Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[CedarFanboy]

Really bummed out about DarKastle. I only got to do it once and I absolutely LOVED it.

[Philrad71]

I did like DarKastle but I won't lose sleep over its closure. It was a one and done ride for me every visit. I think I'll most miss the refreshing AC since it always seems to be triple digits for my visit.

 

There's always the craft-beer room in the Festhaus.

 

Now if they took the craft beer room in Festhaus out, I would be showing up at the park with torches and pitchforks!

[michaellynn4]

Rikki and I spent a couple days at BGW last summer. While we both enjoyed DarKastle, we both agreed it was a "one and done" ride to us. I'm not losing any sleep over its removal. However, I do agree with the operational sentiments that have been shared so far. I hope the reasons they ultimately decided to remove it outweigh how its removal impacts the visitor experience on rainy / cold weather days.

[DoinItForTheFame]

A special message to Busch Gardens from Boldikus:

 

I'm right there with you.

 

I LOVED the ride each time I've been to the park. It's enjoyable, and I'm sure it would be a good family ride. I could see updating the ride... or giving it a new story line... But to replace it with an even space?? WTF??

[John Peck]

you know, I wonder if interactive dark shooting rides like Justice League and the Boo Blasters have more longevity due to the interactive nature of them. DarkCastle was just a "regular" ride, so maybe that's why it got so stale. Now me, as a non-locaI, really liked it, but I have only been to BGW 3 times since 2000 and only rode it twice.. and come to think of it, it didn't have the same impact the second time.

[thrillerman1]

I would have ridden it this summer, but I guess that allows me to get another ride or two on the B&M's so.... meh.

 

But then they're answering nearly every post with "Check out Battle For Eire, the new VR ride in Ireland", I'm not happy about that trade off.

 

I noticed that COLD response too. Too bad. I really enjoyed this dark ride (prob a top 5 for me outside of Disney) and felt it was one of the more unique dark ride storylines. UGH.

[cfc]

you know, I wonder if interactive dark shooting rides like Justice League and the Boo Blasters have more longevity due to the interactive nature of them. DarkCastle was just a "regular" ride, so maybe that's why it got so stale. Now me, as a non-locaI, really liked it, but I have only been to BGW 3 times since 2000 and only rode it twice.. and come to think of it, it didn't have the same impact the second time.

 

I think the interactive element helps. People always want to see if they can top their previous score (or beat their friends).

[CoasterLover]

I think one of my biggest gripes is that they are getting rid of a decent quality attraction for kids in the 42" height category. It started when they got rid of Big Bad Wolf (42" height) and replaced it with Verboltin (48" height). Then the next "family coaster they added was InvadR (46" height requirement). Europe in the Air had a 42" height requirement and I would assume that Battle for Eire will have a similar height requirement, but the VR concerns me because I know (at least with all of the attractions that SF added VR to), there was an age restriction of 12 years. It doesn't seem like Battle for Eire will have a non-VR option, so if they do set a age requirement, I'm worried my 42" tall 4.5 yr old and my 49" tall 7 year old could miss this new attraction (in addition to not being able to ride DarKastle now that it's closing).

 

It's funny because none of this would have mattered a few years ago when I didn't have any kids, but you really start to look at stuff like this when you do have kids. We were really anxious planning our last Disney trip because we knew our 4 yr old (at the time) would be right on the cusp of the 40" height mark and knew that if they didn't hit that mark before we went, there would be a pretty decent list of top priority attractions that they would have to miss. With the closure of DarKastle, if Battle for Eire has a age requirement that would keep my two oldest (who are currently both above 42") from riding, we may delay our next BGW trip by a year or two.

[BlahBlahson]

I'd much rather visit this park 10 years ago when Griffon Opened than I would now. It's sad to see the company floundering and I hope they find a way to make it.

[ElvisLuv]

I'd much rather visit this park 10 years ago when Griffon Opened than I would now. It's sad to see the company floundering and I hope they find a way to make it.

