COVID-19’s Impacts on BGW

[Jonesta6]

Not my ideas. It’s the CDC. I linked it. ? Sorry, but we can’t just make up our own science.

Once again, this is targeting by the admins which is against forum policy & discrimination which is against forum policy.

I believe your crying victim when you're the one cherry picking data and providing your own analysis that runs counter to your source's actual analysis and folks here are proving you wrong is not targeting at all.

Stop with the bullshit dude!

 

[horsesboy]

Is that Saturday number an average between both sessions or the total for the day?

If it was 6700 total on Saturday across 2 sessions then Sunday must have been real bad.

I honestly don't know it was from a casual conversation with someone I don't know well so I wasn't digging for details or even expecting that info basically I just said I was there this weekend and it seemed like they were busy and the numbers came up in their response. It also occurred to me that I don't know if they track actual gate entrance or ticket scans. If the track the scans then a pass scanned for both sessions might still count as 1 not 2 and I know of quite a few people doing both. Also remember those are for the whole day so that 7200 doesn't meaning there were 7200 in the park at the same time.

 

[rswashdc]

Is that Saturday number an average between both sessions or the total for the day?

If it was 6700 total on Saturday across 2 sessions then Sunday must have been real bad.

This seems like the situation based on comments here and on Facebook. If Saturday looked like Sunday, there would be a lot more anecdotes about how bad it was from members. Sunday had long waits everywhere - hour wait for most the coasters, 30-45 for major flats, and even 10-20 for minor flats. Eateries and stores weren't terrible as the session starts around the middle of lunch time, but there weren't nearly enough open for the crowds.

 

[Zimmy]

I can honestly say, I do not think I will be going to BGW until I am inoculated. When it was nearly empty and the staff was paying attention, I felt reasonably comfortable. That does not seem to be the case anymore.

 

[KDcoasterMAN]

This seems like the situation based on comments here and on Facebook. If Saturday looked like Sunday, there would be a lot more anecdotes about how bad it was from members. Sunday had long waits everywhere - hour wait for most the coasters, 30-45 for major flats, and even 10-20 for minor flats. Eateries and stores weren't terrible as the session starts around the middle of lunch time, but there weren't nearly enough open for the crowds.

All of this was true. Verbolten's queue was full but only running two trains. I don't know how many people were there, but I'd wager a guess around 5500-6500. I will say that I never thought it was overcrowded while I was there. But there were certainly more people than what I expected. I did not see anyone not wearing a mask throughout the park unless they were eating or drinking.

 

[Beachokie]

So trying to get back on course a little I was told that TOTAL daily attendance for Saturday was about 6,700 and total for Sunday was about 7,300. I can't say how accurate those numbers are but I can say it came up easily in a causal conversation with an employee so I think the odds are good that they are fairly close to be correct.

Fantastic news.

 

[Beachokie]

I can honestly say, I do not think I will be going to BGW until I am inoculated. When it was nearly empty and the staff was paying attention, I felt reasonably comfortable. That does not seem to be the case anymore.

I applaud your decision. If you aren't comfortable, don't go.
Thank you for not trying to get people in trouble or shut stuff down because you disagree with things going on.

 

[warfelg]

I can honestly say, I do not think I will be going to BGW until I am inoculated. When it was nearly empty and the staff was paying attention, I felt reasonably comfortable. That does not seem to be the case anymore.

Sucks that others attitudes to this is effecting your decision making. I wish that people didn’t confuse freedoms with being a selfish prick.

 

[horsesboy]

I applaud your decision. If you aren't comfortable, don't go.
Thank you for not trying to get people in trouble or shut stuff down because you disagree with things going on.

Honestly I applaud his decision to but it also depresses me that he feeling like he has to make it. I am all for free choice and actually believe some of the government mandates are to hard but free choice also extends to business Busch has a mask mandate regardless of the state and just like you shouldn't expect show up a 5 star restaurant with a dress code and be welcomed in jeans and a t shirt you shouldn't expect to be welcomed maskless at Busch right now!! If you don't like that or agree with that GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!

 

[..…]

I already know I'm gonna regret jumping down this rabbit hole but I'm going to do it anyway. I started following this conversation because...I don't know why...but what I'm seeing beyond the name-calling and trolling (from everyone at this point) are members who clearly care about society but disagree on what that entails. Unfortunately, with everyone making their points so aggressively, how is anyone supposed to understand the other's position? Neither side has a moral high ground. If everyone would stop trying to claim a moral high ground, maybe there would be more listening and less aggression. I don't think any of this had to lead to name calling and censuring if everyone made their points in a more polite, compassionate way. But once one member starts trolling, it all goes downhill from there. And once everyone starts with the aggression and name-calling, everyone loses the right to accuse the other of trolling because everyone is doing the same thing.

