Chuck's Busch Gardens Williamsburg Thread

As many of you TPR oldtimers are probably aware, I live in Williamsburg and go out to BGW fairly often during the spring, summer, and fall. Sometimes, I feel like doing a full-blown photo TR; other times, I don't.

So, in the spirit of the SFMM updates thread, I'm starting a wee update thread of my own, rather than starting a separate thread for each visit or park event (such as Howl-o-Scream and Christmas Town). Sometimes, I'll impart useful information. Sometimes, mindless nonsense. Oftentimes, a bit of both.

So, where to begin? How about with one of my standard Sunday visits, say, April 19, 2009? It was the last day of spring break, and the park was bustling with, well, spring breakers, tourists, and lots and lots of school bands and swing choirs (there was a competition going on).

I made my usual lap around the park, hitting all the coasters and DarKastle and getting a bite to eat. There are some new restaurants for 2009, so I checked 'em out.

Let's have a look, shall we?

Doesn't mean that everybody's going to use it, though. Later, folks.

I ambled by the Forest of Fun on my way out. BG did set up a "stroller-parking" area.

Hmm--after that, I think a good scourging by fire, followed by a nice rinse, might be a good idea.

As you can see, cleaning up a "protein spill" is a highly compex, technical procedure involving trained professionals.

"Houston, we have a problem."

Everybody acting like idiots for the camera? Good.

Well, what's the other "special" ride up to? Hard to believe it's been ten years.

The dogwoods! They're waiting for you! Fools!

My God! Those people are being swallowed by a carnivorous Virginia dogwood!

I'm glad they're putting this room to some use. It does offer a nice alternative to the other Festhaus offerings, at least.

And don't forget dessert. (I can personally vouche for the Sesame Street cupcakes--they rule.)

. . . beer (well, in this case, stout).

Let's go in. You can buy coffee, sandwiches on "artisan" bread (everybody's gotta have "artisan" bread these days), salads, and, of course . . .

Well, there is this replacement for the Brewmaster's Club.

But what else is new in Germany?

Party on, BBW!

These folks are ready to party with Wolfie. With three-train operation, this line takes about 20 minutes, unless you want the front seat.

Time to celebrate 25 years of wolfiness.

Here we see a demonstration of an old German custom--balancing a Pepsi can on your knee. Yes, the residents of the small German village of Das Pepsistein perform this ritual for hours at a time, after a rousing session of slap dancing.

Well, let's hope the skyride and see what's happening in Germany.

Or faraway and still kind of personal (if you use a zoom lens).

As a bonus, you get some nice views of Griffon, up close and personal.

. . . mini corn dogs! (This one had a little nose, so I named him "Snooty"--right before I ate him.) They should sell these things by the bagful--they're great!

The chicken was kind of dry, and the veggies were standard frozen stuff. But there is a salad bar and whole bunch of other stuff, such as cheese tortellini in butter sauce, pulled-pork BBQ, waffle fries, various desserts, and this, the real star of the show . . .

"Bistro" is French for "buffet," you know. (Come to think of it, "buffet" is French for "buffet.") It's all you can eat, and the price was a little over $18 with a drink (and a passholder's discount).

OK, here's the story. Back in the day, this was a fried-chicken joint called "La Coque d'Or." It shut down one season, and reopened as a sitdown restaurant sans chicken: the "LeMans Bistro." Well, along comes Griffon, and LeMans goes away. So, now we have the "Bistro 205." And what's on the menu again? Fried chicken! (All is round.)

Griffon was going by the time I got off 'Geist--and the single-rider line was nearly empty! Woo hoo!

Usually, Germany doesn't open until 11:00 (I was there around 10:30). But BGW opened Alpengeist early because Griffon was having some issues that morning.

Yep--happy dangly feet!

. . . or not. Let's try Alpengeist.

Usually, I start with Griffon . . .

And Hummel Boy is a very busy man, as you can tell from his umbrella, bulging carpet bag, and look of steely determination.

The tourists are bustling and hustling and tripping and running and jumping.

The dogwoods are blooming.

Ah, spring in Virginia at last!

Edited July 12, 2014 by cfc

Electerik · April 22, 2009

Dammit, Chuck, you stole my idea! Er...except not for Virginia.

Anyway, I think an ongoing thread for this sort of thing makes a lot more sense than, "Here are all the places I'm going to visit this year."

And I do so enjoy your BGE updates.

griffon · April 22, 2009

Festhaus Kaffee? How is that pronounced?

Nice report man, I'll get down to the burg sometime soon. Too much pollen right now

speedmetal · April 22, 2009

Question about the Bistro. When we went you had to make a reservation to eat there. Is it that way or am I thinking of another place?

It's nice to know that other people take pictures of their food. We are not alone.

cfc · April 22, 2009

^I just walked in on Sunday. When is was the LeMans Bistro, they took reservations (or at least had a host or hostess). Now it's more like Golden Corral with a cashier up front.

montezooma · April 22, 2009

This is a great idea Chuck. BGW is definitely worthy of a ongoing discussion thread similar to the SFMM one.

