Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

cfc · August 2, 2020

^ Yes, I agree. Seems pretty marginal at best. Maybe they're charging a lot for the beers...

And the food. And the merch.

Plus, they won't need a full staff because only part of the park is open. I'm looking forward to seeing how successful this event is.

TrippinBillie · August 3, 2020

Pretty cool drone vid of the park being empty. It's a 9 min vid of the park showing "everything", but I copied at the part where it really zooms in on Pantheon. Pretty cool look. Please don't roast me, but IMO, it looks like a very short ride. I guess leading up to it, I thought it was a bit longer in total. I know, I know "it's not open, can't judge it yet".....but just a bit surprised at the length via this footage:

boldikus · August 3, 2020

Based on fan-made POVs on youtube, it should be around a minute and 15 seconds of ride time, and that's without a lift hill. That's pretty long, comparatively speaking to the other large scale Intamins in the area - El Toro, Skyrush and I305 are all less than a minute from drop to brakes and are often considered three of the best rides on the planet.

TrippinBillie · August 4, 2020

Based on fan-made POVs on youtube, it should be around a minute and 15 seconds of ride time, and that's without a lift hill. That's pretty long, comparatively speaking to the other large scale Intamins in the area - El Toro, Skyrush and I305 are all less than a minute from drop to brakes and are often considered three of the best rides on the planet.

Solid point

cfc · August 4, 2020

At the Pantheon Hard-Hat Tour, we were told that the ride would last about "150 seconds." We'll see if this holds up . . . someday.

grsupercity · August 4, 2020

At the Pantheon Hard-Hat Tour, we were told that the ride would last about "150 seconds." We'll see if this holds up . . . someday.

I am assuming the first launch will be slow and the swing launches should eat up some time!

cfc · August 4, 2020

At the Pantheon Hard-Hat Tour, we were told that the ride would last about "150 seconds." We'll see if this holds up . . . someday.

I am assuming the first launch will be slow and the swing launches should eat up some time!

Probably so. There's an initial forward launch, then a switch track to send you up "Neptune's Trident" (spike), then another forward launch to send you through the rest of the course.

cfc · August 7, 2020

Coasters & Craft Brews Sneak Peek

Just when you think, ala the Soup Nazi, "no Busch Gardens for you," the park comes with a way to open, in a way: the Coasters and Craft Brews special event. Of course, you can't just show up and hope to get in. Guests have to "reserve" the day they want in advance, and there are a limited number of days and times, with attendance limited to 1,000 people, as per state guidelines for "entertainment venues." This applies to both regular guests and passholders (or "members"). Roughy half of the park is open, too: England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Fort New France.

I'm sure most of you can guess the other restrictions. Your temperature is checked before you enter to ensure you're not running a fever. Guests must wear face masks at all times, except when eating and drinking, and practice social distancing.

Remember: six feet (or about one about the length of one adult grey wolf) between guests, please.

And just what can you do while wearing your mask and practicing proper social distancing at the park? You can ride three of the park's coasters: Loch Ness Monster, Griffon, and InvadR. They were also running the Little Clydes kiddie ride in Scotland, Finnegan's Flyer in Scorland, and Le Catapult at Fort New France. The Smokehouse is open for dinner, and you can grab a nice craft brew at Grogan's. The Clydesdales and some other animals are out, and the main gift shops in England, France, and Fort New France are open. All the ride and restaurant queues are marked for social distancing, and there are plenty of hand sanitizer stations all over the park.

I rode each coaster and Finnegan's Flyer. While I waited for the Loch Ness Monster, two ops wiped down the train before people were allowed to board, but I don't think they did this every time.

Each coaster had a grouper before you could enter the station, who assigned groups and single riders to rows for seating. I think they were using all the seats for Nessie. For Griffon, it depended on "groups." An op told me that if you had a group of ten, the group would get an entire row; other than than that, smaller groups had empty seats between them, so there weren't any full trains. InvadR had one only train running, and half the seats were blocked off (the other coasters ran two trains). So, the longest wait of the night was for InvadR, and even that wasn't too long.

Service at the Smokehouse went pretty smoothly, despite the socially distanced line. Instead of having platters prepared in advance and lined up for guests to grab, you had to order what you wanted, and they put it together then. Cashiers doled out the tableware. You could sit inside at Grogan's, but quite a few spaces were off limits (I snagged a table to myself in the back).

Overall, it was nice break in the monotony of the COVID-restricted life in Williamsburg. I'm sure the park will be tweaking their procedures as they go. Most of the guests complied with the rules; for example, I didn't hear anyone complain about having to wear a mask on rides (I had no problem with this, either).

Here's a look at Coasters and Craft Brews.

You park in the England lot. This is where they check your temperature before you enter the park.

Here be the rules, sez I.

You'll find plenty of these in the park (all the ride queues had sanitizer stations).

Obey the signs, people.

Weird to see England so empty, even on a weeknight.

Why, thank you, Busch Gardens. Nice to be back.

I bought this shirt because it has a silhouette of a highland cow on it.

Time to leave Merrie Old England . . .

. . . but not for grouchy old Italy and Germany.

You can still visit the Clydesdales.

The horses are, of course, maintaining proper social distance.

So, what else is there to do? I started with a ride on Nessie . . .

. . . then walked by Finnegan's Flyer (which had a bit of a line).

Look! A mythical Griffon!

Longest line of the night.

The eagles are always distant.

If you want to see wolves, be mindful of the decals on the bridge near Wolf Haven.

This owl would kill you, if it weren't for social distancing.

France doesn't look too busy.

France also gives you a chance to "relax" without a mask, too.

Well, being as I'm in France . . .

