The History of Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Simulators (Questor/Corkscrew Hill) | Expedition Weekly

[@TheWaverunners]

I will never forget what my Uncle said after Corkscrew Hill. "The only simulator I want to ride is the one where it simulates me having a beer."

[@emokid-yj8uk]

Title: BrewMaster Simulator Overview: The BrewMaster Simulator is an immersive motion ride that takes participants on a virtual journey through the process of enjoying a beer. It combines motion simulation, sensory effects, and virtual reality to create a realistic and engaging experience. Queue and Pre-Ride Area: Participants enter a themed queue area designed to resemble a brewery, complete with brewing equipment, barrels, and atmospheric lighting. As they wait, they can learn about the beer-making process through interactive displays or even observe a small-scale brewing demonstration. Ride Experience: 1. Boarding: Once it's time for the ride, participants enter a specially designed seating area resembling a pub or beer garden. Each seat is equipped with a safety harness and a pair of VR goggles. 2. Introduction: The ride begins with a short introductory video explaining the history and art of brewing. It sets the stage for the immersive experience to follow. 3. Virtual Reality Experience: As participants put on their VR goggles, they are transported to a virtual world that replicates a picturesque brewery. They find themselves sitting at a virtual bar, surrounded by brewing equipment and other patrons. 4. Sensory Stimulation: To enhance the realism, the ride incorporates sensory effects. Participants can feel gentle vibrations simulating the hum of machinery, smell the fragrant aroma of brewing ingredients, and even experience a light mist of condensation to mimic the feeling of being in a cool, atmospheric space. 5. Brewing Process: The virtual journey takes participants through the brewing process, from selecting the ingredients to mashing, fermenting, and bottling. Along the way, they can interact with virtual brewery workers who provide information and answer questions about beer-making. 6. Tasting: The climax of the ride is the simulated beer-tasting experience. Participants virtually lift a glass of beer to their lips and, thanks to motion simulation technology, feel the sensation of sipping the beer. The visuals and audio complement the experience, making it seem as if they are sitting in a lively pub, surrounded by friends. 7. Aftermath: After the tasting, participants are "transported" back to the seating area, where they can remove their VR goggles and reflect on their virtual beer adventure. They can also engage in post-ride activities, such as rating the beer they virtually tasted or learning more about different beer styles. Post-Ride: To extend the experience beyond the ride, participants have the option to purchase merchandise, including beer-related souvenirs, books on brewing, or even sample packs of real beers from the brewery featured in the virtual experience.😮

[@stormygirl84]

Funny enough, years and years ago there actually was a monorail ride from Busch Gardens over to the Anheuser brewery for samples!

[@PaddletailPhilly]

I honestly think the CGI for Corkscrew Hill is scarier than anything the parks could cook up for Howl-O-Scream ._.

[@AlexLikesToons]

Europe in the Air was trash. There was one scene where they didn't fly over Paris, but drove through the streets with a camera on the back of a truck and sped up the footage. You could see people walking in fast motion!

[@39ocean]

Man, while the CGI of corkscrew hill didn’t age well, it was definitely my favorite ride as a kid! As someone who honestly hated roller coasters, because I hated drops/falling, the sim was an awesome way to well, simulate, the feeling and excitement. I’m so sad to hear that it closed!

[@davidjordan4569]

Nothing will ever beat Corkscrew Hill! You took a real beating during that horse ride!

[@TheDAExperience]

God I remember when Questor came out and I begged my folks to take me to Busch Gardens so we could go. To this day its the only time my family has ever been to Busch Gardens and I loved that freaking ride.

[@y2ktodd]

Galaxyland used to have a turbo ride theatre that played different shows over the years. Corkscrew Hill was one of them back in 2006 or so

[@karlieboo98]

I loved Corkscrew Hill sooo much when I was young! Was heartbroken when t was closed. As BGW is my home park, I thank you for taking the time to look at it!

[@TheRyanjones]

As someone who lives in DC its always weird to hear "In Williamsburg close to DC" when its a 4 hour drive

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Its like 2.5!

[@TheRyanjones]

If you leave in the middle of the night maybe lol

[@danieldeiler7279]

Are you driving 25 mph and taking all the back roads? I lived in Newport News, a 20 minute drive south of Williamsburg and I drove to D.C. in 2 hours. Get off the brake and onto the gas bud! LoL!!!

