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Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2009 8:46 pm Post subject: Short trip report from Christmastown Busch Gardens
Reading the reviews on the facebook page, I was really wondering about whether to go this weekend or not. I decided to take my mom and Aunt with me today so that we could experience this event together. My mom and aunt haven't been to Busch Gardens since the late 80's so many of the attractions were new to them.
We started in England where guests were greeted by Carolers singing in front of the mini landmark Big Ben Clocktower (on the central plaza). They were pretty good and they set up the atmosphere for an enjoyable evening at the park.
Temps: It was a nice mild day today It felt like it was in the mid to late 60's (close to 70's). Not very windy. I was expecting huge crowds, but the crowds here were pretty moderate. As we walked through England on the way to Scotland, very nice Christmas music filled every corner.
An easily noticeable Griffon soared high above the trees. Griffon was up and running all day. I'm guessing that there were little to no lines on it.
I'm fascinated by coasters, but I'm more of a dark ride fan so I knew neither of us weren't getting on it. However, if you go there, It seemed as though one should have no trouble getting in line to go on it.
In fact, I was really thinking that they should open up the other coasters in the years to come. (Especially Alpengeist which already has a winter theme to it). Moving along in Scotland, we saw the majestic Clydesdales. They are still there for now. We took the Train ride from Scotland around Italy on over to the New France (Canada themed) area. It was quite festive over there. At night, the lights looked great on the logged buildings.
Germany:
What's normally Rhinefield has been re-themed to the North Pole. It was nice there. Many gift shops were open in this area. There was also a Santa greeting spot there Called Santa's workshop. The staff at this location (dressed in their little elf costumes) seemed to be the happiest people.
The Oktoberfest section of Germany is probably what I'd consider to be the "main event" or "Hub" of Christmastown. The Festhaus (a huge dining /entertainment hall was filled. Guests would get their meals from the cafeteria area and then sit in benched tables in a huge arena-like hall to eat. In the center of the dining hall, there is a main stage (Normally, a band would play German folk songs while dancers would do traditional dances there.) For the holidays though, there was a show there called Deck the Halls. It was very entertaining as the performers and band performed a good spirited Christmas music medley. I always loved being in the Festhaus, even as a kid. I forgot all about how the band enters the stage and their platform lifts up to a second level, leaving guests to focus only on viewing the performers down below. I also forgot about the scenic Artwork around the interior wall of the Festhaus (featuring a scenic Bavarian village and mountains)
On the outside of the Festhaus, we were able to catch the light show named O Tannenbaum. The show consisted of a huge Christmas tree light show synchronized to music.
I hit my favorite attraction nearby (Curse of Darkastle). I actually got my mom and aunt to go with me and they enjoyed it. initially, they had no idea of what the ride was about. I kept it a secret until they got on. They were impressed by it and wanted to go on it again.
Both the France and Ireland sections were beautiful as well. I went on Corkscrew Hill and It was good. Made me think of the ol' Questor days though... most attractions we went to had little to no lines. there was a penguin display in France called Ice Palace. I've took in the advice of others and we decided to skip the attraction. From what I heard it's basically a LONG line in order to see two live (but bored) penguins.
My overall impression: I thought Christmas town was brilliant tonight. I've was hoping for something like this from Busch for years. Hopefully this event will expand as the years go by. They did a wonderful job.
In the future, they could run more of the coasters and definitely open, theme and run the Italy (San Marco and Festa Italia) sections. Overall though, I was quite impressed!
I do agree that they should have Italy open too. That San Marco has a great restaurant theater stage too good to pass up. Also those midway rides like tradewinder could be open too. I do have a crazy theory that if this is a success that this could lead to more Dark Rides being made, making this a all year around park, but that just me thinking big future picture.
I bet you saw Big Bad Wolf pretty much torn up. It must have been sad, but I could only hope that whatever comes has to be good. Hey maybe Big Bad Wolf 2.0 or Spain land. I can't wait for those pictures.
Thanks for the report, I going try to make out there soon. _________________
I do agree that they should have Italy open too. That San Marco has a great restaurant theater stage too good to pass up. Also those midway rides like tradewinder could be open too. I do have a crazy theory that if this is a success that this could lead to more Dark Rides being made, making this a all year around park, but that just me thinking big future picture.
I bet you saw Big Bad Wolf pretty much torn up. It must have been sad, but I could only hope that whatever comes has to be good. Hey maybe Big Bad Wolf 2.0 or Spain land. I can't wait for those pictures.
Thanks for the report, I going try to make out there soon.
Yeah, I can bet that in the years to come they are going to open Italy from now on. It's so much they can do with that area for Christmas.
Although many here in Virginia would like to see another coaster there in general, I'm one of the rare ones who would love to see Busch add maybe a (Shoot-em -up) darkride and and/or a themed indoor Coaster/Darkride hybrid. If they go in that direction, then maybe they can come close to being a year around destination. (Maybe closing from January to late February or March). I'm hoping that Blackstone can help fuel some resources into taking Busch to that level. I hope they don't decide to compete with King's Dominion in the "who can have the biggest baddest coasters" thing. Busch already has it's share of great coasters. I think they should just let KD (under Cedar fair) stick with the super thrill "coaster-fly-off-the-track-near-death-experiences" and focus on giving whole families an overall immersion experience. With the Worlds of Discovery overall theme to the Busch Parks, I hope that they head in that direction.
I'd love to see a maybe leprechaun themed Dark ride in Ireland since that area is very well themed. So much can be done with special effects with magical leprechauns. Families could enjoy it. The queue going into Corkscrew Hill is still pretty cool with the dark tunnels and dim flickering lights. But even that to me is a shadow of what it once was with Questor back in the day. Back then, I actually remembered that attraction having a nicely done animatronic character greet you in the preshow to explain your journey. It added a little bit of charm to that ride.