People were pretty good about practicing social distancing in the ride queues.

Here's the socially distanced, half-full InvadR train.

Brisket time!

Eat your brisket only at designated tables.

I saw this mushroom village as I made my way back to Ireland. Were the Smurfs who lived there under quarantine?

Well, being as I'm in Ireland . . .

. . . might as well hoist one.

The line for Finnegan's Flyer had thinned out, so I took a swing or two. The ride ops were accounting for social distancing when seating riders.

Time to call it a night.

I did stop in the England gift shop. Who wants a Black Forest Cake pin, complete with a recipe?

You can't ride Pantheon (sigh), but you can buy the pins.

Remember: Stay six feet apart, or this wolf will kill you! Thanks for reading.

Mr Stratosphere · August 7, 2020

Love the Loch Ness Monster hat! Thanks for sharing!!!

Am I the only one that wishes more parks had Screamin' Swings? I find them very underrated and a ton of fun!

thrillseeker4552 · August 7, 2020

Nice report. I am happy to see BGW "open" in compliance with Virginia's strict restrictions. I guess some coasters are better than none!

prozach626 · August 7, 2020

Thanks for sharing.

cfc · August 7, 2020

Am I the only one that wishes more parks had Screamin' Swings? I find them very underrated and a ton of fun!

Agreed! I'm not a "flat-ride person," but I like Screamin' Swings.

bert425 · August 7, 2020

what a fun report. . even with only a portion of the park open, it looks like you had a great time.

interesting they didn't move the open area just a smidge more to allow for Le Scoot, or Alpengeist to run. . but as has been noted: some coasters are better than none.

great plan by BGW to open up a portion of the park and get some folks in.

and I'd totally have bought that Black Forest Cake pin - and turned it into a magnet

Sluggo77 · August 7, 2020

Very cool to see BGW come up with a way to open at least some of the park this season. Thanks for sharing!

cfc · August 7, 2020

interesting they didn't move the open area just a smidge more to allow for Le Scoot, or Alpengeist to run. . but as has been noted: some coasters are better than none.

Funny you should mention LeScoot. As I was getting out of my car, I overheard an argument between two parents and a little girl. She was insisting on bringing a bathing suit to change into later, even though her dad kept reminding her that none of the water rides were open.

Edited August 7, 2020 by cfc

DJeXeL · August 7, 2020

Smart move incorporating opportunities for retail sales themed to COVID. Glad to hear they didn't throw in the towel and opened what they could. Thanks for the report.

prozach626 · August 7, 2020

interesting they didn't move the open area just a smidge more to allow for Le Scoot, or Alpengeist to run.

You would have had additional cost to operate two rides with the same amount of money coming in.

coasterbill · August 7, 2020

This sounds like a really great night out for locals. It's a shame the state isn't letting them open fully but I'm glad they're getting creative.

Guy T. Koepp · August 7, 2020

Great TR Chuck. It must be weird walking around that area of the park and seeing it so empty. good that they are trying to open as much as they can under the circumstances.

CarolinaJay · August 7, 2020

They're having the event go for another week due to the great response from it!! So now, it'll go on until the 23rd.

cfc · August 29, 2020

Busch Gardens is bringing back it's Food & Wine Festival for September! You can experience a Taste of Busch Gardens on select days from September 2-27.

From the park's website:

Sip, sample & soar at this ALL-NEW specially ticketed outdoor event!

Enjoy a fusion of flavor and fun as you indulge in a selection of Food & Wine fan favorites pared with an array of NEW park experiences from coasters like Verbolten & Alpengeist, to Le Scoot, more villages & other fun-filled rides!

Italy remains closed, but more rides will be open (check their website for more details).

Some favorites from past Food and Wine Festivals will be offered, such as Bangers and Colcannon, Gamba Fritters, and Steak Chimichurri.

grsupercity · August 29, 2020

If its profitable then keep it going!

cfc · September 5, 2020

A Taste of Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens bounced back a bit in August with their Coasters and Craft Brews event, which was held on selected days and inspired (somewhat) by their annual Bierfest. Now they're offering the "greatest hits" of their annual Food and Wine Festival: A Taste of Busch Gardens.

This month's event seems a bit more "festive" than Coasters and Craft Brews, in that they really are offering something beyond their usual dining menu (the "Craft Brews" thing last month meant that Grogan's Pub was open in Ireland). More of the park is open (Forest of Fun and Italy remain closed), and now you can ride Griffon, InvadR, Alpengeist, Verbolten, and Le Scoot, in addition to a few more flat rides (no Loch Ness Monster, though). You can enjoy some unique food, such as Gamba Fritters and Mushroom Risotto, in Ireland, France, and Fort New France. Tasting cards are available, too: five samples for $30.00 and ten samples for $60.00.

The park offers two separate sessions on select days (11:00 am-3:00 pm and 5:00-9:00 pm), and you have to reserve the day and time you wish to attend (check the park's website for details). Admission to a Taste of Busch Gardens is part of your park membership; otherwise, it's $44.95 per person.

I went there after work on Friday, September 4--here's a look. And remember: Masks must be worn, except when eating and drinking, and rides are run at lower capacity (but there will only be 1,000 people at the park, anyway).

Be sure to walk on the right when entering to maintain proper social distancing.

The park seemed a bit busier than it did during Coasters and Craft Brews.

No Loch Ness Monster for you!

This map will tell you what's open and where to get some chow.

"Wilbur, can't a horse get some privacy to take a bath around here?"

I recommend that you drink plenty of beer to wash down some fritters, then ride Finnegan's Flyer. The results could be either amusing or unfortunate, depending on where you are.