Jump to content
  TPR Home | Parks | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram 

Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

P. 467: Media Town Hall Report

Recommended Posts

There is an add for food and wine taunting me on the DC metro... Can it be frozen Dirty Shirley time now?

 

Every train to and from work is just a constant reminder that I'm missing Food & Wine, so I've taken to distracting myself with the vegan ads plastered all over the place.

 

Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!

 

thumb_11_1014.jpg

Edited by cfc
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Went to the park today. It wasn't overly crowded, but there were butt tons of people flooding in while I was walking out. Both ticket buildings must have been at least an hour wait. I didn't get a chance to see the new show as I had to be in and out pretty quick, but I must say England is very much improved from last year, the amounts of color and music really make a huge difference. I got my first ride on Mach Tower of the season and found the drop to be larger than last year. I might just be insane though.

 

Some pictures:

 

14245631456_8c4a1cd9bb_c.jpg

Union Jacks have clearly taken over the area.

14245630796_62a45d3cde_c.jpg

14288919513_99b8d06e8f_c.jpg

14082102148_3313d13eee_c.jpg

14082095299_d37c8ab14e_c.jpg

14268332784_afc7af969c_c.jpg

14268332454_cfb19a75f0_c.jpg

14082141160_ae083a3547_c.jpg

14082092269_e4bc8f8b0b_c.jpg

14082091859_befebbd1df_c.jpg

14268736755_70348eb773_c.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ive read on some forums that people are complaining about he London rocks area. It is a bit bright, but it definitely livens up the path and it is very cheerful! Love the red double decker bus wish i could go to Virginia soon even though I was just there last year. Oh well... Nice pics!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was there today, too, and thought the whole England area just looked a light brighter--plus, they now have Coke Freestyle machines there. The Food and Wine Festival was great, too. The new food items are very good, and I think they've been tweaking the stuff they also featured last year (such as the Cheddar and Lager Soup in Canada). I'll post a full report some time tomorrow.

 

It got pretty busy after 1:00 pm.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh yeah, 1pm was when I was walking out. With the amount of people that were flowing in, I wouldn't have wanted to stay much longer. I didn't get anything from the Food & Wine booths (hoping to do a full day of that later) but the new Caribbean and Southwest options looked pretty good. Glad to see they're expanding the event a good deal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was at Busch on Sunday as well! Glad to see some other TPR people Opening till around 1 was pretty much walk-ons. It definitely got more crowded as the day went on.

 

The London Rocks show was pretty good. Did anyone else notice that the entire place smelled like cotton candy or just me?

 

I heard the Germany Wine Tasting ran out though....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

^Probably not (outside of media days), although non-flash pictures are generally allowed. It'll most likely be posted and announced in the theatre.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I checked out BGW's 2014 Food and Wine Festival yesterday with Thad (Barge84), Shawn (SuperShawn), Jeremiah (Homeboy 23), and Nicole MoonCadet), and we pronounce it . . . delicious!

 

Yes, you can now eat yourselves into oblivion, which we did, Friday through Sunday until June 29. Most of the food stands from last year are back (except for Austria), with two new additions: American Southwest (in Fort New France) and the Caribbean (in Germany, across from the carousel). They seemed to have tweaked and improved some of the menu items from last year (for example, the Cheddar and Lager Chowder in Canada, with paprika oil, was much better than last year's version) and improved the atmosphere of the food booths.

 

Thoughts on some of the food items we tried:

 

Chocolate Lava Cake (America Southwest): Chocolate cake with a gooey filling of "Ancho-spiced" (chili) chocolate. Very tasty with a a bite of its own.

 

Gamba Fritters (Caribbean): Fried shrimp dumplings (very much like hush puppies) with a very tangy "pickapeppa dip" (it's a Jamaican sauce made with cane sugar and aged in oak barrels). The fritters could have used a few more shrimp, but the dip really makes this appetizer.

 

Tres Leche con Marmalade de Pina (Caribbean): This is a pina colada in cake form. Perfect if you like walks in the rain and have half a brain.

 

Vanera con Jamon (Spain): A scallop wrapped in cured ham with saffron rice--the rice was a bit bland, but the scallop was cooked perfectly, and I liked the sauce.

 

Halloumi (Greece): This is griddled feta with clover honey and pistachios. It was a favorite with the group and very delicious. But it's so rich that I was pretty wiped out after sampling it (Shawn went back for seconds).

 

Well, that's enough talking about food. Let's look at some.

1542962495_001-Copy.jpg.d8b93fa0833a9529aba136167495ffe6.jpg

Definitely a better reason for visiting the park than Mach Tower.

1272759155_002-Copy.thumb.jpg.f60ec207c1710d9cf305f1e5f014a024.jpg

Scandinavia comes complete with an authentic Norwegian.

