First off, I want to make this crystal clear: The creation of this thread is not me endorsing the validity of this rumor. Even the OP of the rumor, @Python_Survivor, says it has just been something that has been "quietly mumbled" down in FL.
That said, if the (seemingly fairly pervasive at this point) rumors of Sand Serpent's removal from Busch Gardens Tampa are true, I think we should give some level of credence to the possibility that they could ship the Mack Mouse right back up north to Williamsburg—at least temporarily. This is especially true since we're on the verge of BGW's 50th anniversary and nostalgia is about to be worth a whole lot of money for Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
It seems to me that the ability to market the temporary return of a beloved family favorite for the 50th anniversary would be an incrediblely positive headline-generator for the park. Better yet, it could be obtained incredibly cheaply and remarkably easily.
Wilde Maus/Sand Serpent seems to be in great shape, it's a ride that is designed to be moved from parking lot to parking lot with ease, and it's a popular ride model that enjoys enthusiastic support from its manufacturer, Mack Rides. It's highly unlikely that scrapping it is the right call.
Long-term, there are probably far better homes for a Mack Mouse both inside and outside the SEAS chain than BGW. That said, shipping Sand Serpent to Williamsburg for temporary install ahead of the park's 50th would be a great, money-making way to store the coaster until a permanent home could be worked out.
Additionally, BGW already has an easy plot for the coaster—and one that wouldn't even require that they pour a new ride pad. BGW could throw Wilde Maus back up in the parking lot between Das Festhaus and DarKoaster quickly, cheaply, and easily. They'd just need to build a temporary queue back to Oktoberfest, throw up a bunch of nostalgic Wild Maus and Wild Izzy signage, and be off to the races.
I had no idea whether or not something like this will happen, but I do think that it seems well within the realm of possibility. At the very least, if BGT is removing Sand Serpent, I do hope that BGW is being seriously considered—if only as a temporary stop.
That said, if the (seemingly fairly pervasive at this point) rumors of Sand Serpent's removal from Busch Gardens Tampa are true, I think we should give some level of credence to the possibility that they could ship the Mack Mouse right back up north to Williamsburg—at least temporarily. This is especially true since we're on the verge of BGW's 50th anniversary and nostalgia is about to be worth a whole lot of money for Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
It seems to me that the ability to market the temporary return of a beloved family favorite for the 50th anniversary would be an incrediblely positive headline-generator for the park. Better yet, it could be obtained incredibly cheaply and remarkably easily.
Wilde Maus/Sand Serpent seems to be in great shape, it's a ride that is designed to be moved from parking lot to parking lot with ease, and it's a popular ride model that enjoys enthusiastic support from its manufacturer, Mack Rides. It's highly unlikely that scrapping it is the right call.
Long-term, there are probably far better homes for a Mack Mouse both inside and outside the SEAS chain than BGW. That said, shipping Sand Serpent to Williamsburg for temporary install ahead of the park's 50th would be a great, money-making way to store the coaster until a permanent home could be worked out.
Additionally, BGW already has an easy plot for the coaster—and one that wouldn't even require that they pour a new ride pad. BGW could throw Wilde Maus back up in the parking lot between Das Festhaus and DarKoaster quickly, cheaply, and easily. They'd just need to build a temporary queue back to Oktoberfest, throw up a bunch of nostalgic Wild Maus and Wild Izzy signage, and be off to the races.
I had no idea whether or not something like this will happen, but I do think that it seems well within the realm of possibility. At the very least, if BGT is removing Sand Serpent, I do hope that BGW is being seriously considered—if only as a temporary stop.
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