- January 9th, 2013, 12:10 am
#50531
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Christmastown - December 29, 2012
55 photos from Busch Gardens: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhawkins/s ... 452927153/
Busch Gardens Williamsburg. One of my favorite parks in the world. I was a season pass holder the last couple years I lived in Raleigh, but in the two and a half years since I last visited a lot has changed. After the removal of a classic coaster that I am quite nostalgic about, Busch Gardens had big shoes to fill. On my way back to New Jersey from spending the holidays in North Carolina, I joined some friends for the park's now annual Christmastown event.
The event has become enormously popular, starting small and expanding with the entire park now decked out in lights. Only one roller coaster is open each winter, however, but this year it was the one that mattered.
Back on a rainy day in 2007 I took this photo. The view has changed while remaining familiar.
Verbolten picks up where the Big Bad Wolf left off.
As part of a major two year expansion plan, the park revamped its Germany area, bringing in the Mach Tower drop ride in 2011 (redubbed "Nach Tower" for Christmastown and running in observation mode without the freefall).
2012 was where the excitement was, though. The much anticipated replacement for the Big Bad Wolf and the park's first major coaster since Griffon in 2007. Enter Verbolten.
In addition to following the same path as the Big Bad Wolf's final run, Verbolten re-uses the ride's queue building, and there are more attempts to recycle and when possible pay tribute to a ride that was beloved by many.
Though fortunately there was no line to wait in on this day, the queue is designed to resemble a travel agency offering motor tours by way of the German Autobahn.
In the Big Bad Wolf's old station, sleak car-themed trains have replaced the old suspended coasters' free swinging rolling stock.
What happens next is a bit of a mystery (so warning: spoilers incoming), as the coaster takes an S-turn out of the station much like the Big Bad Wolf did. In the ride's narrative, this is supposed to be the part where your car veers out of control, leaving the road and entering the "forbidden" Black Forest. That's when things go dark. The train accelerates upward via a LIM launch into a large building where the first half of the ride takes place. The building is pitch black inside with the exception of some glowing trees and other effects made to give the appearance of having entered the Black Forest. There are several drops and turns inside, and I was really surprised by how intense that part of the coaster is. One of three randomly programmed themes greets riders inside the building: a haunted spirit theme, a lightning storm, or, in tribute to its predecessor, the glowing red eyes of the Big Bad Wolf itself. Finally, the unique part of the coaster arrives. After coming to a stop on a brake run, the entire track free falls 18 feet, which is a first-of-its-kind element for the United States. Even knowing what was going to happen, I found it pretty terrifying, and more effectively done than the free fall track on Thirteen at Alton Towers.
After the free fall, there is little time for anyone to catch their breath. The train dips down to exit the building, immediately hitting a second LIM launch, which quickly gets the cars up to 53 MPH. The track climbs to its highest point, and there it joins the old footer layout of the Big Bad Wolf, mimicking its signature plunge toward the Rhine River and high speed turn before speeding through two more turns and onto the final brake run.
No matter what the park built to replace Big Bad Wolf, I was going to be skeptical, given how much I enjoyed that coaster. But, I can happily say Verbolten was a very pleasant surprise. In fact, I loved it. If Big Bad Wolf had to be replaced, then this ride is a perfect replacement, very much in the same spirit as its predecessor. For many people, Big Bad Wolf was their first roller coaster. It was really the only family coaster at Busch Gardens; Verbolten fits that mold as well. Though it is definitely frightening with the darkness and free fall track, and actually quite fast, it has a lower height requirement (48 inches) and no inversions. Also, it is unique, which was what made Big Bad Wolf so great. With so many cookie cutter coasters out there, it is refreshing when something truly original comes along, and Verbolten is one of the most original rides to have been built in the last few years. It is a perfect fit for the park.
Thanks to a threat of rain that fortunately never materialized, crowds were light, and the line for Verbolten was non-existent all day and night. It is a very re-rideable coaster, and the variance of the storylines inside the building adds an extra twist for repeat guests.
Into the rest of the park, decorations were extensive, including a huge tree in front of Das Festhaus.
The worst part about this event is that there is nothing to do but stare at several world class coasters. That was made even worse this year given that I had not been to the park in nearly three years.
Such a sad sight.
Heated seating, a very appreciated amenity found near outdoor restaurants around the park.
Night starts to fall over the Aquitaine area of the park.
Another dormant ride.
One of the highlights of Christmastown is the skyride, temporarily renamed Flight of Lights. It builds up a long line fairly quickly, especially after the sun sets.
