Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[EDIT] Nevermind..I got the answers I needed.

I honestly, with all the budget cuts, never see DarKastle running again. Just a thought but what if they moved 5-6 of the cars into one of the large scenes and turned it into a motion simulator like Minion Mayhem where the cars stay stationary. That'd definitely lower maintenance costs, and then they'd have a really nice, attached space to do dining and other rentable space needing events

^ IMO this would never happen, Are the costs to turn this into a worse ride/motion simulator worth it? I think it's smarter of them to pull an Alton Towers "Hex" and update some stuff slightly, letting people know it's down for refurbishments for a season.

It made me want to go check out Hex again after the new sound/scenery, even though it was clearly a cost-saving measure.

I really hope the rumors are false as Curse is my favorite non-coaster ride at Busch Gardens. It really is a great achievement for a park that's not named Disney or Universal to have such a high quality ride. It's also not that old really but I do get that operating costs must be high for it. Hopefully they keep it open or at worst down for a year to refurbish it and then reopen it the following season. With the new Simulator opening in Ireland it wouldn't be missed as much but would still be a loss for the park.

I guess Curse of DarKastle may be BGWs casualty of "Blackfish." Such a bummer if the rumor turns out true because I really enjoy having such a cool dark ride here in Virginia.

DarKastle is my favorite non-Disney dark ride. I'd hate to see it go.

Hate this dumb rumor and hope its not true. I didn't know anything about this ride until Bill and Britt dragged me on last year and I absolutely loved it. Was hoping to ride it again next year with my shiny new BGW pass.

I really hope they simply shut it down for maintenance for a season instead of just axing and turning into "event space." But given SEAS financial problems these days I have very little reason for optimism in this situation.

Somehow I stumbled across this video. I thought it was a pretty interesting watch. Not sure if anyone else here as seen it, but...it's quite interesting.

I'm going through this way and was wondering if the entire park is open for the Christmas event? I was unable to get the park map to load on my phone.

^^-- No, actually SFA is a better place to go for rides this time of year, although at least BGW is running 2 coasters which is better if one breaks down. I don't know if they run them below 40 degrees, when they were running B&Ms they didn't. It is also not free with season's pass, but can be (or once was) a cheaper way to get into the park than regular season otherwise.

https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg

^^-- No, actually SFA is a better place to go for rides this time of year, although at least BGW is running 2 coasters which is better if one breaks down. I don't know if they run them below 40 degrees, when they were running B&Ms they didn't. It is also not free with season's pass, but can be (or once was) a cheaper way to get into the park than regular season otherwise.

 

https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg

They're running three coasters, if you count Grover's Alpine Express (this is the the first time that Forest of Fun has been open for Christmas Town); the other two are Verbolten and InvadR. I'm planning to post a report later this weekend.

I don't know if they run them below 40 degrees

Per the website:

InvadR, Verbolten ® and Nacht Tower will be closed on evenings with temperatures below 36°F

Since you mentioned Six Flags, for your convenience they've published their full, chain-wide weather policy

I don't know if they run them below 40 degrees

Per the website:

InvadR, Verbolten ® and Nacht Tower will be closed on evenings with temperatures below 36°F

 

Since you mentioned Six Flags, for your convenience they've published their full, chain-wide weather policy

(in extreme detail).

The lyrics actually lend themselves perfectly into Six Flags "yolo send it" policy. +1 coasterbill

 

Since you mentioned Six Flags, for your convenience they've published their full, chain-wide weather policy

(in extreme detail).

I don't know if they run them below 40 degrees

Per the website:

InvadR, Verbolten ® and Nacht Tower will be closed on evenings with temperatures below 36°F

 

Since you mentioned Six Flags, for your convenience they've published their full, chain-wide weather policy

(in extreme detail).

Since you mentioned Six Flags, for your convenience they've published their full, chain-wide weather policy

(in extreme detail).

This is gold!

Lights, the Smell of Fresh Pine, and Gingerbread Cheesecake: Christmas Town 2017

Busch Gardens Williamsburg kicked off Christmas Town 2017 over Thanksgiving weekend, but I couldn't get there until last Friday. Much is the same as last year: You can still roam the Polar Pathway; visit small-town America (and Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends) at Holiday Hills; witness the transformation of miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge into the yuletide's number-one fan at "Scrooge No More"; and take in the sights from the Flight of Lights (skyway) or Nacht Tower (aka Mach Tower in elevator mode).

But there have been some notable changes:

1. For the first time, the Sesame Street Forest of Fun is open for Christmas Town. Grover's Alpine Express was running (along with two other coasters--Verbolten and InvadR), and the other rides (except for the tiny flume ride) were open.

2. Santa's Workshop has moved from the ice-cream/gift shop in Germany to DarKastle. I didn't queue up to see the Right Jolly Old Elf, of course, but there was a two-hour wait for a audience with Santa last Friday. I wonder what Mad King Ludwig thinks about all this?

3. There's a new show in Italy: "Gift of Harmony," an a cappella group singing Christmas classics. This replaces the old "Miracles" show. You can still "Deck the Halls" at the Festhaus, feel reverential during "Gloria" in Ireland, take in "O' Tannenbaum" in front of the Festhaus, and shiver during "Twas the Night," an ice-skating show inspired by "A Visit from St. Nicholas," in France.

4. There's a small preview center for the new VR ride in Ireland.

Christmas Town has become an important part of Christmas in Williamsburg (along with Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination, which happens tonight). It's nice to just stroll around, take in the lights, and have a nice holiday-themed meal (or some treats, of course).

