Busch Gardens New Ride In France?

http://www.coaster-net.com/newsandreleases.php?action=displayitem&newsid=584

Acording to this link from coaster-net, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is seeking a permit to build a ride taller than 60 feet (city ordinance) in the France Area of the Park. Interesting how the city has an height restriction only in the France section of the park. The other thing to ponder is what are they putting there?

Like the artical said, it has been a while since they built a coaster whereas the Tampa Park has had two since the year Apollo/Gwazi both opend. I realize that it could also be a thrill ride, but if I were to guess (hope for), I would say a Woodie, but I havn't a clue. Any other ideas?

This is just a guess, but seeing the popularity of SheiKra, could the second U.S. dive machine already be in the works? As I recall from being at the park, it is very hilly making for some interesting terrain for any coaster, particularly a dive coaster. What ever they decide to put in I'm sure will be amazing.

I would personally like to see how a B&M Flyer would turn out when it's in a great park like one of the ones owned by Busch. I could see some really interesting elements going into a ride like that. Not just zipping through trees.

Count me as *near shocked* that the dive machine went into the *flatland park* in Tampa rather than the park in Williamsburg where the terrain is perfectly suited for that type of coaster...

Not *complaining* mind you, just REALLY surprised...

...and I'd bet on a flyer, why take away the *uniqueness* of SheiKra, which they JUST invested in so heavily...

Thinking of a flyer similar to BBW makes me DROOL... :)

I'll believe it when I see it. I can't find any information in the local papers. There was no link either in the forums on Coaster-Net or in the article. As far as I'm concerned this is nothing more than a rumor.

Flyer? Meh...too much of a gimmick. BGW needs a terrain racing woodie!

The other question is, where is it going? New France is crowded (Alpengeist, Log Flume, Land of the Dragons) while Aquaitane isnt much better (theater, Car Ride.) My guess is Aquaitane is about to anex some of the "wolf reserve" non-themed area between Ireland and France.

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Mamoosh said:
Flyer? Meh...too much of a gimmick. BGW needs a terrain racing woodie!

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I was thinking the same thing. Gwazi 2.0

A Intamin Pre-Fab would be great or a Gravity Group coaster would also look great.

Touchdown, I agree.... Not much in that area.
Of course, they could always just expand a new lot just for the coaster.

I'm thinking something along the lines of a wooden coaster... The park doesn't have one, and considering the popularity of them nowadays, it would be surprising to see them throw a steel in there.

But maybe nothing is even coming, we don't know yet.

... I'll still hope :)

- Josh

I'd rather have ANY woodie at BGW....I thought there was a problem with that due to environmental restrictions or some such thing (maybe noise restrictions?) that was/were preventing a woodie though?

I'd even bet that based on their experience with Gwazi, they'd invest in the M-Flyer trains were they to go with GCI again...(prior busness relationship, etc.) ;)

Or maybe there was a multi-coaster deal... muwahaha... :)

Did someone say GCI? Flyer trains? :-P

Nah... give us a Boomerang! They need a shuttle experience!

Or they could buy PKI's Eiffel Tower...

But serously, I wouldn't mind a GCI Twister or something in the "coaster" catagory

If you are going to build a GCI twister though why would you build it in France when the former footprint of Dracken Fire is still open? If this is for a coaster, it would have to be something that would use a terrain, which in the case of a wood coaster would not be GCI's speciality and more of the Gravity Group. However, we are talking about BGW, an anti wood coaster park (besides BGT doesnt exactly run their woodie well anyways) so Im willing to bet a Flyer and a name change to B&M Gardens Williamsburg.

^ I would have agreed about the terrain aspect...until Thunderhead... ;)

All i have to say is that if BGW does indeed build another quality coaster, the next time I go there I'm never coming back. A nice flyer or large wooden roller coaster would really take the park over the top.

Best atmosphere ever.

I wouldn't classify Thunderhead as a terrain coaster. You could have built it on a flat piece of land and it would have had the same effect. Just changes some of the supports. The land underneath Thunderhead is just a small valley (albeit, inside a MUCH larger valley).

Now, take away the trees and the surrounding Smoky Mountains and THAT makes a difference!

I would generally classify a Terrain coaster as one whose design is HEAVILY influenced by the, umm... terrain... it is built on. Thus ROAR or Ozark Wildcat, not so much, but Thunderhead (and Tennessee Tornado, for that matter) would definitely qualify. The placing of the lift and many of the swooping turns are directly influenced by the land underneath them, and if not for said land that layout probably would've never been discovered. You could build Boulder Dash on a flat piece of land if you wanted to, it would've just had a lot more wood involved.

Anyway, potato, potahto, whatever.

I wish they'd put a wooden roller coaster in...but it's a question of space...it would have to be a small footprint, perhaps they'd have it run underneath of each other and criss-cross each other a lot, just make it fast and exciting, and that's all the gp really needs.

A good woodie would be my first choice, but if not, a heavily themed Watercoaster like the one being built at Efteling would be a great fit for BGW:

http://www.coastersandmore.de/rides/derfliegendehollaender/fliegendehollaenderbaustelle.shtml