[chunkyskunk]

I just think this is sad. There is no amount of justification to me for this.
http://www.rcdb.com/document321.htm
I have only been to this park once and I did love it. This ride was really cool. I have always been a fan of suspended coasters like this but this one was the best of all. Looks like it's death will come on 9/8/2009. Would love to be able to make a trip up there but doubt I will in all reality. This irritates me about as much as the ignorance of Burroughs & Chapin in Myrtle Beach back on September 24, 2006.

[b&mcoaster1095]

BBW had the best coaster landscaping... EVER! I hate seeing classics go! This is a loss for the Coaster World..

[Edwardo]

There is no amount of justification to me for this.

This isn't just being done by the park because they want to get rid of the ride. There just isn't any support for these types of rides from Arrow any longer, and You'll likely see most if not all of the Arrow Suspendeds disappear soon. Eagle's Fortress at Everland is going away, as are a few others (it's in the works). It wasn't the park going "Hey, lets get rid of this and build something new!" It's being done because they really don't have a choice to keep spending money on it (It's got the highest maintenance budget in the park and support for the ride is becoming increasingly scarce), and it just isn't pulling in the numbers to keep it running. It's not ignorance on their part.

Sad, but I can't blame the park.

[chunkyskunk]

I am with Lance of Screamscape on this one. 'Sad beyond words.'
Meanwhile one source claims that the public outcry that started earlier this summer over the leaked plans to remove the Wolf may have been enough to ensure it returns for the 2010 season, but the plans to remove it are still alive and well. I think they failed to understand how much people loved this coaster, on top of the higher upkeep costs involved with a coaster of this age. After 25 years of operation, the ride’s systems could use some upgrades and the trains are also nearing the end of their lifespan and need replacing. Instead of embracing the opportunity to buy new “open body” style trains that would increase the thrill of the ride as well as increase the rider’s visibility, they are instead opting to drag the old girl off into the woods on a date with a shotgun which is just sad beyond words.

[b&mcoaster1095]

There is no amount of justification to me for this.

This isn't just being done by the park because they want to get rid of the ride. There just isn't any support for these types of rides from Arrow any longer, and You'll likely see most if not all of the Arrow Suspendeds disappear soon. Eagle's Fortress at Everland is going away, as are a few others (it's in the works). It wasn't the park going "Hey, lets get rid of this and build something new!" It's being done because they really don't have a choice to keep spending money on it (It's got the highest maintenance budget in the park and support for the ride is becoming increasingly scarce), and it just isn't pulling in the numbers to keep it running. It's not ignorance on their part.

Sad, but I can't blame the park.

This would be S&S' fault, right? They aren't providing parts/maintenance for this? Or does it work some other way?

[coasterdave]

What about S&S fault?

[lazor 22]

S&S bought out Arrow, so they are responsible for the upkeep on Arrow coasters.

LNM is next to go, BGE is going to become a B&M only park, which I have no complaints about B&M. It's just BG won't feel right without BBW or LNM. BBW, LNM, and Alpengiest are IMO the icons of the park.

[b&mcoaster1095]

^You're forgetting about their kiddie Zierer. I find it hard to believe that LNM will be leaving soon. It should be next to go, but not in the next 3 years at least. Hopefully, they replace BBW with a GG, Intamin, or even, dare I say it... B&M's first Woodie?!?! They would be the ones to do it. They have the strongest ties to B&M...

[lazor 22]

Oh yea, Grover.... Well, B&M doesn't make kiddies so ehh. They would still basically be all B&M.

[coasterdave]

The PARK is responsible for the upkeep of their coasters. You will find that alot of type of coasters that have been in use for lets say 25 years have their parts made my other companies. Some of you come up with some interesting things the last few weeks.

Will it stinks that the ride is going away but I can see why it is going away. Atleast the park was kind enough to get the word out that they are closing it instead of hanging a sign that states it is closed or seeing a crane and dozer knock it down.

[b&mcoaster1095]

instead of hanging a sign that states it is closed or seeing a crane and dozer knock it down.

*Cough* Six Flags...

[lazor 22]

But for a coaster specific to one company, S&S would have to send parts to BG, which they don't make anymore. I may be wrong though.

[DaveVan]

IF they really cared about the ride and wanted to keep it....they could. Like many park rides (Carowinds RR) the Corp guys are taking the path of least resistance (lowest cost) Whatever is cheapest is what they will do.

[chunkyskunk]

IF they really cared about the ride and wanted to keep it....they could. Like many park rides (Carowinds RR) the Corp guys are taking the path of least resistance (lowest cost) Whatever is cheapest is what they will do.

Amen 100% on this one, including the RR jab. When you start with Corp, red tape and fine print, that really gets me fired up. This reminds me of B&C selling off and removing The Pavilion in Myrtle Beach. Land value, retail, condos, hotels, resorts, bla bla bla. Like Myrtle Beach needs more hotels, resorts and retail space. The lot has been empty since 2006. A lot of happy faces, a lot of smiling children, and a good deal of money would have been passing through over the last three summers. I could go on forever with so many other examples in different areas but I will stop my soap box and head to bed.

[Jonathan]

I will reserve final judgment until I see what they are replacing it with, but ultimately I highly doubt I will ever be anything but angry about this. I've been hearing this for months now and just hoping that it wasn't true. Big Bad Wolf is one of the most unique rides in the world. It has so much character with its setting in the woods, the run through the little Bavarian village, and of course the big swoop down over the lake. It's hard to imagine going to Busch Gardens Williamsburg and it not being there.

I think the only way I could stomach this would be if they were replacing it with a woodie, but I think it's probably safe to say they will never build one of those there. The writing is all over the wall for a B&M flyer, so I have my doubts that they will be able to replicate the character of Big Bad Wolf. B&M isn't exactly known for extensive use of terrain or straying very far from their cookie cutter designs.

This removal does open up a massive chunk of land where Wolf and Drachen Fire used to be, so I'm sure there will be a new land going in. This is a very unfortunate example of progress at the expense of history, however. I will definitely be heading that way soon to get my final rides.