King Arthur's Challenge

[Unagi]

Coming back from researching more, I found this company called Miziker Entertainment. Their description reads "Miziker Entertainment designs and creates CGI content on all platforms for clients around the world." Using the wayback machine I went to their credits and found they were involved with BGW. Scrolling down is a credit for "BUSCH OLD COUNTRY Williamsburg, Virginia Swiss Village Show Consultant `96" Now this could not be for this ride, but I can't think of what else they could have done for BGW in 1996. Lemme know your thoughts.

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It was probably for a stage production and not KAC. Ron Miziker himself is a Disney legend. He created iconic live entertainment like the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review and the Electrical Parade and continued to do these kinds of projects after he left Disney.

 

[Rothbury]

I don't know if this helps you any but there used to be an area that may have been referred to that way. It was between Wolf Valley and where the Lorikeets are now. That area was also where you took the monorail from BGW to the Hospitality House for free beer. From what I remember it was 3 or 4 skill games located outside kind of in the trees and there were prizes awarded. I don't remember there being great prizes. There were maybe 5 or 6 TMs wearing medieval type costuming. The one TM I remember would walk the path trying to sell rats (fake). I seem to remember it might have lasted a couple of years.

 

[Nicole]

I think you may be referring to Threadneedle Faire?

Defunct - Threadneedle Faire (England)

RE: Hastings/ Threadneedle Fair Here is a cool photo from the souvenir book (1984 I think) Notice in the small image there is that stupid game that was near impossible that you had to climb up a ladder that swiveled 360 degrees and ring a bell to win. Don't forget if you lost, you still...

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[halfabee]

I have heard every so often, from a few who would know, snippets about a conceptualized 90s-era Switzerland hamlet retheme.

Seemingly it never went anywhere, but it did go far enough that at least one manufacturer suggested a bobsled type ride to anchor the rethemed area.

Timeframe for the idea was mid 90s... for whatever it's worth.

 

[Unagi]

I have heard every so often, from a few who would know, snippets about a conceptualized 90s-era Switzerland hamlet retheme.

Seemingly it never went anywhere, but it did go far enough that at least one manufacturer suggested a bobsled type ride to anchor the rethemed area.

Timeframe for the idea was mid 90s... for whatever it's worth.

Yes back then there was talk of a possible re-theme of New France into Switzerland. I wish they would've done at as it would've given the park a completely European feel.

 

[Coasternerd]

Yes back then there was talk of a possible re-theme of New France into Switzerland. I wish they would've done at as it would've given the park a completely European feel.

And it would actually make the transition work really well. We’ve already got Alpengiest (name translating to “Ghost of the Alps”) and that theme does technically fit the Switzerland theme as well.

 

[Gameboyzee]

So I was talking to my manager today and we got to talking about Busch Gardens, and said her mom remembered the ride. She said from what she could recall something on the ride caught fire which damaged parts of the ride that were important for its operation and instead of fixing it, they shut it down the next season. I've never heard of this being a reason for its closure, but does this ring a bell to anyone?

 

[mtpelepele]

I'm guessing she at least has her rides mixed up at a minimum. King Arthur's Challenge is the same simulator that went on to become Corkscrew Hill, Europe in the Air, and Battle for Eire.

 

[Unagi]

So I was talking to my manager today and we got to talking about Busch Gardens, and said her mom remembered the ride. She said from what she could recall something on the ride caught fire which damaged parts of the ride that were important for its operation and instead of fixing it, they shut it down the next season. I've never heard of this being a reason for its closure, but does this ring a bell to anyone?

I don’t recall any such thing happening. One of my best friends mom worked directly with former park VP Keith Kasen and I would’ve heard about a fire in there.

The ride just flat out sucked. It received a horrible reception when it opened in 1996 and the following year crowds were running past it faster than Usain Bolt to get to Alpengeist.

 

[Gameboyzee]

I don’t recall any such thing happening. One of my best friends mom worked directly with former park VP Keith Kasen and I would’ve heard about a fire in there.

The ride just flat out sucked. It received a horrible reception when it opened in 1996 and the following year crowds were running past it faster than Usain Bolt to get to Alpengeist.

I gotcha, it is most likely that my manger's mom simply misremembered. With all the years that have gone by it is easy to do.

 

[Gameboyzee]

I did find a couple photos of the queue (bottom right). Taken from the 1996 employee yearbook posted by Amy White on Facebook.

 

[rollergirl]

I did find a couple photos of the queue (bottom right). Taken from the 1996 employee yearbook posted by Amy White on Facebook.

View attachment 28235

First post! This is a fun forum and I look forward to sharing more historical info. I worked at BGW as a Ride Operator during the 1994-1996 seasons. This was when I was in high school so needless to say, the memories made there last a lifetime.

Oh, King Arthur's Challenge. It definitely has to be one of the worst rides ever at BGW. I was chosen as part of the opening crew in '96 after coming off the opening of Wild Izzy. My best friend in high school is actually in the KAC yearbook pic above (we worked together at a couple of rides that year). Honestly, I was stoked because it was the first time I got to work in the A/C. That was the best part about working that ride. We affectionately became known as the "vamps" because we didn't see much daylight. Below is me in my ugly costume. The vest was black/white while working at the entrance and loading and then we flipped it around to show rainbow diamonds on the other side when we worked at the exits.

People would constantly throw up on the ride and we would have to hit the emergency stop to clean it up. Questor's visuals didn't hit as hard as KAC's did. I just stunk because the theming of the entrance cave, the music and the queue intro were so mysterious and on point but then the ride was a huge letdown. People would exit and tell us how bad it was, but we already knew that!

 

[TheBigBadBuschBro1984]

HOLY SHIT I THINK I Just DISCOVERED ON RIDE FOOTAGE OF KING ARTHURS CHALLENGE! I it's in this video at 43:40

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[mtpelepele]

Oh yeah, just flying right through those chains? Definitely KAC.

 

[halfabee]

Excellent find!

Nearly 30 years after I last saw any of that ride video, it remains so familiar. Even at the height of the regional park simulator boom, the KAC "bonking into a chair" bit was absolutely unique. Which is not to say it was good.

 

[Lord Robert]

Amazing find!

It's as horrendous as I hoped. Those swinging ceiling maces made me laugh for how unnatural the movements are.