Honestly, underneath all of this, I think there are excellent points to be made on both sides of this argument - some of which likely everyone can agree with even though there may never be a full consensus. But here's the thing everyone seems to forget in today's world: it's okay not to agree all of the time. I repeat: IT'S OKAY. Someone with whom you disagree is not inherently a bad person. Can we stop looking at each other as bad and have a polite discussion? Politeness needs to start somewhere. Returning aggression with aggression only leads to more aggression - it can't lead anywhere else. But if you return aggression with politeness and compassion, there is the chance that it could lead the aggressor to become polite and compassionate and that will have a way different outcome.

Yeesh. There is no reason for any of this.

 

[nick]

Two thumbs up for @Lolers.

 

[Beachokie]

Honestly I applaud his decision to but it also depresses me that he feeling like he has to make it. I am all for free choice and actually believe some of the government mandates are to hard but free choice also extends to business Busch has a mask mandate regardless of the state and just like you shouldn't expect show up a 5 star restaurant with a dress code and be welcomed in jeans and a t shirt you shouldn't expect to be welcomed maskless at Busch right now!! If you don't like that or agree with that GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!

You will not see me say one thing about a mask mandate. I wear mine when appropriate as it has been proven to help.
I 100% agree with you that if someone doesn't like that they have to wear a mask at BG, they can shut the hell up and stay home too.

Where I draw the line is the bitching and snitching that people on here do. Bitching about the seats not being wiped down well enough (lolol like it actually matters anyways). Snitching on an employee because they took their mask down for a minute. Bitching that it's too crowded. Snitching on people because they didn't pull their mask up high enough and took 3 secs too long to do it after finishing a drink. Get a life.

If you aren't comfortable, stay away.
If you're going to not follow the rules that BGW has, stay away.

I'm not arguing anything about "BuT mY fReEdOm!!" Those people are too dumb to realize that BGW is a private entity that can make basically any rule they want.

 

[Mushroom]

Where I draw the line is the bitching and snitching that people on here do. Bitching about the seats not being wiped down well enough (lolol like it actually matters anyways). Snitching on an employee because they took their mask down for a minute. Bitching that it's too crowded. Snitching on people because they didn't pull their mask up high enough and took 3 secs too long to do it after finishing a drink. Get a life.

The trouble I have with this is that BGW advertises all of those safety procedures as part of their value proposition right now. All over social media, their website, on TV and in the news, BGW is advertising how seriously they're taking COVID precautions and how they're doing all these things to keep their guests safe. They're telling people it's okay to come to the park, that even if you don't want to catch COVID, you'll be okay because the park is taking all the necessary steps.

The park proved with their early events last summer and fall that they are capable of successfully enforcing and carrying out those procedures. Disney, Universal, Kings Dominion, even Six Flags proved it can be done too. When BGW suddenly decides to drop the ball, they're not only breaking their promise and falsely advertising, but they're potentially putting at risk people who made a calculated decision to visit BGW under the impression that the park would be working to keep them safe.

 

[Beachokie]

The trouble I have with this is that BGW advertises all of those safety procedures as part of their value proposition right now. All over social media, their website, on TV and in the news, BGW is advertising how seriously they're taking COVID precautions and how they're doing all these things to keep their guests safe. They're telling people it's okay to come to the park, that even if you don't want to catch COVID, you'll be okay because the park is taking all the necessary steps.

The park proved with their early events last summer and fall that they are capable of successfully enforcing and carrying out those procedures. Disney, Universal, Kings Dominion, even Six Flags proved it can be done too. When BGW suddenly decides to drop the ball, they're not only breaking their promise and falsely advertising, but they're potentially putting at risk people who made a calculated decision to visit BGW under the impression that the park would be working to keep them safe.

I definitely feel you on most of that. I do.

Let's address the 5 things on their home page:
1) Temp screenings - check (I think we all can agree these are more for show)
2) Face Coverings Required - the VAST majority of people wear them
3) Physical distancing - the VAST majority of people are cognizant of how close they are to others.
4) Enhanced Cleaning and Sanitizing - there are sanitizer dispenses everywhere. We've all seen them clean rides (can we please at least all agree cleaning something once an hour isn't actually doing anything when probably 20 different people touch them between cleanings)
5) Limited capacity - clearly adhering to this as well.

So I don't really see where they are not enforcing things at a macro level. Will there be people that don't wear masks correctly. Yes. Of course there are. If you can't deal with it stay home. BGW is a luxury. It is not a need.

If you get caught in a busy area of the park, then go somewhere else, it's a big ass entertainment park. find somewhere else to go if you are so offended by the number of people in line with you at Verbolten at that point in time.

 

[Nicole]

My experience this weekend did not match your assertions. I saw guests and employees without their noses and mouths covered. I also did not find myself in a single socially-distanced queue.

I have been going since the park opened back up and this weekend was far and away the worst I’ve seen.

To me the issue is not whether I can decide for myself whether to risk going to the park. I think the point is (as both @Mushroom and @Memles have addressed before) what the park promised me they would do to protect me.

It is bad business to fail to follow through on promises related to guest health. Moreover, it is good business to ensure a safe experience. They do not appear to be on the right side of that equation at this point.