 

 

We quite enjoyed our time at BGW last summer. One day soon, SDC will get rid of Fire in the Hole or Flooded Mine, will anyone claim it's because HFE is floundering. DarKastle's was one and enough for us,. However, Verbolten, Invadr, and Tempesto were the longest lines in the park. All from the failing folks running the place. Pretty dmn solid adds to me.

[SLCHeadache]

I think one of my biggest gripes is that they are getting rid of a decent quality attraction for kids in the 42" height category. It started when they got rid of Big Bad Wolf (42" height) and replaced it with Verboltin (48" height). Then the next "family coaster they added was InvadR (46" height requirement). Europe in the Air had a 42" height requirement and I would assume that Battle for Eire will have a similar height requirement, but the VR concerns me because I know (at least with all of the attractions that SF added VR to), there was an age restriction of 12 years. It doesn't seem like Battle for Eire will have a non-VR option, so if they do set a age requirement, I'm worried my 42" tall 4.5 yr old and my 49" tall 7 year old could miss this new attraction (in addition to not being able to ride DarKastle now that it's closing).

 

It's funny because none of this would have mattered a few years ago when I didn't have any kids, but you really start to look at stuff like this when you do have kids. We were really anxious planning our last Disney trip because we knew our 4 yr old (at the time) would be right on the cusp of the 40" height mark and knew that if they didn't hit that mark before we went, there would be a pretty decent list of top priority attractions that they would have to miss. With the closure of DarKastle, if Battle for Eire has a age requirement that would keep my two oldest (who are currently both above 42") from riding, we may delay our next BGW trip by a year or two.

Seeing the competition lose rides for smaller children, maybe KD weren't fools to go with three kiddie flats and the Pre-K Pass for 2017.

 

Pretty sure Battle for Eire VR is optional, though.

 

I'd much rather visit this park 10 years ago when Griffon Opened than I would now. It's sad to see the company floundering and I hope they find a way to make it.

 

 

We quite enjoyed our time at BGW last summer. One day soon, SDC will get rid of Fire in the Hole or Flooded Mine, will anyone claim it's because HFE is floundering. DarKastle's was one and enough for us,. However, Verbolten, Invadr, and Tempesto were the longest lines in the park. All from the failing folks running the place. Pretty dmn solid adds to me.

Those three rides all have lower capacity than the B&Ms and Nessie. Tempesto in particular has awful capacity, only worsened by the clunky restraints.

[DirkFunk]

If SDC gets rid of it's big indoor rides while it is bleeding money, then yes, people will probably say it is floundering.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

I haven't been on this one, but I always hate for a park to lose a dark ride. They are really fun for everyone. I have kids with various interests, but everyone enjoys a dark ride. I wish more parks had one, and yet parks seem to ve ripping them out.

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

The last time I've been to this park was in '09. BBW was still there. I remember really liking this ride and reriding it a couple times. It was my favorite ride besides the coasters.

 

Visited three Universal parks since then, so maybe I wouldn't feel the same about it if I rode it again now. Still, I was disappointed to hear this news.

 

Did they even give the public a chance for last rides or did they just announce it would never open again?

[cfc]

The last time I've been to this park was in '09. BBW was still there. I remember really liking this ride and reriding it a couple times. It was my favorite ride besides the coasters.

 

Visited three Universal parks since then, so maybe I wouldn't feel the same about it if I rode it again now. Still, I was disappointed to hear this news.

 

Did they even give the public a chance for last rides or did they just announce it would never open again?

 

Yes, they did give the public a chance for a last ride on Big Bad Wolf.

[prozach626]

The last time I've been to this park was in '09. BBW was still there. I remember really liking this ride and reriding it a couple times. It was my favorite ride besides the coasters.

I never rode BBW, but at least Verbolten ended up being a solid replacement. In my opinion, BGW is one of the top parks in the country. I trust their judgement.

