I think the conversation on these forums tend to focus on the negativity of a decision as opposed to the positivity of different. I noticed this trend and that's why I brought up the subject.
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Why can't the park do anything good enough for the users here?
- Thread starter Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser
- Start date
Reading through this thread, I can see that what I have to say will not be received well at all. Unlike many of you, I no longer live in the area, so when I come to the park, it is more as a tourist than the dedicated fan I used to be when I did live here. Like many of you, however, I have been coming to Busch Gardens each and every year for more than 30 years. I grew up in this park, and now my kids are doing the same. That being said, the things I have seen this season I find beyond disturbing.
•Illuminights is hideous. Whoever thought those gaudy decorations were remotely appropriate for the nation's "most beautiful" theme park, has seriously lost their minds.
•"kid friendly" has dominated the park, at the expense of the paying adults with teenaged kids. Cows in Germany? Entangled? I've seen better shows by accident when walking through dragon land!
I understood Elmo, though I thought their presence in Ireland was crossing the line. What was un-kidfriendly about Castle O'Sullivan? or Nostromos, for that matter? That show was fantastic, and having now been to many other theme parks, I know just how special and unique it really was.
•Das Festhaus is ruined. I will now need to know what the show times are so I can avoid it at all costs. How else am I going to have my brat and beer without loosing my lunch? I simply cannot believe they took down the raising stage. It was so iconic. And what about the music? That wonderfully rich, old country German music?!? Gone? Altogether?
•Europe in the air still makes me ill. I thought King Arthur's Challenge was bad, but I would take that low-budget mess any day over EITA. At least it had something to do with the theme of the land (kinda'). More to the point, there was NO reason to put down Corkscrew Hill. It was the cornerstone ride for the entire land.
•The shopping is more unimaginative and pathetically tourist then ever before. In particular the Pot o'Gold, all of New France and the Hat Shop. These venders used to have unique wears. Now it is all colorful shiny cheap junk.
•And finally, most personally heart-wrenching of all, the Vinyard picture opportunity just outside of Italy (the one in which our family has a family photo in every year for the past 40 years) is simply gone; not moved, gone! And in its place? some stupid glow-thing that won't last a season.
The only improvements this year, in my opinion, have been the re-instituting of the original line presentation at Darkastle, and opening of Verbolten, which I absolutely love. This ride was really done well, from the theming and line enjoyment to thrill and quality. I don't think I'll ever stop liking this ride.
Unfortunately, Verbolten's goodness does not outweigh the bad. Yesterday we found ourselves running out of things we had any interest in doing, and only half the day had gone by.
As I said before, I grew up here. I love this park. It is a large part of who I am, and certainly the basis by which I judge all other such entertainment. So why do I complain? Why focus on the negativity?
I write these complaints because, like several others on this thread, I strongly believe that Busch Gardens is losing their way. They are abandoning all the qualities that have always made this park special; beyond what Disney can do, and far beyond the Six Flags/Kings Dominions of the world. All the changes I have seen this season point directly toward a dark abyss of cookie-cutter tourist-trap crap, and I for one will not stand by and watch Rome burn around me without yelling "fire"!
•Illuminights is hideous. Whoever thought those gaudy decorations were remotely appropriate for the nation's "most beautiful" theme park, has seriously lost their minds.
•"kid friendly" has dominated the park, at the expense of the paying adults with teenaged kids. Cows in Germany? Entangled? I've seen better shows by accident when walking through dragon land!
I understood Elmo, though I thought their presence in Ireland was crossing the line. What was un-kidfriendly about Castle O'Sullivan? or Nostromos, for that matter? That show was fantastic, and having now been to many other theme parks, I know just how special and unique it really was.
•Das Festhaus is ruined. I will now need to know what the show times are so I can avoid it at all costs. How else am I going to have my brat and beer without loosing my lunch? I simply cannot believe they took down the raising stage. It was so iconic. And what about the music? That wonderfully rich, old country German music?!? Gone? Altogether?
•Europe in the air still makes me ill. I thought King Arthur's Challenge was bad, but I would take that low-budget mess any day over EITA. At least it had something to do with the theme of the land (kinda'). More to the point, there was NO reason to put down Corkscrew Hill. It was the cornerstone ride for the entire land.
•The shopping is more unimaginative and pathetically tourist then ever before. In particular the Pot o'Gold, all of New France and the Hat Shop. These venders used to have unique wears. Now it is all colorful shiny cheap junk.
•And finally, most personally heart-wrenching of all, the Vinyard picture opportunity just outside of Italy (the one in which our family has a family photo in every year for the past 40 years) is simply gone; not moved, gone! And in its place? some stupid glow-thing that won't last a season.
The only improvements this year, in my opinion, have been the re-instituting of the original line presentation at Darkastle, and opening of Verbolten, which I absolutely love. This ride was really done well, from the theming and line enjoyment to thrill and quality. I don't think I'll ever stop liking this ride.
Unfortunately, Verbolten's goodness does not outweigh the bad. Yesterday we found ourselves running out of things we had any interest in doing, and only half the day had gone by.
As I said before, I grew up here. I love this park. It is a large part of who I am, and certainly the basis by which I judge all other such entertainment. So why do I complain? Why focus on the negativity?
