First Trip to BGW

[kcracken]

When was your first time at Busch Gardens Williamsburg?


My first trip was when I was a junior in high school, 1985. The band was going to DC and we stopped at Busch on the way up. I don't remember a whole lot, just that I rode Loch Ness and loved it. I think I also rode BBW, but I can't remember! I remember that I loved the food and the steps between Scotland and Germany were SOOOO steep and long.

 

[Zachary]

The first time I ever went to Busch was when I was 5 or 6 I guess. I went with my parents, my grandparents, and my younger brother. I don't remember much about it at all but I do remember one thing. At the time, I had never been on a coaster before, and had not even put any consideration into riding one that time. I remember walking across the bridge under Nessie (I didn't know what it was at the time), and then up the LONG flight of stairs. My mom convinced me that Nessie wasn't scary at all (I don't think I even knew it was a coaster). I should also say that it was dark by now. I remember walking under the entrance sign and hearing the clicking of the lift hill. The line was long that night so the line went down into the over-flow area where the cool scenery is. I remember looking into the tent, and seeing the sub. Eventually we got up into the station. (I believe that this is where my mom came clean about Nessie being a coaster.) I figured that I was there now, so I might-as-well ride (remember, I still had never though that I had seen Nessie, so I had no clue that it had any inversions). I remember entering the train, and then my mom pulled down the restraints for my, making sure they where tight. The crazy thing is, that I don't remember much of anything about the ride when I rode it that first time, except that right after the first loop, I yelled, "I love this ride!" I have loved coasters ever since.

 

[Wings]

I was probably eight. I don't remember why we were down in Williamsburg though. I think the only things they've actually added sense my first visit were Griffon, Corkscrew Hill, and Curse of DarKastle.

 

[Chris]

This is a bit of an old thread, but, my first memory of Busch Gardens was playing in Eagle's Nest beside (and under) Le Scoot. I remember the park being someplace that I was already familiar with even before I had any solid memories of it. I remember playing the games in Threadneedle Faire and going to the shooting gallery in Hastings (this was when I was still too small to go on any roller coasters). I also remember being scared of LNM and having no interest in trying to go on it... it was so damn big! Now that I think of it, a lot of my childhood experiences no longer exist in the park. Questor, The Enchanted Laboratory, Threadneedle Faire, The Shooting Gallery, Eagle's Nest, The Petting Zoo, the monorail to the brewery, the free peanuts or chips on the way out of the park.

 

[AandA8104]

My first trip to the park I was too young to do anything. I was about 3 or 4 months old I think or somewhere around there. My parents have always love parks and so it began very early for me. All I can say is that from whatever point I do remember I was probably 5 or 6 I have loooovvvveeeddd theme parks in general, but BG holds a very special place in my heart.

 

[Mike541x]

I was 3 years old when I first visited the park which would've been 1996. I have very little memory of it. I can only remember Escape From Pompeii was closed for some reason, and actually seeing Drachen Fire and Loch Ness Monster in operation. But that's about it. And my second visit was in 2000 when I was 7 or 8. I remember more from that. The only roller coaster I went on was Wild Izzy. I also remember riding the train and seeing Drachen Fire in it's SBNO stage. That was an eerie sight, even for me at that age. I didn't fall in love with the park until 2005 when we went for Howl-O-Scream. Everything about the place was amazing. That was also the first and last time I got to ride the Big Bad Wolf.

 

[BTT_Racheal]

I don't remember my first visit to Busch Gardens. I think my parents took me when I was a baby a couple times. However, I do remember my ealier years of visiting the park. I was too scared to ride Wolf, but I got talked into riding Lochness and Drachen Fire by my aunt. Riffle Rapids was also my favorite ride.. And for the longest time I wouldn't ride Pompeii because my cousins got stuck and had to be evacuated. They told me they had to jump out of the boat and swim.. and I believed them. I was naive.

 

[BGWFans-Fan]

I know this is a dead thread, but my first memory is still fresh in my mind so I might as well document it.

The first trip i've took to BGW was back in 2003 after I just moved into the area (Metro-Richmond Area). I was used to going to Kings Dominion because it was closer, and ironically I've never heard of BGW (sadly ).

Once I saw a BGW commercial, I was out the door. The second I walked in the front gate I was like "this is sooo much better than KD!" Before I left for the park, I checked with some friends for tips and everyone was saying BBW was amazing and should be ridden first.

The second I entered the park I raced to the BBW. Then I wanted to ride Wild Maus, but it was closed.:dodgy:

That's the only thing I remember from my first experience, the park has went through a lot of changes since then. The replacement for BBW better be amazing, That ride was the best memory I've had at the park.

 

[Planeteer]

HoS 2001, after 9/11. I was in the Navy and they gave out free passes for military. I don't remember much, because,well, they sell beer, and I was a sailor...anyway, I remember BBW, Nessie, and Festhaus...again, beer. I didn't go back until April 2012, and that began my QUEST!

