Author Topic: Breaking News-Big Bad Wolf To Close At Busch Gardens (Read 2415 times)

CWN Reporter · « **on:** Jul 24, 2009, 11:13 »

Busch Gardens has announced that Big Bad Wolf will be closing for good after September 7th of this year, and that a new attraction will take its place, but no details on what that particular attraction will be. Big Bad Wolf opened in 1984, and was billed as the worlds first suspended coaster. More details at this link:

http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/stories/wvec_local_072409_big_bad_wolf_ride_closing.70b2bf50.html

Jason · « **Reply #1 on:** Jul 24, 2009, 11:23 »

I happened to spot this one someone's Twitter this morning and the wife and I have been planning an emergency visit for Labor Day weekend.

It looks like we'll fly in the Thursday afternoon before Labor Day and get some early evening ride follow by a full day of Friday riding. Do you expect the park to be super busy on those days?

CWN Reporter · « **Reply #2 on:** Jul 24, 2009, 11:39 »

It probably will be pretty busy to be honest. I plan to go there on Labor Day weekend as well with some friends. It will be interesting to see what is going to replace Big Bad Wolf.

Jason · « **Reply #3 on:** Jul 24, 2009, 11:48 »

We'll go with the flow on Thursday evening and buy the fast pass thingy for Friday.

Swoosh · « **Reply #4 on:** Jul 24, 2009, 12:08 »

So pissed that they are taking it out. That was my favorite coaster at that park.

AyTrane · « **Reply #5 on:** Jul 24, 2009, 01:04 »

I was really dreading this when it was a rumor. It makes no sense to remove such a great coaster. I was planning on going to Busch Gardens next year, but now I may not. It would be great to ride the Loch Ness Monster, but the Big Bad Wolf was what I was really looking forward to.

Swoosh · « **Reply #6 on:** Jul 24, 2009, 02:20 »

So apparently the new land is going to have a bridge that will be located pretty much where the station is now leading back into the old Drachen Fire area -- then that area will get a new B&M flyer. Too bad it won't be ready by 2010 since that's when we'll be out there. :*(

zztop · « **Reply #7 on:** Jul 24, 2009, 03:03 »

now they will have no real faimly coaster

Prowler182 · « **Reply #8 on:** Jul 24, 2009, 07:49 »

I was really hoping that some day I would get to ride this marvelous Arrow Suspended Coaster and now that dreams gone. I'm just in shock that they did decide to take it out. I knew that they were thinking of it but I never thought it was going to end up actually happening.

rcjkochs · « **Reply #9 on:** Jul 24, 2009, 07:53 »

Too bad I dont have the money to go out there and experience that coaster...

Swoosh · « **Reply #10 on:** Jul 24, 2009, 08:19 »

You can thank S&S for killing this ride.
They don't want to make parts for the old Arrow Suspended coasters anymore.
I would imagine that you'll see the rest of this genre fade away within 5 years.

Prowler182 · « **Reply #11 on:** Jul 25, 2009, 06:43 »

Well I did read that a new attraction is on it's way. It's surely is sad to see the Big Bad Wolf leave but I'm curious on this new ride as well. Is it a coaster or a flat. They're best bet in my opinion is a good themed coaster to replace Big Bad Wolf. I'm personally hoping for a woodie by GCI or Gravity Group because Busch Gardens Africa has one and Busch Gardens Europe doesnt have a woodie yet. But if not a woodie a nice B&M will do fine.

Swoosh · « **Reply #12 on:** Jul 25, 2009, 08:47 »

It's actual a whole new land that will be built back where Drachen Fire was and there will be a bridge / new coaster built in the area where BBW was. From what I heard the bridge will start pretty much where the station to BBW was and then go over that gorge to the "new area"

silverstreak · « **Reply #13 on:** Jul 25, 2009, 12:29 »

i have never been on a suspend coaster that i liked....and i read a lot of the same rumors that swoosh read...new bm flier in a new area....

zztop · « **Reply #14 on:** Jul 25, 2009, 03:07 »

so basicly the only reason they took it out was so they could build a bridge to a new area if the coaster dosn't use big bad wolfs area i will be mad

Swoosh · « **Reply #15 on:** Jul 25, 2009, 05:22 »

No, that's just one of the reasons. It appears that the fleet of trains for BBW needs some very expensive overhauls and it appears that parts for suspended coasters are becoming more and more scarse as it appears that S&S (the company that bought Arrow) does not want to supply parts anymore, or if they do it is extremely expensive and cost doesn't justify the ROI and all that jazz.

So since BBW needs a lot of overhauls and it is going to cost a lot to fix everything to the level that Busch wants, and then thrown in the fact that they want to expand the park into that area behind BBW -- well I think you have a pretty good song and dance as to why it is being removed.

Now don't get me wrong, I am ticked that it is being removed, but I am seeing more and more the reasoning behind it.

I wonder how long the other suspendeds will last now that this move by S&S is occurring (if it is indeed occurring, which I have no reason to doubt IS). I would think that it would be the perfect time for KI to do away with Top Gun when they take out SOB -- clean slate back there and with CGA closing, a perfect place for their B&M Top Gun to be located... just sayin'

zztop · « **Reply #16 on:** Jul 26, 2009, 06:45 »

and who knows how long iron dragon at cedair point will last thats a nice area for a brand new roller coaster

Swoosh · « **Reply #17 on:** Jul 26, 2009, 08:41 »

After BBW exits, there won't be many Arrow suspendeds left.
Amazing that I've ridden all the ones in North America.

