PTR: Busch Gardens Williamsburg 2012

[Edwardo]

So I wanted to go ride Verbolten opening weekend...but Matt didn't.  So I planned for the 2nd weekend, and made plans for the original weekend.  Then Matt wanted to go, but then didn't, then wanted to go opening weekend, but I couldn't, so we went for the 2nd weekend anyways.  Yeah.  I'm confused too.  On to some photos!


100_2955 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

Such a beautiful place.


100_2963 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

Still a quirky bit of fun.


100_2968 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

This is one of my favorite places in the park.


100_2970 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

So...Busch Gardens finally got a drop tower...but we'll get to that in a minute.


100_2981 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

The wrecked Porsche with the Black Forest taking over.


100_2985 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

Mach Tower.  Should be called Meh Tower.  How do you say Meh in German?


100_2995 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

The queue and station and area surrounding Verbolten are incredibly well themed.


100_3021 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

I like DarKastle better than Spidey.


100_3026 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

The queue was empty.  The park wasn't very busy all day, actually.


100_3031 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

No, seriously, it was boring.  And I'm afraid of heights.  The initial drop was good, but the brakes go more than halfway up the ride.


100_3032 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

Alpengeist was peaking out saying "Come ride me!"  So we did.


100_3034 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

Chuck is in the Airforce.  He's not a gladiator.  Nor is he a Centurion.


100_3038 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

Look at all that beautiful steel!


100_3040 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

Yeah...


100_3066 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

Not sure if this was a new Bifröst they were building, or just a gay pride bridge.  Either way, both aim to take you to a place you neva been before!


100_3069 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

Sucked.  (Yes, I hate Soarin' too)


100_3083 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

Iconic.


100_3096 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

Well, this looks different.

Quick thoughts on Verbolten:  It's fun.  I wish there was more theming before and after the building.  I wish it didn't come to a crawl over the 'bridge'.  The 'surprise' element in the building was actually pretty cool, and *Spoiler Alert* if you didn't know, there are 3 different scenarios in the show building.  I got 'Spirit of the Forest'.  Sadly Verbolten was down for most of the day and I only got one ride.  It's a powerful launch, couple good drops, fun in the dark family ride.


100_3097 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

I liked it better this time, particularly at nite.


Untitled by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

I loved the water rides, and we rode this one twice.


Untitled by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

This is what $36 worth of BGW food looks like.  Good.  Especially the Beer.


Untitled by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

Yay Instagram!!!


Untitled by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

Love them trains!


panorama-8 by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

Panoramic of the new ride.


panorama copy by Edward Beavers, on Flickr

The front of the park at nite.  Enjoy!

Rest of the pix Here.

[B-mac]

Glad you got to ride VBolt, sorry it's acting like Chiller. Mach Tower and Europe In The Air were disappointments to me when I went last year and the year before. Have yet to get the VBolt credit (maybe soon if the reliability issues are fixed).