Jump to content
  TPR Home | Parks | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram 

Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

P. 469: Family inverted coaster announced for 2025!

Recommended Posts

^ Yes, I agree. Seems pretty marginal at best. Maybe they're charging a lot for the beers...

 

And the food. And the merch.

 

Plus, they won't need a full staff because only part of the park is open. I'm looking forward to seeing how successful this event is.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pretty cool drone vid of the park being empty. It's a 9 min vid of the park showing "everything", but I copied at the part where it really zooms in on Pantheon. Pretty cool look. Please don't roast me, but IMO, it looks like a very short ride. I guess leading up to it, I thought it was a bit longer in total. I know, I know "it's not open, can't judge it yet".....but just a bit surprised at the length via this footage:

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Based on fan-made POVs on youtube, it should be around a minute and 15 seconds of ride time, and that's without a lift hill. That's pretty long, comparatively speaking to the other large scale Intamins in the area - El Toro, Skyrush and I305 are all less than a minute from drop to brakes and are often considered three of the best rides on the planet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Based on fan-made POVs on youtube, it should be around a minute and 15 seconds of ride time, and that's without a lift hill. That's pretty long, comparatively speaking to the other large scale Intamins in the area - El Toro, Skyrush and I305 are all less than a minute from drop to brakes and are often considered three of the best rides on the planet.

 

Solid point

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At the Pantheon Hard-Hat Tour, we were told that the ride would last about "150 seconds." We'll see if this holds up . . . someday.

 

I am assuming the first launch will be slow and the swing launches should eat up some time!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At the Pantheon Hard-Hat Tour, we were told that the ride would last about "150 seconds." We'll see if this holds up . . . someday.

 

I am assuming the first launch will be slow and the swing launches should eat up some time!

 

Probably so. There's an initial forward launch, then a switch track to send you up "Neptune's Trident" (spike), then another forward launch to send you through the rest of the course.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Coasters & Craft Brews Sneak Peek

 

Just when you think, ala the Soup Nazi, "no Busch Gardens for you," the park comes with a way to open, in a way: the Coasters and Craft Brews special event. Of course, you can't just show up and hope to get in. Guests have to "reserve" the day they want in advance, and there are a limited number of days and times, with attendance limited to 1,000 people, as per state guidelines for "entertainment venues." This applies to both regular guests and passholders (or "members"). Roughy half of the park is open, too: England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Fort New France.

 

I'm sure most of you can guess the other restrictions. Your temperature is checked before you enter to ensure you're not running a fever. Guests must wear face masks at all times, except when eating and drinking, and practice social distancing.

 

018.thumb.jpg.f62fafe5e09fecf0de3d48df75841a99.jpg

Remember: six feet (or about one about the length of one adult grey wolf) between guests, please.

 

And just what can you do while wearing your mask and practicing proper social distancing at the park? You can ride three of the park's coasters: Loch Ness Monster, Griffon, and InvadR. They were also running the Little Clydes kiddie ride in Scotland, Finnegan's Flyer in Scorland, and Le Catapult at Fort New France. The Smokehouse is open for dinner, and you can grab a nice craft brew at Grogan's. The Clydesdales and some other animals are out, and the main gift shops in England, France, and Fort New France are open. All the ride and restaurant queues are marked for social distancing, and there are plenty of hand sanitizer stations all over the park.

 

I rode each coaster and Finnegan's Flyer. While I waited for the Loch Ness Monster, two ops wiped down the train before people were allowed to board, but I don't think they did this every time.

 

Each coaster had a grouper before you could enter the station, who assigned groups and single riders to rows for seating. I think they were using all the seats for Nessie. For Griffon, it depended on "groups." An op told me that if you had a group of ten, the group would get an entire row; other than than that, smaller groups had empty seats between them, so there weren't any full trains. InvadR had one only train running, and half the seats were blocked off (the other coasters ran two trains). So, the longest wait of the night was for InvadR, and even that wasn't too long.

 

Service at the Smokehouse went pretty smoothly, despite the socially distanced line. Instead of having platters prepared in advance and lined up for guests to grab, you had to order what you wanted, and they put it together then. Cashiers doled out the tableware. You could sit inside at Grogan's, but quite a few spaces were off limits (I snagged a table to myself in the back).

