Busch Gardens Europe Photo TR, Aug. 21-23

First of all, this TR is inexcusably late, so I won't make excuses (except to say that the tardiness gives us an opportunity to enjoy the Big Bad Wolf a little longer!).

I took a quick, spur-of-the-moment trip to Busch Gardens Europe (or Williamsburg, or the Old Country, or whatever it is they're calling it these days) toward the end of August 2009. I had visited the park once previously, in 2000, but felt the urge to return prior to the removal of the Big Bad Wolf. Plus I'd only visited my local So Cal parks during the summer, so I was itchin' to travel, even if just for a short trip.

The weather was VERY hot and humid each day, though during the second day we got a midday downpour that cooled things off considerably. The crowds were surprisingly not at all bad for a summer weekend, and I got front- and backseat rides on every coaster. The visit turned out to be a very productive, successful, and enjoyable trip.

I'll finish the Busch Gardens post with a shot of Da Vinci's Cradle, the absolute best flat ride in the park. Like I said, it was a very fun visit. Go-Karts Plus and D.C. next.

...and the other birds roaming free in the park.

...the eagle exhibit...

I also appreciated the animal attractions, such as the wolf exhibit...

...as was the boat ride.

The train ride was relaxing...

Also new (for me) was Corkscrew Hill. This one was, um, interesting. The 3-D effects were fine, but the story was kind of lame and you need to be prepared for some serious whiplash.

Curse of DarKastle was also new since my last visit. I've been on the Spiderman ride at IOA, and the technology here was equally as impressive. In addition, the haunted house theming worked very well with this type of attraction.

I guess I neglected to mention one last coaster. Grover's Alpine Express is in the new Forest of Fun kiddie area. Nothing at all spectacular, even for a kiddie / junior / family coaster.

Speaking of soaked, let's head over to Roman Rapids! This was the second wettest river raft ride that I've been on (the first being the one at Dorney Park, which left me beyond soaked). This one was almost as bad. I guess it depends on the luck of your seat (which was not the case at Dorney; no safe seats there), but I got completely nailed by the three consecutive waterfalls. It was very hot out, so I didn't particularly mind, but man was I drenched.

The drop was fun and the splash was perfect -- everyone got wet but not soaked.

Escape from Pompeii, on the other hand, was very good. While still on the short side, the theming was way cool (hot, actually).

Another nice view. The log ride was fun, but pretty short and probably not as themed as I would have expected from Busch Gardens. For whatever reason, it also had one of the longest waits we encountered during the visit.

This view looks a little different than it did in 2000.

On the topic of theming, I don't usually let people take my picture in these things, but this one made me laugh.

Alpengeist, a great example of a B&M invert. Great elements, great forces, great speed, great height, great theming.

One more.

Plus you've got to admit it's a very photogenic ride.

While probably my least favorite of the big five coasters, the Loch Ness Monster is such a classic and I'm glad to see it still going strong.

I've been on three other Arrow suspended coasters (Ninja, Iron Dragon, and XLR-8), and the Big Bad Wolf absolutely blows those out of the water. The final drop and out-of-control swooping turns that follow are part of the reason why. RIP BBW.

Such a shame that this ride no longer exists. At least I got MANY final rides in at the end of the day when there was no wait. Front-seat nighttime rides through the nearly pitch-black town and forest really were unequaled.

The reason for the visit.

And of course the finale, which was as fun to watch as to ride.

Following the drop, the ride became more pleasant than terrifying (but still great fun all the same). The loops were so smooth and the second drop was icing on the cake.

Such a great first drop.

This ride was so freakishly awesome. My first ride (of many) was of course in the front row, toward the side. The very steep lift hill, the slow turnaround approach to the drop, and the interminable pause dangling over the edge all had me trembling a little. Very few rides can do that anymore.

...Griffon, my first B&M dive coaster experience.

Apollo was my favorite ride when I visited the park in 2000. This time, though, it had to take a second-place spot behind...

Welcome to Busch Gardens! Apollo's Chariot greets us at the entrance.

We took a couple hours out from Busch Gardens to visit Go-Karts Plus, the family fun center also in Williamsburg. Additionally, as we flew into and out of Washington, D.C., rather than Virginia (much cheaper that way), we got to check out the nation's capital as well.

The Supreme Court. Anyway, time for our flight home. It was a fun trip. Thanks for reading.

The U.S. Capitol.

The Reflecting Pool.

Mr. Lincoln himself.

The Lincoln Memorial.

The Washington Monument.

Just a couple quick pics of D.C., as they're not really theme park related. Here's the White House.

The miniature golf course was kind of nice. It wasn't huge and there wasn't really any theming. But it was scenic, shaded, and relaxing.

And of course the more typical family fun center stuff. All bumper boats these days seem to have those evil water squirters.

...and also bumper cars.

Somewhat unique was the fact that this family fun center had a couple of amusement park flat rides as well. There was a Disk'O...

...as was the Figure 8 track.

Go-Karts Plus obviously empahsizes go-karts. There were four separate tracks, two for adults and two more for kids. The StocKarts was one of the adult tracks...

The Python Pit is the kiddie coaster at this park. I didn't whore myself out for this one, as I saw nobody else ride it the entire time I was there. It was operating, with a ride attendant waiting and willing, but I wasn't going to be the silly-looking adult riding the kiddie coaster all by myself. Notice the towels draped over the seats to keep them from baking in the sun.

A map of Go-Karts Plus. Not huge by any means, but pretty typical for a family fun center.

Great TR man! Glad you enjoyed yourself and was able to do BBW one (or 20) last time(s).

Its pretty crazy that it was cheaper to fly into DC than it was to Norfolk or Newport News/Williamsburg. Flights there are pretty cheap usually.

Nice TR!

I think the fact that Lochness is the least-good major coaster a BGE speaks to just how awesome the ride collection there is.

Nice TR. I especially like this shot:

Big Bad Wolf will be missed.

Great PTR! I am going to be going this year coming up... now I know what to watch out for, and what to ride the most! Alpengeist is one that I have been looking forward to for a long time. I love B&M's, and I got to ride Tampa's last year - loved every single second. I feel that Alpengeist will hit the high note there.

AND OMG... I LOVE THIS SHOT!!