Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[SLCHeadache]

I love Verboltens indoor portion. Its literally themed to a Black Forest, do you want it to look like a disco in there?

But as it is, it's more disco than forest. Blame the stylized blacklight backdrops. If it was more serious in there, and if they made it look good from above, I'd be able to forgive its shortcomings.

Edited March 21, 2018 by SLCHeadache

[DoinItForTheFame]

I love Verboltens indoor portion. Its literally themed to a Black Forest, do you want it to look like a disco in there?

 

 

My thoughts exactly!

 

If Verbolten's show building was even half as detailed as its queue and station, I wouldn't be saying VR would be better. Doesn't even feel like you're in a forest, just some campy blacklight blur. Six Flags and Cedar Fair can get away with campy, Busch used to be classy. At least InvadR and BfE are a step up.

 

You are literally flying around in a dark building at a decently high rate of speed. Even if you do have "detailed theming" like in the queue line... it would just end up being a detailed blur. . .

 

I personally think Verbolten is amazing, and it's theming works!! I've never heard of anyone complaining about it before. . . Thank God the off season is almost over.

[chickenbowl]

I thought the indoor part was the only good part of the ride I mean, except for that bridge/tunnel facade that still looks goofy as hell.

 

I just wish most of Verbolten wasn't weak, boring, and slightly uncomfortable. I really wish I could see what Intamin or Mack could've done in that space. I'd even give Verbolten up in a heartbeat to experience BBW one time.

[SLCHeadache]

You are literally flying around in a dark building at a decently high rate of speed. Even if you do have "detailed theming" like in the queue line... it would just end up being a detailed blur. . .

But Flight of Fear did that 14 years prior, and much better at that.

 

I just wish most of Verbolten wasn't weak, boring, and slightly uncomfortable. I really wish I could see what Intamin or Mack could've done in that space. I'd even give Verbolten up in a heartbeat to experience BBW one time.

I saw this one quote on Reddit: "Family coaster is an enthusiast's way of saying “it wasn’t as intense as I wanted it to be”". And that comes to mind when describing Verbolten. But as a "family" coaster, Verbolten misses the mark. 48" is on the top end for minimum heights for a "family" coaster, and it's still a bit too aggressive to be a kid's first big coaster. InvadR was better in both minimum height and intensity balance, but it's still not enough in that regard. But right now, BGW is in need of new high-thrill rides after BfE, though, especially now that KD answered InvadR with Twisted Timbers.

 

I will still give Verbolten credit for its ambition, and for the fact that it's a better drop ride than Mach Tower. At least Verbolten's gimmick works. Mach Tower's doesn't.

 

Re: wanting to experience a suspended coaster, Ninja alone was 25% of my reason for my LA 2017 trip and Vortex alone is half of my reason for my Toronto 2018 trip.

[coasterbill]

Oh wait, I just realized this is the same dude that ranked Verbolten as the worst coaster he's ever ridden in the TPR poll. Did the project manager who worked on Verbolten bang your girlfriend or something? Who hurt you?

[DoinItForTheFame]

Oh wait, I just realized this is the same dude that ranked Verbolten as the worst coaster he's ever ridden in the TPR poll.

 

Oh dear god. My IQ just dropped another 20 points.

 

CoasterBill care for a shot?? I feel like it's getting to that point.

 

[SLCHeadache]

Oh wait, I just realized this is the same dude that ranked Verbolten as the worst coaster he's ever ridden in the TPR poll. Did the project manager who worked on Verbolten bang your girlfriend or something? Who hurt you?

Hey, at least I changed my poll after I was called out. It may not be the worst, but it's still my least favorite. Contributing to my only bout of vomiting at a theme park does not earn it any favors in my book. Even without that, it's just so much wasted potential.

[Dombot]

Oh wait, I just realized this is the same dude that ranked Verbolten as the worst coaster he's ever ridden in the TPR poll. Did the project manager who worked on Verbolten bang your girlfriend or something? Who hurt you?

[marth555]

Add me to the camp that likes Verbolten alot

[DoinItForTheFame]

Add me to the camp that likes Verbolten alot

 

[SLCHeadache]

Man, the reaction I'm getting as I'm explaining my dislike of Verbolten, you'd think I was dissing Knoebels.

