We do have some agreement here. I did say in my post the following: "Spicing/sprucing it up a bit from time to time is absolutely appropriate and necessary, I think. It's to be expected." However, I think radical and close-together changes are NOT to be expected...and can be very risky for the park. Again: Festhaus=beer hall. Roller coasters are definitely not the kiddie rides. However, when the teens have ridden the coasters...then what? Concerning Disney, BGW did amazing all these years...without having to disturb the ground that Disney walks on. For instance: the small-car market. Why try to enter a market that is already filled to the brim with competition?? Busch has always managed to pull a hat-trick without resorting to competing with Disney. What I'm saying is that trying to compete with Disney...by trying to be LIKE Disney...will put people in the position of rating the park based on their Disney experience. Disney will almost always blow direct competition out of the water (hey....they're DISNEY....they can do it! lol
). Personally, I liked Mach Tower, but I can't ride it because it hurt me to ride it. No, I'm not a huge person. I'm 6', average build, average weight. Still, the shoulder molds pushed my shoulders forward into the harness (WAY uncomfortable). Also, the seat mold has the upright piece on the front of the seat....erm....punishing my 'personal bits' (I'm being kind). Fortunately, we're not having more kids anyways...so no harm, no fowl
However, I will NEVER ride it again. I have no idea who they molded those seats after...but they must be much smaller in shape and form than the typical US male/female. LOL!
I didn't know there was a dust-up for Verbolten. I'm excited about it (apprehensive about if the 'rush' for the Rhine drop will be as great as the Wolf, but I will hold judgment on that till I ride it).
Sesame Street area: sigh. I didn't like it. Even before they built it. It didn't fit in with the rest of the TRADITIONAL LOOKING England area (empashis on those words, because I think that is what brings alot of people to BGW: authenticity). My Sesame Street days were over long ago, and my kids wouldn't be caught dead in there. lol. 'Nuff said.
Again, I'm in favor for GRADUAL and UNOBTRUSIVE changes to BGW. I'm not a fan for 'overhauls' or 'metamorphosis' of current structures. Busch is losing what I (speaking for myself) loved about the park. Beauty. Authenticity. WITHOUT resulting to the 'gaudy', 'loud' techniques used in other (lesser) parks. AFAIK, only Disney can do that right...and it typically ties in with one of their movies. Impossible for them to mess up most things.
It's a shame the show in the Festhaus is themed after the coaster. Like someone else said, it would probably be a MOST welcomed venue for the Globe Theater, instead. Building a coaster AND making a themed show related it is almost double-risky. If the coaster fails to thrill, will the show fail? Or vice-versa?? Impossible to say until they've both been 'tested' on the general public.
Btw: my issue hasn't even addressed the show inside the Festhaus. The theming and changed elements inside the building were bad enough. By themselves.
Let's hope that I'm seriously wrong on all accounts. I've been a BGW supporter for MANY years. I'd hate to feel like stopping now.