Gliding past Alpengeist.
Perhaps my favorite decorations in the park were in Ireland, which had lights strung across the midway.
Since I last visited Busch Gardens, another new ride had opened that I almost forgot about. I am not much of a fan of simulator rides, but Corkscrew Hill was one of the better ones I have been on. It has been replaced with Europe in the Air, and the one ride we took on it will be my last. Clearly influenced by Disney's Soarin' rides, Europe in the Air forgets all of the things that actually make those rides enjoyable and replaces them with vomit inducing misery. The images on the screen are pleasant enough; beautiful shots of various European cities taken from a helicopter. But, some of the camera movements are absurd, suddenly sweeping to the side or panning rapidly upward in a manner that would frankly only happen if your helicopter was crashing. One moment you are high over Neuschwanstein Castle then suddenly with a crazy dive you are following a motor cycle under the Eiffel Tower. The motion base has seemingly little coordination with what is happening on screen, and by the end I was moments from projectile vomiting. Never again.
I need this.
Enjoying some mulled wine, one of many delicious treats available in the park specifically for Christmastown.
The Festhaus tree has an elaborate light show synchronized to music.
Night rides on Verbolten were required, of course.
This is one chilly ride in the cold winter night.
The coaster's five trains have different license plates, with this one paying tribute to the Big Bad Wolf. Additionally, for a nice touch at night, the headlights on the first car are functional. To ensure they don't ruin the indoor portion, the lights turn off just before entering the show building and turn back on after exiting.
The historically accurate nativity scene in the San Marco Vineyard.
The trip would not be complete without a ride on the Busch Gardens Railway.
Sporting a lighting package of its own, the train loops around the park, functioning as a ride and a transit mode.
Perhaps the most imppressive lighting package at the park can be found at Escape from Pompeii, which has been completely covered in lights.
Before leaving, there was the irresistible temptation of the Sesame Street Christmas show, which unfortunately paled in comparison to the fantastic "Lights, Camera, Imagination! 4D" Sesame Street film that usually plays in the park's Globe Theatre.
So concluded another great day at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It speaks to the quality of the park that such a nice day can be had even with only one roller coaster operating. I am very relieved that Verbolten does not disappoint, and like the Big Bad Wolf before it, it is definitely a must-ride on future visits.
55 photos from Busch Gardens: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jhawkins/s ... 452927153/
Busch Gardens Williamsburg. One of my favorite parks in the world. I was a season pass holder the last couple years I lived in Raleigh, but in the two and a half years since I last visited a lot has changed. After the removal of a classic coaster that I am quite nostalgic about, Busch Gardens had big shoes to fill. On my way back to New Jersey from spending the holidays in North Carolina, I joined some friends for the park's now annual Christmastown event.
The event has become enormously popular, starting small and expanding with the entire park now decked out in lights. Only one roller coaster is open each winter, however, but this year it was the one that mattered.
Back on a rainy day in 2007 I took this photo. The view has changed while remaining familiar.
Verbolten picks up where the Big Bad Wolf left off.
As part of a major two year expansion plan, the park revamped its Germany area, bringing in the Mach Tower drop ride in 2011 (redubbed "Nach Tower" for Christmastown and running in observation mode without the freefall).
2012 was where the excitement was, though. The much anticipated replacement for the Big Bad Wolf and the park's first major coaster since Griffon in 2007. Enter Verbolten.
In addition to following the same path as the Big Bad Wolf's final run, Verbolten re-uses the ride's queue building, and there are more attempts to recycle and when possible pay tribute to a ride that was beloved by many.
Though fortunately there was no line to wait in on this day, the queue is designed to resemble a travel agency offering motor tours by way of the German Autobahn.
In the Big Bad Wolf's old station, sleak car-themed trains have replaced the old suspended coasters' free swinging rolling stock.
What happens next is a bit of a mystery (so warning: spoilers incoming), as the coaster takes an S-turn out of the station much like the Big Bad Wolf did. In the ride's narrative, this is supposed to be the part where your car veers out of control, leaving the road and entering the "forbidden" Black Forest. That's when things go dark. The train accelerates upward via a LIM launch into a large building where the first half of the ride takes place. The building is pitch black inside with the exception of some glowing trees and other effects made to give the appearance of having entered the Black Forest. There are several drops and turns inside, and I was really surprised by how intense that part of the coaster is. One of three randomly programmed themes greets riders inside the building: a haunted spirit theme, a lightning storm, or, in tribute to its predecessor, the glowing red eyes of the Big Bad Wolf itself. Finally, the unique part of the coaster arrives. After coming to a stop on a brake run, the entire track free falls 18 feet, which is a first-of-its-kind element for the United States. Even knowing what was going to happen, I found it pretty terrifying, and more effectively done than the free fall track on Thirteen at Alton Towers.
