Christmas Town 2012

[Party Rocker]

I doubt anyone is going to get any advanced info on the $5 Twickets, if they do them again. With all the complaints last year, I really don't see them doing it again, or at least making them $10 instead.

So, 1,500 trees will be in the park with about 1,200 being lit up and the others used for mulch to help scent certain areas. Same amount as last year, just trees are shuffled around a bit more this year.

 

[James]

I wouldn't be shocked if the price went up this year considering the park is almost in full operation besides the coasters.

 

[Shafor]

From Twitter, just now:

"It's beginning to look a lot like #ChristmasTown, & we have new promotions starting today. Save $5 on CT tickets with promo code BGWPAPACT."

 

[Ziva]

It looks like they've updated the website! The Festa rides are now listed with cutesy Christmas-y names (like Peppermint Twist and Reindeer Run), and it looks like VBolt will be this Christmas's coaster!

[EDIT] But they also have the train listed twice. And the skyride as all three stops, not just the one. And Mach Tower in "scenic" mode. Does anyone have any info on those last two?

 

[chickenking]

From Twitter, just now:

"It's beginning to look a lot like #ChristmasTown, & we have new promotions starting today. Save $5 on CT tickets with promo code BGWPAPACT."

Unfortunately it is only off of full price tickets. Bush reps have verified that for me. Apparently pass members with half off can't double dip with this code.

 

[Zachary]

But they also have the train listed twice. And the skyride as all three stops, not just the one. And Mach Tower in "scenic" mode. Does anyone have any info on those last two?

I didn't know about the skyride, but yes, Mach Tower will be in observation mode. It will function basically just like an observation tower. It'll simply raise and lower at a constant speed instead of dropping. The plan was to run it in this mode last year but they switched at the last minute because they concluded that it hadn't actually been open long enough during the season in the normal mode and they didn't want people to think that's all their new ride could do.

 

[Thomas]

Sounds like it will be a good year for Christmas Town. I prefer having the Skyride operating as normal, the full loop was nice, but the line was always atrocious.

 

[chickenking]

With all the complaints last year, I really don't see them doing it again, or at least making them $10 instead.

What were the complaints about? I wasn't a member of this site or following any facebook comments last tear.

 

[redsoxfan787]

But they also have the train listed twice. And the skyride as all three stops, not just the one. And Mach Tower in "scenic" mode. Does anyone have any info on those last two?

I didn't know about the skyride, but yes, Mach Tower will be in observation mode. It will function basically just like an observation tower. It'll simply raise and lower at a constant speed instead of dropping. The plan was to run it in this mode last year but they switched at the last minute because they concluded that it hadn't actually been open long enough during the season in the normal mode and they didn't want people to think that's all their new ride could do.

Any idea how long it would stay at the top?

 

[James]

Any idea how long it would stay at the top?

My guess is just as long as it would if it was going to drop you. It'll most likely be about the trip up and the trip down.

 

[chickenking]

And the skyride as all three stops, not just the one.

Is it possible they will do the tour all around and also let people off at individual stations for transportation purposes? I don't know if that is how it operated last year because we didn't want to wait three hours to get on.

 

[BGWfan]

The website explicitly states:

"The skyride stops in England, France, and Germany.

• England - arrival from Rhinefield departure for a one-way trip to Aquitaine
• Aquitaine- Arrival from England, departure for one way trip to Rhinefield
• North Pole - Arrival from Aquitaine, departure for a one way trip to England"

 

[chickenking]

The website explicitly states:

"The skyride stops in England, France, and Germany.

• England - arrival from Rhinefield departure for a one-way trip to Aquitaine
• Aquitaine- Arrival from England, departure for one way trip to Rhinefield
• North Pole - Arrival from Aquitaine, departure for a one way trip to England"

So I wonder if that means you can take the ride all the way around from any location. They made it sound like it started over by Elmo World. And by extension stay on it for however long you want. Probably not, but that is something that looks like it needs to be addressed.

 

[Ziva]

But they also have the train listed twice. And the skyride as all three stops, not just the one. And Mach Tower in "scenic" mode. Does anyone have any info on those last two?

