Project 2012

[GoHokies87]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

Well I have stated my opinion and I will have to agree that it is very odd that the footers are still there. I will not say that the idea of recycling the footers is foolish, but I wouldn't hold your breath. There is nothing I hate more than to be set on something only to find that is was all in my head. I can see the BGW execs right now:

(November) "Hey Bill, don't forget to contract the team to finish the demo."

(March) "Park opens tomorrow what was I supposed to do? Ohhhhhhh, riiiiiight, footers, oops."

(today)"check this out Bill,[shows thread] look at what you caused."

Good work Nora, I think that i agree with almost everything you said, minus the conclusion you're drawing.

 

[Nora]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

awww. Fur Dozy. Like I said.. I can only hope. But alas, I will not be surprised if it is all for naught either. I am the pessimist-optimist. :blush:

 

[yaytez]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

Okay...concrete footers? Not so easy to remove, especially in a river. They usually go pretty deep down into the ground, and generally have some sort of supporting structures anchoring them in. If you look at past coasters in the park...no, lets look beyond that and look at other parks...you will see that a lot of the former coasters still have their footers in tact. What coasters you may ask? Well, one would be the Bat at Kings Island. One is still very visible underneath what is now the Vortex, which was built on the exact spot. Not used. Another one in the park is Drachen Fire, which is in the Festhaus Park. A few footers had been ripped out but there are several that are still there. As for the cutting down of the bolts? Can we say safety hazard? Sure, its a restricted area, but it still has access to people such as technicians and park personnel. If one of them were to come in contact with it, well...it could do some damage. But, why worry about it in a river bed? Why indeed? It would be rather unsightly, wouldnt you agree? Big rusty bolts coming out of already eyesores. These footers will not be reused. And sorry, but BBW v2 is not coming to the park anytime soon. Drachen fire v2 never did...yet. <hint hint>
Again, what is coming is...and I quote my source who has seen plans "game changing in the park like Darkastle was". It will be unlike anything the park has seen, and you will all love it, and ride it time and again.
But back to the footers one more time. Because they are in a water area, and visible, is precisely the reason they are being left in tact. What would look more unsightly? A huge hole, or a half broken footer, or just a whole footer sticking out of the water? It's an undertaking to get a footer out, and sure, eventually they will disappear, but it's been a long rough winter for the park, and they just didnt get around to it, yet.

 

[Zachary]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

Just so everyone knows, I didn't see Darkastle as "game changing"... Am I the only one? It was well made, well themed, but a "game changer"? I don't see it.

Anyway I think I agree with Yaytez except I'm still torn. Time to help Nora's case!

What did Busch do two days before closing our beloved Wolf? They painted all of the railings in the station and line area. At the time I was wondering why they would do that just to destroy it a month or two later? We now have an answer: They are keeping it.

Would the same thing apply to the footers? You be the judge.

Before:

 

[Nora]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

Yaytez, I am familiar with the Bat and the Voretx and the footers still remaining. I know many parks do this and it is not unusual.

However, my point really is that Busch Gardens is not Kings Island. Would a park that is "the Most Beautiful" like Busch Gardens, really leave unsightly concrete footers in a picturesque location??? Highly doubtful.

Like I said earlier... back behind in areas no one can see, perhaps... but not right out in the open like the ones that we have photos of. I have never said once, in all the above posts, that the entire footer be removed (just the tops) I don't care how durable the material is; there is a golden rule in construction - "If it can be built, it can be torn down."

I must decline from going over construction and demolition again; I tire of it. If you wish to go back and reread how easy this process could be done, feel free to keep scrolling back.

And PLEASE - to whoever reads my posts above this one... I am not saying that BGW will reuse them in the sense of drilling new supports right into old concrete. I am saying that they have to have a purpose for BGW to keep them in the public viewing is all. What that purpose is, is up for speculation.

Swiftman, thanks for your support. I get the feeling that my above posts have been misinterpreted. Also, I am with your over Darkastle. It is a fun ride, but it did not blow me out of the water. Most rides with a movie-ish experience get old for me after the 6th ride or so. They become predictable and at times dull.

I plan on going to Universal this spring and I expect I will enjoy most of those types of rides. However, when you go to the same park over and over... I doubt I would enjoy them as much. Yet, with coasters, though I know where they are going and the turns and loops.. they never fail to get my adrenaline pumping.

Just keep this one thought in your mind... would Busch Gardens (Busch Gardens now) really keep those concrete forms sticking out forever in the best and most beautiful area of the park? The boat ride goes right by them. Wouldn't you want to cover them up somehow this year if you had no reason to keep them?

On the boat ride: "And to your right we have Concrete Footers.. once a part of the Big Bad Wolf. The park was too cheap to have the visible areas removed or to cover them up. And now you have the chance to snap pictures of them to your right. The park takes pride in being the most beautiful in the world ~ and we thought that leaving these here will add a sense of neglectful charm."

 

[Chris]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

I don't think he is saying DarKastle was a game changer industry wide, but I'd have to agree that when DarKastle went in, the only place you could go to get a similar attraction at the same quality level was Florida, so, for the park it was a game changer in that there was nothing else like it in the region.

