Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[megametal 0]

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 35]

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 0]

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 0]

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 35]

"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 1]

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 135]

^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 35]

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 0]

"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 35]

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 0]

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 0]

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 35]

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 0]

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

[Diamondbacker27 0]

I'm in utter shock they still haven't announced anything yet. I mean yes, if it was a new type of ride that we had never seen. Then it would be different. But this, this is so obvious.

[cfc 35]

^Yes, in the past BGW has made some sort of announcement during Passholder Appreciation/Preview Day. I have no idea why they haven't announced anything yet, other than the restructuring the entire company is undergoing (as Elissa mentioned earlier). Still, it's pretty odd.

[coasterchitchat 0]

^Yes, in the past BGW has made some sort of announcement during Passholder Appreciation/Preview Day. I have no idea why they haven't announced anything yet, other than the restructuring the entire company is undergoing (as Elissa mentioned earlier). Still, it's pretty odd.

 

Or they may not want to waste their marketing dollars on Tempesto (or whatever it's called) by announcing it earlier.

[cfc 35]

^Well, you might have a point. We're all talking about it despite the lack of an announcement.

[zachclarke2 0]

Perhaps opening day will come and the ride will be gone, and the park in fact spent millions of dollars only to flick bgwfans in the balls.

[cfc 35]

^Or they'll just throw a big tarp over the structure and project movies on it.

[tarheel1231 0]

Anyone got any pictures of this beast lately?

[Diamondbacker27 0]

Anyone got any pictures of this beast lately?

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

[coasterbill 325]

In the Loop posted this 2 days ago.

facebook.com/inthelooppodcast

[Wolfman_KL 0]

All of a sudden everyone has the urge to become a law abiding citizen

[zachclarke2 0]

Who even follows laws anymore