Spring Break Trips part 1 - Busch Gardens Williamsburg

[Rustbucket]

My son's spring break is the time when we start the coaster season although I stopped at Carowinds for 3 ride on Fury a week prior.  This year, we wanted to ride InvadR at Busch Garden Williamsburg.  Therefore, we headed to BGW then KD. 

Every time we visit BGW, I am always reminded how lovely this park is. Along with Dollywood, BGW gives me such a glorious and relaxed feeling every time we come here. Another great park I visited was Silver Dollar City but we visited there only once.  Also, BGW has such a nice collection of coasters. I always wonder why I do not come here more often.  I guess it is somewhat hard for me to get here. 

We headed directly to InvadR since the coaster is only 1 day old!  This coaster is located next to Griffon which is in France area.  The park was supposed to open at 10 am but we got to the coaster at 9:50 am.  The ride was already in operation. We waited 5 minutes to get the back seat.  I just love the smell of these new wooden coasters.  Hmmm.  No seat belt.  The ride operator was asking if this is anyone's first wooden coaster. The first drop is by far the biggest drop (technically second since there is a little dip after the lift hill). This is more of a twisty coaster more so than airtime coaster such as Prawler although I like Prawler better. The fourth hill did give a great airtime. This was an ejector air unlike other floating airtime I experienced on other hills. Overall, I liked the ride but this is not one of the better GCI effort. I will say this is a great addition to the park, however.  We rode this twice. After the second ride, we noticed the line was about 2 hours long so that we moved on to Griffon.

Griffon is probably my favorite Dive coaster. Making this as a floorless was a brilliant idea. And the splash down...  Also, I felt that Griffon had more G force than Valravn or Sheikra. To Alpengeist...

We rode Alpengeist twice. This only had 5 minute waits. I always loved Alpengeist. Before Banshee came along, Alpengeist and Talon at DP were my two favorite B&M inverts. To Verbolten...

Before we rode Verbolten, Mach Tower was mocking me.  Considering I am a Drop Tower junky, I had to ride this.  Ah. The free falling... Only a week to go before riding Drop Tower again.  I wonder if I should continue to count my Drop Tower rides.

Verbolten is a coaster that gave me a lasting impression from 4 years ago. This is not a particularly a fast or intense coaster but highly themed indoor coaster. And that drop....  The last and the biggest hill is so close to Big Bad Wolf so that I was reminded of that coaster all over again. 

After lunch, we went over to Apollo's Chariot.  This coaster is my favorite at BGW.  I love these airtime filled, traditional coasters. I wonder if they somehow use Diamondback style train on this coaster.....  We rode it twice and went over to Tempesto.

i completely missed this coaster was built here.  And I really liked this little gem. Slow inline twist was a real treat. The launch reminded me somewhat of Wicked Twister but the rest is so much more enjoyable. I wish the ride was longer. 

Loch Ness Monster is arguably the best Arrow Looper left. After this, we decided to go to King Dominion.  Overall, BGW has a great collection of coasters and a great atmosphere. Only downside is that this park can and do get really busy. Then again, that is same for all the parks. I definitely recommend this park to anyone who has not been here before.