Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[Trevor Hamilton]

Alright I'm not gonna argue because I claimed that none of this mattered then went on to be a hypocrite and argue with you. Sorry about that let's just all be excited for InvadR

[cfc]

InvadR & Christmas Town, Too

 

How about a two-part update from Busch Gardens this week? First, we'll take a look at how much progress they've made on InvadR; second, I'll take you on a little tour of Christmas Town. Sound OK?

 

The park's first wooden coaster is really taking shape now. They've been working on the themed area around the station, done a lot of work on both sides of the railroad tracks, and have made a lot of progress on the lift hill, which goes over LeScoot (the log flume). You can get a good look at the construction from the train, but they put up lath on one side of the Alpengeist bridge (they do this every year during Christmas Town). It makes it tricky to get good photos from there now.

 

Let's have a look.

Welcome to BGW's Christmas Town, where you can . . .

. . . do your weekly produce shopping? (The onions and potatoes are real, but the carrots are plastic.) More on the park's yuletide event later.

For now, let's take a little train ride.

Not reindeer. Sorry.

Hello, what's this? Looks like we're entering the InvadR construction zone.

Remember that tunnel? It now has quite a bit of track.

Looks like it'll go over the railroad tracks about here (on the right side of the train).

Here's a hill on the left side of the train.

This section looks very close to the train tracks.

Another look at the tunnel section.

Looks like the return to the station.

Here's the lift hill, which looks very close to Le Scoot.

I like the nice sweeping curve and drop here.

From the last car of the train in the Caribou station.

Watch out for that caboose!

Looks like they've already starting painting the "fort."

After making a careful examination through the peephole in the construction wall, I deduce that someone on the crew likes Fanta. They've added to the station a bit, too.

The station has its own little Christmas tree.

Here's a wider look at what I presume will be the entrance to the queue at some point.

Let's check out the view from the bridge. This deer is very excited.

Why, those sneaky devils! Lath!

But where there's a will, there a way. Here's a look back at the station and approach to the lift hill.

Here's a closer look.

The drop on the other side of the tracks (complete with train) from the bridge. That's all for InvadR. On to Christmas Town!

Edited December 8, 2016 by cfc

[Superbatboy]

Invadr looking great!!

[Nrthwnd]

Is that what's really on that second plank there, Chuck? Fanta?

 

Man you're good.

 

EDIT w/ZOOM : Great.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or, oops sorry, thought that's what you meant.

[coasterbill]

Great photos! Thanks for sharing.

[cfc]

As usual, BGW looks beautiful during Christmas Town. The park boasts "over eight million Christmas lights," and while I didn't take time to count them all, I'll take their word for it. (I hate to be the poor guy that has to find that one loose bulb, should the park ever go dark.)

 

So, what's new at Christmas Town this year? Like the other Busch/SeaWorld parks, BGW has added Rudolph's Winter Wonderland--a meet-and-greet with characters from the classic TV special. It's located in Apollo's Chariot's queue in Holiday Hills (aka Festa Italia), and it draws quite a line. Being as I was on my own last Sunday, I didn't check it out. It is part of Quick Queue if you want to skip the line. Forest of Fun is open for the first time this year during Christmas Town, and it features plenty of Christmas trees. You can also ride both Tempesto and Verbolten, along with the rest of the park's flats, the Flight of Lights skyride, and Nacht Tower (aka Mach Tower in elevator mode).

 

The shows are back, too: Twas the Night (ice show) in France, Gloria (religious show) in Ireland, Scrooge No More (Dickens, of course) in England, Miracles (sort of religious show) in Italy, and O'Tannenbaum (music and lights) and Deck the Halls (old-style Christmas TV special) in Germany.

 

Ready for an overdose of Christmas cheer?

I got off the train and hoofed it into France.

France is themed to the "Twelve Days of Christmas" this time of year; this year's tree is fancier than last year's (well, this is France, you know).

The path to Ireland is lined with green-lighted trees and luminaria.

This wolf was so excited for Christmas that it ran around like a maniac that night.