I didn't know about the skyride, but yes, Mach Tower will be in observation mode. It will function basically just like an observation tower. It'll simply raise and lower at a constant speed instead of dropping. The plan was to run it in this mode last year but they switched at the last minute because they concluded that it hadn't actually been open long enough during the season in the normal mode and they didn't want people to think that's all their new ride could do.

I knew there'd been rumors about it last year, but I'm thrilled that it's happening for real this time! What a view that's going to be!

 

[Party Rocker]

You can get on the Sky ride just like during the regular season and stay on as long as you like. This was done primarily because of the long lines it caused with one station, therefore it operates just like during the regular season but with lights.
I also hope the park map gets some work done to it. If you go to Event Details in the corner, the map is listed. The map is inaccurate though, showing the area called Festa Italia instead of Retro Lane, with the actual ride names and not the Christmas Town names. Also note, under each Sky Ride location it states *One Way Only*

 

[Brandon]

Looks like no DarKastle this year.

 

[lazerdoc]

But they also have the train listed twice. And the skyride as all three stops, not just the one. And Mach Tower in "scenic" mode. Does anyone have any info on those last two?

I didn't know about the skyride, but yes, Mach Tower will be in observation mode. It will function basically just like an observation tower. It'll simply raise and lower at a constant speed instead of dropping. The plan was to run it in this mode last year but they switched at the last minute because they concluded that it hadn't actually been open long enough during the season in the normal mode and they didn't want people to think that's all their new ride could do.

I predict lines of 1.5 to 2 hours.

 

[Party Rocker]

Here is a bit of interesting info.

Verbolten Christmas Town page:

Guests gather aboard this all-new multi-launch coaster for a thrilling holiday cruise through the German countryside and Black Forest. Stay warm indoors and feel the chills outside as this autobahn-touring experience dashes through the woods and slows down briefly, so guests can take in the holiday lights, before an 88-foot plunge leaves everyone breathless and thinking, “Now this is Christmas”. Luckily, this exhilarating ride leads right back to the fun and the festivities of Oktoberfest.

Could we be seeing Christmas lights inside the event building in the Black Forest?

Snowman Summit Christmas Town page:

The winter wind will flow through guests’ hair as this ride spins them to smiling around a snowman and dazzling lights.

So I guess a snowman will be strategically placed in the center of the ride?

Peppermint Twist Christmas Town page:

No trip to Holiday Hills™ is complete without a ride on Peppermint Twist™. These antique teacups are perfect for the entire family as guests control the whirling, twirling pace around Santa Claus at Busch Gardens’ special version of this classic ride.

So I assume instead of referring to Festa as Retro Lane they went with Holiday Hills? Also sounds like the giant tea cup will be replaced with yet another giant Santa Claus, as if the one at Pompeii wasn't enough

Dasher's Diner Christmas Town page:

Christmas is a wonderful time for tasty holiday treats and a family feast. Dasher’s Diner™ will feature many Christmas goodies including an old-fashioned, home cooking inspired buffet and other holiday treats. This warm and welcoming environment will bring guests back to a simpler time.

So it appears La Cucina will remain a buffet, but instead of pizza and pasta, traditional American Christmas foods?

So things are looking interesting, now can they deliver?

 

[Brandon]

Here is a bit of interesting info.

Verbolten Christmas Town page:

Guests gather aboard this all-new multi-launch coaster for a thrilling holiday cruise through the German countryside and Black Forest. Stay warm indoors and feel the chills outside as this autobahn-touring experience dashes through the woods and slows down briefly, so guests can take in the holiday lights, before an 88-foot plunge leaves everyone breathless and thinking, “Now this is Christmas”. Luckily, this exhilarating ride leads right back to the fun and the festivities of Oktoberfest.

Could we be seeing Christmas lights inside the event building in the Black Forest?

I think they are referring to how the coaster slows down briefly at the top of the hill, giving riders an opportunity to see the lights. Christmas lights in a forest wouldn't make a whole lot of sense, but then again...

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

If they didn't do anything for HoS, I doubt they would do it for CT.