Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[cfc]

Speaking of Verbolten, I wandered over to the park earlier this evening to check out the progress the park has made since, well, the last update. Unfortunately, there was no testing going on while I was there, but a number of guests mentioned seeing it cycle earlier in the day. They've added some more little details to the station, bridge, and the wrecked Porsche.

 

Let's have a look.

" . . . except when Chuck is here."

Noted!

So, how about the queue?

The queue now has rails. I wonder if the ride crew has started practicing the "Please do not sit on the rails" announcement?

Will Gunter be glaring at us from this monitor inbetween promos for Quick Queue, Celtic Fyre, etc.?

The water-filled dummies are probably exhausted from testing all day.

But the blue train looks rarin' to go again.

Don't be shy, little yellow train.

A creepy monk peers from "Gunter's Creepy Office."

This, however, does not seem particularly creepy--well, maybe except for the floating fish.

German members, please feel free to translate. Your English is much better than my German.

Knick-Knacks collected from missing tourists, perhaps?

One last look at the detailing in the station.

Hmm--they added a little yellow warning light to the sign out front. Nice touch.

Beemer Boy, you might want to turn away now.

Yes, the poor Porsche has become . . .

. . . even more overgrown.

Look--the creepy vines have sprouted another me!

Hmm--all the pictures I've taken of this bridge, and I never noticed the broken railing on the side before.

My homeowners association would not approve of this at all.

There's some new Verbolten merchandise, too. The black shirts are kind of nice.

But I'm really not sure what to make of this.

I call this "Reflections of Verbolten." That's all for now.

[Schotcher]

Why did they paint vines on the bridge roof? It looks really cheesy. On a serious note, I could see some floater air on the bridge drop, but only in the back.

[ernierocker]

Thanks for the update, Chuck!

 

 

I didn't realize that Mach Tower was so close to Verbolten! I guess I just never paid attention to where its exact location was in the park.

[Pun_Machine]

Why did they paint vines on the bridge roof? It looks really cheesy. On a serious note, I could see some floater air on the bridge drop, but only in the back.

 

I don't think those are vines. Looks more to me like a patina, oR perhaps moss or mold... What you might expect to see on an old wooden bridge. I'm more upset that they didn't disguise the steel beams more, but that won't affect my enjoyment of the ride.

[cfc]

^I hadn't noticed the painted details on the bridge, but I think you're right about it being a "patina" or moss or mold--not "actual" vines.

[Schotcher]

What made me think that they were painted was that if you look at the roof, the green suddenly stops after the second set of roof overhangs. But maybe it's just my eyes playing tricks on me.

[DBru]

I just think it's interesting how so much effort was put into the bridge's roof but no other part of it. Considering this is the most visible (and will be the most photographed) portion of the ride from the rest of the park, I'm very surprised they left it looking so...well, bad.

[Tmcdllr]

While on the ride will you be looking at the bridge as you go through it or at the supports under it? Also its a bridge, bridges have supports that you can easily see, so that's not unusual. What were they supposed to do, cover the supports with trees or something? And if the bridge supports are an issue then you might as well say the ugly track and supports that can easily be seen everywhere is also bad. At least the supports for the bridge look like supports.....for a bridge.

[Intimidator305]

Let's stop worrying about the bridge and focus our attention on the magical floating tunnel...

[VACoasterdude]

Thanks for the update, Chuck. As always, great pictures!

 

Does anyone have a guesstimate on how long the lines will be for Verbolten on opening weekend and Memorial Day weekend? I am trying to decide if I should take a day off of work and hit the park on a weekday in late May or early June hoping for shorter lines on Verbolten.

 

Regards,

 

RIP...

[Pun_Machine]

^ I plan to go on the 18th, opening day, and i expect no less than a 3 hour wait. This is based on my experience with new rides in the past... They tend to have extremely long lines for the entire first season. I have a feeling opening day will be a zoo.

