Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[cfcI've gone pantless!]

Went over to the park for the last day of Verbolten Passholder ERT--in a shocking development, Verbolten was down but Mach Tower was running. One of the attendants mentioned that someone from Zierer was here to further troubleshoot Verbolten. They gave all the Passholders waiting there Verbolten one-time exit passes, which can be used anytime during the rest of the season.

A big storm blew through Williamsburg last night, and a large tree went down in Da Vinci's Garden; fortunately, it doesn't appear to have damaged anything, but that section was closed until the tree can be cut up and hauled away. (A crew was working on it, so I imagine the section of the park will be up and running later today, if it isn't aleady.)

[grimbyI Love Donkeys!]

If there is one thing that Busch Gardens Williamsburg needs to focus less on, it's the animals and wildlife side shows. Who really cares for it? I think we can all agree that it is largely a waste of time and especially money that could be used as CASH to upgrade the park and invest in new rides.

[SpideyfreakHave I mentioned how awesome donkeys are?]

^What?!

One of the things that make Busch and Seaworld unique is the fact that they focus on animals and conservation.

[grimbyI Love Donkeys!]

^ Now, come on. Think about this little situation: The management team at Busch has a meeting one afternoon and decide to make some changes to the place.
These are the options:
1) Do away with all the rides.
or
2) Do away with all the animal type things.
In a moment of inspiration the top team choose to put it to an online public internet voting system.
2 weeks pass....The Results!!
By 99.999% majority vote the winner is "We are keepin the rides!"
Who would kid themselves to think that this situation isn't exactly how it would play out?

P.S. .001% margin of error!!

So SEAworld without the SEA animals would be what then... Ridetown?

Why would they only have those two options? Why not just get rid of the animals, tear out the rides, and build a giant mall with apartments nearby?

I guess the THOUSANDS of visitors that go to those parks to see the animals are kidding themselves too.

^^ Funny you mention that.

I went to Sea World last year, and while all the rides were walk ons, even the 2 year old Manta, Penguin Encounter, Dolphins, the Shark area all had lines to enter. All of the shows had full audiences, but all the rides were walk on? I went to Busch Gardens Europe the summer of 09, yet, all the rides were walk on? I also went to Busch Gardens Africa summer 09, and all of the rides were still walk on!

Maybe I just happened to have visited on some really, really good days. But by my past experience, the rides and coasters at many of the Busch Garden and Sea World parks tended to be really short. After all, the parks started off as zoos and aquariums, not theme parks.

[A.J.Counts I305 as 32 credits...]

^ Now, come on.

Now, come on!

Parks like the Seaworld/Busch parks are more about the experiences than the rides. That's why the Cheetah Run exhibit was built along Cheetah Hunt. That's why Verbolten has a fantastically themed and detailed indoor section. That's why there are Festhaus shows. That's why Busch Gardens Williamsburg consistently earns the title of "most beautiful theme park". It's all about providing the best and most complete experience for their guests. I think that Busch Gardens Williamsburg is the most complete park experience that you can get in a place that isn't called California or Florida, and it's all because they pay just as much attention to the other attractions and exhibits in the park as much as their rides.

^ Now, come on. Think about this little situation: The management team at Busch has a meeting one afternoon and decide to make some changes to the place.
These are the options:
1) Do away with all the rides.
or
2) Do away with all the animal type things.
In a moment of inspiration the top team choose to put it to an online public internet voting system.
2 weeks pass....The Results!!
By 99.999% majority vote the winner is "We are keepin the rides!"
Who would kid themselves to think that this situation isn't exactly how it would play out?

P.S. .001% margin of error!!

Hmmm.... trolling perhaps?

First of all the animal exhibits at BGW only take up a small area between Killarney (Ireland) and Acquitaine (France) and features wolves and eagles along with the animal show theater. That area is also a nice, quiet respite from the rest of the park. It's also a bit hilly so you couldn't just throw a couple of rides there.

Busch Gardens isn't all about rides and shows. They also focus on and bring awareness to conservation as well.

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

If there is one thing that Busch Gardens Williamsburg needs to focus less on, it's the animals and wildlife side shows. Who really cares for it? I think we can all agree that it is largely a waste of time and especially money that could be used as CASH to upgrade the park and invest in new rides.

You must be trolling...

If anything BGW needs more animal exhibits to make it a more well-rounded park. Flat-wise the park isn't impressive (BGT and SWO are even worse on the flats). Animal-wise, the park desperately needs more exhibits. Three large exhibits and a small eagle perch underneath Griffon isn't really gonna cut it.