 

[Zachary]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

What I was laying out in my former post is the fact that they wouldn't go though the trouble to paint the things if they where planing to rip them out in a week or two. This means that it most-likely wasn't a issue of running out of time (like I had prior thought possible).

[Sorry for not making that clearer before. It was late last night.]

 

[Nora]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

Yeah, late night for me too. Many times I get up in the morning and reread stuff and I think to myself.. did I write that? :blush:

I actually get to go to work at noon today, very nice. - but this also means I do not get to leave until 8pm. ugh.

 

[Merboy]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

You're going to Universal, Nora? No doubt to scope out the new Harry Potter park! You'll have to tell us all about it. Or actually, don't tell us *too* much because I want to be surprised when I go.

Speaking of the Harry Potter installment, what sort of impact do you guys think this will have on Busch Gardens, if any? I think I raised this issue a few months ago, but since Harry Potter is steeped in the whole magical, old-world, sort of thing, do you think it would draw away from the BG crowd? Especially for people who are taking one vacation this year to a park and are choosing Universal over BG simply for that reason. I mean, I guess HP is such a specific attraction that it doesn't really compete with BG, but still...

 

[Chris]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

I think the only reason HP would take visitors away from BGW is because it's brand new, not really due to theming. I'm going to Universal in November and I'll check out HP, but I'm not going out of my way for it... mostly because I was never into the Harry Potter franchise.

 

[pandorazboxx]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

I'll be making a trip to orlando/tampa at the end of august. I'll try to get some pictures and put something up. Hopefully its not as crowded in the HP area.

 

[oldtimer]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

I'll be making a trip to orlando/tampa at the end of august. I'll try to get some pictures and put something up. Hopefully its not as crowded in the HP area.

I think Nora is right...

I'm in the building industry as well and if they planned on leaving that site blank and wooded they would have removed everything when they removed the steel. Also it would have left the site pretty well busted up until the new plantings grew in. However, I doubt seriously that they will reuse anything of the old footings for whatever it is, (new entry for a country, a new wolf, ect.) they plan to put there. What I do think makes sence, is that they are just leaving them there is easier and stabilizes the site. Knowing full well they will have a ton of site rework to do once something is installed there. Basically, why pay twice. If they remove it all now they'd have to regrade and fill everything, then tear it up again during the sitework phase of the new project. It's easier and simpler to remove and grade for a new project at the same time. This doesn't really mean they are going to put anything there this year or next, but we can hope anyway.

That's my two cents anyway.

 

[Nora]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

Thanks Oldtimer. I am glad you see my point and know something about construction. I like your reasoning too; about waiting for the regrading of the slope for another ride. It could be that if the park did this, that is when they plan to crush the footer tops by the lake. Thanks for putting some pieces together for me, for it was a mystery that I really wanted solved.

I knew that if they had no plans at all for the site then why keep the footers... why just leave them there if nothing was going to go back in there at all. The park would never just let them sit there forever, jutting out in the wide open without reason. Your explanation also covers why so much care was taken in making sure the footers that did remain look rather intact and clean if the park knew that they would have to be there for a while before digging the earth to make way for a new project. Yep, that is it. I knew it wasn't because they couldn't or it was too expensive; that there had to be a logical reason.

You da man Oldtimer.

I knew something was fishy and began my thinking when I saw those tiny pine trees in the hill area close to the station house. I wonder if they are even "planted" or still in their plastic containers in the ground so they can be moved and relocated at a moment's notice. If they wanted nature to reclaim the land, they would have planted something more substantial. Or, if they were planning on leaving the footers permanently, why wouldn't they have planted something like shrubbery around the bases to quickly cover them.

Still, the metal barrier fence is still on my mind as to why that is still there unless it will serve a future purpose of some sort. Busch Gardens is pretty big on salvaging anything before tossing it away; much like the old platform of the Wildcat coaster the station house and subsequent Big Bad Wolf track was built upon.

I also keep thinking about how obvious it was that BGW was so intent on keeping as many trees as possible even when they had to accommodate huge cranes and the hauling and removal of large sections of steel beams and tracks in very obscure and hard to reach areas. It really makes me think a "terrain" ride is in the works, the hill along the Rhine River will be re-explored, and that keeping things remote and well wooded is a priority. Also, due to height restrictions, BGW would be silly not to take advantage of a natural depression that would allow any new coaster to have a bigger drop.

FYI- asked this on the Coaster Tour- No altering of terrains except the Griffon and the Loch Ness tunnel area was done to accommodate the coasters. Isn't that amazing? Busch stands firm in having their coasters hug to the natural lay of the land. I think about how tough that must have been to build a ride like the Alpengeist with the uneven, odd shaped terrain layout and it really impresses me. The Apollo's Chariot design was so clever and all the hills go with the terrain making each hill lower to the ground and yet not sacrificing height or speed.