[@lanceflx63]

It’s only 2 hours away and I’m in Alexandria, Va

[@sonic23233]

@Angelique Turk take Amtrak

[@McNabbot]

Oh my God I remember Corkscrew Hill! It was one of my favorite rides next to DarKastle and The Loch Ness coaster when I lived in Virginia back in 2006! I last visited the park in 2015 with a woman who isn't part of my life anymore, the sets of the park featured in the video that I recognize feel very bittersweet to see.

[@mistys.1160]

Oh the memories, loved Questor even when it made me queasy. I had high hopes for Corkscrew Hill but still missed Questor. Europe in the Air….UGH!

[@fishkakat7700]

I remember Questor from when I was a kid. I wasn’t very keen on motion odyssey rides back then. Now I love them. I just rode Battle of Eire yesterday and loved it as did my five year-old niece.

[@JustOutnAbout]

Corkscrew hill was definitely my fave!! ~Dawn

[@mikehitchcock3295]

Cork Screw Hill was a storytelling icon that I wish I could've experienced...but I've done the modern greats: Flight of Passage, Forbidden Journey...and still Battle for Eire is something that I see standing the test of time. I could not stop re-riding it the one time I visited from Florida. I remember looking down and seeing the dragon beneath me as I "flew". Eire's story fits perfectly in the Ireland area. Quick-load, incredibly immersive and realistic...2 lovable characters. Sea World Creative came up with something solid with this attraction, and I truly hope it stays around for decades to come.

[@joshsmith2897]

Went to Busch Williamsburg this past weekend (May 2024), and the ride location was gated, and no ride name was shown anywhere. 😢 Don't know if it's being renovated or too soon in the season, but was sad nothing was there

[@jackberberette5093]

I remember being there for corkscrew hill on the opening day for Ireland as a kid....It terrified me

[@jessilyngray1223]

I grew up 45 minutes from Williamsburg and I've been on all of the forms of this excited for the VR one (no longer live in Virginia) my hated Europe in the air with a flying passion it wasn't done well at all. My favorite was corkscrew hill it was always the first ride I rode every time I went. Thanks for doing this video

[@MrsKel1]

I used to absolutely love corkscrew hill and when so sad when it closed

[@ceno8yte]

10:49 "Will this attraction still be around in 10 years to create the longest standing attraction in the building?" It didn't even last 4.

[@jeremysmith5525]

I remember Questar when I was a young lad and was actually the reason I found your video. When Corkscrew Hill came to be, I was sad Questar wasn't around anymore but over time I grew to love it just as much. Granted I never experienced Europe in the Air (and barely knew of its existence since I had moved away for college) and I do miss Corkscrew Hill too, but Battle for Erie is gaining favor with it's innovative VR style and the fact I could look and admire the scenery all around when the action lulled a little. Next time I'll definitely have to look out for the previous rides' easter eggs!

[@Omegafoxx77]

Questae was my favorite as kid.

[@VortexCreations.]

Thanks Kevin and Seaworld for taking the awesome dark rides away from us :(

[@thrillington2008]

Love riding Battle for Eire.

[@jordanp.davidson5977]

I remember Corkscrew Hill that was an interesting take on Ireland mythology wished it stayed longer though.

[@RyanMartin92]

I worked at the park during the last season of Corkscrew Hill and first season on Europe in the Air. Corkscrew Hill was amazing! Obviously kind of cheesy, but everyone enjoyed it and a lot of the kids who grew up at the park knew every word to the movie. I was at the cast preview for Europe in the Air, and HOLY SHIT was that disappointing! No one liked it. The video was blurry and gave a lot of people headaches. I remember the park's marketing push for Europe in the Air, but I don't remember anyone actually caring. Also, I can't believe you didn't bring up how terrible of a Europe (You're up) in the Air is. Who approved that as the name?!

[@uprising4c19]

Chuggaconroy?

[@yellobb3848]

I've been going to the park since I was born (2001), and I've always loved the environment the castle has. I barely remember Corkscrew Hill, so I don't have many strong feelings associated with that ride. Maybe it's the nostalgia factor, but I loved Europe in the Air. It was pretty, really nice and calm, and the fans definitely helped cool you off on the miserably humid Virginia days. Battle for Eire.... I have a complicated relationship with. I'm a HUGE fan of VR. Like, I want to work with VR as a career type of fan. This ride, though, didn't really make good use of what the medium gave to it. I have a huge appreciation for the loading setup and how the headsets are put on because WOW, but the story was really lackluster in execution and so much more could have been done to make the ride interesting

[@juliagoodwin9510]

I remember going to Busch Gardens on a family trip as a kid. Corkscrew Hill was my favorite ride there.

