Is BGW Losing Its Charm?

[Mushroom]

The nice thing about Busch Gardens is that most of the original park is still there. They have removed some rides, but no mass destruction has ever been done like paramount did the kings dominion

The biggest modern destruction to the park, in my opinion, is the removal of trees and nature. The most amazing owners in the world could take over the park tomorrow, but that lush corner of the park near the Killarney bridge that was ripped out for Finnegan’s Flyer (for example) will still be gone for decades.

In some ways, I think that’s a worse problem. Most of the things KD lost like transportation rides could theoretically come back but for the the likely poor financial returns of doing so. But the natural landscape of BGW is central to its charm. And whenever more of it is cleared, it’s not coming back for a long time.

 

[Jonesta6]

To be fair to that point, the pipeline easement clearing regulations weren't something they could continue to ignore, which thus meant some of the immersion created by separating hamlet themes was destroyed.

Therefore, unfortunately, there was going to be trees and natural cover lost regardless of the further blending of sightlines via clear-cutting.

 

[Gavin]

Park could have spent about $1-2 million and had it rerouted along Carters Grove.

 

[Thriller]

I agree that the clearing down the center of the park is absolutely hideous. Especially when they try to market the park for its beauty.

But that seems to be the case a bad decision on how the park was originally built with the pipeline going through it, and then subsequent requirements on the right of way. Unlike intentional destruction of park elements ala Paramount.

Did regulations or enforcement change at some point after the park was built regarding trees on the right of way?

 

[Mushroom]

I actually wasn’t thinking about the pipeline. I was thinking of Finnegan’s, InvadR, Verbolten, Tempesto, just to name a few. The once beautiful area around Finnegan’s looks like a gravel pit. InvadR doesn’t have a single tree or bush planted anywhere within or near the ride. Verbolten’s area looks nearly as bare today as it did in 2012 — whereas photos of Big Bad Wolf from the 90s show how comparatively lush that space was when BBW was roughly Verbolten’s current age.

In a park with so much unused acreage as BGW, piling rides on top of each other at the expensive of greenery to make for an “exciting atmosphere” (actual argument made by then-president Carl Lum to justify Tempesto’s placement) is inexcusable. Short of that, failing to put landscaping back around the ride is just as inexcusable.

 

[Nicole]

There has been a lot of talk about the erosion of theming and emphasis on thrill rides over every other aspect of guest experience. It occurred to me today reading these posts (which I just split out into their own thread) that the park has also drifted fairly far away from their conservation focus, specifically the animal focus and the "gardens" component of "Busch Gardens."

The conservation fund still exists:

Home | SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund

See how over 2,000 people are dedicating their careers to care for the animals at SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove parks.

swbg-conservationfund.org

The chain still claims to have a mission of conservation:

SeaWorld Environmental Conservation and Protection | SeaWorld Entertainment

We are committed to conserving all animals and habitats. We actively support efforts protecting our oceans and coral reefs, seeking sustainable food sources for park guests and our animals, as well as our on-going animal rescues.

seaworldentertainment.com

But in Williamsburg it increasingly feels more like talk than action.

Other parks in the chain still rescue animals and function as aquaria and zoos, but BGW just has a few farm animals and some wolves leftover from a time when the wildlife was just as important to park identity at the coasters. It is honestly hard to believe that Williamsburg still enthusiastically supports its zoological activities.

Similarly, there has been a lot of talk about whether BGW still deserves the title of "World's Most Beautiful Park." I think it is because they are stripping out their greenery in favor of large, metal machines. More and more the gardens have devolved into some pretty landscaping and a lawn mower display.

I guess my point is that, yes, they have apparently lost interest in storytelling and placemaking. But perhaps just as disturbingly, they have also seemingly lost track of their identity as a garden focused on conversation.

 

[tursiops]

I was trading in my printed vouchers for HoS QQ yesterday just to recieve DIFFERENT printed vouchers and I said to the guy, doesn't this kind of go against the whole conversation message? There is so much wasted printing of vouchers there it's insane.

Also, not trying to sidetrack this thread fully, but to piggy back on the conservation talk: I keep getting WCUSA surveys after I go and they always ask if I'm more inspired and better understand SEAS conservation efforts? How would going to WCUSA change that? They literally have NOTHING about conservation. At least at one time they had a few gators in a tank at the conservation station. Both parks really need to add in this area if they want to continue acting as if it's important.

 

[warfelg]

I can't speak 100% to the question I'm about to ask, but It could play it's part:

What are the regulations in Virginial like in terms of sightlines and access for rides? Something that get's talked about a lot in urban planner circles are the sightlines and access for emergency management, and I wonder to some degree of if that's something in place for BGW is it hurting their ability to do many of the things we talk about.

Like with InvadR, we (i think) would all love to see the infield get something in there, but if the county/state has stuff in place to have certain clearances in there then there's little they can do. Same with FF and the space down by the creek.

I bring this up because it's coming rarer and rarer to find parks that don't clear out huge swaths of land; and I think the excuse of construction equipment coming in is nothing more than that - an excuse to give hope over just saying "hey we're not allowed to do that".

 

[horsesboy]

Park could have spent about $1-2 million and had it rerouted along Carters Grove.

The pipeline predates the park so there was no rerouting option in fact part of Nessie's supports and track were custom designed and built in such away that the track could straddle the pipeline.