[robbalvey]

Does anyone have a guesstimate on how long the lines will be for Verbolten on opening weekend and Memorial Day weekend? I am trying to decide if I should take a day off of work and hit the park on a weekday in late May or early June hoping for shorter lines on Verbolten.

Very little if you have Quick Queue.

[Tmcdllr]

Let's stop worrying about the bridge and focus our attention on the magical floating tunnel...

 

Magical floating tunnel.....YES!

[cfc]

Does anyone have a guesstimate on how long the lines will be for Verbolten on opening weekend and Memorial Day weekend? I am trying to decide if I should take a day off of work and hit the park on a weekday in late May or early June hoping for shorter lines on Verbolten.

Very little if you have Quick Queue.

 

Based on what I've gleaned from BGW's Web site, you'll have to buy "Quick Queue Unlimited Plus," which will include one "priority boarding" per day for Verbolten. My guess is that this will change after the ride loses its "new car smell" and lines become a bit more manageable (probably after its first season of operation).

Edited April 30, 2012 by cfc

[A.J.]

I didn't realize that Mach Tower was so close to Verbolten! I guess I just never paid attention to where its exact location was in the park.

Y'know, there's about 1% inside of me that believes you posted that picture again just for BeemerBoy.

[cfc]

^Poor Scott! I'm surprised he hasn't sued the park yet for "Porsche abuse."

[netdvn]

Does anyone have a guesstimate on how long the lines will be for Verbolten on opening weekend and Memorial Day weekend? I am trying to decide if I should take a day off of work and hit the park on a weekday in late May or early June hoping for shorter lines on Verbolten.

 

Line should be about 3-5 hours depending on how early you arrive/how many people beat you to the punch. I don't think QQ will be implemented for the first few weekends because that's when everyone wants to ride. The lines should be a bit more reasonable the following Sunday (since Sundays aren't too bad with crowds).

 

Lines should be reasonable (if not a little long) during June weekdays. Around mid-July, the lines shouldn't be bad at all.

[cfc]

^Here's what the park Web site says concerning "Unlimited Quick Queue Plus": "provides single time priority boarding for Verbolten" and "unlimited priority boarding" for other Quick Queue attractions. The cost is $49.99 to 59.99 (probably the difference between a weekday and the weekend).

[VACoasterdude]

Great idea, unfortunately, only the Quick Queue Unlimited Plus includes Verbolten and that is only, "single time priority boarding for Verbolten," which I assume means one time use on Verbolten. At $59.99 on weekends, $49.99 during the week, its a pretty expensive option. Also, the Quick Queue Unlimited Plus is not available on BGW's website until dates starting after June 1. I don't know if that means it is sold out May 18 - May 31, or if the park just decided not to offer it until after June 1.

 

Regards,

 

RIP...

[cfc]

^There appears to be an echo in here, but thanks for mentioning the "June 1" date.

Edited April 30, 2012 by cfc

[jynx242]

^

Hello--ello---ello--llo--llo--o---o

 

Thanks so much for the updates everyone. I'm really excited to see everything coming together!

 

David

[bull24471]

All I got to say been along time since I been to BG and I don't care if I get to ride the Verbolten coaster as long as I get to see the park I be Happy. Ever since 1980's when My Mom and Dad took me and Bro down there for the first time I have always loved the park. Nessy was my first looping coaster and Drchen Fire was the first coaster to make me bleed. Can't wait to go down later in May...

[Skycoastin Steve]

When I go Memorial Day weekend, I may get to the parking gates at about 7 in the morning and just sleep there until they let us in.

[Pun_Machine]

 

Just for fun: "You may leave your luggage with us."

[PhantomNick]

Great update with some great photos, Chuck! The more finishing touches they add, the more I like the entire package that is Verbolten. It really looks like a perfect addition to their coaster collection. That final bridge drop looks sweet as well. Can't wait to go back to the park anyway, so these added rides are just a bonus!