Big Bad Wolf

Ha! And here I thought LK was trying to go all fancy type on us.

What a shame if BBW were to go. Doesn't BGE know I'm planning a big Virginia trip for next year? They could have at least consulted me...

I have a lot of love for suspendeds, the few that exist. Bat was a good ride -- not the heaven-on-earth experience that many folk seem to remember with their sepia-toned sunglasses, but a solid, exciting ride nevertheless. The Vortex/Flight Deck layout works marvelously in both its incarnations.

It's a shame these unusual rides are disappearing. I would think there is much more potential to be explored in the ride type than we yet have seen. I like to imagine a suspended coaster with a legs-out seating arrangement like those found on inverts. That would be fun to try.

Ensign Smith said:
I like to imagine a suspended coaster with a legs-out seating arrangement like those found on inverts. That would be fun to try.

Vampire.

Floorless trains by Vekoma added in 2002.

Cool. Next, I'd like an offshore bank account with a million dollars deposited into it.

I just love it when I wish for something and discover it already exists.

Based on reports I read, Vampire is not a success with the floorless trains. For a while, they could not even use the front row, since that car was shaken violently when the train got into the guide rail for the second lift. They also had to clear out a ton of trees and scenery to allow for clearance.

Yeah, I'd much prefer the enclosed cars so the theming/landscaping clearances can be tighter. I still get freaked on Flight Deck several times where it looks like the bottom of your car is going to hit something, espcially that last right support as you're swinging high into the brake run. Gets me every time and I love it!

Big Bad Wolf was dishing out the goods on Friday. I even snagged a bonus ride at the end of the night in the last row. I am going to miss that thing so much. :(

So is anyone else here planning to say goodbye to the Wolf on Labor Day? I'm planning to drive down either Saturday or Sunday and stay through Monday until they kick me out.

I'll be there Labor Day weekend :)

As it comes to no shock, my wife and I will be there the last evening (Monday the 7th). If you want to guarantee yourself to be on the last train, they are also doing an auction for last rides.

http://eagle97.com/pages/3650058.php?contentType=33&contentId=64069

Proceeds go to the Sea World and Busch Gardens conservation fund, which is a really cool Non-Profit organization that BEC manages. (and a tax write off :))

Its going to be a pretty decent turn out from what I have heard from BGW PR.

Sigh.......Only a few days left for a great ride.

^Thanks for the heads up. If anyone recognizes me, please don't hesitate to say hello and introduce yourself.

^ According to your profile pix, you'll be the giant metal robot?

I'll be there on either Sept. 6th or 7th for one last ride:).

I'll be there this Wednesday through Friday for first and last rides.

So, have we confirmed the "rumor" that BBW is indeed going bye-bye? ;)

Seriously though, I'm pretty sad about it, but it seems ridiculous in this day and age to try and quell these kinds of runors. When it's a fact, and the industry insiders have begun to spread the rumor, it's time to fess up. Also, Busch's "timeline for removal" notwithstanding, it would have been nice to give riders until Halloween to have their last rides.

All that being said, it is *their* ride, and their business, and I'm sure what and how their handling the removal is geared to their bottom line.

Gator, they made an official announcement on July 24th. That gave fans a little more than 6 weeks notice in order to get their final rides in. That seems reasonable to me.

^I agree.

At least they diden't pull a geauga lake.

We made it to Busch Gardens last Friday and took 1 ride on Big Bad Wolf.

It is a shame to see any suspended go, since there are not many and they provide a unique ride with the swinging.

The ride is well themed, and it is a nice ride through the woods and through the village, and that adds a lot to the overall ride.

The first part of the ride provides some great swinging.

I thought the ending was pretty anti-climatic compared to the rest of the ride. Big drop into turn, switch directions and climb, swinging wildly with the huge waste of energy going into the brake run. I would believe the story that Schwarzkopf designed this, as his coasters tended to go too fast into the final brake runs.

IMO, the final drop is too steep for a suspended. I much prefer Iron Dragon's gradual final slope with the direction changing from side to side, with the helix at the end. Suspended coasters are about swinging, not speed. Iron Dragon's finale showcases that better.

Didn't find it rough, except one jerk at the ending where it switched directions.

Everything arrow is so outdated these days, the look of the track structure and the tight, uncomfortable cars.

Overall, i think it is a shame they are taking it out as they do not have a large collection of coasters, and this is their moderate full-size coaster. It is a great location for a mine train, that is what should replace it if anything. Another moderate coaster.

Carrie M. said:
Gator, they made an official announcement on July 24th. That gave fans a little more than 6 weeks notice in order to get their final rides in. That seems reasonable to me.

Agreed that 6 weeks is enough time for someone who finds BBW important to them to get one more ride in. I guess where my line of thinking was going was more about 1) the reported "it's only a rumor" discussion, and 2) the closing of the ride before the end of the actual season - the *timelines* argument for closing at Labor Day instead of..."Howl-O-Ween". ;)

Acoustic Viscosity said:
So is anyone else here planning to say goodbye to the Wolf on Labor Day? I'm planning to drive down either Saturday or Sunday and stay through Monday until they kick me out.

I will be there Saturday