Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

^I was at the park for a few hours early this evening, but I didn't time the wait for Verbolten with five trains. It broke down long enough for me to grab a pretzel dog and a beer (about 15 minutes). Mach Tower was down again, and Alpengeist was out of action, as well, with a train stuck on the lifthill.

[DBruI will provide you with maximum pleasure.]

Oh my geez, I tried my first pretzel dog at Disneyland last month and it will now be a must-do at "destination" parks. Heavenly.

[bull24471This B&M donkey is so smooth!]

Are they hard style pretzel or soft style? Going down to BGW in August hoping to hit the park on a everything is running day....

^Soft-style pretzel. Both rides may be back up by today, for all I know.

[bull24471This B&M donkey is so smooth!]

Think I have had a pretzel dog out in Wisconsin at a truck stop in 2010 when I was over the road driving. If I just get one ride on Verbolten in August I will be happy.

^I think you'll be fine. I kid Verbolten, but it seems more dependable now that it was in June.

Oh my geez, I tried my first pretzel dog at Disneyland last month and it will now be a must-do at "destination" parks. Heavenly.

They sell them in the pretzel bakery next to Mach Tower (across from Verbolten).

BGW and Water Country USA are running some new promotions for the second half of summer.

BUSCH GARDENS AND WATER COUNTRY USA INTRODUCE NEW SUMMER SAVINGS
Williamsburg, Va. (July 23, 2012)—Busch Gardens and Water Country USA announced two offers today featuring even more ways for Virginia residents to save while visiting the Williamsburg theme parks.

For a limited time, Busch Gardens is offering an online only $50 twilight ticket, a complimentary dinner entrée and a non-alcoholic beverage good after 3 p.m. through Sept. 3. It is the perfect opportunity to visit Busch Gardens during the evening to enjoy cooler temperatures and experience the park’s summer celebration event, IllumiNights, a nightly extravaganza featuring live performances, music and special effects that culminates in a park-wide firework spectacular [IllumiNights closes for the season Aug. 19]. Park guests also can brave the Black Forest aboard Verbolten, the park’s new multi-launch roller coaster.

“The twilight offer is a great way to visit Busch Gardens when the temperatures are cooler and the lines are shorter,” said Dan Dipiazzo, vice president of marketing for Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. “Guests can enjoy all the park has to offer, plus a delicious dinner at one of our signature restaurants, and get it all for the lowest price of the season.”

Virginia residents can cool off and save $20 on a single-day ticket to Water Country USA. The mid-Atlantic’s largest water park features resort-style amenities, up-close animal encounters and more than 30 state-of-the-art water attractions including Vanish Point, where riders choose between two wicked-wet ways to drop out of sight.

“We’re fortunate to have one of the top 20 water parks in the world right here in Virginia,” Dipiazzo said. “We want to give all of our neighbors the chance to experience it during these hot summer days at a great savings.”

Consumers wanting to purchase the Busch Gardens’ twilight ticket and entrée, or the Water Country USA summer savings offer must visit buschgardens.com/va or watercountryusa.com.

BGW's Wolf Pups Media Day

Wolf Valley at Busch Gardens Williamsburg has three new pack mates this year—pups from Colorado and Idaho named Boise, Beo, and Kaya. The park gave the media an up-close look at their new additions, providing access to the two of the pups, Beo and Kaya, in their Wolf Valley habitat on Friday, August 10, 2012.

This is the first time the park has let someone other than trainers walk around in Wolf Valley, and it was a very enjoyable experience getting close to the pups as they played and circled around us. “Wolves are an incredible animal,” said Jay Tacey, the park’s manager of zoological operations. “But they are also one of the most misunderstood.” For example, despite the wolf’s reputation in fairy tales and folklore as a sinister, vicious predator that threatens young children, there is no known instance of a wild wolf killing a human being.

Wolves were also found to be a "keystone species" when they were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park. Many species of plants, which had been long absent, started flourishing when the wolves returned. Why? Because the wolves kept other animals (their prey) on the move, rather than allowing them to overgraze areas of the park.

Beo and Kaya are, indeed, very inquisitive, friendly pups who seem to enjoy the company of humans. They came to the park from an animal-care facility in Colorado, and according to their trainers, were very happy to meet new people when they were adopted by Busch Gardens. This is notable, as wolves tend to develop a fear of humans when they reach 10 to 14 days of age, according to Jay Tacey.

Boise wasn’t with his new pack mates today, but his story is a bit different from theirs. Boise is a rescue animal who was found, in poor health, wandering down a road in Ketchum, Idaho. Some passersby, thinking he was someone’s dog, took him to a local vet. The average lifespan of a wolf in the wild is about four years.

Boise is comfortable among his pack mates, but still a little skittish around people. He’ll eventually join the others in Wolf Valley, once he becomes more acclimated. Wolves are a social animal and tend to be more successful in groups.

My thanks to BGW for this close-up look at their newest residents.

[buckaroo234Holy crap you have a HUGE donkey!]

i think my heart grew three sizes just now due to the cute overload. Or maybe that was the 2 pizzas i just ate blocking the blood from leaving. Who knows.

Either way. great update Chuck, and thanks BGW for letting him get the adorable pics.

[Stitch_101Holy crap you have a HUGE donkey!]

I have been to BGW 3 times and have never stopped to check out Wolf Valley...I think my next trip there I should rectify that. Too cute!