 

Overall, it was nice break in the monotony of the COVID-restricted life in Williamsburg. I'm sure the park will be tweaking their procedures as they go. Most of the guests complied with the rules; for example, I didn't hear anyone complain about having to wear a mask on rides (I had no problem with this, either).

 

Here's a look at Coasters and Craft Brews.

001.thumb.jpg.7294bafb893acd9e2afb434e9a5e0584.jpg

You park in the England lot. This is where they check your temperature before you enter the park.

002.thumb.jpg.1fae7602f300a7ec8424feb2785c072a.jpg

Here be the rules, sez I.

003.thumb.jpg.a5597369f9bddef0785a7d3615dca91b.jpg

You'll find plenty of these in the park (all the ride queues had sanitizer stations).

004.thumb.jpg.bed5969e2b334a3cdab13006d45b610b.jpg

Obey the signs, people.

005.thumb.jpg.2064be49178d2877f3c5eed6816fcc32.jpg

Weird to see England so empty, even on a weeknight.

006.thumb.jpg.da82a798b8b8e50362e530949d191fd0.jpg

Why, thank you, Busch Gardens. Nice to be back.

007.thumb.jpg.af13e0f9978c7b0d4ce5d9053b5b1703.jpg

I bought this shirt because it has a silhouette of a highland cow on it.

008.thumb.jpg.2343c65920c1f7e2097c8baa4c761548.jpg

Time to leave Merrie Old England . . .

009.thumb.jpg.51ba5c6492a135c5e42ce00438105ab7.jpg

. . . but not for grouchy old Italy and Germany.

010.thumb.jpg.5f0bd10e92c543129aa327ffe82b0298.jpg

You can still visit the Clydesdales.

011.thumb.jpg.9da736872158539db5486828530dfa3e.jpg

The horses are, of course, maintaining proper social distance.

012.thumb.jpg.af41aabf5ef91e0e4b27be9d23c65108.jpg

So, what else is there to do? I started with a ride on Nessie . . .

013.thumb.jpg.5952837f984849210ec656f66fce06bb.jpg

. . . then walked by Finnegan's Flyer (which had a bit of a line).

014.thumb.jpg.36b42b6881112095d86788b58d9ccfcd.jpg

Look! A mythical Griffon!

015.thumb.jpg.4dde0714d004d6afcd11deaf1f3a0d2a.jpg

Longest line of the night.

016.thumb.jpg.be6488d333c6a19f53baae6204dd425a.jpg

The eagles are always distant.

017.thumb.jpg.25f421c1eab5011caab5b1c8996e6e0f.jpg

If you want to see wolves, be mindful of the decals on the bridge near Wolf Haven.

019.thumb.jpg.22a0468b66abd3707a10878c4b951a44.jpg

This owl would kill you, if it weren't for social distancing.

020.thumb.jpg.802a1ff70b7179b114741013dbb06e2e.jpg

France doesn't look too busy.

021.thumb.jpg.3ecb649c8bdd42966fab93526ad828c5.jpg

France also gives you a chance to "relax" without a mask, too.

022.thumb.jpg.a1b7610f32ba5e077f61114da9d5184f.jpg

Well, being as I'm in France . . .

023.thumb.jpg.8e57c00fa1a7578e4f15322e44df6568.jpg

People were pretty good about practicing social distancing in the ride queues.

024.thumb.jpg.3689598f1689316726d6e464560940e0.jpg

Here's the socially distanced, half-full InvadR train.

025.thumb.jpg.09bb12cccf5422db46dd9266d625d174.jpg

Brisket time!

026.thumb.jpg.154a79b9847f43e8126361c924f4af93.jpg

Eat your brisket only at designated tables.

026a.thumb.jpg.53a4beee0163580b1ea8867c21998b79.jpg

I saw this mushroom village as I made my way back to Ireland. Were the Smurfs who lived there under quarantine?

027.thumb.jpg.10913caedb39118df91abf60cacfa7bd.jpg

Well, being as I'm in Ireland . . .

028.thumb.jpg.fecfd22d317fb121351aa816c108d3d6.jpg

. . . might as well hoist one.

029.thumb.jpg.accf3b3dd5a55993259a3dc70f0bb5d4.jpg

The line for Finnegan's Flyer had thinned out, so I took a swing or two. The ride ops were accounting for social distancing when seating riders.