Merry Christmas! Let's go in.

It’s always good to see a sign that assures you that you’re in the right place.

Just in case you want to play freeze out on any rides, here’s what’s open.

No, I did not count the lights. You’ll have to take BGW at its word. And did they all "twinkle"? I have no answer.

This Christmas tree really has big ornaments. Ha! You thought I was going to say “balls,” didn’t you?

Hmm . . . what to do first?

I could always grab some “traditional Christmas fare” in Dickens' Tavern. This would include hamburgers, which I guess were very big in Dickensian London.

Well, it is almost time for “Scrooge No More.” Might as well see it.

Oh, look! It’s the classic “pulling down a spotlight with an invisible rope” bit.

Er, are you sure this isn’t Howl-o-Scream?

Whew! That’s more like it.

“Out of my way! No one’s doing that ‘invisible rope’ bit while Scrooge is here!”

Bah! Humbug! Etc., etc. . . . I think you know the rest of the story.

Time to leave England . . .

. . . unless you want a beer or some other adult beverage.

As usual, Scotland is having a blue Christmas.

This is the first time that Forest of Fun has been open for Christmas Town.

This looks like Sesame Street’s idea of a Christmas tree lot.

“There’s a nice donut stand near the entrance of the Polar Pathway. Could you get a nice bear some nice donuts? Please?”

Polar Pathway is the prettiest spot at Christmas Town. I like the music they play there, too.

Italy is Yukon Cornelius Approved. Gold! Silver! Yahoo!

This is how Yukon would decorate a Christmas tree.

My next favorite spot at Christmas Town. I like the "old school" decorations (reminds me of my hometown when I was a kid).

There’s a little theater showing an edited version of “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” It has bench seats and bean-bag chairs.

The Bumble Snow Monster gets a bad rap.

Santa Claus is the real villain of the story. He’s a bad boss who treats everyone (especially Rudolph) like crap, and in this scene he sort of “blames” Rudolph for the disappearance of Rudolph’s parents and Clarice (even though Santa's rejection of Rudolph and the other reindeer's desire to earn his favor drives the whole plot). “King of Jingle-ling,” my butt. Santa’s a jerk.

The Rudolph meet and greet is in the Apollo’s Chariot queue house.

I like how they re-themed the games. Yes, you can help Herbie pound on teeth here.

“‘Jerk,’ am I? You will kneel to the Claus!” Ulp! Guess I'm getting coal in my stocking this year. More photos to come.

Time to see how festive the rest of the park looks.

I escaped the wrath of Kris Kringle by crossing the bridge into Germany.

The Festhaus is looking even more festive than usual.

“Deck the Halls” runs here. It’s like those Christmas specials they used to run on TV when I was a kid.

I missed the show, but I did have a sirloin sandwich and some gingerbread cheesecake--and beer, of course.

“O’ Tannenbaum” is a music-and-light show that takes place outside the Festhaus every 30 minutes. It’s nice, and always draws a crowd.

Once again, Ludwig has been forced to rent out DarKastle--this time, to Santa.

They moved the North Pole to the DarKastle queue. This knocked the Earth off its axis, and now we’re hurtling toward the sun. Nice one, Claus.

DarKastle has never looked so festive. Somewhere, King Ludwig is crying out his rage.

If the line is too long to see Santa (it was two hours when I was there), Saucy, the Elf, has a gift for you to unwrap.

Being as I had a great time at the real Oktoberfest this year (thanks, again, Robb and Elissa), I must buy this ornament.

Santa’s Workshop and the North Pole used to be here.

They’re selling cookies and hot chocolate there this year. Works for me.

And now, time for a little religion. You’re welcome.

Bring me the head of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer . . .

. . . and his skin, which I shall wear as a onesie! Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!

It wouldn’t be Germany at Christmas Town . . .

. . . without Creepy, the Psycho Elf.

As usual, Fort New France is all red and green.

Even InvadR is feeling a little festive.

Deer Crossing. Caution Advised.

Welcome to France.

It’s all about the “12 Days of Christmas” here.

I like the subdued colors, too.

It’s a long walk from France to Ireland.

Ireland isn’t green this year, for some reason, but you can still partake of Santa's Fireside Feast in Castle O'Sullivan.

I love the use of “candles” on the Abbeystone Theatre. This makes sense as it’s the home of the “Gloria” show.

If you’re curious about the park’s new attraction for 2018 . . .

. . . just wander into the preview center (it’ll take all of 30 seconds).

Time to go.

England bids you “Happy Christmas.”

That’s all from Christmas Town. Thanks for reading.

Great report as always, Chuck - thanks for sharing!

Busch parks really know how to bring it at their holiday events and this looks like no exception. Can't wait to experience Christmas Town at BGT in the coming weeks!

Awesome report Chuck! I miss having a park close to me,

that does the holidays like Busch (and others) does.

Also - great ornament find!

P.S. Yukon Cornelius is The Real Hero, in my humble opinion.

"Bumbles BOUNCE!"

Awesome report of an awesome event! I like the idea of a preview center for new rides, so curious guests who don't constantly scour the Internet for new ride rumours can get excited about the new attraction. Makes me wonder why more parks don't do that.

Great report Chuck as usual! That cheesecake omfg.

^It's my favorite Christmas Town dessert. The donuts on the Polar Pathway are good, too, but they have trouble keeping up with the demand.

Great report Chuck! Looks like a great event.