So, I went to BGW yesterday (alone), and it was great. As a start, I'd like to say that it's hard to compare parks or rides if there were long intervals between your visits. What I mean is, I've been to Dorney twice in the last 12 months, and it's become my favorite park, and Talon has become my favorite invert, but I haven't been to BGW since 2001, so I kind of forgot about how great the things they have can be. If that still doesn't make sense, read through the TR, you'll get it.

I got there in the morning via Boomerang (free express bus from VA Beach to BGW) it was about 9:30, so I took my time through the front gate. Then I went over toward the path to Italy, but I had to wait by the rope, so I just stood there, put some sun screen on, kindof planned out my route as soon as they open the rope. at 10:00 on the dot, the rope was out, and I ran, me and two other random girls, straight to Apollo's Chariot to get the first ride of the day in the front.

It was so great, that thing has much more and better airtime than the other two B&M Hypers I've been on this year. And yes, this would be the first time that I've been on all three in North America in one season. Anyway, it was a great ride, and I still feel like I accomplished something by being on the first train of the day. Then I hit Roman Rapids, not as good as I remembered, but that's ok. It was a very very hot day (100+), so water rides were key, as well as the fact that heat scared away most of the crowds, so lines were not much of a worry. Then I went on Da Vinci's Cradle, and from there I crossed the bridge over to Germany. I like how it's all patriotic now, very good move by BGW. on the bridge, I saw the other 3 coasters, and it warmed my heart.

I walked into the station of BBW (all rides that day for me had lines right into the station, except DarKastle and Le Scoot, and all coasters were running two trains all day), and after about 5 minutes, I was in the front seat. Very fun ride, I'm glad it didn't fall in the river. That was my first coaster ever, and it is still as good as that first ride 9 years ago. From there I walked through Oktoberfest to The Curse of DarKastle, and man, does that thing look good. It was so greatly themed, inside and out, but it didn't leave me in shock as much as the GK, probably, because I'm used to BGW detailing everything. This ride had about a 30 minute wait, but the line outside was so nicely themed, along with the fans and mist, that it didn't matter that much. It was a very cool ride, definately the best non coaster ride I've been on, it even surprised me a few times and I let out a yell. The simulated drop was cool too. Also, the seats, although simple, were pretty comfy, as were the restraints. I only rode it once, altohugh now I wish that I'd taken one more spin on it.

Next, I went to Alpengeist. I wanted to ride it, not just because it's awesome, but I always felt like I had missed something while riding. And I did miss something. It would have been a ten minute wait for the front, but going alone, I manged to get with a group of three after less than 5 minutes in line, and that happened all 4 times when I rode. I never remembered the ride being so forceful. It's the only invert I've ridden with an MCBR, yet it's still the best. The Cobraroll is the best I've been on, because of how much power it has on the snaps. I guess now I remember what made me love it so much in the first place, and why it's my screenname as well. Alpengeist is my favorite roller coaster.

So now I was beginning to feel hot again, but Le Scoot was down, so I had to wait. I never really liked the whol Canadian Yukon Native American theme, because it doesn't fit in, but that's okay, at least it's themed nicely. I walked through France, and the Wildlife thingy, to Ireland. Last time I went to the park was April 2001, so Ireland wasn't open yet, but now I finally got to see that it's not that interesting. The park has a lot of space, all of the countries are like islands, with gaps in between, and/or lots of empty space around them. I rode Corkscrew hill, which was really cool, definately the best stationary simulator that I've been on. It even had a powerful pop of air which really surprised me. By this time, it was beginning to become unbearable outside, so I jumped from one shady area to another, and eventually go to the line of Loch Ness Monster.

It's the oldest Arrow Looper that I've been on, but it doesn't leave me with the typical Arrow migraine that I got after riding GASM, Anaconda, Shockwave, and Demon. And over the course of the day, I rode it 3 times, and still never got that headache. So I rode, took an on ride photo, going into the loop as somebody here had asked. This ride is still a great ride, not very many rough spots, and has a wonderous pop of ejector air going into the second lift hill. This ride was walk on to the front, so I re-rode. Then I got something to eat, and finished it ont the way back to Italy.

I was going to ride AC again, but I did Escape from Pompeii first. It's definately a much better ride in the front then anywhere else, cause as soon as you get to the top of the lift, your feet get soaked. Those fire effects never get old, they're always so cool looking. and that drop was a great way to cool off. Then I went over to Apollo's Chariot, rode it in the back this time, and like Alpengeist, each time I went on AC after the first time, I got a shortened wait by going with a group of three, but it wouldn't have been long anyway. The back has so much ejector air, it's just crazy. But I think that the front has a better ride, because floater air lasts longer than ejector, and in the front, you get air on the hill after the helix, as well as the twisted hill under the drop, and in the back you don't. Then I hopped on Battering Ram because I haven't been on a swinging ship for a long time.

Afterward, I was about to cross the bridge to Germany, but I spotted the train in the station, so I hopped on for a ride to New France. I can't beleive that they just have an open space with a few trees where DF was. It's dumb, they should build something there. Also, later on in my trip, I went over to the Entrance (Black Forest), and only then did I realize the reason that it was unpopular, the entrance was hidden. It should have been right up next to Das Festhaus, not behind it. But I guess that's been said. So off the train, I went on Apengeist, then walked over to the Skyride in France, did a complete circle around the park and took some pictures, then Le Scoot was finally open. I had to wait in a 20 minute line for that, it was an okay ride, but I had a really good on-ride photo, so I bought it. I then rode Alpie again, and then walked over to Germany. I didn't feel like doing anything there, so I got a pic or two of BBW, and walked back to Italy. I rode AC twice, front row each time, and I got some POV photos with my camera in hand, rode Escape from Pompeii again, and then walked back to Germany.

