Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[ripleybl]

I was curious on when they will start construction on Finnegan's Flyer? Also, has anyone ever been on one of these smaller versions of this swing ride? I've only been on Skyhawk at CP and that thing is absolutely amazing! I know this is smaller and not as fast, but I am hoping it will be similar to Skyhawk. I think it swinging over the river will make this a very unique experience and add to it's intensity

[Canobie Coaster]

To be perfectly honest, I don't notice too much of a difference on-ride between the larger and smaller screamin' swings. What does make a difference is the placement. Silver Dollar City's is perched on a hill and swings over the rapids ride below which is a cool effect.

[boldikus]

I've ridden a bunch of Screamin Swings of all sizes (CPs, Funspot, Compounce, Moreys, Dorneys) and they're all awesome.

 

We had a great day @ this park yesterday. God damn if that craft beer bar isn't the best park bar ever.

[cfc]

I was curious on when they will start construction on Finnegan's Flyer? Also, has anyone ever been on one of these smaller versions of this swing ride? I've only been on Skyhawk at CP and that thing is absolutely amazing! I know this is smaller and not as fast, but I am hoping it will be similar to Skyhawk. I think it swinging over the river will make this a very unique experience and add to it's intensity

 

There are construction walls up, and they've been clearing the ground on the left as you enter Ireland.

[coasterbill]

They couldn't really start construction until yesterday afternoon so it's probably running behind schedule. Some a**hole named Balor or whatever stole the Heart of Eire so the whole Ireland section was basically in turmoil and they couldn't safely start construction because of everything that was going on with the dragons or whatever. Luckily we went over there yesterday and saved the day so they can start construction now. You're welcome.

 

PS: That ride is um... not good.

 

Oh, and yeah they've done a lot of land clearing. This ride is in an awesome spot. I can't wait.

[CoasterAuditor]

^That is the opposite sentiment of the reaction I have seen on other (unnamed) pages. People seem to be upset about all the tree removal. Me on the other hand? S&S SCREAMING SWING IN VIRGINIA AT BUSCH GARDENS!!!!!!! Sure it sucks it's less "pretty" in that area but I mean were getting one of the most fun flats out there!

[coasterbill]

There are times where tree removal really does bother me and I feel that it takes away from the atmosphere of the park but I honestly think this looks fine. People just like to complain.

[CoasterAuditor]

Yeah tree removal isn't just like "okay" with me but I've long wanted a Screamin Swing in Virginia since I rode Barnstormer at Dollywood.

[Canobie Coaster]

Tree removal for no reason bothers me. This is a perfectly good reason to me. Screamin' swings are awesome.

[MartinU]

ADVICE: I'm taking my first trip to BGW this Saturday! I'm really excited to visit this park after years of seeing pictures and new rides being added.

 

I expect the park to be busy, so lines are not a big issue. What are some suggestions for a first timer at BGW? Ride order? Shows that are a must see? Best haunts?

 

And yes, we do plan to make it a full day, opening to close. Thanks everyone!

[CoasterAuditor]

^Be advised the forecast for this weekend is awful.

[cfc]

If you get there before opening, you should be able to get in all the coasters before noon. It might be best to get InvadR out of the way first, as it'll have a long line by noon. Tempesto is low capacity, too. (Plus, there's always Quick Queue).

 

Here's the order of the shows based on quality: Monster Stomp, Fiends, and Night Beats Revamped. (None of them are really "bad," though--Night Beats in the Festhaus is the most "family friendly.") Howl to Coexist (wolf show) is worth seeing, too.

 

The best of the haunts are Vault XX, Demented Dimensions, and Dystopia. Line will be long for the mazes early in the evening, but there's always Quick Queue (highly recommended for a Howl-o-Scream weekend night).

 

Crappy weather might keep the crowds down on Saturday.

[coasterbill]

There's some question about the track of this nor'easter but the weather this weekend (as of now) looks fine with low wind and a precipitation chance of less than 10% by park open.

 

As for the rides, Chuck is the expert but I should probably mention that Verbolten gets huge lines too and riding it early-ish would be wise. Mach Tower should be a high priority also if you ever happen to walk by it when it's not broken only because if the ride is open then the next breakdown is generally only a few short minutes away.

[cfc]

Verbolten's line will be pretty long when the hordes arrive around noon.

[coasterBro]

ADVICE: I'm taking my first trip to BGW this Saturday! I'm really excited to visit this park after years of seeing pictures and new rides being added.

