Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

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

Millennium Force can't be called MILF... Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor already has that nickname copyrighted with the theme park nerds.

Back to Williamsburg, I hope the park does A LOT more landscaping throughout the ride course, event building, and bridge/drop... the area around it isn't looking too "most beautiful theme park in the world"ish at the moment.

Or is it because of the other thing it stands for?

Back to Williamsburg, I hope the park does A LOT more landscaping throughout the ride course, event building, and bridge/drop... the area around it isn't looking too "most beautiful theme park in the world"ish at the moment.

Remember, up until a week or two ago, there were still cranes and other pieces of equipment parked next to that section of the ride.

I remember watching old 8mm footage my Dad shot of Tom Sawyer's Island at Disneyland back in the 1950s. That island was practically bald, and you could see the burning settler's cabin from all sides.

Let's be a bit patient and give BGW a chance to do the landscaping around Verbolten before we start complaining about it.

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

^ I've been looking at photos when Big Bad Wolf opened and the ride had very little tree coverage, at least compared to its last season. The trees are starting to really come in around Griffon too.

[kmshimfeI Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

I plan on going this Saturday to check out Verbolten. What can I expect in terms of crowds both at Verbolten and other attractions? The next two days can't go by fast enough!

[SharkTumsSite Admin]

^Saturday with the opening of a big new ride, I would expect big crowds.

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

^^ I'm heading to the park on Friday and expecting pretty long lines. Saturday will be tremendously ridiculous!

[Guy T. KoeppNow with Extra Retarded Flavor]

^The only such nickname I've ever cared for was "Nessie" for the Loch Ness Monster.

I've always been partial to Loc N' Ster

[esvadjWhat would donkeys be like on the moon?]

^The only such nickname I've ever cared for was "Nessie" for the Loch Ness Monster.

I've always been partial to Loc N' Ster

I call it POP n' Loc N' Ster

Verbolten Blogger Media Day
As I think at least a few of you are aware, Busch Gardens Williamsburg “officially” opens their newest attraction, Verbolten, tomorrow (May 18). But, as usual, there are plenty of “pre-opening” festivities, including today’s event, the “Verbolten Blogger Media Day” (May 17).

The park actually held a media day for print and television on May 16, but set aside a separate day for the online audience, which was a bit more low key. There was no initial “press conference,” or any speeches, but members of the Busch management team were available for interviews, and everyone had a chance for a personal video on Verbolten, complete with audio for commentary (riders will be able to purchase a more “standard” silent onride video when Verbolten opens).

There were some sound glitches with the video, which required pretty much the whole group to shoot an extra one, which won’t be available until tonight. But, what the heck, that just gave everyone a chance to ride multiple times—and possibly experience each of the ride’s three “storylines,” as I did.

So, how is Verbolten? Before I launch into my opinion, here are a few facts about the ride. Enthusiasts like facts, don’t they?

Ride Manufacturer: Zierer (Deggendorf, Germany)
Type of Ride: Multi-launch coaster
Special Features: Two launches, environmental theme elements, sound and light effects, high speed turns, free fall drop, and an 88-foot final drop to the water.
Track Length: 2,835 feet
Maximum Speed: 53 mph
Ride Duration: 90 seconds
Seats/Train: 5 trains, 16 seats per train
Ride Height Requirement: 48 inches
Location: Busch Gardens Oktoberfest Village

In fact, this ride marks the end of BGW’s “revamp” of Oktoberfest.

As for the ride itself, I think the park got what it wanted: a very enjoyable “family” coaster to replace the old Big Bad Wolf (only with a taller height requirement—the same as for the Loch Ness Monster). The launched sections are quite forceful—you really feel the “kick” in the back row (which also has a few more pops of airtime than the front, as you’d expect).

The enclosed “Black Forest” section is very disorienting—nice and dark, with some excellent lighting and sound effects. I think the “Wolf” story works best, thanks to its strong use of sound (howls, snarls, and snapping tree branches). The drop section seems to pack more punch than what they have at Legoland in Denmark, even though it only freefalls about 15 feet or so.

Sound also comes into play on the ride’s “collapsing bridge” finale, which should be particularly effective after dark.

As for the “rattle” and “roughness” some noted during last weekend’s “technical rehearsals,” the only place where I encountered this was in the very back—and it still wasn’t as “rough” as the old Big Bad Wolf used to be. No, I wouldn’t call this a “rough” ride at all, although I prefer the front seat to the back (mainly for the view). For me, this was a coaster that got better the more times I rode it.

Here's a look at what went on--if I can just get my car started . . .


Click to download video to your computer or iPod/iPhone



Verbolten On-Ride Video:

YouTube Videolink


Verbolten POV:

YouTube Videolink

[TXman308I teach at the school of donkey!]

Nice report. Can't wait for the POV/commentary. Was I the only one who thought Gunter was going to be a really fat person? Guess I was wrong.