Photo TR: Chuck Checks Out Christmas Town at BGW

[cfc]

Busch Gardens had one week of Christmas Town under its belt by the time I got around to visiting on Friday, December 4. I'd heard (and read on TPR) about the massive crowds on opening weekend after Thanksgiving, but I figured that wouldn't be such as issue last Friday night; so, off I went with my friend Carola to see what BGW had concocted for Christmas.

 

I was right about the crowds. The park wasn't slammed, but there were enough people to make the place lively.

 

Overall, we both liked what BGW had done; it was pretty much what I'd expected. The park itself looked beautiful all decked out in an assortment of lights. They also ramped up their food offerings with an assortment of holiday fare, such as Cornish game hen with sweet potatoes and cornbread stuffing at Gorgan's (pretty good); smoked turkey and ham dinners and beef-barley soup at the Trapper's Smokehouse (along with the usual ribs); and even prime rib at the Festhaus (hmm--may have to check that out when I take my parents and nieces there in a couple of weeks). Annie's Cafe (Ireland) and Festhaus Kaffe were offering Starbucks coffee and an assortment of desserts, too. Food service was a bit slow, however. There are heated seating areas for their outdoor restaurants, too.

 

Carola and I were there from just 5:30 until closing at 10:00, so we didn't catch everything, but we did see a performance of Rejoice. A few things about this show impressed me: the live orchestra was quite good, as were the singers, and the lighting and projection effects were pretty well done. However, once you get past the impressive opening number, the rest of the show is pretty much just a bunch of guys in sparkly monk's robes (and two women in formal wear) walking around and singing.

 

One bit cracked both of us up. One monk sang solo, while the others stood behind him holding mirrors, which reflected rays of light over his head. So far, so good, until they turned the mirrors up and reflected light in their faces, making them look like fiends in a horror movie. (The robes weren't creepy enough?) The show was a bit too reverential for its own good, we thought, but the audience seemed to enjoy it.

 

Then there were the penguins in the Grand Palace Theatre in France. The little walkthrough was cute enough, but I'm glad we didn't have to wait more than five minutes to check out two penguins in a tank (there were five penguins in two tanks that night). You do get fairly close to them, and at least you don't have the stink of the penguin attraction at Sea World to deal with.

 

We took a fun, but brisk ride on Griffon, too--temps stayed in the low 50s, and the ride ran all night.

 

I think BGW did a pretty good job the first time out of the gate. Note that I'm a passholder who only had to pay $10 (and got free parking). Those without passes pay around $20 for admission (plus parking). I think this is more of a "locals" thing this season, rather than something you need to make a special trip to see. But if Christmas Town proves popular (so far, it seems to be a hit), I'm sure park will expand it, just as they did Howl-o-Scream.

 

Here's a look at Christmas Town 2009.

Behold! An inverted Hidden Mickey! In France! More to come.

"Penguins! Penguins everywhere! I shall go mad, I tell you--mad!"

"Thou hast chosen the way of the two penguins! From this day forth, thou shalt be known as 'He Who Chooses Two Penguins.'"

CHOOSE THY FATE!

"Penguin Recon to Base! Recon to base! Charlie has us pinned down! Requesting airstrike, over!"

Voila! Instant penguin habitat!

Step 4: Line your dank stonework with more shiny fabric and hang up some icecicles.

Step 3: Turn the entrance of your "Catacombs" into an igloo.

Step 3: Replace your macabre graveyard set with white trees with purty blue and purple lights. (Make sure that scareactors have been sent home for the evening.)

Step 2: Cover your creepy, dank gray crypt walls with shiny white fabric.

How to turn a Howl-o-Scream maze into a Christmas Attraction.

 

Step 1: Move the entrance to the other side of the building and give it a new name.

Let's see--three or four layers of clothes, boots, gloves. Yep. Carola is all set to ride Griffon in the raging blizzard we encountered in France!

Look! Snow! Red, evil snow! (Yes, they had faux snow in Germany and France. I took one flake in the eye.)

Aye, it be a long walk to France. At least ye don't have to contend with goblins and trolls on this path, like ye do during Howl-o-Scream.

This sums up the Christmas Town offerings.

You can have dinner with Santa in this building; during the summer, you can have breakfast or lunch with Elmo. Ot you could just get a churro. Up to you.

This guy has wind. Boy, does he ever have wind. Ya gotta have the wind to blow the pipes.

"Begorrah! We be elves, not leprechauns."

Whew! That was a close one! I could tell that that the suspense was killing you.

Only those who are meek of spirit can survive the razor-sharp Snowflakes of Savage Fury and enter Ireland!

"Now, Wilbur-r-r-r, this is really quite humiliatin'. St. Louis can't come soon enough, as far as I'm concerned."

Even the Clydesdales had their halls decked.

These trees are in tribute to Elvis--The King! All must have a Blue Christmas!

Ebeneezer Scrooge would balk at paying the electric bill here.