I write these complaints because, like several others on this thread, I strongly believe that Busch Gardens is losing their way. They are abandoning all the qualities that have always made this park special; beyond what Disney can do, and far beyond the Six Flags/Kings Dominions of the world. All the changes I have seen this season point directly toward a dark abyss of cookie-cutter tourist-trap crap, and I for one will not stand by and watch Rome burn around me without yelling "fire"!
Ludwig the mad said:
This possibility was brought up in another thread. Sad to hear that it actually happened.
I would write this up and pass it along to the people over at BG. That's the only way they'll listen.
A couple things, I honestly don't think listing one's grievances in this thread is the right place and it's not what I intended in this thread, but I've been veto'd. It's not that I don't agree with you about those things sucking, but that was not what I intended for this thread.
I mentioned in another thread that the park is nowhere near approaching the level of SF or KD. By far.
Also, this article is about video games, but I instantly thought of this place when I read it. I thought it was a great read.
I'm guess I'm just in the minority on these forums when I don't bother to spend energy (both online and at the park) on things I don't like. I'm cursed to enjoy my visits to the park forever.
I mentioned in another thread that the park is nowhere near approaching the level of SF or KD. By far.
Also, this article is about video games, but I instantly thought of this place when I read it. I thought it was a great read.
I'm guess I'm just in the minority on these forums when I don't bother to spend energy (both online and at the park) on things I don't like. I'm cursed to enjoy my visits to the park forever.
I enjoy everything, yes illuminights is not the best thing the park has done but it brings joy to kids and the fireworks are nice. Even with entwined, it may not be the best show but I would watch that show rather than watching that mess of a show called Frankenrock. I guess I don't get bothered easily by these things as others do. Every day I visit the park, I do the things I like, shopping, eating, shows and I usually enjoy it all. Not too fond of Bistro 205 now, but it can be improved.
Party Rocker said:
So does a McD's Happy Meal toy. So that is not saying much.
Party Rocker said:
Entwined is an abortion of a show that was made worse by the idiot's that created it in the first place. It is complete utter junk. People use the show guide to see when NOT to eat in FH now just to avoid the hideous Foamhead show.
My point was I don't stress and freak out about these changes. Yes I notice they aren't the best changes but they could be worse.
And don't hate on the Mcy D toys, they are the bomb!
And don't hate on the Mcy D toys, they are the bomb!
Party Rocker said:
When a list of changes has gone for the negative then it is completely a cause for concern. SWO and BGT have no issues like we have here. It is pathetic. It all comes down to management. You're right they could be worse and I have a feeling it will get MUCH worse before it gets better.
They are cheap Chinese plastic pieces of junk.
I'm sure if you were a hardcore BGT or SWO fan you would say the same about them.
No they aren't, they are awesome!
No they aren't, they are awesome!
Aren't those the ones that get continually recalled for lead paint?
I've stalked some BGT forums, nowhere is there any mention of their shows being hideous. By the way some of them are even more hardcore than us when it comes to an overall park experience.
I've stalked some BGT forums, nowhere is there any mention of their shows being hideous. By the way some of them are even more hardcore than us when it comes to an overall park experience.
No they are safe.
The fact is you guys being whoever is in that group, tends to be too hardcore and over dramatic at everything. I say I don't mind the changes you jump on me and say I'm wrong.
The fact is you guys being whoever is in that group, tends to be too hardcore and over dramatic at everything. I say I don't mind the changes you jump on me and say I'm wrong.
It all comes down to the $$. Have to pay for your $54 million coaster somehow. Unfortunately Its at the expense of the parks former self. The park has lost all class.
You expect attendance to increase with new additions, along with overall profit. If BGW seriously cut into their budget like that just for a coaster something really bad is going on.
A coaster is a big draw. But a bigger draw would have been building 2 coasters with the money. Don't get me wrong, I love verbolten, but overall people come and expect more rides. Some changes need to be made before the park digs itself into a whole it can't get out of.
The park isn't just for thrills though, there's no need to pull a cedar fair and build only coasters. People don't expect more rides from Busch, they expect an overall experience that's balanced between quality rides, shows, food, themeing, etc. If you want just coasters and thrill rides just go up I-95 to King's Dominion.
Could they of have invested less than what they have for Verbolten? I'm sure they could've but the issues could probably be more severe than what they were so far this year.
Could they of have invested less than what they have for Verbolten? I'm sure they could've but the issues could probably be more severe than what they were so far this year.
Crackel said:
I respectfully disagree, brother. A coaster is a draw and the quantity contained there within of an Amusement Park, Key word being Amusement Park, a place like KD where they throw theme and quality out of the window and barely put decent rides together. BGW is the exact oppisite. People visit BGW for a quality experience with various offerings from rides to shows to scenery; well rounded quality. The fact that one coaster was built with a budget that was through the roof is irrelevant because it is all quality. Budgeting for the attraction was not a large dip into Entertainment at that. One good unique coaster > Something KD has.
Ahhh it would appear that our other brother has beaten me to a reply. You so sly, Pop!
Would I love more coasters? Sure. Would I prefer them to build coasters instead of getting better shows and dark rides? No way!
This park needs to rethink their show and dark ride situation. People come to BGW for the ambiance, shows, rides and coasters. I think they're all equally important.
This park needs to rethink their show and dark ride situation. People come to BGW for the ambiance, shows, rides and coasters. I think they're all equally important.