941173875_003-Copy.jpg.30d127a72792d84f4aaa6b52e4534a89.jpg

But it's really all about the Dirty Shirley.

733431573_004-Copy.jpg.4fc3a50cb022f8384758c6d6b91777b3.jpg

Jeremiah is getting ready for the Scandi Trip with some Gravad Lax Rarakor (cured salmon with potato pancakes and sweet mustard and dill sauce). It was very nice, indeed.

1775725647_005-Copy.jpg.48ef9a0cc55cf006bea0246122567aad.jpg

There was "edible art" all over the place. Personally, I think this is the best possible use for watermelon.

781046716_006-Copy.jpg.1a49677971fed1a61b9ae1f2e2841a26.jpg

The heather and the highlands are calling.

1300409725_007-Copy.thumb.jpg.82cfd6d837e0f43c757e541fc926e208.jpg

Look! An authentic Scottish lassie!

206714142_008-Copy.jpg.b62acd5f880462ae89c04b5a44eae693.jpg

Yeah, I'm drinkin' an Angry Scotsman! You got a problem with that? (It tastes like stout, only not as heavy.)

2121875575_009-Copy.jpg.2a2c421afe8aa2900afb663ed77218b1.jpg

Anyone for the "nips and tit . . . ," er, Neeps and Tatties? It's mixture of roasted turnips and potatoes with carrots and chives.

010.jpg.3867feea9f086b3770dcba5a2e837904.jpg

As for Thad and myself, we'll have the Scottish egg. (Note: Scotland could use a few more stand-up tables. it got a bit crowded there during the day.)

011.jpg.7fd931b88d9a450518067bc735097624.jpg

And the moment everyone (especially Shawn) has been waiting for.

012.jpg.d6c4c1f8139d79a4393332ac34796320.jpg

"No little boy! Do not dismantle the queue, lest you anger the Gods of Olympus!"

013.jpg.91a741aa42bd5fcd6ac9ac05f9052a96.jpg

Hmm--it appears there was a bit of a run on . . .

014.jpg.20da85853a1fbd1f23f38a60f48c8db8.jpg

. . . Halloumi!

015.jpg.5eb838c0b987650ccdfd3cd82f4c5f8b.jpg

"By your cheese powers combined, I am Captain Feta!"

016.jpg.df190950dd341a44c2326441f9b991a9.jpg

Here's some cool stuff you can make with fondant.

017.jpg.1cfcc4c879f90e45649d4080a7848b7f.jpg

Aren't the little rodents adorable?

018.thumb.jpg.d9dbfd3965f12db8ff93048f72a7b851.jpg

"My precious-s-s-s-s-s . . ."

10a.jpg.4c792569458a72472dd0a71311fa8fb9.jpg

"EAT ME!"

10b.jpg.909cd532bbe46a9dc73c698ff60ce5cd.jpg

"No, seriously. Many parts of me are edible."

019.jpg.94890db10326a635b440d501bbb4fd0b.jpg

You can get Sangria in Spain, in addition to scallops and chorizo.

020.jpg.022a3b7c338692a057b1eb82dcd646a4.jpg

"In the headlines tonight, Mach Tower runs, breaks down, then runs again. Film at 11."

021.jpg.fc1e0ddd107ab078d7792b04616e1ec8.jpg

Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to buy merchandise and taste wine. More to come.

Edited by cfc
Link to comment
Share on other sites

More pictures (not songs) of buildings and food.

022.jpg.e032df45245cccb81a8852677eadb3ac.jpg

We caught of bit of "This Is Oktoberfest" in the Festhaus.

023.jpg.cb974e49c01e79dd98c25f87c376af32.jpg

In Germany there is food . . .

024.thumb.jpg.d771665e9f4e8244b7d53b92013cb49a.jpg

. . . and beer.

025.jpg.4fcb9dcb352ae773dc8948c948559121.jpg

I repeat. Food . . .

026.thumb.jpg.2998b4ecb0ab9defb9a1917454148133.jpg

. . . and beer.

027.thumb.jpg.fab5fd020103b65512b4e3a7a6a745fa.jpg

Hmm--is that ganja I smell?

028.jpg.197f7b661e95d9b3b3e43f3f902414ed.jpg

Jeremiah is trying the Tres Leche cake, Nicole is enjoying a Frozen Bushwacker (sort of a Jamaican version of a White Russian), Thad is chowing down on Gamba Fritters, and Shawn and I are still working on that German beer.

029.thumb.jpg.1031b0322c3a7cc354ecf735fae0895c.jpg

"Arr! Set a course for Tortuga!"

030.jpg.3055d99d5076ee44dc2b9775ffd11d57.jpg

The American Southwest is actually in Canada.