They've changed the decorations in Ireland. The old "shamrock" lights have been replaced with pine garlands festooned with pine cones and cranberries. They're a bit more subdued.

I like Ireland's Christmas tree.

Here's a closer look at the tree's old-school decorations.

The Jack-o-Lanterns of Howl-o-Scream are gone in favor of these star-filled globes.

Here's a look at one up close.

I think the Scottish Highland Cow prefers the colder weather of December to the heat and humidity of summer.

Forest of Fun's water play area is now filled with Christmas trees.

"Skillet Cookies"? You intrigue me.

Ice cream makes a skillet cookie even more intriguing.

I love the decorations here. Reminds me of my hometown back in the ancient times--only we didn't have Tempesto.

Then again, Holiday Hills probably looks better.

The entrance to Rudolph's Winter Wonderland.

I didn't venture in because 1) there was a huge line, and 2) I was on my own that night, so it would've been creepy.

Never let Herbie the Elf pound on your molars.

I'm sure Rudolph runs a clean game.

Where there is Christmas Town, there is a gift shop. Or two. Or more.

All this and more can be yours!

Santa Claus: The Arrogance of Power.

Tremble before the power of the Claus! Watch as he makes the tree behind him burst into flame by using his mind!

I remember burning my fingers on huge bulbs like this when I was a kid.

Gold and silver are the decorative motif in Italy. So elegant, so dignified, so beautiful . . .

. . . er, stay classy, BGW guests.

What's happening in Germany?

Well, you can help Santa climb out of his chimney by spraying him with a squirt gun.

You can watch O' Tannebaum (music and synchronized lights) in front of the Festhaus.

Perhaps you'd like to buy your very own ugly Christmas sweater . . .

. . . or ask Santa to bring you one on Christmas Eve.

I bought the Scotland ornament. I usually buy one new ornament per year at Christmas Town.

It would't be Christmas Town without Creepy the Elf.

More of the silver and gold in Italy. Why isn't Yukon Cornelius prospecting here?

The Polar Pathway (Escape from Pompeii) is the park's single most spectacular display.

Hard to believe it was infested with homicidal zombies just over a month ago.

On the way out, I caught Scrooge No More. I think it's the best of the park's Christmas shows. I'm a sucker for Dickens's "A Christmas Carol."

And that's all for now from Christmas Town.

Edited December 6, 2016 by cfc

[Nrthwnd]

^ Mmmmm, it all looks wonderful, Chuck!

 

And how was the food? And drink? And Cheer?

 

Jingle jingle.

[cfc]

^They have all sorts of cocktails--along with the usual hot chocolate. Cobblestone Ale and Spirits is a bar in England, which features Sam Adams Fezziwig (their seasonal brew). I had a nice steak sandwich at the Festhaus, and the griddle cookie with ice cream (Forest of Fun) was delicious. I might try their smoked ham dinner next time (it's at the Trappers Smokehouse).

[coasterbill]

The park will be closed today due to a water main break. They hope to re-open tomorrow.

[boldikus]

^ That's a bummer.

 

^^^ Awesome photos of Invadr and Christmas Town, I missed all of that.

[cfc]

The park will be closed today due to a water main break. They hope to re-open tomorrow.

 

It's going to be the coldest night of the season so far, too (at least last night was above freezing).

[Jcoaster]

Man I hope to get down to Christmas town one day, looks like an amazing event.

 

InvadR is really coming along. At this pace it looks like it may be ready for the parks opening in the spring.

[DoinItForTheFame]

At this pace it looks like it may be ready for the parks opening in the spring.

 

I sure hope so!! I'll be there in the spring, and I'd be really sad if I missed out on this awesome new coaster!!

[Masquerade]

I'm really hoping that little woody packs a punch.

 

Should I have worded that a little differently?

[prozach626]

That's most definitely what she said.

[cfc]

That's most definitely what she said.

 

There's only one reaction to this joke so close to Christmas.