I also think that changing their procedures without any justification, before the pandemic is over, sends a terrible message. For example, if they decided to start loading every row on InvadR because their understanding of the threat changed, then tell people that. Otherwise, it just looks cynical. That said, I know of no data that would explain cramming people in every row inside a station for extended periods of time. So, I am hard-pressed to give them the benefit of the doubt.

The whole argument that people should just stay home and stop whining sounds like a complete red herring to me.

 

[Nibbins]

[...]
4) Enhanced Cleaning and Sanitizing - there are sanitizer dispenses everywhere. We've all seen them clean rides (can we please at least all agree cleaning something once an hour isn't actually doing anything when probably 20 different people touch them between cleanings)
[...]

In my experience most of the sanitizer dispensers are empty lately. I usually have to try 2 or 3 to find one that works. I have been on rides that did not have any working sanitizer stations at the exit.

Cleaning every hour at least limits the exposure to those 20 people that touch the surface in between the cleanings, so it is doing something.

 

[Zachary]

3) Physical distancing - the VAST majority of people are cognizant of how close they are to others.

The park's website still states "modified seating will be implemented to maintain physical distancing" relating to rides. The fact of the matter is that this is a false statement and hence, false advertising. There are very few rides where guests are able to maintain the "appropriate, six-foot physical distancing" that BGW expressly advertises.

If BGW advertised that they don't care about physical distancing anymore and that all of their rides were going to operate at 100% capacity, we'd be having a different debate here. Right now though, this seems crystal clear to me—Busch Gardens Williamsburg is duping their customers—luring them in with promises of safety and comfort that BGW does not actually provide anymore.

 

[horsesboy]

A couple points on this.

one when Busch said that they were sanitizing every hr many here Sai that was theater now that they are changing it that is a vital safety step that they should be doing. which is because it can't be both?

Two how many have even noticed the reduction of cart cleans an surfaces at stores or is it just parks that you are watching and carrying about?

Three and this goes hand and hand with two almost across the board everyone has reduced measures since August why do you feel that the Busch is required to announce and explain this but grocery stores, Walmart, Colonial Williamsburg and many many other venues don't need to?

Four and final. I am on several groups on FB and other areas where people were in the park this weekend and with the exception of lines and wait times just about everything I am reading was positive so maybe the general public doesn't actually care about this as much as you guys do.

Hand and hand with several of these points is what I said before that I always get puzzled by the belief that some here seem to have that the park is some magic place where budgetary considerations, staffing limits, and tge general publics attitude stop coming into play.

 

[horsesboy]

The park's website still states "modified seating will be implemented to maintain physical distancing" relating to rides. The fact of the matter is that this is a false statement and hence, false advertising. There are very few rides where guests are able to maintain the "appropriate, six-foot physical distancing" that BGW expressly advertises.

If BGW advertised that they don't care about physical distancing anymore and that all of their rides were going to operate at 100% capacity, we'd be having a different debate here. Right now though, this seems crystal clear to me—Busch Gardens Williamsburg is duping their customers—luring them in with the promises of safety and comfort that BGW does not actually provide anymore.

I sorry but no it's not a false statement. is it as true as it once was but to call it out right false is bluntly put false to. Are they not leaving a seat between guest open on FF? Are they not still grouping guest by their group only on the coaster? Those are modifications to pre Covid policies just because it's not the distancing that it once was or that you would like doesn't mean the statement is false.

 

[Zachary]

Three and this goes hand and hand with two almost across the board everyone has reduced measures since August why do you feel that the Busch is required to announce and explain this but grocery stores, Walmart, Colonial Williamsburg and many many other venues don't need to?

I'd criticize any business that expressly advertises things that they don't actually provide to guests whether that be Walmart, Colonial Williamsburg, or whatever else. This is a BGW forum though, so I'm speaking out against BGW's blatantly anti-consumer practices.

Four and final. I am on several groups on FB and other areas where people were in the park this weekend and with the exception of lines and wait times just about everything I am reading was positive so maybe the general public doesn't actually care about this as much as you guys do.

You could say that about almost anything we discuss here though, yeah? Most people skate through the park without thinking about anything. What sets us apart is that we actually do think critically about the park. I don't think it should be surprising that people who are less immersed in BGW would care less about park policy.

I sorry but no it's not a false statement. is it as true as it once was but to call it out right false is bluntly put false to. Are they not leaving a seat between guest open on FF? Are they not still grouping guest by their group only on the coaster? Those are modifications to pre Covid policies just because it's not the distancing that it once was or that you would like doesn't mean the statement is false.

A seat on Finnegan's Flyer is not the "appropriate, six-foot physical distancing" that the park expressly advertises on the same page where they claim that ride seating will be modified to "maintain physical distancing." And no, Apollo ops attempted to seat a friend of mine with another party over the weekend.

If BGW has done some analysis or has some evidence to support implementing something other than the CDC guidance on social distancing, I'm happy to consider it. That should be disclosed on the website. Alternatively, BGW can remove or modify their claims of social distancing on rides from their website. Right now though, they are advertising something that doesn't exist ("maintain[ing] physical distancing" of the "appropriate, six-[feet]" on rides).