Year-Round Operations Come to BGW

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The expectation internally is that limited, special event-focused operations in January and February are not just a 2021 thing. Assuming success this year, the plan is for BGW to be a year-round park from this point on.

It's seriously a game changer for Williamsburg AND the Mid-Atlantic amusement park market as a whole. I know we've been focused on how great this is for BGW this season, but man, looking forward... This will be an earthquake in the industry.
 
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Such a great way to do it IMO as well. Can easily change the theme of the events as things don't or do work well.

RE: Starting the clock on extra benefits - I'd fully expect the deferment to end in 2021. It's still limited and not full operations but they are open enough and I got a feeling that they will have all sections open along with safety plans in place, that unless it's an incredibly rare situation, the expectation will be you can use your membership.
 
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Zachary said:
It's seriously a game changer for Williamsburg AND the Mid-Atlantic amusement park market as a whole. I know we've been focused on how great this is for BGW this season, but man, looking forward... This will be an earthquake in the industry.
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This definitely seems like something KD would have to respond to at some point, else it seriously undermines the value of their season passes relative to BGW.
 
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I for one am crazy excited about this!!! Me and the husband finally get to use our passes year round. We pay 12 months for them and always have to sit through January, February, and the first part of March with nothing to show for it. Weather conditions aren't always ideal this time of year, but we have been known to have some above average days in January and February. This gives the park a great way to capitalize on some potentially nice days when they wouldn't have had any income then anyway. Plus with part time and seasonal staff, if the park closes for inclement weather, they don't have to work them and don't have to pay them. Seems like a very big win for the park, employees that want to makes some extra money or be retained for the 'busy' season, its season long pass holders, and the general public.

Plus like many have said, I am super excited for an animal event and these events are very easy to retheme over the years if they don't have good turn out or just want to change things up.

Bravo BGW!!!! I already got reservations for January!!!!
 
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Adam said:
So I'm guessing the plan is to go to normal operations once the "limited capacity" events are over (pending Governor Northam's approval)? It's weird to me that the Bier Fest is only on the weekends through the busy months.
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Bier Fest is normally only on the weekends during August. So that's not abnormal.
Zachary said:
To be fair, “normal operations“ will still certainly be guest capped and reservation restricted by then. It will likely be a lot like the current events, just with about double the current guest cap and the whole park open.
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Exactly this. With the current restrictions the park could probably have between 8-10,000 people if they opened every country, restaurant and roller coaster. 4000 people is only the capacity of what they currently have open. That's not the cap for the entire park. That's well within the range to what other SEAS parks have officially reopened and started the clock.
 
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tursiops said:
Any rumors on this year round format will be a one off or the new normal? Could be waiting to see how successful it is. It seems like a well thought out and relatively cheap way to use there assets all year, thus increasing potential revenue. Future indoor rides and shows should only increase potential profits. Like @Nicole mentioned about bringing something new, i.e. animals or unique festivals, they've made it something people will want to seek out, not just do if we happen to get a warm day. I know i plan on several visits!
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Zachary said:
The expectation internally is that limited, special event-focused operations in January and February are not just a 2021 thing. Assuming success this year, the plan is for BGW to be a year-round park from this point on.

It's seriously a game changer for Williamsburg AND the Mid-Atlantic amusement park market as a whole. I know we've been focused on how great this is for BGW this season, but man, looking forward... This will be an earthquake in the industry.
Click to expand...
rswashdc said:
This definitely seems like something KD would have to respond to at some point, else it seriously undermines the value of their season passes relative to BGW.
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To piggyback on what @Zachary said. The expectation internally is that this will be permanent change. I've heard from a lot of VERY excited employees. They are all very excited at the idea of year round operations.

The only way this doesn't become permanent is if these events completely bomb. So if you want them to stay then go to them.
 
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I’m sure the expectation is that even if BGW has to only operate at 50% capacity and with mandatory masks in October, they can still produce enough of a traditional Howl-O-Scream experience with houses, scare zones, and, by then, hopefully even shows to justify using their main event branding again.
 
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I want this to be a success, but I feel it might be an uphill battle as the park currently doesn’t have anything long term built for cold weather besides the Festhaus.

Had they maybe spent the time to enclose a flat ride or or have an event building or something, I would be less wary, but I have a feeling that this might be too spontaneous and setting up any long term plans for failure.
 
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matthewcsoup said:
any word on a potential re opening on memorial day for WCUSA?
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WCUSA 2021 Operating Schedule:
parkfans.net

News - 2021 Operating Schedule

Looks like WCUSA is planning on opening May 22. I would guess the prior weekend might be member preview. I was hoping both might have shifted forward some with the lost season, but hopefully we'll be in a situation where they can open close to normal at that time. Also glad to see they are...
parkfans.net parkfans.net
 
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For what it is worth:



"A dramatic spike in temperatures is occurring at high altitudes above the North Pole, where the air is thin and typically frigid. Known as a sudden stratospheric warming event, experts say it’s likely to have potentially significant repercussions for winter weather across the Northern Hemisphere for weeks to possibly months.

"This unusually strong event may have profound influences on the weather in the United States and Europe, possibly increasing the potential for paralyzing snowstorms and punishing blasts of Arctic air, with the odds of the most severe cold outbreaks highest in Northern Europe. The United States is slightly more of a winter wild card for now, experts say, with individual winter storms tough to predict beyond a few days in advance."
 
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Nicole said:
For what it is worth:



"A dramatic spike in temperatures is occurring at high altitudes above the North Pole, where the air is thin and typically frigid. Known as a sudden stratospheric warming event, experts say it’s likely to have potentially significant repercussions for winter weather across the Northern Hemisphere for weeks to possibly months.

"This unusually strong event may have profound influences on the weather in the United States and Europe, possibly increasing the potential for paralyzing snowstorms and punishing blasts of Arctic air, with the odds of the most severe cold outbreaks highest in Northern Europe. The United States is slightly more of a winter wild card for now, experts say, with individual winter storms tough to predict beyond a few days in advance."
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lets cross our fingers :/l
 
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