The State of the Park: Busch Gardens Williamsburg

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Well at least i got my Pantheon fix, but it is only running 1 train. I complained about Alpengeist at guest Services and the woman said that alpie might not be open tomorrow because of the heat 🫤🙈 i think they try to hide that they close that ride because of low attendance...
Will be my last visit to BGw unless they try to optimize guest experience, which unfortunately wont happen...
 
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Boris81 said:
Well at least i got my Pantheon fix, but it is only running 1 train. I complained about Alpengeist at guest Services and the woman said that alpie might not be open tomorrow because of the heat 🫤🙈 i think they try to hide that they close that ride because of low attendance...
Will be my last visit to BGw unless they try to optimize guest experience, which unfortunately wont happen...
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Unfortunately, it’s not going to happen at a unit or Six Flags Park. These parks are 100% about grabbing money for their investors and nothing else.
 
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MrBradferd said:
There's no way Alpen is closed just because of low attendance. It was open all through mardi and the park was hella dead
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As i Said, the woman at guest Services stated, that it may be a maintenance Problem due to the heat and that it may not be open tomorrow at all. But why do all the other coasters run? It doesnt make sense.
 
Thriller said:
Unfortunately, it’s not going to happen at a unit or Six Flags Park. These parks are 100% about grabbing money for their investors and nothing else.
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Yeah, i will probably shift to disney and universal in the future😃 they are also trying to satisfy the investors but at least their Operations are so much better.

I already did shorten my hotel Stay here and will leave one day earlier. Not going to spend more money to busch 😃
 
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If BGW is actually shuttering these attractions due to the heat, that can be reasonable. We're experiencing a severe heat wave right now and the park simply isn't built to safely accommodate weather like this for guests but, especially, for employees.

THAT SAID, if heat closures are going to be a thing over the coming days, BGW has a responsibility to publicly disclaim that on their website and via social media. Looking at the park's website right now, there's no indication to suggest closures are occuring and, if this is a weather-related impact (an easily foreseeable one!), BGW must communicate this information to guests.
 
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Zachary said:
If BGW is actually shuttering these attractions due to the heat, that can be reasonable. We're experiencing a severe heat wave right now and the park simply isn't built to safely accommodate weather like this for guests but, especially, for employees.

THAT SAID, if heat closures are going to be a thing over the coming days, BGW has a responsibility to publicly disclaim that on their website and via social media. Looking at the park's website right now, there's no indication to suggest closures are occuring and, if this is a weather-related impact (an easily foreseeable one!), BGW must communicate this information to guests.
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Yes, i would have liked to be informed about the heat closures before visiting. Right now the app Shows Alpengeist as open with Zero Minute wait😃 which is not true.

To be fair, Rhine river cruise is running, although its only supposed to be open on weekends. 🤷
 
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Out of curiosity, do manufacturers officially publish maximum operating temperatures for coasters? I know they have minimum operating temperatures, I’ve just never heard of a maximum operating temperature. Not doubting it, just wondering to satisfy my own curiosity.

On a side note, the husband and I were at the park yesterday. It was crazy hot out with temperatures around 95 and heat indices above 100. So, very close to the temperatures of today, just a few degrees ‘cooler’. We rode Alpengiest around 2pm and it was running just fine. We didn’t notice any coasters closed when we left at 3pm. The park was pretty crowded but that was probably because it was a summer Sunday, the last day of food and wine, and KD was closed down the street. Operations were doing a pretty good job around the park and it was an enjoyable day for us.
 
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MrBradferd said:
Its just a B&M. Why alpen over apollo or BBW, they all run off the same breakes no?
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This. Plus the Statement from guest Services as they were very confident about alpie not opening tomorrow. She said to me: "Use your weather app on the Phone....the Higher the forecasted temps, the greater are the Effects on Alpengeist". I mean, why especially alpie and not the other big coasters? She really Seemed to be struggeling to find a reasonable explanation for the closure.
 
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MrBradferd said:
If trams need to close for weather, because I assume for the sake of the drivers, then close the toll booths too so those people aren't suffering.
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It’s pretty bad they charge a minimum of $35 to park in that lot and then don’t even offer a shuttle. If they aren’t going to offer a shuttle parking should be 10 bucks on that day.
 
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Thriller said:
It’s pretty bad they charge a minimum of $35 to park in that lot and then don’t even offer a shuttle. If they aren’t going to offer a shuttle parking should be 10 bucks on that day.
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This 100%. I'd go even further though. If trams aren't running and they're parking in Germany or beyond, general parking should be free.

The guest experience that results from being forced to walk the tram road—particularly in extreme heat—is unacceptable and deserves compensation—compensation by means of free general parking.

Providing free general parking under these conditions would allow BGW to send most all of the parking booth staff home as well. One booth open that just waves through anyone who doesn't want to pay to upgrade is likely sufficient.
 
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I came in briefly yesterday as well. I noticed the only indoor show playing yesterday was American Jukebox, is that right? There are three indoor venues, and at least two of them need show times on a day that hot.

And Darkoaster is still closed?

The park desperately needs more indoors on these hot summer days.
 
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Zachary said:
This 100%. I'd go even further though. If trams aren't running and they're parking in Germany or beyond, general parking should be free.

The guest experience that results from being forced to walk the tram road—particularly in extreme heat—is unacceptable and deserves compensation—compensation by means of free general parking.

Providing free general parking under these conditions would allow BGW to send most all of the parking booth staff home as well. One booth open that just waves through anyone who doesn't want to pay to upgrade is likely sufficient.
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Also, Is no one going to mention that closing trams for heat make 0 sense? There is almost no shade on that route and keeping guests having to walk in that heat means more likely to have a guest pass out! While I worked there, we never closed anything for heat. Just handed out free powerade to help replenish electrolytes. If they are closing rides and trams for "heat", it's because they had so many call offs because the workers said they didn't want to work in the heat.
 
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