Hi everyone! On June 25th, we had the chance to visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg once again. Of course, while we were at the park we had to get some pictures of construction on the park’s 2017 addition, InvadR!
Although the project is still in early phases of construction, we spotted some exciting changes since our last visit to the park, so let’s take a look at them!
Since Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s train runs through the InvadR construction site between stations in Italy and New France, we were able to get photos as we took a ride on it. InvadR is going to have parts of the ride on both sides of the track, but most of the ride will be on the right side of the track. So, here is a look at the left side of the track, where clearing has occurred but otherwise very little has happened.
Now, let’s take a look at the right side of the track, where much more has been going on.
Since our last visit in late May, the park has built walls between the train’s tracks and the construction site on the right of them. Here’s a look at what is on the wall.
What is more exciting about the right side of the track is that work has definitely occurred on it. This is a look at there the rides second hill/turnaround will occur (it will wrap around those trees). Notice anything?
Yes, you do see what you think you do! That is concrete on the hill! On InvadR’s second hill, there is already concrete for either footers or some sort of a retaining wall in the ground!
We cannot see the bottom of where the drop will be, as it is blocked by the construction wall, but when you look at the terrain on each side of the footers, you can see evidence of the trench that is part of the drop. The first drop will dive under a service road through the lowest part of this trench.
On the top of the hill, there are various pieces of concrete and wood.
There are also some pipes such as the ones seen in this picture.
On the other side of the construction site, work continues on the area where InvadR’s station will be placed.
Concrete work has begun about where the station will be located.
Based on the plans I’ve seen, the station will be located between the concrete work and the hole in the fence that I took this photo through. I believe the wall is a retaining wall for the ride’s exit path. It appears to be in the shape of the exit path based on the plans, which are analyzed in this article from BGW Fans, and seems to me to be too close to existing pathways to be the station.
Here’s a closer view of the walls. There are also several markings visible in the photo.
There were also various pipes being worked on in the station area. There are three marked off with caution tape in this image.
Right next to the construction wall there was a deep trench with this below it. I’m not sure if this was there already or new.
Also in the station area was a large stack of wood. Although I’m not sure what exactly it is for, I think it could be used as early parts of the station or maybe construction walls. Here’s another image of it:
Finally, let’s take one more look at construction from the bridge over Le Scoot and Alpengeist. Although there are no footers for the ride visible in the images, you can still see some of the clearing going on:
Although this has nothing to do with InvadR, I noticed some more interesting construction going on from Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s train:
In Festhaus Park, where Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Drachen Fire roller coaster once stood, there seems to be land clearing going on.
I am not sure what it is for, but there were both a bulldozer and a dump truck on the scene. If you have an idea of what this is for, let us know via our Contact Us page.
That’s it for our second InvadR update. What do you think the Festhaus park land clearing is for? Let us know in the comments and be sure to follow Theme Parks and Travels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more theme park content! You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Don’t forget to give our west coast correspondent, Michael, a follow on Twitter and Instagram! You can also subscribe to us on Apple News by searching “Theme Parks and Travels” in the app!