I agree that the clearing down the center of the park is absolutely hideous. Especially when they try to market the park for its beauty.

But that seems to be the case a bad decision on how the park was originally built with the pipeline going through it, and then subsequent requirements on the right of way. Unlike intentional destruction of park elements ala Paramount.

Did regulations or enforcement change at some point after the park was built regarding trees on the right of way?

From my understanding the original easement always gave the pipeline company the control over vegetation and other aspects but it was until about 10-15 years ago that they started using drones to servey and check the pipeline that they really began to flex that authority. There also have been a few high profile leaks on other pipelines that were not easily or quickly detected that likely added to them making the call. But it's not a park call and they don't actually have any role in it other then security giving the pipeline company access to the area. I would add that the National Park Service deals with the same issues along Jamestown and Green Springs with the same really visible clearing running through the area.

 

[Gavin]

The pipeline predates the park so there was no rerouting option in fact part of Nessie's supports and track were custom designed and built in such away that the track could straddle the pipeline.

A bunch of posts have been moved around, but the pipeline was moved during the initial contruction of the park and brewery.

Also, while I was doing some digging, I found out that the pipeline was moved back when the brewery and park were first being built. Based upon this plat, it appears the pipeline originally hugged Rt 60 in the front of the brewery.

 

[SLC Headache]

I actually wasn’t thinking about the pipeline. I was thinking of Finnegan’s, InvadR, Verbolten, Tempesto, just to name a few. The once beautiful area around Finnegan’s looks like a gravel pit. InvadR doesn’t have a single tree or bush planted anywhere within or near the ride. Verbolten’s area looks nearly as bare today as it did in 2012 — whereas photos of Big Bad Wolf from the 90s show how comparatively lush that space was when BBW was roughly Verbolten’s current age.

Having more greenery around Verbolten would go a long way in helping establish the forest setting it's supposed to have, as opposed to the warehouse setting it currently conveys. At least hide the show building from the pathway by the time Drachen Fire redevelopment is on the table.

I'd actually argue for buildings in InvadR's clearings, again to establish the story the ride is supposed to have, on top of being a nod to the Big Bad Wolf's village scene. VA already has Grizzly representing "wooden coaster through the woods" (as cleared out as it is).

 

[Coasternerd]

I'd actually argue for buildings in InvadR's clearings, again to establish the story the ride is supposed to have, on top of being a nod to the Big Bad Wolf's village scene.

The theme of the ride is even a Viking invasion… it would be very appropriate.

 

[warfelg]

The theme of the ride is even a Viking invasion… it would be very appropriate.

But. Vikings, boats, le scoot integration…..it’s fine!!

 

[Thriller]

I am a tree lover. I agree trees around those rides would add to the atmosphere. However I stand by my first statement. Most of the original park is still intact.

When one looks at parks like KD, Carowinds and both Grest America’s which had so many of their original elements destroyed by subsequent owners, it further makes that point.

Then there’s Kings Island which has almost been completely deforested within the park walkway boundaries. Busch tree removal has been minor compared to there

Another area that looks bad is the log flume with the concrete hillside and devoid of trees. Probably done for water flow but IMO that looks the worst in the park after the right of way.

It is concerning that SEAS has been very “Six Flags” (of the 90s/2000s) lately by going coasters crazy with little theming. on these new coasters. That formula will degrade the park. It didn’t work well for Six Flags either leading to lots of debt and bankruptcy.

 

[warfelg]

And I know this might end up being a little bit of a hot take:
I don't think that BGW lost it's charm per se - rather they did very little to keep the charm it did have.

 

[Ultrasuede]

One could say charm was also back in the day getting some rides in on a coaster at pitch black 11-12pm at night.

 

[Mushroom]

And I know this might end up being a little bit of a hot take:
I don't think that BGW lost it's charm per se - rather they did very little to keep the charm it did have.

When did you start visiting BGW?

 

[warfelg]

When did you start visiting BGW?

Made a visit in 2003, became a member in 2016.

But as to why I feel this way, I’m thinking of the lack of maintenance to simple things that are character, the lack of care to the theaters, animal habitats, so of the painting over murals and not recovering them. IMO that’s charm.

TBH I don’t really get complaints about the coaster placement or ride placements destroying the park, because they have to go somewhere. And in a heavily wooded park that means losing some of that.

And I’m not saying that BGW/SEAS/any other owner has done fine with this all of these things, but rather there is some reality of the situation that for progress something hade to be lost. I would prefer it to be some trees than something that’s artistic. Because the truth is that trees can be replaced if they care to. Ripping out a building or painting over a mural to me is much more damaging. So when I think they are doing very little to keep it - they aren’t caring for the built things they had.

 

[Mushroom]

Made a visit in 2003, became a member in 2016.

How can you say BGW hasn’t lost its charm when, save for one visit, you didn’t start visiting until a few years ago?

Respectfully, you don’t have the experience to know what BGW was like in the past. You’re absolutely welcome to say you still love BGW and think it’s still a great experience. But I don’t understand how you can compare the park to a past that you didn’t experience yourself.

The Simpsons is now on its 35th season. Lots of people say the show has lost the charm it had when it started. If I’ve only seen the episodes after Season 28, am I qualified to say whether or not the show has lost its charm?

 

[warfelg]

How can you say BGW hasn’t lost its charm

But that’s not what I was saying - I was saying that they hadn’t maintained what they had In the constructed items and the park would still have charm if they took care of it.