Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[SaldekHave I mentioned how awesome donkeys are?]

The local ABC station went behind the scenes at BGW to show the maintenance work that goes on in the off-season.

http://www.wvec.com/news/behind-the-scenes-Busch-Gardens-115668119.html

I didn't know that the rides operate 24/7.
In all seriousness, I love videos like this that educate the GP on what goes on during the off-season.

[PayneTrainI know quite a lot about Donkeys!]

Protip: sometimes, the old, old entrance/staff entrance off of Route 60 will have someone staffed there, and if you have a Platinum Pass or are willing to pay for preferred parking in England, it's a safe bet. I never had to try it last year, so I don't know if that closing was a trickle-down from ownership change.

[T-BONDIcoasterkidI wrote the book about donkeys!]

I am going to BGW in march or april! I wonder if Mach Tower will be open? Either way I will get 2 new coaster credits!(Alpengeist and Griffon) I will then have 25 credits!!!

[cfcI've gone pantless!]

Protip: sometimes, the old, old entrance/staff entrance off of Route 60 will have someone staffed there, and if you have a Platinum Pass or are willing to pay for preferred parking in England, it's a safe bet. I never had to try it last year, so I don't know if that closing was a trickle-down from ownership change.

I wouldn't recommend doing this. The old entrance is meant for staff and tour buses (they also use it for media days), and I doubt the park would look kindly on others trying to use it.

[SaldekHave I mentioned how awesome donkeys are?]

^I wouldn't recommend it either.

There is usually one person checking staff/employee ID's and another for bus parking. And many times just one person doing both.

They don't need a bunch of passholders thinking they have the privilege to use that entrance. That could end up being a traffic gridlock on busy days preventing key employees from getting to work. I have a friend that worked there the past two years that I've given rides to work and that one gate can get busy just for employees, especially around park opening.

[robbalveySite Admin]

Protip: sometimes, the old, old entrance/staff entrance off of Route 60 will have someone staffed there, and if you have a Platinum Pass or are willing to pay for preferred parking in England, it's a safe bet. I never had to try it last year, so I don't know if that closing was a trickle-down from ownership change.

I wouldn't recommend doing this. The old entrance is meant for staff and tour buses (they also use it for media days), and I doubt the park would look kindly on others trying to use it.

Agreed.

[bill_sWhat's with the donkeys anyway?]

^Yes, all you need is your pass.

Now if the weather is nice that day be sure to get there EARLY! The parking lot entrance can get gridlocked all the way up the ramp to I-64.

On pass member preview day or just some Saturdays? That's some "special" if that's the case ;( ... but then I think Opening Sunday was bad enough in 2009 that I didn't go back until August ...

[cfcI've gone pantless!]

^I'm not sure what you mean by "That's some 'special.'" If you get there before opening, you'll be fine. And, yes, if you wait until, say, noon on a Saturday, you'll probably encounter the parking-lot traffic jam.

[ToTheMax012I teach at the school of donkey!]

I'm really excited about going this year. I usually go during Richmond race weekend in Sept. and its usually dead.