Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[Hilltopper39]

This thing looks great, just curious but does anyone know if this model is any larger than the previous versions? Maybe it's just me but it looks much larger in the pictures?

 

Also, has BGW made an official announcement about the ride yet? Seems odd not to announce it this late in the year (maybe I missed that too).

[GwaziBSRider1]

Looks to be the same size to me. And no, there hasn't been an announcement yet.

[cfc]

Yes, the lack of any announcement is pretty bizarre.

[Paradox]

Isn't one also coming to Mexico that will feature a dual station and double cycle?

[prozach626]

I've been in love with Premier since my first ride on Mr. Freeze (before it was ruined). I'm really looking forward to this ride next year.

[Philrad71]

I have never ridden a coaster like this before, so I'm thinking of a trip next year...looks awesome so far!

[Superbatboy]

As secretive as they've been about this project, can't help but wonder if this ride will have a soft opening

[DrachenFire2]

Meh...

[zachclarke2]

Not a lot of progress since Friday but here's a few pictures from today (31st), the last day of the season. I might try to head to Williamsburg and take some pictures from Highway 60 when the structure is complete or there is confirmed testing, but for the most part this should be the end of my updates until March when the park reopens.

I went out into the preferred parking lot for some pictures.

I think this gives a good idea of how massive the ride actually is. Apollo is about 170 feet from ground level (the drop goes into a ravine and is 210 feet), so Tempesto is only roughly 20 feet shorter than the lift. However, Tempesto is all right there while Apollo is just the lift in that spot. Tempesto also has the huge scaffolding structure, perhaps making it appear even larger than it is.

The only progress on the ride since last week is the addition of the extended structure off of the support tower and one piece of track.

This should be somewhat close to the view looking into the ride plaza when it is completed. That's it. Happy new year!

[Jcoaster]

^ Tremendous pictures, thank you for those. So a few things I can take away from these photos:

 

1.) The ride is absolutely massive. With the other installment's of this clone the ride is in an open area. With the structure being ride next to Apollo's Chariot you really get to see how large it is.

 

2.) I'm a fan of the color scheme

 

3.) The ride looks really good with where its location is in the park. I was skeptical at first but I think it fits right in.

[Geauga Dog]

Thank you so much for the ongoing construction photos. I love the shot from the parking lot of Tempesto and Apollo's lift as it gives a great sense of size with the rides being side by side. A train going up Apollo's lift while the train on Tempesto zooms on by will make the rides appear to be dueling.

[megametal]

So I know Screamscape news is to be taken with a grain of salt, but I see that they've said the Oktoberfest show will not be around in 2015. Jeez. That's been around since that section opened. What's next? (I'm going to guess the closure of the skyride and them cutting back on the landscaping budget.)

[cfc]

So I know Screamscape news is to be taken with a grain of salt, but I see that they've said the Oktoberfest show will not be around in 2015. Jeez. That's been around since that section opened. What's next? (I'm going to guess the closure of the skyride and them cutting back on the landscaping budget.)

 

"This Is Oktoberfest" went away for a year when they debuted "Entwined" in the Festhaus, only to bring a version of the old show back the following season due to public outcry. But perhaps the reaction toward the return of the old show wasn't all that hot.

Edited January 6, 2015 by cfc

[megametal]

I think that's right. As much as I disliked Entwined, the new version of This is Oktoberfest seemed to be... forced? It was way stripped down and they did, what, 3 songs? Chicken Dance, Roll Out The Barrel, and probably one other. If it's replaced by something better than Entwined, I'm fine with it being done away with. But if it's on par with London Rocks or Entwined... Might be better to just do away with live entertainment there period.