So I have something for discussion: Why do they not interlock the trains on Loch Ness anymore? If they are only running two trains can't they still time it so they interlock occasionally? It seems like such a waste not to use the EXCELLENT visual opportunity every now and again.

Mark Rosenzweig · April 22, 2009

This is a great idea Chuck. BGW is definitely worthy of a ongoing discussion thread similar to the SFMM one.

So I have something for discussion: Why do they not interlock the trains on Loch Ness anymore? If they are only running two trains can't they still time it so they interlock occasionally? It seems like such a waste not to use the EXCELLENT visual opportunity every now and again.

Shane, I've wondered the same thing. I'm sure Chuck or someone else local to the park can answer for sure, but here's my theory-

I believe the trims prior to entering the helix/lair were originally designed to be mid course safety/block brakes capable of stopping a train if need be.

If lift one is running at the same speed as lift two and a train is dispatched from the station as soon as the one ahead of it clears the top of the lift, you will have trains meet in the interlocking loops.

Today, they have slowed down the speed of lift one to a crawl such that when a train is navigating the lower/second of the interlocking loops, the train before it is just dropping off of lift one (and in the best scenerio is just starting to plunge down the first drop as the train ahead of it is exiting the second loop and heading up to the ready brakes before the station.

Theory? The trims before the helix/lair are no longer used as safety/block brakes. Instead, now the second lift is used as the mid course safety/block. If a train is stacked ahead of it outside the station, you'll simply stop at the top of lift two until it clears.

This gives the crew a little more time to dispatch the train in the station as the first lift has been slowed down, but has also resulted in the trains meeting in the interlocking loops now not being possible.

Just my two cents- interested to hear from a local on this one...

cfc · April 22, 2009

^Apparently, engineers at BGW came to believe that having two trains in the loops at the same time put too much stress on the structure. That's why they adjusted the lifthills to ensure that it can't be done (at least not easily). Jeff (pdkcoaster) can explain this better than I can (in fact, he's the one who shared this info with me).

I agree that it's a shame that we'll never see two trains in the loops again (that's what Arrow designed it for), but I'm not an engineer.

ctriceman · April 22, 2009

Great TR, I can't wait to try that new buffet by gryphon.

STR8FXXXINEDGE · April 22, 2009

Hey Chuck, seeing as how you seem to be the BGW expert, I have a few questions for you.

1. I'm going sometime around mid June. This is one of my most anticipated parks and I want to see and do everything! Is it possible to relax and see and do everything in one day around this time, or should I stay for two days? I know you can't foretell the future, but I would guess that you know what the crowds are generally like all season.

2. I'm taking my Mom and she can't walk too well, so I usually rent her a wheelchair or amigo. How wheelchair or amigo friendly is the park? I remember seeing a ton of stairs in someones TR.

I know that I had more questions but for some reason I can't remember them right now. I'll ask others if I can think of them.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. I always love your BGW TR's!

Mark Rosenzweig · April 22, 2009

^Apparently, engineers at BGW came to believe that having two trains in the loops at the same time put too much stress on the structure. That's why they adjusted the lifthills to ensure that it can't be done (at least not easily). Jeff (pdkcoaster) can explain this better than I can (in fact, he's the one who shared this info with me).

I agree that it's a shame that we'll never see two trains in the loops again (that's what Arrow designed it for), but I'm not an engineer.

Aren't the two loops independent of one another structure-wise?

cfc · April 22, 2009

Hey Chuck, seeing as how you seem to be the BGW expert, I have a few questions for you.

1. I'm going sometime around mid June. This is one of my most anticipated parks and I want to see and do everything! Is it possible to relax and see and do everything in one day around this time, or should I stay for two days? I know you can't foretell the future, but I would guess that you know what the crowds are generally like all season.

2. I'm taking my Mom and she can't walk too well, so I usually rent her a wheelchair or amigo. How wheelchair or amigo friendly is the park? I remember seeing a ton of stairs in someones TR.

I know that I had more questions but for some reason I can't remember them right now. I'll ask others if I can think of them.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. I always love your BGW TR's!

1. Are you visiting on a weekday? If so, you can probably squeeze in all the major attractions without much trouble. The park can be a bit of a zoo on Saturdays, though. I would allow a day-and-a-half if you and your Mom want to take in all the shows.

2. You can avoid the stairs that run between the Loch Ness Monster and Germany (they're basically a short cut). But the park's terrain is very hilly between Ireland and France (not so much if you go through Italy to Germany and France). She should be able to get by on a scooter just fine (although you will have to negotiate some stairs to get to the Rhine River Cruise).

PS--And thank you. You've given me an idea for another segment--BGW and the Mobility Impaired.

BTW--you can download the park's guide for the disabled here.

montezooma · April 22, 2009

UGH...I am not a fan of these so-called "engineers" they take all the fun out of stuff. It is also these engineers that say Revolution needs over the shoulder restraints and that Colossus can't handle two trains racing...and now they are saying that the two trains in the loops at the same time put two much stress on the ride? Boo Hiss

PKI Jizzman · April 22, 2009

You can NEVER go wrong with a BGE Chuck report!

