the show, but it seemed a lot better than last year. It might've even dethroned Gloria as my favorite CT show. The singers and actors did an amazing job.

[cfc]

I went to the park after work last night to get my Christmas Town pass and grab a bite to eat. While I was there, I took some more pictures and shot a little video of the "O Tannenbaum" synchronized lights-and-music show in front of the Festhaus.

 

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Christmas_Town_2_092_5q0j[/coastertube]

 

Here are some more pictures from that night.

The little waterfall by the ticket booths. How many of you even knew this was here?

The big-balls Christmas tree--in extreme close up!

A wreath on the exterior wall of the Union Jax store in England. If you're looking for Beatles-related Christmas ornaments, this is the place.

Candy apples--where nutrition and teeth-rotting goodness team up.

They do a little light show in France to the "12 Days of Christmas." The queen just loves the paparazzi as she hangs out by the tree.

The carousel has Christmas music and a light scheme to match.

Trees in Germany--if you look closely, you might just see an actual working Nacht Tower!

The marketplace looking toward the Festhaus, where I chowed down on a prime rib sandwich. They serve a nice turkey dinner, too, along with the sausage sampler (only with mashed garlic potatoes instead of German potato salad). The gingerbread cheesecake is good, too.

A model train set chugs around in the gift shop across from DarKastle. (King Ludwig refuses to decorate for the holidays. Every neighborhood has someone like that.)

Speaking of the Miracles show, I bumped into my neighbors Chico and Irma, and this was their favorite one this year. It's in Italy.

Angels are a big deal in Italy, too.

Yay! All the lights are working tonight! (They had some problems with this sign on opening day.)

There's another light-and-music show here.

The Trade Wind becomes Snowman Summit for Christmas Town.

The Elephant Run is the Reindeer Run until December 31.

There's a nice little Christmas shop near Apollo's Chariot (the ride is closed during Christmas Town).

The tree is decorated with retro toys . . .

. . . some cool . . .

. . . some a little creepy.

The fireplace is a nice touch.

"Bow to your robot overlords!"

As I've said before, I really like what they do with Pompeii during Christmas Town--even if the ride looks a bit like two enormous Domos with long blue tongues.

That's all--Merry Christmas!

[gerstlaueringvar]

^ Great photos! The park is definitely on my bucket list!

[arby]

Great TR and pictures, Chuck! We missed our trip to Christmas Town this year.

[jray21]

That really is a great looking park for Christmas. I definitely approve of the Domo lights!

[jedimaster1227]

Thanks for sharing the great photos of ChristmasTown Chuck! I seriously miss Busch Gardens Williamsburg and hope I can make it back up there sometime in the near future to see for myself all that has changed since our visit during the 2006 East Coast Tour!

[Jon Sabo]

Thanks for the photos, Chuck!-Always love the comments that go with each photo.

How were the shows this year? (Alot of rumblings going on in the entertainment dept.)

[netdvn]

All three shows are phenomenal this year. Deck the Halls is about as good as last year. Gloria is phenomenal with it's amazing actors and music score. Miracles is amazing. Probably even better than it was last year. I actually felt it was the best show of this year.

[Kyle Coleman]

Was planning on finally hitting up bgw next year and saw that they offer a guided behind the scenes coaster tour and was wondering if anyone on here has taken it before and if so, was it worth the money?

[netdvn]

I've never taken the tour myself but I do know there are plenty of perks.

 

Go to the top of Griffon.

Tour Alpengeist and Loch Ness maintenance bays

Front of line access to the coasters.

 

I haven't heard if the Verbolten tour is incorporated with the regular coaster tour yet. Assuming it has.

You'll tour Verbolten's building

Get up close to the bridge drop

And access controls

 

I dont recall the price tag, but I reckon it'll be worth it for all the stuff you get to do.

[Kyle Coleman]

That does sound like some pretty cool behind the scenes and perks. I think I will go ahead and spring for it. It is going to be my first and for all I know could be my only time at bgw so I might as well go all the way with it. Thanks for the info.

[netdvn]

Thank you to Busch Gardens for another great season. Food and Wine, Howl O Scream, and Christmas Town were fantastic.

 

Christmas Town rundown.

Park is as beautiful as everthis year. Rode Mach Tower for the first time since last CT and it was beautiful from the top. All three shows are amazing as well.

 

Gloria.- even better than last year. The singers were incredible. Still dont care for the power point presentation in the foreground.

Deck the Halls - about as good as last year.

Miracles - after last nights show, I'd say its about the same as Gloria. Great music and dancing. Visuals arent as heavy as the othsr two shows but I dig the minimal stage.

 

Can't wait to return to the park next year.

Edited December 31, 2013 by netdvn

[azza29]

Was planning on finally hitting up bgw next year and saw that they offer a guided behind the scenes coaster tour and was wondering if anyone on here has taken it before and if so, was it worth the money?

 

I did it earlier this year - was definitely worth the money, you get a good behind-the-scenes look at Loch Ness Monster, Griffon and Alpengeist, as well as multiple rides on all coasters including Apollo's Chariot. It had rained very heavily the night before our tour so instead of going up Griffon's lift hill the guide gave us a behind-the-scenes look at Verbolten as well, again with multiple rides. And then after the tour you get a front-of-line pass for the coasters as well - I'd definitely recommend this tour!

[Vonni]

^ Do you remember how much it costs?

[Jon Sabo]

Cost of tours will increase slightly for 2014. The park has not posted the $ yet. You will still get 10% off with your season pass.

here is the website: (2014 tours and prices will be updated before new season starts-check back periodically).

http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/Book-Online/Extras/BehindTheScenesTours?from=Top_Nav

[azza29]

^^I think we paid about $70, so expect it to be $75-ish in 2014.

[triggernel]

How does BGE's Christmas Town compare to their Howl O Scream and even the regular park? For me, BGT's Howl O Sceam is light years better than Christmas Town, and I would even put a visit to the park on a regular day higher than visiting during Christmas Town. There are too many rides closed, none of the good animal exhibits are open, and none of the added experiences really make up for it. BGE looks like it puts on a better Christmas event, but how does it compare?