Ninja - SFMM
Vortex - CanWon
Flight Deck - KI
Iron Dragon - CP
-------------
Vampire - Chessington
Eagle Fortress - Everland
Hayabusa - Toyko Summerland

Jason · « **Reply #18 on:** Jul 26, 2009, 09:22 »

Hayabusa has been closed since 2005 and Eagle Fortress has been SBNO all year. It's believed that Eagle Fortress will be torn down.

Vampire looks interesting because of the new Vekoma trains but those who have ridden say that it's pretty sucky. The lack of weight has made the entire ride super slow.

Orient Wolf · « **Reply #19 on:** Jul 26, 2009, 11:33 »

I had thought that S&S was using the Arrow suspended design (or something similar) for their new free fly coaster. youtube videoyoutube video][url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8IywvWyR34#lq-lq2-hq-vhq]youtube videoyoutube video [/url]

I find the BBW closing dissappointing. But now I am very scared for Flight Deck and Vortex. Personally, I'd like to see S&S develop new trains that have seating similar to the Screamin' Swings with a floor but open all around.

Swoosh · « **Reply #20 on:** Jul 26, 2009, 01:51 »

If CGA closes down for good at the end of this year, and I see no reason right now that it will not considering that the current steps are very glaringly similar to Geauga Lake's last season, I would say that both Flight Deck and SOB will be torn out and CGA's Top Gun will go in that area.

Jason · « **Reply #21 on:** Jul 26, 2009, 04:31 »

What steps are glaringly similar?

The costs associated with removing a ride would likely prohibit KI from removing two while installing another one in the same year. Especially when you consider what they just spent on Diamondback. Their hand is forced with regards to SOB but they could easily let it stand as is for another year.

Quote from: Orient Wolf on Jul 26, 2009, 11:33

Personally, I'd like to see S&S develop new trains that have seating similar to the Screamin' Swings with a floor but open all around.

Even if they do develop new trains you'd have to get the parks to pay for them and once they pay for the trains they'll still have to pay for a great deal of track/support work in order to keep the rides operating past their service life. They weren't designed to run for ever so you eventually have to cut your loses and move on. I'd also say that the S&S seat designs are some of the worst currently out there. Powder Keg is a great ride but seats put me into an awkward position.

Swoosh · « **Reply #22 on:** Jul 26, 2009, 04:36 »

Quote from: Jason on Jul 26, 2009, 04:31

What steps are glaringly similar?

-Cut back on hours of operation
-Elimination of key positions in mgmt and/or people leaving in droves
-Marquee rides SBNO (last I heard Top Gun is still down)

Jason · « **Reply #23 on:** Jul 26, 2009, 05:17 »

So you're thinking that the park is going to close because of a recent Screamscape post?

http://www.screamscape.com/html/california_s_great_america.htm

If the park is under performing from an attendance stand point then cutting the hours makes sense. From everything that I've read the park has been a major under performer for years.

It doesn't read as if positions have been eliminated. It sounds as if some people have moved on. An under performing park isn't going to have the most stable employment environment.

Swoosh · « **Reply #24 on:** Jul 26, 2009, 06:50 »

No I read that on several boards before Lance ever posted it on Screamscape, but you cannot help but admit that this is eerily similar to Geauga Lake. Underperforming park, lots of movement in managment... just saying.

steel · « **Reply #25 on:** Jul 27, 2009, 07:52 »

This is so infuriating. Easily the best suspended coaster in North America (I could even include most inverted coasters in that) and the second-best ride in the park. It's also the only non-inverting family coaster there. Even if it doesn't draw huge crowds, it's a classic, iconic ride that a ton of people really love, and it should be preserved for its historical significance, if nothing else.

As for a replacement, I really, really don't want another freaking B&M at BGE. Especially a flyer. Not that they wouldn't do it really well or anything, but three out of the remaining four non-kiddie coasters there are B&M and, quite honestly, I find flyers extremely gimmicky and fairly boring (Tatsu being the exception).

Boooooo for InBev and Busch.

Ben · « **Reply #26 on:** Jul 28, 2009, 10:40 »

This is a major disappointment for me too. After riding Ninja at SFMM I was really looking forward to BBW but alas that probably won't happen.

zztop · « **Reply #27 on:** Jul 29, 2009, 08:50 »

they seem to just be adding copys of things at busch gardens europe first griffen now something like manta

Ben · « **Reply #28 on:** Jul 30, 2009, 10:53 »

I am tired of COPIES!

Quote from: Swoosh on Jul 24, 2009, 08:19

You can thank S&S for killing this ride.

Really? Or is that the parks aren't willing to pay the price for what are surely custom hand made replacement parts? I am quite sure that S&S would make all the parts you wanted if you were willing to pay for them.

Swoosh · « **Reply #29 on:** Jul 30, 2009, 11:21 »

Quote from: Ben on Jul 30, 2009, 10:53

Really? Or is that the parks aren't willing to pay the price for what are surely custom hand made replacement parts? I am quite sure that S&S would make all the parts you wanted if you were willing to pay for them.

Half full or half empty. Isn't that practically the same thing?
A company doesn't want to make special custom parts so they make them outrageously high to make.