[DrachenfireOP]

Yeah, the old "This is Oktoberfest" show was pretty awesome, and the reboot was, erm, total crap. I don't really like very many of the "new" Busch shows compared to some of the old ones (Star Light Orchestra, Irish Thunder, etc.), but hey, I suppose I don't have much control over that. The old Oktoberfest show was pretty awesome (large band, a really cool stage feature, lots of dancers), and the new one was, well, basically no band, barely a stage, and fewer dancers dancing to fewer songs. I think the public outcry wanted literally the same show back, not a watered down version. It would be like if people cried out to bring back the Le Mann's car ride and Busch responded by putting in a perfectly circular single car track out in the parking lot

 

As for the Sky Ride and landscaping getting cut back? Doubt it. Sky Ride had a HUGE overhaul a few seasons back, so I'm not sure why they would spend money on a big infrastructure upgrade to a ride if they weren't planning to keep it around for a while. I think the remaining "opening rides" of the park are here to stay, since they keep doing massive overhauls on them. (One of the Rhine River Cruise boats is only a few seasons old, the Sky Ride was overhauled, Flume is currently getting overhauled, Catapult is in great shape and looked freshly painted when I was there a few weeks back).

 

And the landscaping? That's BGW's pride and joy (and one of their strongest attracting features). I have a feeling they'll start ripping major attractions out long before the landscaping budget takes a hit. (Lets hope neither happens).

[cfc]

"This Is Oktoberfest" just isn't the same without the full oompah band and the elevating bandstand. As for their new shows in the Old Globe Theatre, I liked "Scrooge No More" and "Monster Stomp on Ripper Row" the best.

Edited January 7, 2015 by cfc

[VF15]

All of the recent construction pictures look great, but it baffles me on why they still haven't announced it yet. Has BGW ever waited this long to make an announcement in the past?

[SharkTums]

^Busch/Sea World is going through a MAJOR restructuring right now. Most of their PR/Marketing department was laid off! I'm sure that has something to do with it.

[cfc]

They're being pretty mum about who was laid off in Williamsburg, so I'm not sure how much the PR staff was affected. From what I understand, BGW was a pretty solid moneymaker in 2014 (especially during Howl-o-Scream and Christmas Town). Their Food & Wine Festival has been a hit for them, too.

Edited January 7, 2015 by cfc

[jray21]

"This Is Oktoberfest" just isn't the same without the full oompah band and the elevating bandstand. As for their new shows in the Old Globe Theatre, I liked "Scrooge No More" and "Monster Stomp on Ripper Row" the best.

 

Monster Stomp on Ripper Row sounds like a show I would love! As for the new attractions, I'd love to know more, but it definitely builds up the suspense!

[cfc]

I drove by the park at lunchtime today, and it looks like they have maybe two pieces of track left to install before completing the circuit (at least for the top portion--not sure what's going on underneath).

[Wolfman_KL]

I drove by the park at lunchtime today, and it looks like they have maybe two pieces of track left to install before completing the circuit (at least for the top portion--not sure what's going on underneath).

 

This post is useless without pics. Lol, jk.....maybe.

[zachclarke2]

As of today all that's left are the two inline roll pieces, which given my basic knowledge of physics would have to go up at the same time. The loop and the rest of the track and supports are all complete. Obviously it's anybody's guess as to how far along the station, queue, etc are.

[cfc]

I drove by the park at lunchtime today, and it looks like they have maybe two pieces of track left to install before completing the circuit (at least for the top portion--not sure what's going on underneath).

 

This post is useless without pics. Lol, jk.....maybe.

 

Little tough to get pictures when, technically, there's no place to "legally" take them in the off-season from Rt. 60.

[Wolfman_KL]

I drove by the park at lunchtime today, and it looks like they have maybe two pieces of track left to install before completing the circuit (at least for the top portion--not sure what's going on underneath).

 

This post is useless without pics. Lol, jk.....maybe.

 

Little tough to get pictures when, technically, there's no place to "legally" take them in the off-season from Rt. 60.

 

Who said anything about abiding by the law? I was honestly just kidding anyway, although I am anxious to see updates. I read the sense of humor disclaimer before joining