Freezing Photo TR: Snowy Day at BGE

I woke up this morning and made a shocking discovery--for once, the local weather had accurately predicted snow for Williamsburg! Yes, we had a fair dusting by mid-morning, just enough to make things look kind of pretty (and kind of slushy when the mercury climbed up to the 40s this afternoon). The snow has all melted away, with the exception of a few shaded areas.

So, cold as it was, curiousity got the better of me, so I headed over the Euroburg to get some snow pics. After all, it's pretty rare to be in this park on a snowy day. It was really to cold to ride anything but DarKastle (ironically, the warmest place in the park was a spot that's "frozen in time"), but I did take a turn on the Big Bad Wolf because (go figure) there was hardly any line.

Did you know that following a snow shower, Wolfie is a water ride? The rubber cowling that hides the train's wheel collects snow, which eventually melts and drains out a small hole. Right into you face. Yes, each time the train rounded a curve, I was treated to 36-degree-minus-the-wind-chill factor shower, which resulted in a fine simulation of an ice-cream headache.

Apollo's Chariot and Alpengeist weren't running because the temps were below 40 when I was there (I imagine it wamed up enough later in the day), but low temps didn't stop Wolfie or Nessie.

Here's how it all looked.

Hmm--looks like they're freezing their balls in Festa Italia. More to come.

. . . and LeScoot.

. . . the Battering Ram, . . .

But there were hardy souls playing freeze-out on Escape from Pompei, . . .

Hmm--looks like they're not expecting a throng of people wanting to ride the Roman Rapids.

Apollo's Chariot was still closed.

I tried riding the train around the park, but could only make it as far as Festa Italia (wasn't wearing enough layers, I guess).

I wonder if these poor flowers survived?

Here's the view from the parking-lot bridge looking toward Ireland (Griffon in the background).

The England parking lot--the shelter on the left is for the Kingsmill Resort shuttle.

It was snowing here in Cincinnati...kinda depressing since it is Spring Break for me

These are great!

I can't believe the people riding the water rides...oh wait...

I can't imagine how weird it is to go from the fire room in Pompeii out to the snow!

More pics from Euroburg's White Easter.

And as the Killearney Sound Machine played me a fond farewell, I headed back to the main gate. Good day.

Hey, somebody get me outta the cold! I'm Huge Hummel Boy, damn it!

Step right up! Get your official Griffon stocking caps and gloves here!

Hi, folks! I'm Griffon, and I think you might want to come back when it's a bit warmer out--say, May 25. How do you like my new nets?

Sacre bleu, Pierre! It is a cold day to trap zee fur, no? Oui! And it is difficult to canoe up zis flower bed!

Here's the peaceful, snow-covered village that's terrorized by the brain-freezing Big Bad Wolf about every two minutes or so.

But Nessie, being a crazy Scot, is going for the gusto. (Well, she and Wolfie are built Arrow tough!)

O cruel irony! Alpengeist's theming has never looked better, yet it's too cold for it to run.

For once, King Ludwig his some real snow on his DarKastle.

Aghh! I got a Dole Whip brain freeze without the joy of eating Dole Whip!

Hey, I bet there's no line for BBW!

Nice TR Chuck! Seems like you got the same dose of opening day weather as the rest of us! (See SFKK TR from Rich)

No matter, by the time we see you at Williamsburg this summer, we'll only have to fear the Dole Whip brain freeze. But with our luck, we'll get jinxed with some tropical storm!

~ Melanie

Love the pictures, ive never seen snow before, so i cant imagine what its like riding a coaster in it.

Wow, I'm shocked you braved the weather today to get out to the park! I was there last night and it was cold, but still packed with people for the most part. I contemplated going today, but decided against it; I heard they opened at noon, and I figured that Alpie and Apollo wouldn't be running (under 40 degrees), so I stayed home.

I love that picture of Le Scoot! Bet you can't find many of those out there.

Nice TR.... BGE looks really cool in the snow. Would you mind uploading a high-res (zipped I guess) version of that BBW drop pic? Would make a kickass wall paper.

^Here's your wallpaper--if I did this correctly. Glad you liked the photo.

Snowy Wolfie Zip.zip

Vey entertaining TR, sorry to hear of your snowy misfortunes. Got some cool coasters-in-in-the-snow pics tho!

Nice TR, but to bad it was so cold out.

I laughed at the fact that even though Alpengiest was themed to the snowy mountains of the Alps, that it can't even run in snowy cold weather.

That is hillarious... kind of makes Cedar Fair look pretty darn smart to not open KI until the 21st. Usually, this would be opening weekend here, as well.

Shari

VERY cool pictures Chuck! I'd imagine it's rather unique to find these coasters running in the snow.

...well...at least the awesome, Arrow coasters!

Now I feel like such a wuss for complaining about 40-degree weather. Thanks for posting!

-Jahan

OMG the windchill factor alone would give anyone frostbite lol

That looked awesome! Would love to go to a theme park in the snow. Don't think i would be brave enough to go on any water rides though like those people. Don't want to risk getting some serious frostbite in any sensitive places

Good TR!

I love amusement parks in inclement weather. How I would have loved to ride those monsters in the snow! The best ride I have ever had on X was in freezing rain! It gives new meaning to the phrase, "Feeling the forces!"

God love Arrow for making manly rides that can run in anything. B&M is for pu$$ies! What I wouldn't give for some marathon airtime on Nitro during a blizzard! I imagine Apollo would be equally great in a white out!

I think if they ran it all 40+ degree weather for a full day, and then a blizzard came, if it would they still be able to run?

Chuck if it snows when I come up in a few weeks, I will freeze to death!!!! I'm a Floridian and we die in the cold! The funny thing is, that I have been dying to see snow forever (haven't seen snow since I was 8 years old living in New England). It would be cool to be at a park with snow, but I'm sure I wouldn't survive riding a coaster while it's snowing!

Eric

I wouldn't recommend riding BBW in the snow without a ski mask, Eric. B-r-r-r-r! Fortunately, the April snow was a fluke.

Pretty sweet to see that park with snow around.

I assume it was easy to keep the free beers cold today?

Gorgeous pictures! I've seen pictures of parks running in the snow, but never while it was snowing! It's so pretty! I can't believe how many rides were open! I especially love the picture with the people riding Le Scoot while it was snowing. True passion in a picture