 

[Clockwork]

Quick question everyone. I am a veteran of Busch Gardens Tampa. Been there a few times while vacationing in Orlando/Tampa. Love it. It is like someone imagined a rollercoaster park and a zoo and combined them. Okay, so I've never been to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I am getting passes for a gift for some family members and just wondering how much better it is than Tampa. I have heard pretty much unanimously that it is the far better park. Always rated the most beautiful, etc. But can you tell me the comparisons between the two, the pros and cons?

 

Also, I threw in Colonial Williamsburg as another thing to do and from what I understand there is plenty to do in that area and even just down in Virginia Beach also if anyone has some tips. Thanks.

[larrygator]

^They are both great parks. I wouldn't get to worked up on comparing the two parks ride for ride and that is something you can easily look up because the coasters at each park are pretty disimilar after Griffon/Sheikra and Montu/Alpengeist. It's probably just better to tell you the major differences in other areas.

 

Curse of Darkastle - a fun 3D dark ride even if it doesn't run with one of the original effects.

Escape from Pompeii - a great immersive splash boat

Food experiences - while the smokehouses at both parks are similar I greatly prefer the food at BGW with the Festhaus, Brauhaus and Marco Polo's Marketplace

Their are more musical shows at BGW.

The animals are not as exotic at BGW.

The terrain is much hillier at BGW.

More shade at BGW.

 

Other may feel differently but I don't find either park to be far superior to the other.

[Masquerade]

I'm of the camp that went to BGW first, so the following year when I went to BGT I was a little disappointed.

 

I had fun mind you, but to me BGT felt like a mix of stuff you'd find in other Central Florida parks while BGW felt so unique and unlike anywhere else I'd been to before.

 

Then again, it could all come down to which park popped your Busch Gardens cherry first.

Edited December 17, 2016 by Masquerade

[coasterbill]

Both parks are spectacular. Personally I prefer Tampa since I think they have better rides and a more interesting mix of animals but not by much. Williamsburg is probably a prettier park, though Tampa is gorgeous too and VERY underrated in that regard. Rides like Darkastle, Verbolten and Pompeii are very unique to Williamsburg though.

 

If you have a bad day at either park, you're doing it wrong.

[TheCoasterKid211]

If you have a bad day at either park, you're doing it wrong.

[cfc]

^They are both great parks. I wouldn't get to worked up on comparing the two parks ride for ride and that is something you can easily look up because the coasters at each park are pretty disimilar after Griffon/Sheikra and Montu/Alpengeist. It's probably just better to tell you the major differences in other areas.

 

Curse of Darkastle - a fun 3D dark ride even if it doesn't run with one of the original effects.

Escape from Pompeii - a great immersive splash boat

Food experiences - while the smokehouses at both parks are similar I greatly prefer the food at BGW with the Festhaus, Brauhaus and Marco Polo's Marketplace

Their are more musical shows at BGW.

The animals are not as exotic at BGW.

The terrain is much hillier at BGW.

More shade at BGW.

 

Other may feel differently but I don't find either park to be far superior to the other.

 

I agree with Larry here. Food is better at BGW, as are operations; that being said, BGT has a stronger coaster line up.

[prozach626]

I'm of the camp that went to BGW first, so the following year when I went to BGT I was a little disppointed.

 

I had fun mind you, but to me BGT felt like a mix of stuff you'd find in other Central Florida parks while BGW felt so unique and unlike anywhere else I'd been to before.

 

Then again, it could all come down to which park popped your Busch Gardens cherry first.

 

I couldn't have said it better myself. We absolutely loved Williamsburg. Our biggest mistake was going to BGT and hoping for more of a slightly different Williamsburg experience. I feel if we had taken BGT for what it was on its own we would have had a much more enjoyable time.

[DoinItForTheFame]

I'm really hoping that little woody packs a punch.

 

Story of my life.

 

[Clockwork]

I was looking up the animals at BGW. I didn't see anything similar to that of BGT where it is like a zoo setting. All I saw is that there is an animal show. That's about it right? Other than that I don't see other exhibits for animals. Unless I am wrong.