Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[cfc]

The park owns quite a bit of property that it hasn't developed (such as the section of the "Rhine River" not covered by the boat ride). But I imagine James City County has a bit to say about what can be done with it; for example, the park always has to get some sort of variance before it can build a structure over a certain height (usually, this isn't a big problem).

[redfoot12]

Someone earlier mentioned a terrain wooden coaster. I always thought Big Bad Wolf's area would have lent itself well for a terrain woodie. Oh well. Too late now.

[coasterfreak101]

I really would love to see a low-to-the-ground GCI (think Prowler) in a Spanish area. Using that new area to connect Fiesta Italia to the Oktoberfest bridge would be ideal.

[Fooz]

Gravity Group rides, Intamin woodens, and now RMC woodens always seem to be a bigger hit with coaster fans than GCI's, so I'm surprised that GCI is always the "go to" manufacturer here for any park that is rumored to get a wooden coaster. The east coast already has its fair share of GCI's, I'd like to see any other manufacturer work with the park. Apollo's airtime is pretty weak for me, I'd love to see some serious ejector by GG, Intamin, or (especially) RMC in BGW.

[vacoaster09]

I love GCIs

[Fooz]

What could they build that would set the attraction apart from roar, wildcat, or lightning racer though? Their product line is not the most diverse...

[chickenbowl]

What could they build that would set the attraction apart from roar, wildcat, or lightning racer though? Their product line is not the most diverse...

 

Something like Moutain Flyer, Prowler, or Thunderhead.

[TyRush]

What could they build that would set the attraction apart from roar, wildcat, or lightning racer though? Their product line is not the most diverse...

I dont really think GCI has many rides the same. I think they are VERY diverse

[Geauga Dog]

I'm probably the only one who thinks a wood coaster would not be a wise addition to BGW though it would add an organic look and feel to the park so heavy in the steel department. I can hear the complaints from the neighbors over by Kingsmill about the noise.

 

Besides if Busch would have been happy with Gwazi the Williamsburg park would have received one already. It seems the usual trend between both Busch parks was what one park gets the other one gets something similar a year or two later, of course the objections would be a hyper coaster, multi-motion dark ride, and a freefall in Tampa (though the freefall seems to be in the planning stages).

 

If a wood coaster is in the cards what's so wrong with GCI? Since Tampa has the flyers why not utilize them and get their money's worth out of them? I'd like to see a new country developed with the wood coaster as its centerpiece.

[Fooz]

It's just strange to me that despite multiple top-ten wooden coasters (per Mitch Hawker, half of the top-ten if you count Boulder Dash), I almost never see anyone advocate a gravity group ride, yet people say almost every park without one could use a GCI.

[coasterfreak101]

I'm probably the only one who thinks a wood coaster would not be a wise addition to BGW though it would add an organic look and feel to the park so heavy in the steel department. I can hear the complaints from the neighbors over by Kingsmill about the noise.

 

A terrain-hugging GCI would use the surrounding trees to help dampen the noise, I imagine. That goes for any manufacturer, really. Plus, GCI (and I'm sure other wood coaster companies) can use different types of wheels that run quieter - if I'm not mistaken, Wodan at Europa have wheels of a different material so that the ride is quieter than the normal woodie.

[3Mutts]

^ That's correct, Wodan uses Ployurithan Wheels to dampen the sound (that's changing this year).

[vacoaster09]

What could they build that would set the attraction apart from roar, wildcat, or lightning racer though? Their product line is not the most diverse...

 

I think their line is pretty diverse. No two coasters ride alike aside from the two Roar Clones, and the American Thunder, Thunderbird clones. I mean Prowler, the coaster at Knight Valley in China, Gold Striker, Wodan, and El Toro. I just gave you a strong counter-example to the point you tried to make.

[cfc]

*I was very impressed with the coaster at Knight Valley--it must've been quite a challenge working with that terrain.

 

As for BGW getting a wooden coaster, who knows? I wouldn't mind seeing one in the old Drachen Fire spot--especially if they run down to the Rhine River.

[vacoaster09]

If BGW were to build a wooden coaster I would hope that they consult GCI, GG, or RMC since they all claim to be able to do inversions... I would want the ride to pay tribute to Drachen Fire by incorporating Drachen Fire's signature first drop. The corkscream would like be a little more elongated to keep it a low-g inversion but you get my drift. What are your thoughts? Could a wooden coaster do this maneuver?

 

photo from coasterforce.de

 

photo from Mike541x of themeparkreview.com

 

photo from coasterforce.de

 

The ride could then either be a twisted wooden coaster full of awesomeness. The view from Nessie would be nice to finally have a coaster back there.

 

photo from Ray P of themeparkreview.com

[TyRush]

^That would be awesome! I hope they pay trubute some how, maybe call it Drachen's Revenge?!

Only if B&M would have built like they were suppose to, only if......

[cfc]

^I experienced "Drachen's Revenge" every time I rode that thing.

[scbt]

^^^ They probably could, the corkscrew-ish roll on Hades 360 seems rather similar to Drachen's Drop. Just have the roll continue into a swooping GCI Drop and Viola! You have a Drachen-esque first drop on a wooden coaster.

[TyRush]

^I experienced "Drachen's Revenge" every time I rode that thing.

Haha i bet. That thing looks like it sucked! Glad i never had to experience it

[Wes]

Drachenfirewood.

[cfc]

^I like it.

[necoastergp]

I missed riding DF by a year, somewhat disappointed in terms of saying I rode it. I just don't remember seeing it SBNO when there though, lol.

[cfc]

It was SBNO for roughly three years. The park tired to sell it, but there were no takers, and a bald eagle built a nest on top of the lift hill, which meant that no one could touch the ride until the eagles had raised their young and left.

[necoastergp]

^ Thanks for the info., I didn't know that about the eagle's nest. I'm just dumbfounded how I don't remember seeing a coaster of that size even though it was SBNO.

[cfc]

^When were you at the park? They dismantled Drachen Fire starting in fall of 2001 and finished in March 2002, according to RCDB. All that's left now are the station and the barn, which are used for Howl-o-Scream mazes.