Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[tarheel1231]

Trip Report!

 

This doesn't have any photos, so thank you in advance to those who actually read it.

 

I went to the park on the 21st of July. We came to the park at around 9:50 am. We rode the tram to the front gate. This first thing I noticed was how massive Apollo's Chariot was it. When we got into the park, I was hoping to ride AC first, but that section of the park was closed until 10:30 am. So, I headed to the Scotland section first to ride Loch Ness Monster. I stood in line for about 20 minutes before it was my turn to ride. The ride was quick. After I got off, I headed toward the Jack Hanna's Wildlife reserve to see some of the animals.

 

After passing through that section, we were in France. We decided to ride Griffon since it was a walk on. We rode it twice. After that, we headed to the Oktoberfest section of the park to ride Curse of Darkastle. This was also a walk on. After riding it, we took a break. I went into the shop nearby to get a souvenir. I got the 'Fury 5x' magnet listing the names of the park's largest coasters. I left the shop and headed over to ride Verbolten. The ride wasn't a complete walk-on, but I only had to wait about 10 minutes to ride. After that ride, I got some lunch from 'Pretzels and Beer'. I got some cinnamon pretzel bites and an Icee.

 

Once I finished eating, I headed over ti the Festa Italia section of the park to ride Apollo's Chariot. The line was only about 20 minutes. After getting off AC, I took the train from Festa Italia to New France. I got off and headed to the Jack Hanna's Wildlife Reserve to catch 'The Secret Life of Predators' show. It was done in about 15 minutes. I enjoyed it.

 

I headed back over to the Germany section to ride Alpengeist. It probably had the longest wait at the park, but it was only about 20 minutes. Once I was done with Alpengeist, I headed back over to Verbolten, my last ride of the day. Once I was done, we left the park.

 

Reviews

 

Loch Ness Monster: This ride was okay, but not too thrilling. It was smoother than most Arrows I've been on.

 

Griffon: I loved this ride. The first drop was amazing! I felt weightless.

 

Curse of Darkastle: I was impressed by the effects. Watching a video of it and actually riding it are two different things.

 

Verbolten: This was my 40th coaster and my first launch coaster. I loved the indoor portion. I've seen the POV many times, and I was pleasantly surprised by the drop-track. I didn't know about that feature. This was probably my favorite ride at the park.

 

Apollo's Chariot: It's a decent B&M, but I didn't find it as forceful as it's cousins to the south (Intimidator and Goliath).

 

Alpengeist: This coaster was fast and forceful. I loved every second of it. But I'm glad it was one of the last rides I rode. It was very dizzying and I probably would've stopped riding things at the park. Lol.

 

So overall, Busch Gardens is a very good park. Griffon and Verbolten are must-dos IMO.

Edited July 24, 2014 by tarheel1231

[Propeller Factory]

http://forum.parkfans.net/thread-2677-page-86.html

Ok has anyone seen this?

[Jaykethekid]

So we did the roller coaster insider tour today. Wow that is a must do at the park. It's fun messing around with griffons wheels

[CPSFMMCW]

^ glad you enjoyed it. I believe i'll be doing it for the first time later this summer. Looking forward to it.

[Propeller Factory]

So about a week ago bgw fans posted a thing about the new coaster and that it was like biked themed or something? What's going on with that?

[Schwarzillard]

Busch took a hint from the old paramount parks

[Jaykethekid]

I have to give a shout out to an alpengeist ride op named dan. He's so nice.mhe pointed out my tpr shirt while our ert session during the insider tour. H told me about how much he loved tpr and how he's going to a bunch of places soon. So dan if you are reading this, I am that kid you saw on alpengeist wearing that tpr shirt

[Canobie Coaster]

I'm heading to Busch next month and was wondering how frequent are Mach Tower's breakdowns? I haven't heard much about the ride over the past year or so, so I'm hoping no news is good news since I missed it in my last visit.

[Jaykethekid]

Out of he three days I was there it was down the evening of the last day I was there so it's not to bad anymore

[Coachb]

Can anyone provide any insights as to how intense Verbolten is? We are visiting next week and have a young girl who is a bit of a coaster newbie. She has done (at WDW) Thunder Mt w/o any issues. Tried Rockin Roller Coaster to mixed results. How would Verboltem stack up in intensity and the queasy factor w/Thunder Mt, Exp. Everest, Space Mt, RRC etc? Any other milder coasters at BGW she should attempt? TIA

[Barge84]

Can anyone provide any insights as to how intense Verbolten is? We are visiting next week and have a young girl who is a bit of a coaster newbie. She has done (at WDW) Thunder Mt w/o any issues. Tried Rockin Roller Coaster to mixed results. How would Verboltem stack up in intensity and the queasy factor w/Thunder Mt, Exp. Everest, Space Mt, RRC etc? Any other milder coasters at BGW she should attempt? TIA

 

I'd say that it's closest to Expedition Everest. Verbolten is a great ride, and a really nice starter coaster for someone new to the hobby. I think it's my favorite family coaster. She could also give Lochness Monster a try if she's ok with inversions. I'd also try to get her to ride Apollo's Chariot, because it's not all that intense, but gives a great ride.

