Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[bill_sWhat's with the donkeys anyway?]

The Fun Card is kind of dethroned by EZ Pay .. payments spread monthly (no interest), free parking and passholder benefits, good all year and a whole year (or 2) whenever you buy it (wraps around), can be extended monthly (for example you can do 13 months and get in a week before KD opens 2 years in a row on one "year" pass). I probably wouldn't have a BG pass right now, but it's such an EZ temptation .

[KDcoasterMANFluffy, Fluffy, Donkeys Filled With Medicine and Goo!]

I have the EZ Pay 2-Year Season Pass which I purchased October of 2009 and it has been one of the best purchases I have ever made. There are allot of benefits to having the season pass for such a overall low average cost.

[braztazDon't make me kick you in the donkey!]

http://www.buschgardens.com/bgw/Explore/Rides.aspx?id=2042

Updated their ride page, the color scheme will apparently be blue and white.

[jedimaster1227Open Up Happiness]

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has sent us a press release about their expansion efforts...

Three years of research, strategic planning and guest feedback culminates this spring with the debut of new rides at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. Busch Gardens’ Mäch Tower℠ and Water Country USA’s Vanish Point℠ were announced Sept. 18 in front of 2,000 park fans inside Busch Gardens’ Das Festhaus. Fans also heard details of a completely rejuvenated Oktoberfest area that will feature a new restaurant, beer garden and performance spaces designed to complement Mäch Tower.

Contractors broke ground on both attractions last fall, and work is on schedule for completion this spring. Today, the sounds of heavy equipment emanate from inside the Williamsburg theme parks as jackhammers and bulldozers make way for the two new thrill rides.

Long before construction crews began working, Busch Gardens’ officials were hard at work researching how to enhance the guest experience. The strategic planning began more than three years ago for Mäch Tower and Vanish Point.

The decision to build one attraction over another comes down to consumer demand and what fits appropriately with the parks’ overall themes.

“When we develop a new attraction plan we look at what we’ve done in the past, what rides resonate with theme park goers today and what would make an appropriate addition to the parks’ future,” said Larry Giles, vice president of design and engineering at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. “After taking several inspirational, fact-finding trips to theme parks around the world, and gauging the interests of our guests, we decided 2011 was a perfect time to introduce new thrill rides at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA, and to rejuvenate Oktoberfest village.”

Once the project was selected, the team put together pictorials with a proposed full-color scheme and design. They also produced videos simulating the ride experience. The proposal was then presented to focus groups comprised of people who have visited the parks, and people who have never experienced Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.
Focus groups provide a test for an idea that can be used to make adjustments based on the group’s reaction. Phrases like, “I can’t wait,” and, “My kids will love it,” were typical reactions about the possibility of a Mäch Tower and a Vanish Point-like ride.

“Focus group attendees typically reference their kid’s enjoyment when evaluating rides and experiences,” Giles said. “That’s how we know we are on the right track.”
Guests will get their chance to experience Mäch Tower and Vanish Point this spring. Until then, fans can visit www.facebook.com/BuschGardens for the latest news and construction updates for Mäch Tower. Water Country USA fans can visit www.facebook.com/WaterCountryUSA for Vanish Point information.

[palmerleeberryDonkeys are my way of life!]

Upon reading the discussion thread to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, I noticed this little statement from netdvn:

I was at BGW two weeks ago for a job fair and saw no traces of construction except for the scrambler sitting in the employee lot.

Is Busch Gardens Willamsburg taking out the scrambler ride (called "Da Katapult) so the Mach Tower can take it's place? Will the Scrambler be moved to a new area of the park, or is it gone for good?

"Hey, I'm not gone for good here, so lay your head on me!

[alpengeist04Why do I still have a donkey title???]

^ Yes, it will have a new home in another area of the park in 2011.

[Mr BungleI Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

^
Good to know. The scrambler is one of my favorites!

[cfcI've gone pantless!]

That old Scrambler gets around. This latest move will mark its third new location in park, unless there's one I missed.

[SaldekHave I mentioned how awesome donkeys are?]

^Make that four locations for Catapult in BGW.

First location - indoors in Hastings where the Sesame Street dinner theater is now in Killarney.
Second location - Festa Italia in the games tent from when that section opened in 1988 until around 93/94.
Third location - Oktoberfest.
Fourth - New home this year in the old Canadian Pavilion in New France.

[carolinacaniac"Excuse me, miss, may I pound my large rooster into your donkey?"]

Who is planning on going to Passholder day this year? I wouldn't mind catching up with a few folks from TPR at somepoint during the day.