Everybody nice and oriented now? Good. Wait! Where's Italy! MY God! They've taken out Italy! Why those dirty . . . oh, it's just not open for Christmas Town. What a relief.

Looks like Carola and I made it!

Phew!

Only those who are pure of heart can survive the razor-sharp Snowflakes of Searing Doom and enter Christmas Town.

Welcome to what BGW, I'm sure, hopes will become a Williamsburg tradition: Christmas Town.

[cfc]

Whip out your wassail mug and join us for some more Christmas Town!

Remember: "This IS Christmas." BGW has defined it for you. That is all!

 

Thanks for reading.

Fortunately, the magical music of the brass choir protects you from the razor-sharp Snowflakes of Searing Doom as you exit.

Blue Elvis trees light your way out.

. . . and don't mind paying three bucks. Here's a tip--just go into one of the stores or a nearby heated seating area and warm up free of charge. (Remember--you read it here first.)

OK, here's something I don't quite get. They put one of these "dryers" in France just in case you need to warm up . . .

Jamestown Glass House, don't you know you're in the evil shadow of DarKastle? Fly, you fools!

Hmm--I imagine a few TPR members would appreciate this particular gift. Every time you uncork a bottle, you get a "credit."

"Yeah, we'll really clean up at this location! Get it! Clean up! We sell soap! It's funny!"

"Yes, everyone wants a wooden bird for Christmas! Yes, what woman's heart wouldn't melt when she unwraps one of these fine duck decoys . . . Hello? Hello?"

. . . Mistletoe Marketplace. (It's in the game stalls between the Festhaus and DarKastle.)

Before leaving Germany, we were distracted by the . . .

Now there's a game of "freeze out."

The Big Bad Wolf Memorial Seating Area.

"Attention Toy Soldiers! Dangerous psychotic sighted near Der Wirblewind! Rendevous at the Autobahn bumper cars! Prepare to use deadly force!"

Here's how it looks when the show's over.

O Tannenbaum is a light show synchronized to Christmas music.

On to Oktoberfest.

Ride, ride like you've never ridden before, if you want to save Christmas! (From what, I have no idea.)

The carousel was all decked out with Christmas lights, too.

. . . and the scary.

The Christmas Shop was a mixture of the sublime . . .

Yet, this poor fellow, alone and unloved, is forced to wrap gifts in the cold. But, someday, sweet, sweet vengeance will be his . . .

Here we see the elite of Santa's elves in their luxurious, high-tech surroundings.

OK, if Germany is the "North Pole," that explains why there are penguins in France--the "South Pole."

DIE, CANDY CANE, DIE!

"But spare his female companion for questioning."

"Calling all Toy Soldiers! Dangerous psychotic reported in vicinity of Germany! Shoot to kill!"

On to Germany.

Here's the bridge that crosses Alpengeist and the LeScoot log flume. They lined the Alpie side with lath, I guess because they didn't have any decorations on that side, so it was just kind of dark. I hope they remember to remove the lath in time for the regular season.

The train was running with holiday music, but Carola had had enough of cold drafts after riding Griffon.

And now, a Canadian holiday tradition--I think.

This is as good a picture as I could get--sorry.

OK, what the hell is this? I thought this theatre was "non-smoking."

After dinner, it was time to "Rejoice."

Cornish game hen with sweet potatoes, stuffing, and string beans--it was about $22 for two with a passholder's discount.

Time to head back to Ireland for a wee bit 'o' supper.

[dandaman]

And now, a Canadian holiday tradition--I think.

 

Forgot the Tim's.

 

Great TR, though noticeably absent of Tor. Too much nog?

[cfc]

^Tor? Hmm--he might make a good Santa, except for his lack of a lap due to his immense girth.

[Coaster Palooza]

Wow Chuck, I didn't know BGE had a Christmas event. We're heading out there for Christmas, but we won't be able to go. Thanks for the Trip Report!

[Guy T. Koepp]

I want a searing snowflake of doom!

 

They look all searing-y and doom-y! Not to belittle the whole snowflake-y part.

 

Guy "Awesome TR Chuck! I will have to get the fam out for this event next year if Euroburgh does it again." Koepp

[Speeddeamon128]

Awesome photos & TR! I'll be going hopefully next Saturday. I'm looking forward to Griffon & the Penguins Thanks for the heat tip I'm sure it is going to be useful after a few Griffon rides!

[carolinacaniac]

Looks pretty neat! I have been kind of up and down on whether I wanted to make the trek up north to see it, although our school system's winter break is starting here next friday, so perhaps I will take a day to make a visit when the break starts and I have finished moving into my new place.

 

-Gary T.

[jamesdillaman]

They literally have two penguins in a fish tank? Wow. Does the ASPCA know? They have a problem with people eating cockroaches but are okay with this?

 

Great TR, Chuck. We'll have to go down and get to Busch Gardens soon.

 

-James Dillaman