They need to replace BFE immediately. Throw money at whoever you have to in order to get Corkscrew Hill back or something as a filler. Having any sort of ride and queue would be very helpful. If space allowed put a couple flat rides in there even.
Winter Weekends 2022
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
I mean, 2 theater bays, 2 spots for S&S space shot/drop shot towers...
I thought the simulator ride mechanics were severely outdated and perhaps no longer in production so parts are getting rare and skilled repair technicians are harder to come by (not to mention the whole not bringing back full time staff thing may include some of those folks)... Thus making the whole thing much more expensive to operate?
I thought the simulator ride mechanics were severely outdated and perhaps no longer in production so parts are getting rare and skilled repair technicians are harder to come by (not to mention the whole not bringing back full time staff thing may include some of those folks)... Thus making the whole thing much more expensive to operate?
For what it is worth, I hate coasters when it is cold. The wind chill makes them miserable.
That said, I have always been opposed to year-round operations at BGW specifically because of the weather. Virginia is not Florida/Texas and it is cold every winter and often snows. I simply do not see how it makes any sense to attempt to keep a Mid-Atlantic outdoor venue open year-round.
That said, I have always been opposed to year-round operations at BGW specifically because of the weather. Virginia is not Florida/Texas and it is cold every winter and often snows. I simply do not see how it makes any sense to attempt to keep a Mid-Atlantic outdoor venue open year-round.
Well, as the argument goes, if they were to develop a bunch more indoor rides and entertainment indoors, it'd be a bonus not only for winter ops but also during inclement weather in the normal warm season.
However, I think that wouldn't fit the European outdoorsy vibe they have going on unless they were trying to emulate Euro Disney.
Intamin Space Mountain ripoff in Festhaus Park?
However, I think that wouldn't fit the European outdoorsy vibe they have going on unless they were trying to emulate Euro Disney.
Intamin Space Mountain ripoff in Festhaus Park?
Yeah I really do not see how SEAS is actually making any Money January / February. I definitely think theres a solid chance the year round ops go away after another year or so.
I find myself agreeing with multiple sentiments here.
I really do think we need a replacement for BfE ASAP. I'm saddened that it failed, but the truth is it's unviable in our current world. People walk into Ireland, see the amazing castle, and then there's nothing to do there. Same goes for the other castle in Ireland that could host an indoor attraction.
That being said, I agree with Nicole in that, Busch Gardens being open year round holds no appeal for me, and I think it further damages the reputation of the park. Winter Weekends and Mardi Gras simply aren't worth the two hour drive for me, and I'm a season pass holder (or member? I can't remember which is which). Winter in Virginia is lovely for many things, but roller coasters and thrill rides aren't one of them.
I really do think we need a replacement for BfE ASAP. I'm saddened that it failed, but the truth is it's unviable in our current world. People walk into Ireland, see the amazing castle, and then there's nothing to do there. Same goes for the other castle in Ireland that could host an indoor attraction.
That being said, I agree with Nicole in that, Busch Gardens being open year round holds no appeal for me, and I think it further damages the reputation of the park. Winter Weekends and Mardi Gras simply aren't worth the two hour drive for me, and I'm a season pass holder (or member? I can't remember which is which). Winter in Virginia is lovely for many things, but roller coasters and thrill rides aren't one of them.
If anything I think they should look into a Sally dark ride to help with year-round ops. I mean if Six Flags can maintain those things I don't see how SeaWorld can't keep a semi-nice one decent enough for year-round operations. Maybe they were a little too "optimistic" if that's even possible about the weird warmer winters the past few years.
I agree that the park needs more indoor attractions, if they are going to continue to be open in the Winter, including for Christmas Town. They would help in July and August, as well.
That said, adding a dark ride and an indoor coaster isn't going to solve the problem. Places like WDW and Uni have many indoor rides. They have designed their parks around the reality of brutally hot and continually rainy weather. I would argue, in fact, that one of the drawbacks to BGT is its focus on outdoor attractions. Even with a few shows, BGW simply isn't structured for winter activities. Adding a dark ride and DarKoaster isn't going to give it the capacity it needs to entice people to spend they continue to ask for tickets.