 

That I had to look up the ride concept to figure out what that drop track was supposed to be (roots of an evil tree slamming you down?) proves it didn't tell its story well. I still give them points for trying to tell a story with the ride.

 

Among rides whose theming involves haunted trees, I think I will prefer Twisted Timbers. If I make it out to Kings Island this year, Mystic Timbers too.

Edited March 22, 2018 by SLCHeadache

[chickenbowl]

Man, the reaction I'm getting as I'm explaining my dislike of Verbolten, you'd think I was dissing Knoebels.

 

Yeah, it's weird. The coaster simply isn't very good.

[Canobie Coaster]

Man, the reaction I'm getting as I'm explaining my dislike of Verbolten, you'd think I was dissing Knoebels.

 

That I had to look up the ride concept to figure out what that drop track was supposed to be (roots of an evil tree slamming you down?) proves it didn't tell its story well. I still give them points for trying to tell a story with the ride.

 

Among rides whose theming involves haunted trees, I think I will prefer Twisted Timbers. If I make it out to Kings Island this year, Mystic Timbers too.

 

You don't always get haunted trees. Sometimes you may get a pack of wolves.

[adeuce02]

I love Verbolten. My girlfriend who is not a hardcore enthusias enjoyed the ride. She loved the black forest indoor portion.

[ScreaminNewEngland]

Respecting people's opinions is great and all....But you listed Verbolten as being worse than a boomerang, a God-awful zac spin and Hurler....Yes, Hurler.

At that point your list is just exaggerated, even if you don't like it as much as most people do, you still know its nowhere near the worst.

[p-sychiatrist]

Ok so I absolutely loved Big Bad Wolf and it's still one of my favorite rides of all time, but damn dude Verbolten was a great replacement. The black forest is awesome/forceful and compared to the other coasters on property it blows them all away in the theming department. Only coaster that comes close is Alpengeist with the snowy parts and skilift trains. I understand not liking it or feeling underwhelmed, but hating it more than a boomerang and zac-spin? That's a bit extreme

[SLCHeadache]

You don't always get haunted trees. Sometimes you may get a pack of wolves.

And that was actually pretty good. One of the best moments of theming at the park. The show building would be worth it if the other two scenes were as good.

 

Respecting people's opinions is great and all....But you listed Verbolten as being worse than a boomerang, a God-awful zac spin and Hurler....Yes, Hurler.

At that point your list is just exaggerated, even if you don't like it as much as most people do, you still know its nowhere near the worst.

Yeah, thanks, TPR, for giving me the reality check I needed

 

I redid the list to be much less subjective. At the time, I was still bitter that I loved Ninja (the next best thing to the Wolf in the US) and that I had to go all the way to LA for that one, when BGW were silly enough to take that away from us on the East Coast before I could become an enthusiast.

Edited May 7, 2018 by SLCHeadache

[A.J.]

I just wish most of Verbolten wasn't weak, boring, and slightly uncomfortable. I really wish I could see what Intamin or Mack could've done in that space. I'd even give Verbolten up in a heartbeat to experience BBW one time.

I will totally give you the exposed show building thing, but I just don't understand what makes Verbolten weak, boring, and uncomfortable. The station and queue are very well-themed (as they should be) and the indoor section is dark and mysterious (as it should be). The launches have good kicks, and the indoor section is typical large Zierer, having tight curves and spirals that are intense but not gray-out-inducing. The drop track is the best example of its kind. The drop toward the river is just as iconic as Big Bad Wolf's was and is still one of the most beautiful settings for a coaster element in the United States.

[SLCHeadache]

I just wish most of Verbolten wasn't weak, boring, and slightly uncomfortable. I really wish I could see what Intamin or Mack could've done in that space. I'd even give Verbolten up in a heartbeat to experience BBW one time.

I will totally give you the exposed show building thing, but I just don't understand what makes Verbolten weak, boring, and uncomfortable. The station and queue are very well-themed (as they should be) and the indoor section is dark and mysterious (as it should be). The launches have good kicks, and the indoor section is typical large Zierer, having tight curves and spirals that are intense but not gray-out-inducing. The drop track is the best example of its kind. The drop toward the river is just as iconic as Big Bad Wolf's was and is still one of the most beautiful settings for a coaster element in the United States.

