This has me irrationally excited that there could be full operations this year. The updating of the calendar, and then when the fun calendar comes in the mail are some of my happiest days of the year!
Year-Round Operations Come to BGW
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
My guess is that one of the main incentives of keeping the park open year round is to try to make up some of the money lost due to Covid. But as long as BG has a good turnout, this is probably something that’s going to continue post-COVID?
It's definitely something that will continue unless there's absolutely horrendous turnout
For me, going year round completely changes the BGW/KD value proposition as it relates to season passes and memberships. Our KD passes are all rolled over for 2021, but I may make very different decisions for 2022.
Year round operations at BGW are such a big deal that there is an article about BGW and a few other parks opening in January and February instead of closing from USA Today.
BGW is one of the parks they talk about quite a bit. They especially note that in VA the weather isn't as conducive to opening year round as the Texas parks that they also reference.
BGW is one of the parks they talk about quite a bit. They especially note that in VA the weather isn't as conducive to opening year round as the Texas parks that they also reference.
Want to go for a ride in January? The coaster is clear as theme parks expand their seasons
Thanks to COVID-19, Americans are in search of outdoor activities, even in the depths of winter. So regional theme parks are expanding their seasons.
www.usatoday.com
I read that as well and was thrilled BGW was the main headline picture saw on the link. I have enjoyed the events so far and see tons of potential in the future if the park increases investment on more winter friendly attractions. If they ever go the resort route this would really align nicely too, as many people might like booking this time of year to maybe get a deal and have lower crowds to fight.
If only they had a world-class indoor dark ride to operate in the colder weather...
I can't keep my frustration bottled up any more. I'm worried that year-round operations mean they'll keep Verbolten around longer, since it's one of the few rides that they'll operate in the bitter cold.
I think they're gonna keep Verbolten around for a while because both the masses and many enthusiasts love it.
Also, as far as I know they've been operating Verbolten with the same temperature cutoff as the other coasters, no?
Also, as far as I know they've been operating Verbolten with the same temperature cutoff as the other coasters, no?
Yeah, but that doesn't matter if BGW is shutting everything down at 40 degrees regardless (which I think is the current approach...?)
It was closed Saturday night and I was told that they shut every coaster down once temps get below 40°. That said, I swear I have seen coasters operating in temps colder than that but I could be wrong.
I know it's been discussed a bit, but I thought the minimum temps aren't because the ride can't run but instead because various components start becoming less reliable.
Even though the ride may still be considered safe in that situation depending on what happens, the park may be required to do much larger overhaul of the ride then they'd want to pay for... Also, there's the possibility of warranty or insurance issues by not following a manufacturer's safe operations parameters.
Plus, riding a coaster while it's legit freezing is a one-and-done for most people.
Even though the ride may still be considered safe in that situation depending on what happens, the park may be required to do much larger overhaul of the ride then they'd want to pay for... Also, there's the possibility of warranty or insurance issues by not following a manufacturer's safe operations parameters.
Plus, riding a coaster while it's legit freezing is a one-and-done for most people.
40 is what the park is using across the board now. I think I remember at one point Bolt running at 34 and above. I think 40 comes from both keep it simple and use one for all coaster ie we don't want guests asking why Bolt is running but Alp isn't and it just not having enough ridership in those temps to be worth it.
That's great news, one less reason for me to hate Verbolten. Now wishing DarKastle's building would have a ride in it again is a higher priority than the demise of my inanimate nemesis.
I was told by the ride staff that GCII's minimum operating temp for InvadR is 32F.
It is such a shame that BGW won't run rides under 40F, so far the coldest weather I have ridden a rollercoaster in is 28F.
^^^To the best of my knowledge, no manufacture bases service interval on temperature. If someone can point me to documentation that states otherwise, please do let me know.
It is such a shame that BGW won't run rides under 40F, so far the coldest weather I have ridden a rollercoaster in is 28F.
^^^To the best of my knowledge, no manufacture bases service interval on temperature. If someone can point me to documentation that states otherwise, please do let me know.
I, personally, dislike coasters in very cold temperatures; they essentially create a painful wind chill. I can't imagine that enough people would be interested in them to justify the added expense of keeping them open.
Whether or not they can run the coaster is likely only one part of the larger decision.
Whether or not they can run the coaster is likely only one part of the larger decision.
Great Adventure has a totally different market than BGW but they seem to be doing good with having more than half of their coasters running in the dead of winter.