After the free fall, there is little time for anyone to catch their breath. The train dips down to exit the building, immediately hitting a second LIM launch, which quickly gets the cars up to 53 MPH. The track climbs to its highest point, and there it joins the old footer layout of the Big Bad Wolf, mimicking its signature plunge toward the Rhine River and high speed turn before speeding through two more turns and onto the final brake run.
No matter what the park built to replace Big Bad Wolf, I was going to be skeptical, given how much I enjoyed that coaster. But, I can happily say Verbolten was a very pleasant surprise. In fact, I loved it. If Big Bad Wolf had to be replaced, then this ride is a perfect replacement, very much in the same spirit as its predecessor. For many people, Big Bad Wolf was their first roller coaster. It was really the only family coaster at Busch Gardens; Verbolten fits that mold as well. Though it is definitely frightening with the darkness and free fall track, and actually quite fast, it has a lower height requirement (48 inches) and no inversions. Also, it is unique, which was what made Big Bad Wolf so great. With so many cookie cutter coasters out there, it is refreshing when something truly original comes along, and Verbolten is one of the most original rides to have been built in the last few years. It is a perfect fit for the park.
Thanks to a threat of rain that fortunately never materialized, crowds were light, and the line for Verbolten was non-existent all day and night. It is a very re-rideable coaster, and the variance of the storylines inside the building adds an extra twist for repeat guests.
Into the rest of the park, decorations were extensive, including a huge tree in front of Das Festhaus.
The worst part about this event is that there is nothing to do but stare at several world class coasters. That was made even worse this year given that I had not been to the park in nearly three years.
Such a sad sight.
Heated seating, a very appreciated amenity found near outdoor restaurants around the park.
Night starts to fall over the Aquitaine area of the park.
Another dormant ride.
One of the highlights of Christmastown is the skyride, temporarily renamed Flight of Lights. It builds up a long line fairly quickly, especially after the sun sets.
Gliding past Alpengeist.
Perhaps my favorite decorations in the park were in Ireland, which had lights strung across the midway.
Since I last visited Busch Gardens, another new ride had opened that I almost forgot about. I am not much of a fan of simulator rides, but Corkscrew Hill was one of the better ones I have been on. It has been replaced with Europe in the Air, and the one ride we took on it will be my last. Clearly influenced by Disney's Soarin' rides, Europe in the Air forgets all of the things that actually make those rides enjoyable and replaces them with vomit inducing misery. The images on the screen are pleasant enough; beautiful shots of various European cities taken from a helicopter. But, some of the camera movements are absurd, suddenly sweeping to the side or panning rapidly upward in a manner that would frankly only happen if your helicopter was crashing. One moment you are high over Neuschwanstein Castle then suddenly with a crazy dive you are following a motor cycle under the Eiffel Tower. The motion base has seemingly little coordination with what is happening on screen, and by the end I was moments from projectile vomiting. Never again.
I need this.
Enjoying some mulled wine, one of many delicious treats available in the park specifically for Christmastown.
The Festhaus tree has an elaborate light show synchronized to music.
Night rides on Verbolten were required, of course.
This is one chilly ride in the cold winter night.
The coaster's five trains have different license plates, with this one paying tribute to the Big Bad Wolf. Additionally, for a nice touch at night, the headlights on the first car are functional. To ensure they don't ruin the indoor portion, the lights turn off just before entering the show building and turn back on after exiting.
The historically accurate nativity scene in the San Marco Vineyard.
The trip would not be complete without a ride on the Busch Gardens Railway.
Sporting a lighting package of its own, the train loops around the park, functioning as a ride and a transit mode.
Perhaps the most imppressive lighting package at the park can be found at Escape from Pompeii, which has been completely covered in lights.
Before leaving, there was the irresistible temptation of the Sesame Street Christmas show, which unfortunately paled in comparison to the fantastic "Lights, Camera, Imagination! 4D" Sesame Street film that usually plays in the park's Globe Theatre.
So concluded another great day at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It speaks to the quality of the park that such a nice day can be had even with only one roller coaster operating. I am very relieved that Verbolten does not disappoint, and like the Big Bad Wolf before it, it is definitely a must-ride on future visits.
