Busch Gardens Williamsburg...somethings missing

[Coasterholic14]

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has great coasters. In fact, all but the wild mouse are my favorites in their respective categories. Alpengeist is my favorite Inverted coaster, Big Bad Wolf is my favorite Suspended coaster, Apollo's Chariot is my favorite hypercoaster (1 of 3 i have been on, and the only B&M hypercoaster i have been on), and Loch Ness Monster is my favorite Classical Steel Coaster (or older Corkscrew/Looping coaster). I dont judge wild mouse coaster b/c they are all so similar...but there seems to be something missing...ahhhhhhh...how about a good old classic woodie. I just thought about this the other day, Busch Gardens W. has some of my favorite steel coaster, but they dont have any wooden coasters...i had never really thought about it...but they dont have a woodie. I think after that the next coaster they will add will be that good old classic woodie...and judging from their other coasters, it will be a world class ride. What do u think about all of what i just said?

[CoasterXtremist]

Having just recently been to BGW, I think a Wooden coaster would be great to have, although it seems BGW is more interested in building thrill rides than coasters.

[Frito]

I live in Richmond, about an hours drive from BGW and I keep hearing a persisant rumor that BGW is planning on building a wooden coaster for the 2005 season. I haven't heard or seen anything that would make this rumor a reality, so it's just a rumor. For now I hope.

[Coasterholic14]

They should build one in the new Ireland section of the park...I dont know y, but it just seems that a wooden coaster would go best in the Ireland area, or am i just crazy...wait...dont answer that.

[Frito]

I think a better spot would be the area Dragon Fire used to be. Fill in the big empty field with trees and let it run wild in thick woods, maybe intertwining with the Big Bad Wolf.

[Squid2]

Overheard at BGW... "You'll never see a new coaster in the old Drachen Fire section. It was a money losing area." - This was heard by me from park managers.

Customer Service said that it had been confirmed that a new coaster was coming for the 2004 season. Couldn't confirm it anywhere else, however.

Squid2

[Frito]

The only reason the Drachen Fire area was a money losing area is because of the issues with Drachen Fire. Not to many people would ride it, hence not to many people would bother going to that area, hence it was a money losing area.
Build even a semi-ok coaster and people will go there, spend money and so on.

[Coasterholic14]

Seriously...Drachen Fire was horrible. I have to admit, it had a 1-of-a-kind coaster, with unique elements, and a great layout...its biggest problem was, however, that it was a very rough coaster, and no matter what they did with it, it was a very, very rough coaster. After i rode it, i always got my head slammed around hard, and i know how to hold my head on a coaster too...but this was impossible. Smooth it out and it would be great. I think if they put a new coaster in the area, or any new ride, people would still go to it.

[Frito]

I agree Drachen Fire was indeed rough. I can ride most coasters 30+ times without getting off, but the most I rode Drachen Fire was 6 times before the headache forced me off. Really was a big shame that BGW had to eventually tear it down. But they more than made up for it with Apollo's Chariot.

[Squid2]

I got the impression from the gentlemen that it wasn't the coaster's fault, so much as the area itself. For that matter, I can't find where the coaster used to stand... can someone place it for me in the park, as the park now stands? I believe it was over near the German section, but exactly where is unknown to me.

If I'm correct, that section of the park must have been somewhat isolated, and if so, would not see the regular foot traffic that a normal section would; hence, less business in that area.

Squid2

[Frito]

Drachen Fire used to be behind Big Bad Wolf with access to the area next to the picnic area and Das Festhaus where OctoberFest is held. Looking at BGW park map, (http://www.buschgardens.com/buschgardens/va/pi_park_map.aspx) it was located at the top left corner just above Big Bad Wolf.

[Squid2]

Got it. I knew where the ride was, from riding around on the train, but I couldn't figure out how to get to that spot from inside the park. Now, as a note, when I up there in early June they did appear to be some minor construction in that area, which was visible from the train. Take of that what you will.

Also, does BGW do a good job of a Halloween Fest? My fiancee and I are thinking of coming up from Atlanta for a weekend in October, and we're wanting to know what the park does for Halloween.