031.jpg.136e5431db3e349eeee4ff63b2b89431.jpg

"O Can-a-da . . . your pumpkins are so big . . ."

032.jpg.991539c14a5d0e606934d4997b6e99e6.jpg

Authentic Canadian pole dancers.

033.jpg.4de9a764ee0c6eef624f99c5da126e84.jpg

Here's the Cheddar and Lager Chowder with a glass of Pear Cider. The soup was very good (and portion ample).

034.jpg.83fbdaf9304a2c98be471443bb377f09.jpg

My god! Elissa might be part Canadian! ;)

035.jpg.d23fd94f7bf732213dd4d1b96bb0afcc.jpg

Next stop France--complete with French people.

036.jpg.6491fadc4be6218e58ca0de4813f837f.jpg

The Steak au Poivre (peppercorn-crusted beef in a brandy cream sauce) was excellent.

037.jpg.f6a4ee59b9cf36c328697609de828e85.jpg

Steak > Anything.

038.jpg.47dbcfa65e8fe1a9fa11350f9feb2e15.jpg

Speaking of beer and all the good stuff that goes with it . . . this is all from the Belgium booth. The chocolate waffle was very good, and the roasted hazelnuts went very well with the beer.

039.jpg.0e50676aaa90907ffa80d0e1bb86b4c8.jpg

The cake that bites back from the American Southwest booth. Thad isn't so sure about this.

040.jpg.b352c8fb1d6ba86d42dab0cfa515c62c.jpg

This jazz combo in France said "oo-la-la"--a lot.

041.jpg.aff2587bc75c5e0b323123961f805fd5.jpg

As night falls, we were drawn back to Greece.

042.jpg.ed04a4c98b1229f06bba2b83499e6201.jpg

The Greek Dip Trio (roaster garlic hummus, kalamata-olive puree, and feta) with garlic pita chips was very good.

043.jpg.cda276df24a41989b6b1506dcea8929d.jpg

Night on the Rhine River. They offer a wine-tasting cruise on the river, as well.

044.jpg.7ba9c6ea5de2434f2367315b95a3b751.jpg

Yes, we did sneak in a few rides between periods of gorging ourselves.

045.thumb.jpg.6880d18c166edd9be4ca4e46a450369a.jpg

Good night, ye lady of Spain.

046.jpg.3b9a575f3ab564f9f1f2920cb5fe6e28.jpg

Hmm--looks like something special is going on in England . . .

047.jpg.fae73e9164dc2b59806fff99f854616f.jpg

. . . must be for the new Coke Freestyle machines in the new Union Snacks shop.

048.jpg.61834ebb810c59ebc95bd2c79b4a253a.jpg

Or it could be for "London Rocks." I'll catch this show later.

049.jpg.44ee286fab488e899c0d9391886f5519.jpg

Good night, Busch Gardens. That's all.

Edited by cfc
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh, this looks soooo good. I'm going to be there in two weeks, but I had no idea this was even going on. As if I wasn't excited enough to be getting back there already...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Such a fun day with soo much good food and beverage. Halloumi is still my top pick however they added quite a few runners up which chuck listed. The only two others I strongly suggest is the Mac N Cheese with Canadian Bacon in Canada as well the Meatballs in Scandinavia. Quite sad I will only make it once to the event this year though my bank account is probably relieved.

 

Thanks for the fun day and update he Angry Scottsman!

 

Ps - nips and tit-tays!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Had a blast on Sunday at Food and Wine. Here are my quick thoughts on the dishes I tried:

 

Steak - Wish is was cooked a little less, but whenever they're serving mass amounts of it they usually cook it closer to medium well, so I'm ok with that. Amazing flavor with the crust. Probably my favorite thing.

 

Cheese in Greece - Always amazing. I could only handle one serving this year!

 

Cheese soup from Canada - As Chuck said, it's much better this year. Glad I tried it again!

 

Shrimp Fritters - Very tasty, but could've used some more shrimp. The dipping sauce compliments it very well.

 

Pork Slider - Huge portion. It was good, but could've used a little more seasoning.

 

Mac and Cheese with Bacon - Delicious. Right up there with the steak for my favorite dish of the day.

 

Scottish Egg - Always a treat. My egg was a bit overcooked, but you can't go wrong with one of these.

 

Honestly, the only "miss" was probably the pork slider, and that wasn't even something I'd consider "bad". They really upped their game this year. I'm glad it worked so well last year, because this should be an annual event. It's not on par with Epcot's festival (but what is?), but it's about as close as you're ever going to get. Hoping they do it again next year, because if they do, I'll be there!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use https://themeparkreview.com/forum/topic/116-terms-of-service-please-read/