I'm not against indoor attractions; I am saying that I don't think they are a panacea.
That said, adding a dark ride and an indoor coaster isn't going to solve the problem. Places like WDW and Uni have many indoor rides. They have designed their parks around the reality of brutally hot and continually rainy weather. I would argue, in fact, that one of the drawbacks to BGT is its focus on outdoor attractions. Even with a few shows, BGW simply isn't structured for winter activities. Adding a dark ride and DarKoaster isn't going to give it the capacity it needs to entice people to spend they continue to ask for tickets.
I'm not against indoor attractions; I am saying that I don't think they are a panacea.
Brambo
Cyberdyne Systems Software Engineer
Indoor launched giga or bust!
In reality though, definitely agree with most things said on here...Being in the Virginia Beach area and about an hour drive from the park (if the HRBT cooperates) makes it a ton easier to go there, but I just won't spend money at this event besides a drink or two and maybe a snack. They really need to have more things going on to justify people that arent local members to come. I certainly would not go if I wasn't already a member.
In reality though, definitely agree with most things said on here...Being in the Virginia Beach area and about an hour drive from the park (if the HRBT cooperates) makes it a ton easier to go there, but I just won't spend money at this event besides a drink or two and maybe a snack. They really need to have more things going on to justify people that arent local members to come. I certainly would not go if I wasn't already a member.
Didn't the park open last year with a capacity of about 1,000 people and make it worth their time? It's hard to believe that they can't average more than that. They don't even have to make money for these two months, they just have to lose less money than they would staying closed.
The special events that they ran last year only included a few (rotating) hamlets. In addition, each had specialty food. We can't seem to get normal food anymore, much less themed tasting menus.
Honestly they shouldn’t scrap all year ops but they should majorly shift what the “offseason” looks like. I think cheap admissions, indoor rides, slow outdoor stuff, and a different festival every weekend would be best.
$20 entry for things like a food truck weekend, ice sculpting festival, heck do a traditions weekend and invite local groups for each nationality represented to do educational shows.
I think that to be “year round” they need to figure out how to use their space differently in the coldest months. Effectively being an outdoor “convention hall” IMO would be the best way.
$20 entry for things like a food truck weekend, ice sculpting festival, heck do a traditions weekend and invite local groups for each nationality represented to do educational shows.
I think that to be “year round” they need to figure out how to use their space differently in the coldest months. Effectively being an outdoor “convention hall” IMO would be the best way.
I was in the park on Sunday and got about five rides in on both Bolt and Apollo, and had a beer. Had a great time, the only thing that could have been better was if more coasters were open.
Can you break down what the food was? I'm sorry, I'm about to buy tickets and was just wondering. I feel like they copy and paste that menu every morning event they have.
So, just a few random opinions to throw out here.
Even with just the park's current attraction lineup, I believe year-round ops can work. In fact, I believe the winter months could be very profitable for the park. In my opinion, BGW just needs to invest in better, more interesting, special event offerings than we're seeing right now. I definitely think that part of this should be a larger slate of indoor entertainment products, but I also believe it needs to encompass more specialty dining and shopping to boost in-park spending during a time when admissions spending will be minimal.
In fact, beyond just dining and shopping, I can imagine specialty upcharge tours and whatnot during the winter months also being a great source of additional revenue. With so much of the park dormant, it could be a great season to get people behind the scenes of attractions that are typically more difficult to access—think something like the old Ultimate Insider tour—possibly with larger tour groups and a cheaper price tag. Paired with the Winter Weekends animal focus, I could imagine these aspects coming together to make a BGW version of SeaWorld Orlando's annual January event, Inside Look.