By the way, the first half of the first lifthill of the Big Bad Wolf was still there (towering behind and over the bumper cars building). The rest is pretty much gone after the crest of the lifthill. There are a couple of cranes nestled in the woods around there. It was so sad to see it gone. I wonder what they plan to do with that area?
Here's my trip report from Christmas Town Busch Gardens. I gotta say, I love it. I happy to see a theme park in this region open. While the weather was really cold, many people show up making this a sold out event. In fact, I try to visit this event a couple of weekends ago and they had sold out in less then two hours. Well let me start by showing you the main ticket booth and entrance into the park.
Heading into the park the main area is jolly old England. Deck out with fancy Christmas it main attraction is the Sesame Street Christmas movie followed by Shops and a bunch treat stores.
Heading deeper into the park you enter Ireland where you get a lucky charm of Christmas evergreen. Stores and food are abound. The food here smell great and there are restaurants or pubs to be exact. A lot of family went on the main ride attraction 4-D Corkscrew Hill. But there were some good show attractions. The Dinner and photo with Santa was a pack house and the low key show Rejoice brought the crowds. One thing about Rejoice was a fine show but didn't have the energy and creative spark to make it a stand out show, but this is only first year. So, there a lot to fine tune here.
Here lay's are coasters sleeping and missing there old pal 'Big Bad Wolf' yet resting for a new season where a new friend might join perhaps a "cub".
Oh no, people working on the coaster track, but it's was to cool to have it running.
As you venture down further into the park you see more Christmas decoration done to fit each country. Even the music matches with the land they are based on. Here's Switzerland.
For $3 bucks you can get express warmer with this box.
New France is all about the shops and food. The cooking style here is smoke house and you can see it too. The smell will intoxicate you into a food coma if you not careful.
Disney is not the only place that knows how to make snow. Here at France and Switzerland there enough snow to going around.
Now to the main even. German is where the action is. The Christmas tree is the event to see and Das Festhaus is the place to eat and enjoy the show.
Can't forget to take a ride on Dark Kastle. Just enjoy riding this a lot. One thing though, the crowds weren't building as much as Corkscrew Hill. I think Doug suggest of adding a Holiday theme might be something they need to look into. It would make the ride a special event for the Christmas opening. Hey Look at Sea World, they change their Arctic ride into the Polar Express for the Holiday's.
Well here's where it all at the Christmas tree and Das Festhaus.
Here's a little video of the Chrimtas tree in action just click on the link to see the video.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/ph...zX_GFgwZybaTJWI-g?feat=directlink
Going inside Das Festhaus for a good Christmas Dinner and a dancing fun show.
Aha, A Dinner fit for the Holiday's. Did I mention that Busch Gardens cuisine is on par with top restaurants. It's prime rib here and it's good not just that theme park food the rest of the group sever.
Dessert's is one of there specialty. Especially German Dessert's very few parks like Disney can server something this good, but Busch sure can.
Now it's time to watch a joyfully show, only wish they could add some theme. It felt more like greatest hit's of Christmas songs. But it's the first year so there time to improve.
Here's a little video just hit on the link.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/ph...kLwXIbm6yI_UU61SQ?feat=directlink
One things I notice was a lot of locals was at the park. They even let local vendors of sell there Christmas stuff inside.
Hey some coaster stuff here. This is cool seeing this for sale a mock up of Griffin. The company making this is Coaster Dynamix.
Here something that's different. A penguins exhibit on loan from the Sea World parks. I believe it's Orlando and it's kind of small thing they did.
Well it's nice to see Clydesdale even with the sale to Blackstone, but they told me that some Scottish Clydesdale will make this area their home. Cool it' nice to see Busch keeping the stable for some new Clydesdale.
The stables have all stars tonight.
Well it's time to go and here a band to lead us out.
I have to say it's great to have this event. It's beats going to Orlando just to see the Holiday's at the theme park. If anybody interesting in seeing the Cockscrew Hill ride video officially. Check out this Synthespain Studios and look for their 'work' and look for the two kids with one holding a match. http://synthespians.net/
I remember Questor the ride a long time ago. MarkE I used to wish that ride lasted longer then it did, just because I had only rode it one time. But it beats the early ride they first had where you followed some lame sword if I remember correctly.
I hope you guy's enjoy this report and I wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Here's a little map that show the event of the park.
Just one thing here. This was Big Bad Wolf loading station. Gone is the ride, but not it's memories. But rumor point's that new cubs two in fact may come, but also talk goes more into a new land, and Spain has it's name. We see.
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Thanks for the report and awesome pics! Makes me think of being right there again. I really really hope they do this every year. The ambiance in the park is really nice!
Oh man! Good ol' Questor was the only attraction I remembered from Busch Gardens Williamsburg that had a (really nicely done) animatronic. You'd walk through the dark cavern until you reached the preshow which consisted of a little animatronic elf-like inventor who'd give a little talk to prepare you for the journey to find the magical crystal. It was a nicely themed attraction for a seasonal park during it's time. I hope they continue to move along in that direction. Keep making the thrills, but also continue to give us good stories.
Again, thanks so much for the report! Cant' wait to see what they plan to do in the future!
Well, Well, Well. Looks like a new land is being open for next year Christmas Town. This is great. Italy is worth opening for this new event. Being out during this year Christmas Town was a big hit. So, looks like more land and rides can open up for next year Christmas Town event. I feeling more different rides could come to the park. That dark ride or indoor coaster could be the next big thing. Anyway I glad to see Italy open up for next year.
Here's a link and the photo promo for Italy.
http://behindthethrills.com/index...amp;catid=64:news-&Itemid=121 [/url]
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