I rode Big Bad Wolf in the front again, and I made a POV video. Since I had a digital camera, and not a camcorder, it only makes 30 second clips, but each segment after the lifts was caught perfectly in 30 seconds. But the first part came out very dark, I'll try to edit it when I get home and upload it. I went back and rode Alpie for the last time. Even though it's such a friggin awesome ride, after 4 rides, it begins to hurt my feet, the elements were so forecul that I felt like my feet were just being pulled by a machine. Great ride, once again. Then my mom called, and told me to ride Loch Ness Monster (becuase it was my first looper, and she had to force me on the ride because I was scared). She said it kindof as a joke, but I went over and rode anyway.

Now here was the tricky part, it was 7:50, I had to be on my bus back home in an hour (departue 9:00), and I still had to get my stuff from my locker at Alpengeist, and get a last ride on AC. So I got on the Scotland train to New France, got to Alpie, didn't ride, but I got my sutff from my locker, walked through Germany to the Skyride, got off at England, went to AC, and got in line for the front. I got on 8:30 on the dot, lucky for me there was a group of three about to get on, so I was able to skip through, any later and I would've missed the bus. But that ride was so worth the running across the park. It was already getting dark, so I got a night ride. It was great once again, seeing the lights around the park, nice.

So then I went to the gift shop at the front gate, got myself a t-shirt, and ran out to the bus. A great day at Busch Gardens, riding the best of the best.

I'm in VA Beach until Saturday, so I'll have the pictures up on Sunday. And don't wory, most of them aren't the typical pictures, some of them are from the skyride, cool looking, and one POV pic of LNM came out really well.

good report. I liked the front on Apollo's better then the back too. Did you fine Alpengiest to have a rough spot in it. There was a bit of head bagning on it for me during one point.

Seriously if you people find Alpie rough than you're a pretty big wuss.

^^ I disagree. You can experience a rough ride and not be a wuss. Most rides ARE rough, and I think so. So doesn't mean that i'm afraid to ride. Wuss isn't even a real word.

That was a great trip report. Sounds like you had a lot of fun. I really hope I can go to BGW. I went about 6 years ago and also thought it was a beautiful park. However then I wasn't even tall enough to ride Alpengeist, so going back would be really fun. Though I did get a chance to ride Drachen Fire.

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My Nolimits roller coasters:
Big Bad Wolf (2nd Place -August Contest 05)

I am glad you had a great time.

No, I didn't find Alpengeist to be rough, except for the one messed up transition into the MCBR, but that's pretty well known.

One thing I was able to figure out was that all sitdown B&Ms are rough during helixes. I've ridden 5 different sitdown B&Ms this season, and each one has at least one helix:
Hydra - Carousel turn
Nitro - Helix to MCBR
Medusa - Helix after MCBR
Raging Bull - 270 turn over drop and Figure 8
Apollo's Chariot - Helix in the very back

Each of those elements ivolved the entire train shaking around, which on Hydra and Medusa gave a little bit of headbanging. I guess now I know that it's common.

Nice trip report. Can you upload a few pictures?

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Q

Well, I just got back from Virginia, about 10 minutes ago, and I'm on the compy to upload the pics ASAP. I'll edit this, or repost in a few minutes. Also, I need a new image hosting site I think.

Here all the pictures for all of you to see. I have to make many seperate posts because of image limits. Enjoy!

Alpengeist

The Curse of DarKastle, Big Bad Wolf, and Apollo's Chariot

Loch Ness Monster

The area formerly known as Drachen Fire and Escape from Pompeii

Nice pics, I really like the first pic of AC from right before the drop. And also, that second AC pic looks almost as if it's a vertical drop on a dive machine, pretty cool.

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Let's Go! HOKIES!

Wow...You took some awesome pictures. Alpengiest looks crazy. We definately need something like that up here. Poor Canada, We always get everything last when it comes to amusement parks. Or that I know of.

That TR was awesome. Great pics too. I haven't been to BGW myself but oh how I wish I could. You mentioned a ride called Corkscrew hill and I was wondering what that was? Is is some sort of an indoor ride?

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Magnum XL- 200...1989-2007...18 years of toppin the list

It's a simulator, "new" with Ireland, but it was really cool. The theme was that you turned into a Leprechaun or Fairy, but it was cool because it wasn't boring and dull, it really had extreme movements, providing a cool simulation.

Awesome pictures. It seems like you had a great time.

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Great TR! I just went to BGW on Monday, And I would have to totally agree with you on Curse of Dar Kastle, It is the best Dark ride I have ever been on. (well except maybe Indian Jones and the temple of Doom at DL in Cali!)

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AP looks awesome how does it compare to nitro ?

It is better than Nitro. It has more air, and a better first drop. Sure, it's not as fast, but it's only 7 MPH less, and the helix is much better too.

Wow, nice TR. Meat pictures. Looks like Lockness Monster is rough from the photo. =)

I notice that BGW really does a good job of keeping the coasters looking nice. There all painted and look great.

Depending on where you are on loch ness, you'll get a wide range of different rides. The front is a bit rough, but it's really only a few jerky moments every now and then, unless if you don't press your head as far into the cushion as possible on the first drop. You don't do that, get ready for one fun head banger experience.

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Sesame Street characters at Busch Gardens Europe!?
Take THAT Magic Kingdom!