Busch Gardens Williamsburg Project 2024: Loch Ness Monster Renovation

[Jwanger93]

An entire station retheme is a minor change??

You pulled that one singular sentence out of context, I’m saying some 6x6 posts, some rope, few shelves, some props, what I’m saying is that’s is not a 50k retheming in the station, Yes the screens in the tunnel are going to be amazing but this level of theming we are seeing in the station could have been all we got and I would have been thrilled, The sentiment that I feel when talking to everyone here in the community, is this really is all we asked for, anything to increase the feeling of immersion in to the experience.

 

[swimmerboy29]

Animatronic is a bar this chain has yet to clear and I really don't see any reason why they would for this project. Also, keep in mind this is outdoors. how many outdoor animatronics do you know of? That's as close to rule out as you can get.

I have to agree with Zach here and say that while expectations should be tempered, this all looks great. As a group I think we all have some concerns, and it's important that keep things realistic. With that, my 2 cents are:

1.Kevin Lembke has been a godsend for this park. While other parks are admittedly trying their best with a hostile board that only looks at the numbers, Lembke seems to be strongly advocating for solid additions that get back to the park's soul recently(This could be it's own thread).

2.This project has only added things as it's gone on. While it might not end up giving Busch an Expedition Everest look alike, who in their right mind would expect that? People have been asking to restore the LNM for about 15 years now (ask me how I know). This by that standard, this is a dream come true. The addition effects is awesome to see, but it's all just a bonus.

Long Live the Orange Stripe!

It's funny you mention Everest- I was... gullible as a child and a girl I went to school with convinced me that Big Bad Wolf was built around some sort of alpine mountain structure . So the first time we ever pulled up (Memorial Day Weekend of 2010), I saw the backside of Pompeii and assumed it was the mountain for Big Bad Wolf.

I completely agree with @Mushroom and @Zachary.

What made Nessie's theming work so well in the past were the sophisticated, subtle touches (like the "rope" on the station doors) and the coherent storytelling across the queue and building architecture. It never needed a random animatronic to immerse guests in its universe. You walked through the research site and ended up on the mythical beast, herself.

If the park can bring back the sense that you are experiencing a complete story, they will have done everything they needed to. Implying that they have somehow fallen short by failing to add expensive and unnecessary theming elements, in my mind, sends a terrible message ("next time don't bother") and fails to highlight what we have been asking for across the board (immersive, hamlet-appropriate storytelling).

This has always been my view of the difference in theming between Busch and Disney (aside from the obvious lol). On Everest, you're coming face to face with the monster. On just about every Busch ride (the exception being Alpengeist and even then you're not really encountering the Alpengeist and I'd say all that ride really needs is some sort of operator station that you pass as you head out that seems to be going haywire. Maybe blizzard noises on the lift and growling noises right before the drop hits? Idk.) you're riding the beast itself.

 

[PhantomJB93]

You pulled that one singular sentence out of context, I’m saying some 6x6 posts, some rope, few shelves, some props, what I’m saying is that’s is not a 50k retheming in the station, Yes the screens in the tunnel are going to be amazing but this level of theming we are seeing in the station could have been all we got and I would have been thrilled, The sentiment that I feel when talking to everyone here in the community, is this really is all we asked for, anything to increase the feeling of immersion in to the experience.

I somewhat get your point but I think you would be shocked how little $50K gets you in the construction industry if you’re not overly familiar with it. I would bet this far exceeds that number you threw out.

 

[Coasternerd]

Not mention… the station floor was resurfaced entirely.

 

[horsesboy]

I believe that there was also significant rewiring to modernize the station. That isn't a cheap item.

 

[Irishlad]

I believe that there was also significant rewiring to modernize the station. That isn't a cheap item.

Yes definetly saw new fixtures and speakers

 

[metalman]

Can someone explain to braided steel wire running inside the length of the roller coaster track. Sometimes it’s on the inside right of the then angles over and runs up the inside left. And here’s a couple pics from yesterday.

 

[Le Moose]

Can someone explain to braided steel wire running inside the length of the roller coaster track. Sometimes it’s on the inside right of the then angles over and runs up the inside left. And here’s a couple pics from yesterday.

Most likely where maintenance attaches their safety harnesses to the track during their inspections.

 

[mtpelepele]

Safety harness tie off cable for maintenance workers.

 

[metalman]

Great! Thanks, guys.

 

[Irishlad]

TESTING 1…2… TESTING 1…2… is this thing on?

 

[Coolguy15]

Testing on my 18th birthday is crazy.

 

[the_pantsmith]

You know what would send this over the top? Queue line music. Not sure how many of y'all have been to Efteling but I'd KILL for some queue music like De Vliegende Hollander has. Maybe it should be a bit more "Scottish" sounding but I'd love something upbeat and adventurous like that.

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[Thomas]

Testing on my 18th birthday is crazy.

Testing the ride during my nephew’s bar mitzvah is insane! Mazel tov!

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

Testing during my friend's mom's mother-in-law's dog's birthday is wild...

 

[Irishlad]

You know what would send this over the top? Queue line music. Not sure how many of y'all have been to Efteling but I'd KILL for some queue music like De Vliegende Hollander has. Maybe it should be a bit more "Scottish" sounding but I'd love something upbeat and adventurous like that.

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One interview said they do have a custom score being produced but I’m not sure which one i saw that in! Suzy mentioned it!

 

[Zachary]

Yep! Rumors I've heard from the start have definitely involved new music!

 

[Coolguy15]

Testing during my friend's mom's mother-in-law's dog's birthday is wild...

Hahahaha Yall are funny!

 

[the_pantsmith]

Yep! Rumors I've heard from the start have definitely involved new music!

I would LOVE for this to become a staple for BGW refurbs. I'm having a hard time remembering if any other rides have distinct scores already.

 

[Irishlad]

I would LOVE for this to become a staple for BGW refurbs. I'm having a hard time remembering if any other rides have distinct scores already.

Apollos chariot for sure, other than that I don’t remember!