Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[Pun_MachineWhat's with the donkeys anyway?]

Man, did they reduce the spinning even more than before? The last time i rode it it felt like it only spun once or twice. I like that they've added the effects back in that part got really lame lately... i could do without the preshow. It's a great ride, if only there was some magic to make that line shorter.

[cfcI've gone pantless!]

The "drink" excuse seems, um, odd.

It's cool they're finally have effect in the fireplace scene, though, as I always thought that part needed something, other than thinking to yourself, "hey, we're in a fireplace!".

dt

I was thinking that they should at least paint the walls to look like stone and maybe have some flames projected on them. It is the weakest part of an otherwise good dark ride.

[megametalWhich came first the turtle or the donkey?]

I always expected them to have intense heat at that part sort of like the temperature control part of Test Track at EPCOT. Sucks that the spinning is gone. Was the best part of the ride to me. Not that excited to ride it again without it.

[Pun_MachineWhat's with the donkeys anyway?]

I always expected them to have intense heat at that part sort of like the temperature control part of Test Track at EPCOT.

Correct me if i'm wrong but they used to do that didn't they? Like the first few seasons it was open if i recall. I feel like there used to be some effect, at the least some orange light and a blast of air, but i seem to remember it being hotter as you entered the fireplace.

[vdejarnetteI Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

From that picture it looks like individual footings, not one single mat.

What you are seeing are the concrete pedestals that extend from the foundation, those concrete pedestals are not the foundation. Think of them more as short concrete columns meant to transfer the load to the foundation. The foundation itself is below water and not visible. There is literally not enough space between the pedestals for each one to have its own spread foundation (or pile supported spread foundation). They are typically a minimum of 3'x3' Length by Width.

The other option would be they are each founded on single piles or caissons... However, there is a minimum spacing required between piles or caissons to avoid what is called "group effect", which is just a fancy way of saying that if the piles are spaced too closely together they will not act individually and their combined strength will be less than the sum of their individual capacities (usually approximately 3x the pile diameter)... From eyeballing the dimensions, it does not seem to be met in the previously posted photo( If they are caisson's then they would have to be almost as wide (in diameter) as the concrete cap at the top are almost touching in many cases.

Below is a typical spread footing sketch...



That widest section at the bottom is the footing, nothing else. The rest is considered a pedestal or pier.

[cfcI've gone pantless!]

I always expected them to have intense heat at that part sort of like the temperature control part of Test Track at EPCOT.

Correct me if i'm wrong but they used to do that didn't they? Like the first few seasons it was open if i recall. I feel like there used to be some effect, at the least some orange light and a blast of air, but i seem to remember it being hotter as you entered the fireplace.

They've restored the blast of mist ("smoke") as you enter the fireplace.

[esvadjWhat would donkeys be like on the moon?]

Well it is official:

via Busch Gardens official Facebook

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: The wait is over for Verbolten. Our new multi-launch, indoor/outdoor roller coaster will open Friday, May 18.

[jedimaster1227Open Up Happiness]

http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/Media-Room/Press-Releases/04_2012/Verbolten-Opening

Busch Gardens announced today Verbolten, the park’s new multi-launch, indoor/outdoor roller coaster, will open Friday, May 18. Guests and coaster enthusiasts alike have been anticipating the opening of this one-of-a-kind roller coaster since the project was announced in September of 2010.

“The combination of hard work and a mild winter has put us right on track for a May 18 opening,” said Larry Giles, Busch Gardens’ vice president of engineering. “We can’t wait to debut the largest roller coaster project in the park’s 37-year history.”

Many unique design elements await guests on Verbolten including two high-speed launches that propel riders into and out of the Black Forest, a breathtaking free-fall element and a nearly 90-foot traditional coaster drop over Busch Gardens’ Rhine River. Verbolten features the most immersive ride experience of any ride Busch Gardens has ever created, and it will make guests feel like they are part of the Verbolten story.

Verbolten is the capstone attraction of a two-year rejuvenation project in Busch Gardens’ Oktoberfest village. Mach Tower, the park’s 240-foot drop tower, joins the launch coaster as the park’s newest thrill attractions. They join an award-winning pretzel restaurant and new performance spaces that also opened in 2011. This year’s addition of Entwined: Tales of Good and Grimm, a new show performed inside Das Festhaus, completes the park’s Oktoberfest transformation. For more information on Verbolten, visit http://www.verbolten.com.

[cfcI've gone pantless!]

Speaking of Verbolten, I spent a few hours of this very pleasant Easter Sunday at the park. Although I have no idea what's been going on in the show building, the park has been adding more touches to the station's elaborate theming, as well as some landscaping.

Care to have a look?

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

I saw those new t-shirts yesterday in the Alpengeist gift shop. I kinda thought they'd bring back "Defy the 5". I do love those designs though. The QR one looks interesting.

I also caught a glimpse of Entwined. It was a nice show, although I wish it was a bit darker. Feels like a replacement for "Castle O Sullivan" instead of "This is Oktoberfest"