Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[nicman]

I wonder if BGW's new "mystery" coaster is going to be a clone a SFDK's Superman: Ultimate Flight?

Probably.

[loop-de-loop]

Obviously they're the professionals but if you're building a new ride wouldn't you... I don't know? Tell people about it that way it actually brings people into your park.

 

Carowinds has already had at least 2 media events for their ride, they're filming a TV show and they're doing whatever they can to make sure everyone knows that they have a huge new coaster and everyone should come visit the park, spend money, buy season passes and ride the ride. They promoted it like crazy before the holidays to get people to buy Season Passes as gifts, they're promoting it now since construction is well underway... BGW is doing absolutely nothing.

 

I don't get the logic in building a huge new coaster and not telling people you have it. If nobody knows it's there, how will it increase revenue at the rate they probably hope to increase it given their current situation.

 

They're the experts but this is really confusing.

Exactly.

You don't need to be an expert to know more advertising=larger crowds (most of the time).

It's sad to watch the Busch/Seaworld chain struggle right now but it's decisions like this that make it a little less surprising.

[coasterchitchat]

Obviously they're the professionals but if you're building a new ride wouldn't you... I don't know? Tell people about it that way it actually brings people into your park.

 

Carowinds has already had at least 2 media events for their ride, they're filming a TV show and they're doing whatever they can to make sure everyone knows that they have a huge new coaster and everyone should come visit the park, spend money, buy season passes and ride the ride. They promoted it like crazy before the holidays to get people to buy Season Passes as gifts, they're promoting it now since construction is well underway... BGW is doing absolutely nothing.

 

I don't get the logic in building a huge new coaster and not telling people you have it. If nobody knows it's there, how will it increase revenue at the rate they probably hope to increase it given their current situation.

 

They're the experts but this is really confusing.

 

Spot on. Carowinds is advertising like crazy over Fury 325 since they are trying to bring in more people by the end of the expansion. Why is BGW not saying anything? I guarantee you BGW will sell more season passes if they already announce Tempesto. Theme park enthusiasts only account for 5% of the park's attendance, and the GP knows nothing about this ride but the structure.

 

I work in marketing, but it doesn't even take a 1st grader to figure this out. Busch/SeaWorld will gain something (money?) if they announce Tempesto earlier.

[BlahBlahson]

Busch is restructuring many departments, including PR. Some have speculated it has to do with that.

[loop-de-loop]

Busch is restructuring many departments, including PR. Some have speculated it has to do with that.

That's what I was thinking too, but when you have a multi-million dollar investment going on, you would think that would be priority for whoever is still on board.

[chickenbowl]

I agree with most people here, I can only see this lack of announcement as a negative thing. This is the time of year when families start planning trips for the summer and judging by the BGW website, they would have no idea that BGW is opening something new this year. I am not a person who likes marketing by any means, but there's a reason why you should use it, it will bring people to your park! I LOVE this park, but they sure have made some odd decisions in the past few years...

 

Holiday World announced their coaster last JULY! I'm sure everybody around the park is well aware of Thunderbird by now.

[Gnome]

I agree with most people here, I can only see this lack of announcement as a negative thing. This is the time of year when families start planning trips for the summer and judging by the BGW website, they would have no idea that BGW is opening something new this year. I am not a person who likes marketing by any means, but there's a reason why you should use it, it will bring people to your park! I LOVE this park, but they sure have made some odd decisions in the past few years...

 

Holiday World announced their coaster last JULY! I'm sure everybody around the park is well aware of Thunderbird by now.

 

Holiday World had a MASSIVE pr event to announce Thunderbird. It was significant enough that I actually found it appear outside of the regular channels you would expect for a theme park like Holiday World.

 

Who knows whats going on with this but perhaps they see it as a cheap investment?

[Diamondbacker27]

Something like this would look great on Kemtucky Kingdoms skyline.

[zachclarke2]

Kentucky Kingdom just reopened with several of their old rides as well as new ones, including a new coaster, this year they are opening their SLC, and next year Twisted Twins. It doesn't seem like a Premier Clone would be on their investment radar.

[grsupercity]

Kentucky Kingdom just reopened with several of their old rides as well as new ones, including a new coaster, this year they are opening their SLC, and next year Twisted Twins. It doesn't seem like a Premier Clone would be on their investment radar.

 

You never would of guessed it would be on bgw's radar as well. But its being built. But kk is opening alot of new stuff this year and more stuff coming so i assure you there not getting a premier clone like zach said

[Vonni]

I still can't stand the location they chose for the new Coaster.

[Jcoaster]

I'm looking to plan a trip with some friends once the park opens. I haven't been there in 11 years so it has been awhile, do they offer 2 day tickets or twilight tickets at the park?

[GwaziBSRider1]

When I went for two days a few years ago, I bought the fun card. It was the price of either one-day or two-day admission, and you could get in all season (I believe this replaced multi-day admission tickets). I don't think they offer Twilight tickets, though.

[coasterchitchat]

Just saw from friend on Facebook, Busch Garden Willamsburg's new 2015 Premier Rides Coaster will be announced in March. He had a screenshot of the article, but I'll post it later.

[cfc]

^Are you talking about the article in the Virginia Gazette? There's already a post with a link to that one.

 

According to an interview with BGW president Carl Lum in the Virginia Gazette, there will be an announcement concerning the new ride in March.

[nannerdw]

I'm trying to plan a trip around the first weekend in April. I really wish they'd announce an opening date, though it sounds like it won't be open by then if they aren't even announcing it until March. Maybe it will be like an Apple announcement: "Hey, we have a new ride, and it's open today!"

[VF15]

I'd imagine this coaster probably won't be on the park's Quick Queue system because it's already a low capacity ride, and if Quick Queue users kept on coming to this ride, that would make the regular wait time unbearably long. Even if it has the rumored three-car trains, the situation wouldn't be much better.

[cfc]

^They could limit it to one ride on Quick Queue, as they did with Verbolten during its first season.

[Propeller Factory]

Oh we'll if nobody comes to ride the new coaster I guess that means more rides for me oh well.

[tanthonyam]

How are the crowds after Spring break mid to late April ? Weather?

[Nrthwnd]

I still can't stand the location they chose for the new Coaster.

 

Yeah, but you're still going to ride it, yes? No?

[cfc]

The ride's location doesn't bother me. In fact, I think it will be kind of cool to ride up Apollo's lift hill while the new ride is cycling.

[Paladin7485]

I know BG is in the middle of alot of changes but Im surprised we still havent heard any announcement on pass member day. We are a little over a month from pass member day unless its been announced and I just missed it. They usually have this announced already. They have the opening day already posted.

[TyRush]

Maybe they will announce it on pass member day? Like "a grand opening just for you pass members, surprise! "

[cfc]

I know BG is in the middle of alot of changes but Im surprised we still havent heard any announcement on pass member day. We are a little over a month from pass member day unless its been announced and I just missed it. They usually have this announced already. They have the opening day already posted.

 

It's March 21. Opening day is March 27.