030.thumb.jpg.9247282f34b7ab2f785060716c39de91.jpg

Time to call it a night.

031.thumb.jpg.9889c366fdd750fd71aa152062b85cdf.jpg

I did stop in the England gift shop. Who wants a Black Forest Cake pin, complete with a recipe?

032.thumb.jpg.659ba81e4c0bf48464f1daf2b9ce7785.jpg

You can't ride Pantheon (sigh), but you can buy the pins.

033.thumb.jpg.18cae9612d70e9b89eca683c515ff3be.jpg

Remember: Stay six feet apart, or this wolf will kill you! Thanks for reading.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Am I the only one that wishes more parks had Screamin' Swings? I find them very underrated and a ton of fun!

 

Agreed! I'm not a "flat-ride person," but I like Screamin' Swings.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

what a fun report. . even with only a portion of the park open, it looks like you had a great time.

 

interesting they didn't move the open area just a smidge more to allow for Le Scoot, or Alpengeist to run. . but as has been noted: some coasters are better than none.

 

great plan by BGW to open up a portion of the park and get some folks in.

 

and I'd totally have bought that Black Forest Cake pin - and turned it into a magnet

Link to comment
Share on other sites

interesting they didn't move the open area just a smidge more to allow for Le Scoot, or Alpengeist to run. . but as has been noted: some coasters are better than none.

 

Funny you should mention LeScoot. As I was getting out of my car, I overheard an argument between two parents and a little girl. She was insisting on bringing a bathing suit to change into later, even though her dad kept reminding her that none of the water rides were open.

Edited by cfc
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

interesting they didn't move the open area just a smidge more to allow for Le Scoot, or Alpengeist to run.

You would have had additional cost to operate two rides with the same amount of money coming in.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

759412906_08-29-20TasteofBG.jpg.1c6a7ae02a0e04c0f4971df30968a5b2.jpg

Busch Gardens is bringing back it's Food & Wine Festival for September! You can experience a Taste of Busch Gardens on select days from September 2-27.

 

From the park's website:

 

Sip, sample & soar at this ALL-NEW specially ticketed outdoor event!

 

Enjoy a fusion of flavor and fun as you indulge in a selection of Food & Wine fan favorites pared with an array of NEW park experiences from coasters like Verbolten & Alpengeist, to Le Scoot, more villages & other fun-filled rides!

 

Italy remains closed, but more rides will be open (check their website for more details).

 

Some favorites from past Food and Wine Festivals will be offered, such as Bangers and Colcannon, Gamba Fritters, and Steak Chimichurri.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A Taste of Busch Gardens

 

Busch Gardens bounced back a bit in August with their Coasters and Craft Brews event, which was held on selected days and inspired (somewhat) by their annual Bierfest. Now they're offering the "greatest hits" of their annual Food and Wine Festival: A Taste of Busch Gardens.

 

This month's event seems a bit more "festive" than Coasters and Craft Brews, in that they really are offering something beyond their usual dining menu (the "Craft Brews" thing last month meant that Grogan's Pub was open in Ireland). More of the park is open (Forest of Fun and Italy remain closed), and now you can ride Griffon, InvadR, Alpengeist, Verbolten, and Le Scoot, in addition to a few more flat rides (no Loch Ness Monster, though). You can enjoy some unique food, such as Gamba Fritters and Mushroom Risotto, in Ireland, France, and Fort New France. Tasting cards are available, too: five samples for $30.00 and ten samples for $60.00.

 

The park offers two separate sessions on select days (11:00 am-3:00 pm and 5:00-9:00 pm), and you have to reserve the day and time you wish to attend (check the park's website for details). Admission to a Taste of Busch Gardens is part of your park membership; otherwise, it's $44.95 per person.

 

I went there after work on Friday, September 4--here's a look. And remember: Masks must be worn, except when eating and drinking, and rides are run at lower capacity (but there will only be 1,000 people at the park, anyway).

001.thumb.jpg.e48db70580cfe22f5846b1a5981458ae.jpg

Be sure to walk on the right when entering to maintain proper social distancing.

002.thumb.jpg.2234599f66b4c588bfffb9b778e0ee04.jpg

The park seemed a bit busier than it did during Coasters and Craft Brews.