[Propeller Factory]

Can anyone provide any insights as to how intense Verbolten is? We are visiting next week and have a young girl who is a bit of a coaster newbie. She has done (at WDW) Thunder Mt w/o any issues. Tried Rockin Roller Coaster to mixed results. How would Verboltem stack up in intensity and the queasy factor w/Thunder Mt, Exp. Everest, Space Mt, RRC etc? Any other milder coasters at BGW she should attempt? TIA

 

It is quite a mild coaster for that age range. The launches are very subtle. But be careful in the middle.....idk if you know what's there... And also the entire ride is in pitch black darkness so... But it's not really intense at all. It's the most mild there besides Grover's alpine express. And wait wait wait holdup she rode rockin roller coaster? Cause if she rode that then she could ride a lot at bgw. Everest and rockin are much more intense then verbolten. Heck! They're more intense then Loch Ness monster!

[tarheel1231]

Wow, I must be very sensitive. I found Verbolten quite intense. When I went, a kid peed in the one of the front seats of the red train, so DO NOT ride the front seat of the red train. Lol.

 

The launches are nice. I wouldn't say Verbolten is 'forceful', but it definitely is intense IMO. Not too bad though.

[Ryan P.]

Wow, I must be very sensitive. I found Verbolten quite intense. When I went, a kid peed in the one of the front seats of the red train, so DO NOT ride the front seat of the red train. Lol.

 

The launches are nice. I wouldn't say Verbolten is 'forceful', but it definitely is intense IMO. Not too bad though.

I went on with some friends and when we got off everyone loved it but they were surprised it was considered a family coaster it is definitely an intense family coaster.

[Propeller Factory]

Wow, I must be very sensitive. I found Verbolten quite intense. When I went, a kid peed in the one of the front seats of the red train, so DO NOT ride the front seat of the red train. Lol.

 

The launches are nice. I wouldn't say Verbolten is 'forceful', but it definitely is intense IMO. Not too bad though.

I went on with some friends and when we got off everyone loved it but they were surprised it was considered a family coaster it is definitely an intense family coaster.

 

I'll agree with that statment

[Coachb]

Looks like there is a little difference of opinion on how intense Verbolten would be for DD. I think it will be one she tries. Someone mentioned Appolos Chariot, which I assumed would be above her level. Anyone else have opinions on whether this might be too much for her?

[tarheel1231]

I didn't find Apollo's Chariot to be that forceful, so I must have sat in the middle. If you're looking for a fun ride, but not one that's too intense, sit in the middle of AC. I didn't get to ride the back

 

Griffon is not a starter ride. It's fun, but I do not recommend it for starters. If your daughter (or niece, whoever this young girl is) is tall enough to ride each coaster, and wants to do each coaster, work your way up:

 

1. Lochness Monster

2. Verbolten

3. Apollo's Chariot

4. Alpengeist

5. Griffon.

 

Alpengeist isn't for starters either. Ow.

[Propeller Factory]

Looks like there is a little difference of opinion on how intense Verbolten would be for DD. I think it will be one she tries. Someone mentioned Appolos Chariot, which I assumed would be above her level. Anyone else have opinions on whether this might be too much for her?

 

I think it's really tall and really fast, but not a whole lot intense. It's fun tho.

[Propeller Factory]

I didn't find Apollo's Chariot to be that forceful, so I must have sat in the middle. If you're looking for a fun ride, but not one that's too intense, sit in the middle of AC. I didn't get to ride the back

 

Griffon is not a starter ride. It's fun, but I do not recommend it for starters. If your daughter (or niece, whoever this young girl is) is tall enough to ride each coaster, and wants to do each coaster, work your way up:

 

1. Lochness Monster

2. Verbolten

3. Apollo's Chariot

4. Alpengeist

5. Griffon.

 

Alpengeist isn't for starters either. Ow.

 

I say verbolten

Loch Ness

Apollo

Alpenguist

Griffon.

 

Griffon is intense!

[CPSFMMCW]

^ I'll second that order. My sis isn't into loops, but she can handle verbolten! It really is a coaster that everyone should like

[GigaG]

I think these 3D site plans make it pretty obvious that BGW is getting a Superman clone-

 

https://twitter.com/BGWFans/status/494628502243901440/photo/1

[Coasterdude54]

^It's obviously going to be the first 300 foot tall superman clone.

[CPSFMMCW]

I guess that means no dual loading station...

in other news, apparently they also discovered the color scheme. Teal and orange. Not huge on the two colors together, but at least they're two colors that the park doesn't have on their coasters...

[coasterfreak101]

I'm so blown if Busch doesn't go for the dual-loading station. If that park in Mexico can do it, I don't see why they can't - I mean, I get that SFDK can support the single-load, but they're nowhere near the attendance levels of BGW.

[Intimidator305]

Well this ride is getting 3 cars per train, rather than 2...

 

But still, the teal/orange colors (especially next to AC's purple/yellow), proximity to Apollo's Chariot, horribly capacity, tacky BMX biker theming, removal of trees, and how it'll make BGW's curbside appeal look like a Six Flags are all enough reasons for me still not to support this addition.