FWIW, I grayed out half the time on one of the curves, but it's already dark inside, so it's harder to notice than on Backlot.

 

I have a feeling BGW pushed for more intensity to try to keep up with BGT and Cheetah Hunt, and the end result, while I wouldn't call "weak" (except if comparing to other multi-launch coasters), is pretty awkward. It feels like Zierer were out of their element with the extra speed. Their previous major coasters, Pepsi Orange Streak and Jaguar, had the curves and helices, but took them slower and much more gracefully. And, the show building (wolf scene aside) does not compare to zipping about the Mall of America or shooting through the loop of Montezooma's Revenge.

 

What made the Wolf's ending legendary wasn't just the view, but the swinging through those turns. The view might be a little clearer without track over your head - and nicely framed by the "bridge" piece they built, but after that, it's just long and rattly (after five years, already worrying) fast turns over water, and there's already a better long and rattly fast turn over water at the same park (the turnaround on Apollo's, rattly when sitting near the back).

Edited March 22, 2018 by SLCHeadache

[CoasterAuditor]

I really liked Verbolten the one time I rode it opening year. Really unique and cool ride. Is it the best ride in Busch Gardens? In my opinion no not really. The biggest thing there for me is those nice B&Ms. AC is the first B&M Mega Coaster and remains one of my favorite roller coasters today.

[Jcoaster]

I love Verbolten. My girlfriend who is not a hardcore enthusias enjoyed the ride. She loved the black forest indoor portion.

 

This, I had the same exact experience with my girlfriend last visit as well. Verbolten was her favorite ride there. I can’t see how you can classify it as weak and boring. I think its a bit more on the forceful side especially for its target audience.

[Satans Hockey]

I absolutely love Verbolten, I had no idea it even had a drop track the very first time I went on it. It was awesome and I wish I bought that video for our reactions lol

 

The view near the water is still awesome and I've never had any issues feeling uncomfortable when it comes to riding it.

[chickenbowl]

I just wish most of Verbolten wasn't weak, boring, and slightly uncomfortable. I really wish I could see what Intamin or Mack could've done in that space. I'd even give Verbolten up in a heartbeat to experience BBW one time.

I will totally give you the exposed show building thing, but I just don't understand what makes Verbolten weak, boring, and uncomfortable. The station and queue are very well-themed (as they should be) and the indoor section is dark and mysterious (as it should be). The launches have good kicks, and the indoor section is typical large Zierer, having tight curves and spirals that are intense but not gray-out-inducing. The drop track is the best example of its kind. The drop toward the river is just as iconic as Big Bad Wolf's was and is still one of the most beautiful settings for a coaster element in the United States.

 

Uncomfortable: I didn't like the restraints or seats very much. Not a big deal, but noticeably uncomfortable for me. The coaster also had some shuffling/tracking problems in Aug, 2012.

 

Weak: I thought the launches were ok. And the helix in the building is fun, but all other coaster-y bits are forceless - Esp. after the second launch. I really wanted to like it, but the entire second half did nothing for me.

 

Boring: The numerous brakeruns, slow sections, and full stops really kill the pacing throughout this ride. When you compare this ride to other family multi-launch-style coasters, (Manta, Cheetah Hunt, Firechaser, even the backlot coasters) I find them all more fun than Verbolten.

 

I'm apparently in the minority here, but that's fine. I'm glad you all like it so much. I appreciate most of the theming that went into it and I'm glad they incorporated some of the beautiful river/trees setting from BBW, but it still never met my expectations.

[p-sychiatrist]

Yeah i suppose there's some pacing issues with the brake runs (other than the drop track of course), but I don't think it makes the ride boring. It's certainly not perfect, but it's at least better than Pepsi Orange Streak and the Backlot Stunt coasters smh

[Jcoaster]

Yeah i suppose there's some pacing issues with the brake runs (other than the drop track of course), but I don't think it makes the ride boring. It's certainly not perfect, but it's at least better than Pepsi Orange Streak and the Backlot Stunt coasters smh

 

Having ridden Back Lot Stunt Coaster, Firechaser Express and Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Orlando (All rides that would put in the group of trying to deliver the same experience) I’d rank Verbtolten as better than BLSC and Firechaser but not as good as Mummy.