Although, my favorite was the waterslide POV We need more of that!

See ya at KI!

-Zach

cfc · April 22, 2009

^Thank you, Zach.

^^Yeah, stupid engineers, screwin' up our fun and photo ops.

STR8FXXXINEDGE · April 22, 2009

1. Are you visiting on a weekday? If so, you can probably squeeze in all the major attractions without much trouble. The park can be a bit of a zoo on Saturdays, though. I would allow a day-and-a-half if you and your Mom want to take in all the shows.

2. You can avoid the stairs that run between the Loch Ness Monster and Germany (they're basically a short cut). But the park's terrain is very hilly between Ireland and France (not so much if you go through Italy to Germany and France). She should be able to get by on a scooter just fine (although you will have to negotiate some stairs to get to the Rhine River Cruise).

PS--And thank you. You've given me an idea for another segment--BGW and the Mobility Impaired.

BTW--you can download the park's guide for the disabled here.

Thanks for the info, Chuck!

We are definitely going to BGW on a weekday. I'm just not sure which one yet. I've been trying to plan everything out, but it just hasn't come together yet. It looks like I'm going to miss the $59.95 Discovery Ticket. Bummer!

If they do have the Amigos, it sounds like that would definitely be the way to go. I remember pushing her around Dorney and SFOG in a wheelchair. I thought I was going to pass out!

She can do some stairs as long as she takes breaks, so I don't think the River Cruise should be a problem. She just can't walk long distances for a long period of time, and hills just about kill her.

We are also going to Kings Dominion, Six Flags America, Carowinds, and possibly Camden and maybe some other smaller parks. We'll see how much time we have, and how much everything is going to cost.

This is probably going to be my last big trip till I'm done with school, so I wanna go all out!

I like the idea for the new segment. It could most definitely come in handy for some families.

Thanks again for the info!

If you have any other tips or suggestions, I'd be more than happy to hear them.

netdvn · April 23, 2009

UGH...I am not a fan of these so-called "engineers" they take all the fun out of stuff. It is also these engineers that say Revolution needs over the shoulder restraints and that Colossus can't handle two trains racing...and now they are saying that the two trains in the loops at the same time put two much stress on the ride? Boo Hiss

As much as I hate the fact that BGE doesn't bother to run both trains in LNM's loops, you have to admit that the ride IS 31 years old and running both trains in the loops may cause some wear and tear on the structure itself. So running one train in the loops could be keeping maintenence costs down as well as extending life on the coaster.

However, I DO believe that if they're not gonna run both trains in the loops, they should seriously take the trims off the second drop and remove one of the block brake sections in order to improve the ride's pacing.

I'm gonna veer this thread off topic a bit and ask if Montezooma's Revenge can operate without OTSRs because of a grandfather clause, why can't Revolution? (considering the fact that it's older)

chrguy606 · April 23, 2009

I'm gonna veer this thread off topic a bit and ask if Montezooma's Revenge can operate without OTSRs because of a grandfather clause, why can't Revolution? (considering the fact that it's older)

What is this grandfather clause you speak of? Shockwave at SFoT is not as old as Revoluiton, yet it still has its lap bars.

netdvn · April 23, 2009

^ I remember reading somewhere that all California coasters with inversions are required to use OTSRs for insurance and safety reasons. Montezooma's Revenge still uses lap bars because of some sort of grandfather clause which excludes looping coasters over a certain age from including OTSRs.

The other SF looping Schwarzkopfs aren't required by law to have OTSRs like Revolution does.

I'll try to find where I read it.

cfc · April 23, 2009

SFMM had added the OSRs to Revolution just before the state of California made them mandatory for coasters with inversions. Montezooma's Revenge was, indeed, "grandfathered in" when the law was passed.

And getting back to BGW, when you take your Mom down to the Rhine River Cruise STR8FXXXINEDGE, go down the hill on the Germany side (by Land of the Dragons). It's fairly steep, but she'll have only a few steps to worry about at the bottom.

printersdevil78 · April 23, 2009

This is a great idea for a thread. And Festhaus rules all! Except the time in high school when I saw the guy in front of me stick his finger in each of the desserts in the cafeteria-style line to "taste" them.

I didn't get dessert that day. And ironically, neither did he.

mayberry21 · April 23, 2009

Thanks for the TR! BG looks great, as usual. As does Griffon, as usual

I can't believe it's been that long for Wolfie AND Apollo's Chariot...

netdvn · April 23, 2009

SFMM had added the OSRs to Revolution just before the state of California made them mandatory for coasters with inversions. Montezooma's Revenge was, indeed, "grandfathered in" when the law was passed.

OK I understand, it was SFMM's decision to add OTSRs, not California's. Thanks for clearing that up Chuck.

ctriceman · April 23, 2009

Actually I think it is Los Angeles county that has that OTSR law, which would explain why monty doesn't have them, Knotts is in Orange County.

cfc · April 23, 2009

As I recall from a TPR event at SFMM last year, Tim Burkhardt said that the OTSR rule was statewide (but I could be misremembering this).

Please keep the thread on topic--BGW, not West Coast retraints.

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