 

I expect the park to be busy, so lines are not a big issue. What are some suggestions for a first timer at BGW? Ride order? Shows that are a must see? Best haunts?

 

And yes, we do plan to make it a full day, opening to close. Thanks everyone!

 

I'm almost always an advocate for line skip passes anywhere on the weekends, but that may or may not be workable for you. One thing I would recommend is to keep in mind the opening times for the different areas of the park since it doesn't all open at the same time (should be printed on the park maps). I believe (but may be wrong) that the Verbolten area is the last to open. When I was last there in the spring, Loch Ness Monster was operating at 9:45, with InvadR and Griffon opening at 10. I think Tempesto/Apollo didn't open till after 10 though, but I'm not 100%.

 

If you're there early and can be lined up to get through the gates quickly when they start letting people in, you could probably get on and off of Nessie and hustle back to be one of the first people on InvadR. Then Griffon, Alpengeist, Verbolten, and finish with Tempesto/Apollo? YMMV though with crowds/ride opening times. Obviously with QQ, you can just do everything at your own pace though.

 

 

For the coasters themselves, I don't have a big preference for seating on Loch Ness Monster (though I tend towards the 2nd to last row). I like InvadR near the back (I think row 6 is the magical spot where you get both pops of air at the tops of the hills but still get a good yank down the first drop); it's also surprisingly fun after dark (and my favorite ride to end the night on). I like the last row on the dive coasters, so my vote for Griffon is the far back left seat. I tend to prefer inverts in the back, but I do really like Alpengeist in the front row; unfortunately, it's not uncommon for the front row to have a rather lengthy line while the rest of the train is practically a walk-on. I recommend Verbolten from the middle towards the front because the back whips you a bit exiting the building and heading into that launch; you do lose out on some visuals in the very very front though. For Tempesto, I go with the back because I just generally love being launched backwards up a spike/hill/loop. I don't know that I ever settled on my preferred row for Apollo though, so I guess you'll just have to ride it a bunch to find your happy place.

 

Hope that helps some!

[coasterbill]

The Christmas Town ride lineup is out and relatively unchanged.

 

The only notable additions are the Christmas Town Express (an upgraded train ride experience that makes the full loop from New France) and Battle For Eire. InvadR and Verbolten are still the only operating coasters.

[cfc]

^Good to hear that the train will be running during Christmas Town, as the local scuttlebutt was that it was closed until next year.

[boldikus]

I can't believe they at least won't run Alpengeist. Booooooo.

 

Also, Mach Tower doesn't drop? What the hell is that about?

[cfc]

I can't believe they at least won't run Alpengeist. Booooooo.

 

Also, Mach Tower doesn't drop? What the hell is that about?

 

If the temperature drops below 42 degrees, they can't run Alpengiest. I remember visiting the park during a spring snowstorm years ago. I thought it was funny that the coaster themed to a ski lodge couldn't run in the snow.

[coasterbill]

I believe at one point they did run Alpengeist for the event (temperature permitting) as well as Griffon and Tempesto in different years (though I'm prepared to be wrong about Alpengeist). They could run everything if they wanted to (I think Six Flags is proof of that), they just don't seem to put a premium on running their coasters for the event. Personally I think that's a shame but they're also doing gangbusters business for Christmastown as it is so my opinion clearly doesn't matter .

 

I sort of hoped that Kings Dominion would put together a decent lineup and push them to open some coasters (like what happened with Hershey after Great Adventure started their event), but we all saw how Kings Dominion's Winterfest lineup turned out

[cfc]

They did try running Griffon one year, but the splash pool kept freezing over.

 

December is a tricky month in Williamsburg. Some years, it feels more like spring, while other years it's frigid.

[coasterbill]

Wow. I just assumed they drained it. That's hilarious.

[bert425]

I can't believe they at least won't run Alpengeist. Booooooo.

 

Also, Mach Tower doesn't drop? What the hell is that about?

 

I talked about that with a park employee during the TPR trip, actually.

 

I think it sounds wonderful to use it an an observation tower during the Holiday events. . it already turns, so I think it's a great use of it

[Canobie Coaster]

^ I wish they could alternate between observation and drop mode to satisfy both non thrill seekers and thrill seekers.

 

Aren't there parks in Europe that do that?

[CoasterAuditor]

So I guess the Virginia winter coaster options are:

 

Dominator

Racer 75

Great Pumpkin

InvadR

Verbolten

and Grover

 

Better than nothing I will say!