Busch Gardens Williamsburg

[shiekra38]

Yes, that was such a waste that they wouldn't do the necessary maintenance on Darkkastle. I really enjoyed that early SpiderMan copy ride. The storyline was a bit confusing but the ride was still very much fun and entertaining.

Similar to Atlantis, it quickly went downhill after AB moved out

Ironically, BGW has had a good run of simulators/dark rides

 

[HandsomePete]

On one hand, I’m a little skeptical that they’ll stay open through January, February, and March in 2021 like the tweet says and instead they’re hiring non-seasonal to start in March and then go through the winter in 2022.

On the other hand, BGT has thrown together a Mardi Gras event that I don’t remember that’ll run starting in mid-January, and BGW has waited until the last second to announce their next event, and their Christmas dates run through January 10th.... so BGW Mardi Gras starting the next weekend?

Hopefully they’ve figured out that locals will turn up for these half-park events all year and then tourists can fill it in the summer.

 

[Mad Dog]

Similar to Atlantis, it quickly went downhill after AB moved out

Ironically, BGW has had a good run of simulators/dark rides

When BGW was run by Busch, they understood their tourist base better. This is an area that gets some of the largest tourism numbers in the country, and a pretty affluent one at that due to the historical nature of the tourist attractions (Williamsburg, both Jamestown attractions, Yorktown, Carter's Grove Plantation). But the tourist demographic is a tad older than some others. Thus, BGW used to cater to that demographic with lots of high quality live entertainment and the adjacent brewery complimentary beer . Their attendance was decent when they did that. But after they cut most entertainment, and quit maintaining attractions, their attendance dropped significantly . They had a few high quality coasters, but they weren't anywhere close to being a 'coaster park'. Now they've basically become a 'coaster park', with just about everything new a coaster, they lost their niche, and while coasters are fine for the younger demographic, they no longer have much to do for those throngs of tourists that attend the historical sites. Due to their location in this historical hotspot, they are in a different position than the Cedar Point/King's Island/King's Dominion/Six Flags of the world. They've really lost their way and need to return to that nice niche they had 12/13 plus years ago. I used to vacation there most every year and the numbers of middle aged and older guests was quite large. I no longer have any interest in going there since it's no longer a balanced theme park, albeit a beautiful one. It's really just become another Six Flags or Cedar Fair coaster oriented park.

 

[shiekra38]

Sometimes I forget there's a massive Intamin at BGW just sitting there not being ridden

 

[GAcoaster]

 

[HandsomePete]

so BGW Mardi Gras starting the next weekend?

Edit, apparently I was off by a week.

 

[GAcoaster]

Interesting change in wording...

 

[shiekra38]

This is 95 percent exciting and 5 percent slightly hillarious

Here's a video of Pantheon...um..."launching"

Hoping to see me testing soon

 

[GAcoaster]

Pantheon is finally running full-circuit tests:

 

[ChristopherSE]

It looks great. Another must-do coaster opening this year to add to the list

Though, as fun as it's going to be, I hope the theming and landscaping will be on par with the rest of the park. It's truly one of the most beautiful parks I've been to, but it just feels like they've been moving away from that a bit, and focusing more on the coasters. Excited nonetheless, just curious how it will turn out.

 

[HandsomePete]

I hope the theming and landscaping will be on par with the rest of the park.

Were there big grass fields back in Roman times?

 

[joelbryant11]

The actual coaster layout might be better but the theming will take Veloci over the top.

 

[shiekra38]

The actual coaster layout might be better

The #Pantheonwassupposedtobeagiga club would disagree lol

I think this coaster does a lot of fun things, we'll see how it feels in person...

But I think I'm going to like Velocicoaster and IG more

 

[joelbryant11]

The #Pantheonwassupposedtobeagiga club would disagree lol

I think this coaster does a lot of fun things, we'll see how it feels in person...

But I think I'm going to like Velocicoaster and IG more

I think I’d rather have Pantheon and Drachen Spire than just one giga

 

[GAcoaster]

And the height waiver for the other coaster was just extended a year, so it's apparently still on...

 

[joelbryant11]

And the height waiver for the other coaster was just extended a year, so it's apparently still on...

Yeah it’s happening

 

[GAcoaster]

 

[GAcoaster]

Interesting-- it looks like Howl-O-Scream may become a separate ticket event this year, but included for those with "memberships":

Howl-O-Scream: Virginia Halloween Event | Busch Gardens Williamsburg

The spirit of Halloween is unleashed at Howl-O-Scream! Find haunted houses, escape rooms, scare zones, live shows & roller coasters if you dare. Buy your tickets today!

buschgardens.com

I've had my Platinum Passport for 20+ years now (for $10 a month!), but it looks like they're doing more to make all of us passholders upgrade to the much more expensive memberships by including HOS and Christmas Town as only included for membership holders.

 

[Viator]

Delete

 

[GAcoaster]

BGWFans suggesting the next coaster (300'+ shuttle launch) has been postponed and hints that Dark Kastle could be part of the 2023 plans now.

They mention a road trip (I assume to Florida) to offer a hint/preview so I assume it's either something being copied from another park, or since Sally is based here...