Though I do believe the park's current ride lineup can function well enough during an event like this, I'm certainly a huge advocate of pursuing a more weather resilient BGW rides lineup moving forward. VA weather keeps getting less and less hospitable during the summer—even during those times more indoor attractions just make sense. I believe that one fully indoor family coaster (read: DarKoaster) will make a big difference (one coaster running vs no coasters running is very significant), but I also do want to see more. We are to the point in the pandemic now where I'd like to see the Killarney sim reopen without VR. Eire can run without the headsets and I certainly believe that would be better than nothing in the short term.
Perhaps the most egregious place BGW seems to be dropping the ball this month is on the culinary front. Christmas Town was a disaster in this way too, but during a smaller event like Winter Weekends I find it truly unfathomable as per why there isn't a lineup of specialty food and beverage options. We have a long line of past events to show us that specialty, limited time food and beverage offerings can drive attendance and in-park spending. How culinary isn't integral to this event, I can't even fathom. This needs to be solved yesterday.
Ultimately, though, despite my many criticisms of the park's strategy here, @coasterbill is thinking about BGW year-round ops the right way. January and February don't have to be a huge success, BGW just has to be loosing less money being open than they would be losing if they were closed. That's why I think driving in-park spending is more crucial than driving attendance. Very few people will buy admission to BGW for January and February. That said, with some clever, interesting, unique offerings, I do think the park can drive profits far more effectively than they are right now.
Even with just the park's current attraction lineup, I believe year-round ops can work. In fact, I believe the winter months could be very profitable for the park. In my opinion, BGW just needs to invest in better, more interesting, special event offerings than we're seeing right now. I definitely think that part of this should be a larger slate of indoor entertainment products, but I also believe it needs to encompass more specialty dining and shopping to boost in-park spending during a time when admissions spending will be minimal.
In fact, beyond just dining and shopping, I can imagine specialty upcharge tours and whatnot during the winter months also being a great source of additional revenue. With so much of the park dormant, it could be a great season to get people behind the scenes of attractions that are typically more difficult to access—think something like the old Ultimate Insider tour—possibly with larger tour groups and a cheaper price tag. Paired with the Winter Weekends animal focus, I could imagine these aspects coming together to make a BGW version of SeaWorld Orlando's annual January event, Inside Look.
Though I do believe the park's current ride lineup can function well enough during an event like this, I'm certainly a huge advocate of pursuing a more weather resilient BGW rides lineup moving forward. VA weather keeps getting less and less hospitable during the summer—even during those times more indoor attractions just make sense. I believe that one fully indoor family coaster (read: DarKoaster) will make a big difference (one coaster running vs no coasters running is very significant), but I also do want to see more. We are to the point in the pandemic now where I'd like to see the Killarney sim reopen without VR. Eire can run without the headsets and I certainly believe that would be better than nothing in the short term.
Perhaps the most egregious place BGW seems to be dropping the ball this month is on the culinary front. Christmas Town was a disaster in this way too, but during a smaller event like Winter Weekends I find it truly unfathomable as per why there isn't a lineup of specialty food and beverage options. We have a long line of past events to show us that specialty, limited time food and beverage offerings can drive attendance and in-park spending. How culinary isn't integral to this event, I can't even fathom. This needs to be solved yesterday.
Ultimately, though, despite my many criticisms of the park's strategy here, @coasterbill is thinking about BGW year-round ops the right way. January and February don't have to be a huge success, BGW just has to be loosing less money being open than they would be losing if they were closed. That's why I think driving in-park spending is more crucial than driving attendance. Very few people will buy admission to BGW for January and February. That said, with some clever, interesting, unique offerings, I do think the park can drive profits far more effectively than they are right now.
Sure! There were cups of grapes, cups of melon, biscuits and gravy, chocolate chip mini muffins, cinnamon rolls, sausage links, chicken tenders, green beans, scrambled eggs, coffee, hot chocolate, sodas, fruit juices, milk and water, french toast sticks and syrup, potato tots and ham slices. There were also fresh apples and bananas..
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Everyone has been brought back at this point that would have been brought back. A far as I know, if you weren't brought back at this point then you declined their offer or they got rid of your position.