003.thumb.jpg.33b9327e062bc4bcd8f9ee36cf8aff62.jpg

No Loch Ness Monster for you!

004.thumb.jpg.81a15e93c0aa9a693c5b6d04fd5a45af.jpg

This map will tell you what's open and where to get some chow.

005.thumb.jpg.3847d36f9dc5e7a6ee198e68be239120.jpg

"Wilbur, can't a horse get some privacy to take a bath around here?"

006.thumb.jpg.0b1295468d14661b6b36e2977f4c5830.jpg

I recommend that you drink plenty of beer to wash down some fritters, then ride Finnegan's Flyer. The results could be either amusing or unfortunate, depending on where you are.

007.thumb.jpg.6834c3e5383900efaa71c8ccd7f43530.jpg

Get yer tasting cards here, folks! (Or at other places, since this register is closed.)

008.thumb.jpg.73e3342ad6472e13782484155ea2579e.jpg

This place is now offering more than just baked potatoes.

009.thumb.jpg.cbfc5053603603ba0fcce1f57701928b.jpg

Here's where you find the good beer, as the Festhaus is still closed. There isn't as much indoor seating as they offered last month, though.

010.thumb.jpg.fea43ef87b086c0e27c10b52f42d1e5f.jpg

Here's what was on tap.

011.thumb.jpg.5768734bc671221332ab299d61700bab.jpg

That is one big owl. I know you're not supposed to feed the animals, but if that big scary bird wants one of my fritters, he's getting one!

012.thumb.jpg.45f2eecefabcc037fff6297dcfb7d8e0.jpg

Where they grow sangria.

013.thumb.jpg.7c4f91b950dc6c0dd73d4192dcbe6bb3.jpg

Yummy desserts are available in France . . .

014.thumb.jpg.8525455a4b3497b0500ea11bc88c8443.jpg

. . . as are tasty fries.

015.thumb.jpg.922c8936589cc6959874ecbb83d31c35.jpg

The German Frites (French fries with curry wurst) were very good.

016.thumb.jpg.685360f42bcbd73b3c014fcc557b3505.jpg

Hmm--I haven't ridden Alpengeist in about a year.

017.thumb.jpg.c84a1c04db3ab119535af561ac7bb5dc.jpg

The socially distanced line moved pretty well. They were letting in enough people for a train, then holding the line until it dispatched.

018.thumb.jpg.ce48f82408fc7b85f5edca5e38f6d186.jpg

Ugh! Shouldn't have ate all that curry wurst!

019.thumb.jpg.c991e8584463f59d792cf6d073105c9e.jpg

For all you log-flume fans out there.

020.thumb.jpg.58f9c6e0003f77fe5ede90f6c17099e1.jpg

Note the extra plexiglass in the seating area near Alpengeist.

021.thumb.jpg.ec9350ccc6348b13f804f90b5d97543f.jpg

Hey! Shouldn't that naked chick be wearing a mask?

022.thumb.jpg.c3f9d516b83f76e26936774f4bd8019a.jpg

No games or Festhaus in Oktoberfest this year--but they're redoing some of the gift shop.

023.thumb.jpg.c48ff64d42e04ef405b64dc33960a3d5.jpg

Hey--what's that ride in the lower left "2" of the pink 2020 shirt?

024.thumb.jpg.967ef00d826d10fe30c590e1a790b108.jpg

Oh--that one.

025.thumb.jpg.51a427af30053619f3bf0e74eef4410f.jpg

Sigh! Our anticipation for one of the "Top 10 Anticipated Rides" continues.

026.thumb.jpg.b0c8625bf9a88793b6331894cf505656.jpg

Mach Tower is being put to good use during a Taste of Busch Gardens.

027.thumb.jpg.a377778e78bac40b287bde16bceff094.jpg

Hmm--logical.

028.thumb.jpg.9eea962a832541128c36be8b74f6261f.jpg

No Mach Tower, but you can ride Wirbelwind. I would've ridden Verbolten, but it broke down earlier, and the line was too long when I came back.

029.thumb.jpg.8a3513d14ec0ceec8e2d15e463e691c4.jpg

I finished my evening with fritters, gyoza, and beer. Thanks for reading.

Edited by cfc
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use https://themeparkreview.com/forum/topic/116-terms-of-service-please-read/