I sure hope they announce soon what they do plan on doing with the site. Puzzles drive me crazy if I cannot figure them out... and this comes from a serious LOST fan - go figure. :-/

 

[Wings]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

I think that a "Big Bad Wolf 2.0" at this point is definitely possible. BGW is a park that has always cared about its consumers - not one to care about what is going to bring in big money, and big hauls of visitors and money, such as companies like Disney or Six Flags. Twenty-Five years in definitely a long time for a coaster to be around without any maintenance of track piece replacement. Since the footers of the ride still remain - it is quite a possibility that because this ride is such a historic coaster, and such a favorite to its long-time visitors that Busch has gone out of its way to sell the old coaster pieces to a museum (which we know this is where its gone) to protect the original pieces from anymore ware, and install the same track with a possible re-theme which matches the country with fresher tracks and newer technology. Because of the location of Big Bad Wolf, it is unlikely we'd see a new huge coaster like Griffon or Alpengiest as coasters like that take up a much larger area than what the Rhine Riverside will accommodate, seeing that Busch has no plans to destroy Festhaus Park. So my idea is we are going to see a "Big Bad Wolf 2.0" or a coaster which is similar in size to BBW.

I've brought up this possibility before, back in September of 09 soon after the coaster closed, but now what has happened across the pass few months, it seems more possible for this to happen.

 

[Nora]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

Oh before I forget... Merboy, I am super excited about the Harry Potter section of Universal!!!

I promise to take photos and write a mini review as I should be there right after the media event.

Don't worry about me telling too much about the Wizarding World. I tried very hard not to be overly descriptive on the coaster tour review because I wanted to keep the mystery of what you get to see. Let me tell you, there was MUCH I left out of the final draft. The tour was extensive and if you saw the photos on the BGWFans site - you can see how I never once stopped smiling the entire day; just like this "smilie": My goal of the review was to give pointers - like the cameras and questions. What I did was bring a big ol' fancy camera; one I would never normally bring to the park and then after the tour was over, I put the behemoth in a dollar locker and roamed around the park.

If you get to go on the tour, bring a good camera and even a camcorder. I did take some films, yet I did not post the videos anywhere online. I felt it would give away too much of the tour and I want people to go out an experience it for themselves.

 

[Zachary]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

I don't know why the footers are still there, but I do know one thing. We won't get a "Big Bad Wolf 2.0".

Now let me clarify. Could we see a coaster follow a similar route? Yes. Could it have something to do with the big bad wolf? Yes, but I doubt it. What I am almost positive we won't see is a suspended coaster. Why? The only company who is making them is Vekoma. If they ever built a Vekoma, we would have bigger things to worry about.

Wings, why don't you think that they will develop Festhaus Park? Also, even if they didn't go back into the Festhaus Park area, they have plenty of room for a coaster.

When I read what Yaytez said that he was told I picture one type of coaster: A Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter [Just throwing this out there.]

 

[Nora]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

Hey Swiftman, I'm with you on that one. I think I would rather see the "Big Bad Wolf" Reinvented. The same feel and spirit, yet something new and innovative just like the Wolf was when it was built.

I honestly think if BGW built a coaster and market it as a new Wolf, they would have coaster fans across the country wanting to see the new spin on a classic. Since height cannot be a driving force, I would venture the type of coaster would be the star attraction.. and the themeing.

I once mentioned calling it Der Werwolf. My friend says that it should be called Vampyr. Either one would have a legendary fear feeling to the coaster - a myth or story said to little children in a little German town.. etc..

Keeping it similar (drop over Rhine, a rampaging flight through a town and buildings would be awesome) and I may even let go of some of my hurt feelings and anger towards removing the Wolf. I said "some". But to be honest, a complete remake of the original is not, pardon the pun, being original.

Here is an example:

I am a HUGE Sherlock Holmes fan; I collect everything with the famous detective on it... my honeymoon was in the Sherlock Holmes Hotel on Baker Street in London. (I am a nerd.. always will be). I wanted to hate the new movie so bad.. how could they possibly make me like a new cage fighting Holmes and Watson gritty enough to punch Holmes in the face... grrrr......yet, when I saw the movie - I LOVED it. The feel of the stories was tangible, the characters felt true, and the story a great homage to Doyle's style. Yet the momentum and pacing was Doyle's work x10 and I was astounded. I grinned and laughed through the whole movie, and when I left the theater, I hung my head in shame and admitted it was fantastic.

I venture this is what it will be like for a new coaster in the area. Well, perhaps my best HOPE for the area.

About the area behind the Wolf, I still say keeping that for a smaller family coaster, and yes no Vekoma's - although they do have a little mini-family suspended coaster and calling it Der Kleine Wulf would be adorable. Because in my world thrill rides can be adorable.

 

[Wings]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

Swift I don't believe they will develop Festhaus Park because it is used for way to many things that Busch would even think to sacrifice the buildings and land it has without creating or acquiring areas to replace what would be lost if they built on Festhaus Park.

 

[Zachary]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

At least one of said buildings could be kept.

 

[gr8mat]

RE: Replacement Project For Big Bad Wolf

or here's something else rumors has it that they're building a new country and it will have 1 or 2 coasters maybe one coaster would be a newer safer BBW and the other could be a flyer or BBW was below the tracks and they could be making a flyer BBW and it will be a bigger badder wolf. MAYBE?