Squid2

[TheFroMan]

Okay.... I know im a bit late in the thread but Coaterholic you cant be serious! The rides at Busch Gardens Williamsburg are nothing compared to the rides at say, Six Flags Magic Mountain...(obviously you havent been there). What I cant beleive is that you say that Alpengeist is my favorite Inverted coaster, Big Bad Wolf is my favorite Suspended coaster, Apollo's Chariot is my favorite hypercoaster (1 of 3 i have been on, and the only B&M hypercoaster i have been on), and Loch Ness Monster is my favorite Classical Steel Coaster ..... Wow.... I do agree with you about Alpengheist (that ride just kicks butt) but were you kidding about Lach ness and Big Bad Wolf!?! Those rides are terrible and are dwarfed by Viper and Ninja (SFMM). About Apollos chariot, well, that's the only "real hypercoaster" i've been on but it does the same thing as any other coaster. A SFMM ride that kicks Apollo's ass is none other than goliath. Again, about Alpengeist, since the only inverted coaster at SFMM is Deja Vu(which is very fun), I think X should easily compete with it. I have recently been to both parks and would rather go to SFMM anyday...

[Squid2]

FroMan, got to disagree here. Course, I must say that I've never been to SFMM, but I found all of BGW's coasters to be excellent. Apollo's Chariot is a great coaster, and Loch Ness Monster is smooth and fun. (Not to mention the only looping coaster I can keep my head upright on!) Like I said, I've never been to SFMM, but of the coasters I've ridden, BGW takes the cake.

Squid2

[Coasterholic14]

same thing here...i live in NC, so California is pretty far away...so BGW "takes the cake" as Squid2 said.

[Harpo]

Having been to both parks, my opinion is that Viper is better than Loch Ness Monster, but I find Big Bad Wolf to be FAR superior to Ninja. However, I must admit that I would have liked a longer run after the second lift on Big Bad Wolf. They managed all that speed, just to go with a short (but exciting) run, followed by a hard brake. (In my opinion, Big Bad Wolf was the best ride in the park.)

As for Alpengeist, while I really enjoyed it, I'll still stick with Cedar Point's Raptor as my favorite invert.

My comments on Apllo's Chariot read: "Good mega-coaster, but not quite great. Very good air time in back seat."

[CedarPoint89]

*cough* *cough* Cedar Point Dwarfs All!!!

[TopThrillJunkie]

Originally posted by CedarPoint89
*cough* *cough* Cedar Point Dwarfs All!!!

SHIBBY TO THAT!!!

[Coaster'Coon]

The Big Bad Wolf is my favorite suspended cuz I like how it swerves thru the woods and all the trees running past it makes it look like its going faster than it really is, and I like the drop after than second lift hill over the river. The interlocking loops on Loch Ness Monster looks really cool and the helix in the tunnel is cool too. Alpengeist is fun because it seems to run thru the entire park and all over the place, but Talon is my fav inverted.

[CoasterXtremist]

I like the Big Bad Wolf, although they should have really added more track after the second lift hill.

[flgirl]

I haven't been to BGWB, but to BG Tampa many times, it is great. I know the themeing is different, do thay have any of the same coasters like the 6 flags parks do.

[IEATPASTE001]

Having not been to BGW but i am familiar with the rides, i can say this, AC is a great coaster, for more reasons then this but this one is really good, Fabio got hit in the face by a goose on it, it was awesome! LNM is very creative, and BBW is probably the best suspended coaster...ev-AR! but that is all from just looks and on ride vid's they are cheaper when you don't have the money to actually get to the park!


My $.02.

BGW gets :up: :up:

[Harpo]

Originally posted by flgirl
I know the themeing is different, do thay have any of the same coasters like the 6 flags parks do.

For Williamsburg versus Tampa, the two parks are quite different, which is very nice to see. Personally, of the two, I preferred the Williamsburg park. If you get the chance, I encourage you to visit BGW. But, if they could add something along the lines of Gwazi, it would be a great addition. (Of course, I'd like to see it with unique track layouts, rather than merely being a copy of Gwazi. Based on the other rides at the two parks, I suspect Busch would not build a clone at Williamsburg.)

[flgirl]

Thanks Harpo, I'll have to check it out in the fall before they close for the winter, it's only about a 12 hour or less drive from IL.