93maddie94

I’ve had my platinum pass for Seaworld parks for 11 months now, it was my first time having a non Cedar Fair or Six Flags pass. Since I’ve lived 25 minutes from Williamsburg I figured it was the time to try, especially since almost everybody I know has a pass. 

First, cost. My platinum pass was over $400. I have never paid this much for a pass before, and to rub salt in the wound, I could’ve gotten the same pass for only $200 if I didn’t live in Virginia (or any other state with a Seaworld park) by purchasing the San Antonio platinum pass. Having the same pass (with some differing benefits) for such a difference in price depending on location is insane. 

Now, I will say that there have been a lot of benefits that I have been able to take advantage of with this pass. My 6 free tickets became easily over 10 if you count the platinum bonus tickets or the extra Water Country USA tickets, nobody else in my family needed a pass and we were able to go together or with friends multiple times. There were also double discounts on food and drinks, $10 “Busch bucks”, extra discounts on specific stores, and other free things that could be redeemed during your visit. Most of these were once a month benefits. There’s also a one time fast pass per trip, but I honestly never used it. 

However, redemption of the pass perks is difficult. First you either need to wait in line at a kiosk or at guest services for them to print out individual cards. These cannot be reprinted, so if you lose one or don’t redeem it and forget to bring it back, you’re out of luck. Then, employees are unable to make all the discounts work appropriately. I think only once was I able to get both my platinum pass discount and whatever extra discount was on the card. Every other time after examining the receipt something didn’t come off correctly. I’m not sure how their computers are set up or their employees are training but something isn’t right. 

The park map and the app is confusing. Most parks I can take a lap around and have a general idea of at least where all the big rides are. Here I felt like I hit so many dead ends and main paths that look like they lead nowhere. The map on the app does not allow rotating and as soon as you toggle something “on” giant labels take up so much of the screen space. The app itself also offers no filtering. You can see an alphabetical list of rides. You cannot filter by height requirements, type of ride, wait time, or anything else. The picture that is shown of the ride is usually not very helpful in determining what type of ride it is either. 

Ride operations are honestly not too bad. They’re not the most efficient I’ve seen but I have also seen much, much worse. During busier times they also have single rider lines available at Griffon, Alpengeist, and Apollo’s Chariot (though honestly the lines never seem that long anyway). It’s important to note that the entire park doesn’t always open when the park does, which is something I’ve mostly seen at SeaWorld parks. I was planning on hitting Loch Ness Monster and then DarKoaster, only to find that all paths to get to DarKoaster were blocked off. 

The coaster lineup is decent, and is definitely worth the trip if you’ve never been. There’s some good credits. You’ve got your Arrow looper, launch coaster, dive coaster, inverted coaster, indoor coaster, and your B&M hyper. Verbolten is also a fun experience. 

My conclusion is that Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a perfectly fine park, but is overpriced when compared to others, especially if your reason for visiting is thrill rides. I will not be renewing my pass, opting instead for Cedar Fair passports for this next year. (My toddler is almost 36” and wants “baby rollercoasters” in the worst way, and the Busch Gardens kiddie coaster is 38”). My biggest reason in the future for getting a SeaWorld pass again would be the convenient location and the number of friends that have passes. For just me, I’ll pass (no pun intended).

Kennywood closes rollercoaster after photo appears to show cinderblocks supporting part of the ride 

WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — Two days after an alarming photo from oneBURGH media blew up on Facebook, Kennywood pumped the brakes on the Racer, temporarily shutting the rollercoaster down Wednesday.

The picture appears to show part of the ride jacked up on two large cinder blocks.

“That’s not okay,” said Patrice Klimchock of Greensburg. “That’s scary to me.”

Channel 11 showed people the photo, including Justin Gambrell, a Kennywood employee.

“This doesn’t look right,” Gambrell said. “I didn’t even know about this, so this is a shocker for me. As somebody who works here, I feel like this should be stuff we know.”

A spokesperson for Kennywood said rides are inspected daily but wouldn’t say how this could’ve gone unnoticed.

“From my understanding that was inspected a few days ago, and that was how it was left to be running?” Klimchock said. “That concerns me.”

The Racer is one of Kennywood’s oldest rides, first opening in 1927.

Without going into detail about why the ride was closed, the amusement park’s communications director Lynsey Winters sent a brief statement saying, “A non-structural enhancement under the station is being made and the ride will reopen tomorrow.”

Some parkgoers are raising questions about safety protocols.

“I would want to know something like that even for the safety of others...because anything is possible,” Gambrell said.

Klimchock agreed.

“Kennywood’s a great place and we love Pittsburgh and want to support it, but they need to take better care,” she said.

When Channel 11 first inquired about the photo of the rollercoaster on Monday, Kennywood’s press team sent this statement:

“The safety of our attractions is our top priority. All rides at the park are inspected daily by Pennsylvania-certified state inspectors before opening so that they may be enjoyed safely by all guests.”

Channel 11 emailed and called the Department of Agriculture that oversees the ride’s inspectors and we have not heard back.