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

I was probably 1 month old since my family has been going to BGW ever since it opened. I really don't have a first memory of BGW, all I remember was general things. I used to go to the park in a stroller, not one of those huge ones that are 4 feet tall and are really bulky. I went in a Winny the Pooh stroller a very basic one that was just one of those sling ones and was 3 feet tall max. The earliest memories I have are of LOD, I used to jump out of the stroller hop on a ride at the LOD most likely the Lady Bugs(they were my favorite), the boats or the flume with the tiny drop(R.I.P.). I would only be with My Aunt all day long while my Mom took my Sister and brother to ride the bigger rides. Then after I rode something I would hop right back into the stroller, and sometimes I would go climbing on the play area. Good Times!

 

[chickenking]

My first trip was not very memorable. It was Fall 1992. I was in the U.S. Marine Corps going to my MOS school in Camp Lejune. My class got to go on a field trip (yes, they do that in the Corps too) to BGW. I don't remember much about the trip because I was hanging out with a couple of WM's (Woman Marines) and I was trying really hard to be cool and score points. I remember the San Marco theater and having lunch there. I remember the Clydesdale's and that's about it. And oh yeah, running through the park late at night trying to not be late for the bus. It is a pretty serious thing in the Marine Corps.

Second trip was much more memorable. It was Fall 1997. I was in college and a buddy of mine was into theme parks and roller coasters like most of the forum users are here. We took a weekend trip because he wanted to ride this new thing called Alpengeist. We rode it, as well as DrachenFire, the Wild Mause, BBW and Nessie. I think we did the le Mans as well. Saw a 4D show in the Globe Theater. Think it was R.L. Stine's Goosebumps or something. Good times!!

 

[Hoopla]

I was four months old when I first went. I don't remember anything, however, I was told that we went when there was a hurricane. The park eventually closed because a tornado formed close to the park.

 

[UncleDuncan]

I was 22-23 somewhere around 2000/2001, being a Sailor stationed in Norfolk. I had gone to King's Dominion the year prior because I was more interested in roller coasters and I thought BG was more of a "family park."

My then girlfriend told me, BG has only a few coasters but they're the best around. So we went and I was instantly converted. I bought a season pass and went no less than 5 times up until Winter break. I was then stationed in San Diego (which is actually home for me) and said good bye to BG for what I thought would be forever...

Then, 5 years ago, I was offered a job in DC. I'm not a fan of living in the area but a positive byproduct is being in driving distance of BG. And since moving back to the East Coast, I average probably 6 trips a year.

 

[Gareth]

My parents brought me when I was a baby so I can't remember my first trip. My first real memories of the park, though, were sitting in the little photo-op car in front of the Le Mans entrance and riding the mini-waveswinger that I always hated.

 

[DrMoneyReturns]

My first and second trips to the park were in the same summer when I was 12, 1995 or 1996. They're notable for how different they were.

My parents were recently divorced, and the money situation between parents was considerable. So, in my first trip, my Dad (who had the money) took me and my siblings and we wouldn't ride anything. I was way too scared. We rode the simulator ride in Corkscrew Hill, but that's about it. He complained (comically) that he'd spent all this money for us to go in there and do nothing.

The second time, my Mother (who was flat broke) took us through some tickets she got for, like, half-price through her job (which still represented a FORTUNE to her). Anyway, because she'd spent so much money, she actually made us ride roller coasters to get the money's worth. Absolutely terrified though I was, I boarded the Drachen Fire...and loved it!

Interesting note - my glasses slipped off of my face during that ride and I reached up and caught them in the air.

 

[Kyle]

First time I ever went to the park was when I was just under a month old. So I won't remember my first visit of course! But after visiting almost every other weekend, it became a second home to me where I'm whisked away into the worlds of Europe and adventure! I still have a magical feeling every time i go! My family has been going since its opening in 1975.

 

[Luke]

The first time I ever went to Busch was when I was 5 or 6 I guess. I went with my parents, my grandparents, and my younger brother. I don't remember much about it at all but I do remember one thing. At the time, I had never been on a coaster before, and had not even put any consideration into riding one that time. I remember walking across the bridge under Nessie (I didn't know what it was at the time), and then up the LONG flight of stairs. My mom convinced me that Nessie wasn't scary at all (I don't think I even knew it was a coaster). I should also say that it was dark by now. I remember walking under the entrance sign and hearing the clicking of the lift hill. The line was long that night so the line went down into the over-flow area where the cool scenery is. I remember looking into the tent, and seeing the sub. Eventually we got up into the station. (I believe that this is where my mom came clean about Nessie being a coaster.) I figured that I was there now, so I might-as-well ride (remember, I still had never though that I had seen Nessie, so I had no clue that it had any inversions). I remember entering the train, and then my mom pulled down the restraints for my, making sure they where tight. The crazy thing is, that I don't remember much of anything about the ride when I rode it that first time, except that right after the first loop, I yelled, "I love this ride!" I have loved coasters ever since.

Awwww