[VACoasterdude]

Didn't see this posted, sorry if I missed it...

 

BGW announced yesterday that David Cromwell is leaving BGW to pursue an interest with a sports franchise. BGW appointed Kevin Lembke as the new President, BGW & WC.

Article here:

https://wydaily.com/latest-news/2018/01/25/busch-gardens-under-new-leadership-kevin-lembke-named-president/

[bachir]

I plan on adding an extra day to our DC trip and hitting BGW. My family of 5 is really looking forward to this. We'll be there on March 30 or 31, a Friday or Saturday -

Spring Break and Easter weekend. My question, is one day enough to hit everything? Since we're coming from the middle of the country, this might be a one and done trip for us. We don't want to miss anything. Also, does BGW offer a fastpass? There is no mention of it on the website. And if they do have a fastpass, is it unlimited? Thanks.

[anonymouscactus]

They appear to have removed the page, probably because they need to remove Darkastle and update it and such.

 

Luckily BGTLOVER has you covered on his Aug 21st post. Here is the screenshot:

 

 

Obviously subject to change with the new season.

 

Here is the link to the broken page:

https://seaworldparks.com/Parks/BuschGardens_Williamsburg/Home/Mobile%20Book%20Online/Tickets/UpgradeYourVisit/QuickQueue?m=1

[prozach626]

Didn't see this posted, sorry if I missed it...

 

BGW announced yesterday that David Cromwell is leaving BGW to pursue an interest with a sports franchise. BGW appointed Kevin Lembke as the new President, BGW & WC.

Article here:

https://wydaily.com/latest-news/2018/01/25/busch-gardens-under-new-leadership-kevin-lembke-named-president/

Abandoning ship (Sea World)?

[Canobie Coaster]

They appear to have removed the page, probably because they need to remove Darkastle and update it and such.

 

Luckily BGTLOVER has you covered on his Aug 21st post. Here is the screenshot:

 

 

Obviously subject to change with the new season.

 

Here is the link to the broken page:

https://seaworldparks.com/Parks/BuschGardens_Williamsburg/Home/Mobile%20Book%20Online/Tickets/UpgradeYourVisit/QuickQueue?m=1

 

I get why Tempesto and InvadR are part of the Plus option and Mach Tower is a newer ride as well, but why is Loch Ness Monster on there? I've never seen Nessie with a wait.

[KIJester]

^ does anyone recall the pricing option for these 3 tiered levels?

[anonymouscactus]

^^ re: loch ness.... much like Gatekeeper being at the front of the park and having smaller lines in the afternoon / evening, I'd assume the quick queue builds up quickly in the mornings and it's to help spread out ridership since it's the first ride you walk into at the park. Re-rides would make it just a little bit longer if everyone makes it their "first ride". Just a guess, though.

[Canobie Coaster]

Ah ok that makes sense. I guess I forget how close that ride is to the front of the park since I always head towards Apollo's Chariot.

[sereniv]

hi everyone! this is my first time posting on TPR, i've been reading for quite some time but never had the gall to make my own input ^^

 

i read over everyone's thoughts on the closing of darkastle, and im glad that most of you agree that it is a shame and disappointing it was closing. when i found out it was turning into the christmas workshop back in december, i had a bad feeling that something else was going to happen to it. for me personally, this closing is really sad as darkastle was one of the first rides i rode at BGW and brings back good memories. i will admit, after seeing it so many times it's like watching a movie that you know almost all the words to, but it was still so fun to ride! (i am a huge fan of werewolves!!! )

 

the one thing i wanted to mention was that to all the people who are planning on going over the summer during the food and wine festival, be prepared to spend a lot money if you want to try the foods! almost every dish and drink costs around 5$, but they give you very small amounts. my favorite stand personally was the hawaiian one in ireland. the lines on those days can become a bit of a drag (especially at invadr and verbolten) but you can almost always find time to ride every coaster in the park in one day.