Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[CoasterAuditorthe ghost seems to think there is a "Donkey Fairy"]

^Yeah I'm still having my issues with being too big for RMC as this year was devoted to passing the CPA Exam instead of the gym. But I'm optimistic about next year. At least I got to add Tempesto, InvadR, PHOENIX, Twister, Impulse, Flying Turns, and Black Diamond to my coasters ridden this year.

Christmas Town “Hard-Hat” Tour

It’s hard to believe that Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg starts on November 17 (next Saturday). Sheesh! Didn’t they just finish Howl-o-Scream? Come to think of it, I remember seeing “Christmas trees” during the last night of HOS. They were wrapped in lights, just not illuminated. Such is the change of seasons in the theme-park world.

This is the tenth anniversary of Christmas Town. It’s interesting to consider how this event evolved. Much like the first Howl-o-Scream, Christmas Town originally involved a small portion of the park (Italy and Forest of Fun weren’t part of it). All of Busch Gardens is part of Christmas Town now.

The park gave us a backstage look at some of the work being done by the their 200+ team of decorators, who perform around 10,000 hours of work transforming the park from a realm of doom and darkness to a land of winter fantasy. It takes a lot of work to put up 10,000,000 lights; 20,000 ornaments; and all the other decor unique to each village in Busch Gardens.

So, what’s new for Christmas Town’s tenth anniversary season?

Christmas Town Express: Guests can sing-a-long to their favorite carols on this 1.5-mile train trip, which starts at Caribou Station in Fort New France. The ride will feature 2,000,000 Christmas lights and “themed holiday vignettes” ( round trip--no stops.) It’s nice to see the train being used as a “show,” rather than just a transportation system.

Concept photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Wilkommenhaus: Enjoy the “sweet smell of Christmas treats” as you watch a new Christmas spectacle (via projection mapping) in the park’s German village. The show runs every 15 minutes on the clock building near Land of the Dragons and the carousel. I think this will be a nice addition to the O' Tannenbaum Christmas-tree-light show in front of the Festhaus.

Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Elmo’s Christmas Wish: Rosita, Grover, Zoe, and Cookie Monster help Elmo find his Christmas wish in this new show at the Sesame Street Forest of Fun.

The park’s other Christmas shows will be back: Gift of Harmony (Italy), 'Twas that Night (ice show in France), Deck the Halls (Festhaus in Germany), Scrooge No More (Globe Theater in England), and Gloria (Abbey Stone Theatre in Ireland). You can still, of course, visit Santa’s Workshop (and dine at Santa’s Fireside Feast) and visit Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his friends. And there’s all the great holiday food and beverages (particularly the adult ones).

Looks like the elves are getting excited.

"Oooo! I see people in Santa hats!"

Let’s have a look at how Christmas Town is coming along.

[jedimaster1227Delicious & Refreshing]

I loved Busch Gardens Williamsburg during the normal season when I visited years ago... I'd love to experience their Christmas Town event at some point, knowing how beautiful the park is on a regular day, that it's natural beauty lends to such a great decor-filled event.

My favorite Christmas Town spots are both in Italy: the Polar Pathway (Escape from Pompeii) . . .



and Holiday Hills (Festa Italia).



The latter reminds me of the decorations they used in my hometown when I was a kid.

[HighridinIf the donkey is rockin, don't come knockin!]

Hey, I just bought Christmas Town tickets for Sunday the 23rd. I saw a picture last year that showed traffic backed up to kingdom come. Can't remember what day that pic was taken on. Last year, were Sundays a very crowded day? If so, should I just get there when it opens, instead of waiting until about 4pm? Thanks.

^I expect the park will be insanely busy that close to Christmas (many people have Christmas Eve off work, too). They've been known to reach capacity during Christmas Town, so I'd get there early.

[PKI JizzmanJizzy jizz jizz jizz jizz]

Looks like a beautiful holiday event. Thanks for the photos Chuck!

[ViperGTS500Can I park my donkey here?]

I went there this summer for the first time in 10 years! I had so much fun, I was so mad that I waited that long to go back!

[HighridinIf the donkey is rockin, don't come knockin!]

^I expect the park will be insanely busy that close to Christmas (many people have Christmas Eve off work, too). They've been known to reach capacity during Christmas Town, so I'd get there early.

What I had figured. Will get there at 145.

[CoasterAuditorthe ghost seems to think there is a "Donkey Fairy"]

Okay RCDB has posted an Intamin LSM Launch Shuttle coaster coming to BGW for 2020.

Not sure where this stems from? Hopefully not that leaked PowerPoint BUT if it is in fact a nice Intamin coming to BGW I am fully game.