What If…You Could Choose a Theme for a Theme Park
For this edition of What If… You’ve been hired to design a theme park and your specific role is to provide the theming concept for the park. You can create something completely new and original or work with an exciting brand and base it on a well-known movie, TV show, video game, etc. Here’s what I’d do: Asian-themed Amusement Park I’m a long-time fan of the Busch Gardens park. I love how well the...[Read More]
Wordless Wednesday | That Guy in the Front Seat Looks Blue
More here: Busch Gardens Williamsburg Review See all Featured Photo & Wordless Wednesday posts
POV Monday – Kumba at Busch Gardens Tampa
For the site’s final POV Monday, I thought it’d be fitting to finish with Kumba. While many taller, faster, and more twisted roller coasters have come along since Kumba opened, it is still my all-time favorite looping roller coasters. Designers Bolliger & Mabillard really created a masterpiece from a pacing standpoint and Busch Gardens Tampa supplied a picturesque tropical backdro...[Read More]
Happy National Roller Coaster Day 2013
Happy National Roller Coaster Day Hopefully, you’ll find yourself at an amusement park today because it’s National Roller Coaster Day. On this day, August 16th, back in 1898 Edwin Prescott patented a looping roller coaster. Contrary to popular belief this wasn’t the first roller coaster or even the first looping roller coaster either. However this day was chosen to be Roller Coas...[Read More]
Busch Gardens Tampa Announces Falcon's Fury
Today Busch Garden Tampa announced Falcon’s Fury, a new drop tower ride coming Spring 2014. Falcon’s Fury will stand at 335 feet and take riders soaring 60 mph straight down. Located in the Timbuktu™ area, Falcon’s Fury will be visible from any location in the park and even across the Tampa Bay area. At the ride’s highest point Busch Gardens has added an element of surprise. Like its bird of...[Read More]
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Trip Report
Back in July my family and I returned to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Of course, I was excited to check out the park’s new roller coaster Verbolten. And I knew that the kids were going to enjoy Sesame Forest. My parents were also with us, so this was going to be a trip that included three generations of visitors. Surviving the Heat It was right around 100 degrees the day of our visit. And wit...[Read More]
Verbolten @ Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Coaster Reviews
I’m going to review Verbolten on its own merits and refrain from Big Bad Wolf comparisons (for now). It’s only fair to rate it as-is, removing any history around its origins. For years, many will experience this ride without knowledge of our beloved ‘Wolfie’. So, as best I can, I’m going to keep it from affecting my review.[divider] I visited Busch Gardens Williamsbur...[Read More]
Busch Gardens Trip & A Google Street View Tour
Next week I’ll be returning to Busch Gardens Williamsburg for my first rides on Verbolten. I’ve been able to keep from reading too much about the event building, so I’m really looking forward to the effects and overall look of the interior. I know that there’s a drop section, but other than that, I’m in the dark. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. So, look out for m...[Read More]
Reviews of Verbolten at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
UPDATE – July, 12th – Verbolten is open at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Read my full review: Review of Verbolten at Busch Gardens Williamsburg Survivors have returned from the Black Forest with reviews of Verbolten, Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s new launch roller coaster. Here’s a few early reviews of the ride: If what they did for Verbolten is the new starting line for theme...[Read More]
Montu vs. Alpengeist | Roller Coaster Showdowns
For this roller coaster showdown I’m pitting two of the most popular inverted roller coasters against each other. In a kind of sibling rivalry battle, sister coasters Alpengeist at Busch Gardens Williamsburg will face off against Montu at Busch Gardens Tampa. I guess you can file this heavyweight match up under ‘so obvious that I didn’t think of it.’ Thanks to reader Guilhe...[Read More]
Verbolten Announced for Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s 2012 Roller Coaster – Verbolten: Brave the Black Forest Today, Busch Gardens Williamsburg officially announced their highly anticipated 2012 roller coaster. Earlier this year, some of the ride’s details had already been uncovered. The Zierer-designed steel coaster will be called Verbolten. The name’s a play on the German word “verbotenR...[Read More]
Featured Photo #26 – Braking With Style
Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s dive coaster, Griffon, begins by holding riders on the edge of a twenty-story drop. Onlookers point and shake their heads as they marvel at what to many looks like a torturous experience. Griffon’s finale could be just as interesting from a spectators standpoint . The wide trains charge into a shallow pool creating a trail of water some twenty feet high. An...[Read More]