[@mostfunnestchannel]

I have a Questor papercraft popout carboard paper ship to build from the Questor launch in 1990, I kept it since I was a little kid. My sister gave me hers and I build that, it looked pretty cool. No idea if it is even worth anything, I can't find any others to compare.

[@writingonmovies8607]

What’s the song you use in the intro of every video, it’s so catchy I just hum it anywhere

[@reyaguilera11]

And here we are, Battle for Eire is closed now

[@robertdraper7258]

Questor was great the first year but they seemed to have cut it back during the second year or so. There was nothing like that feeling of being on a boat going over the waterfall. I sure miss the old Busch Gardens williamsburg. Great food, entertainment, exciting rides. I rode Drachen Fire the first weekend it opened to the Public, what a ride! People claimed it was too rough, well not in the front car. The only spot I found rough was the transition from curved rail to smooth before the drop into the loops. I mean, it was a Roller Coaster, not a Kiddie Train Ride, you are suppose to get bumped around a little bit.. Anyway, I loved Questor and wish it were still around to take my Grandkids on.

[@logand6697]

seeing how the sign was removed its safe to say battle for eire is done

[@ericzeltser4237]

Little did we know battle for Eire was the shortest standing attraction in the building

[@fishkakat7700]

Questor was my first motion odyssey ride. I rode it in 1994 at age 6 with my family, and again as ‘Battle of Ire’ in 2019 with my 6 year-old niece.

[@alexap530]

Corkscrew Hill was my favorite ride at Busch Gardens when I was little! I was devastated when it closed. This definitely brought back some old memories :)

[@johncristy6901]

Europe in the Air was for the people who were better off down the road sipping on their fancy cafe latte and eating their fancy pastries.

[@bigrob029]

I remember Questor being fun except for the dragon scale seating being the most uncomfortable things ever. The horse from Corkscrew hill was particularly memorable as it shook the crap out of you! Havent been to Eire yet- the times ive been to Busch since it opened its had a super long line, was broken, or both. Good to see the headgear improvements, definitely hyped to try it.

[@jenahluna9140]

I have been looking for this Ireland simulation they had it in 2001 it was magical 🧙

[@SnufflePuff24]

I only ever got to go one Europe in the Air, I thought it was fun but didn't hold a candle to Soarin', Soarin' is so worth the hype people give it lol

[@lunamax1214]

I remember Questor. Riding it with my Girl Scout troop at age 13 is how I discovered I experience phantom g-forces in a very unpleasant way. Hard to explain that to mean teenage girls, though, so I got shit for my reaction to the ride for...oh, forever. *sigh*

[@maryarmitage4240]

Love and miss Corkscrew Hill!!!

[@hootowl2112]

Great video. Can't wait to see Ackbar. Many fond memories of Questor, the first time we rode I didn't want to get into the simulator because I thought the thing was going to actually take off on a perilous flight!

[@truman2591]

Oh my god the guy who said Europe in the air is roger Craig smith (I think) who also currently voices sonic the hedgehog kinda interesting

[@joevinski1]

Fantastic video!!! Live in Sarasota so always go to the Tampa BG. It’s nice to see what the other BG parks have !!!! Keep up the great work

[@denverleatherboy]

I worked at Busch Gardens the Summer of 1990 in Italy gifts AND the Questor Cart! We sold stuffed animals and chinese crap with the Questor characters on them. But, what I did MOST often was call for puke cleanup. My cart was just outside the ride in the tunnel, so the best part of it was I got to sit in the air conditioning all day! The worst part was you were alone except for 1 minute bursts of people leaving the ride.

[@michaelfreeman5023]

I remember Questor at Busch Gardens Tampa as a teenager. I swear I'd ride it two or three times every time I was there. And with a AP, that was a lot.

[@pleasantmr]

Europe in the Air was so bad it was insulting. It looked like a PowerPoint presentation someone created in 5 minutes and didn't edit.

[@emoechelon19xx]

During my first trip to bush gardens I went on cork screw hill about 50 times i honestly loved it and it was during that vist I found out I’m part Irish

[@JakeLX]

The Battle of Eire looks like the best use of VR that I’ve seen in a theme park so far.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Not too hard though :D

[@JakeLX]

Expedition Theme Park Defintely not too hard.

[@jonathanbishopmusic]

@@JakeLX In all fairness, Kraken Unleashed was actually a really cool VR experience... It just didn't work nearly as reliably as it needed to.

[@greysonrome8727]

Unfortunately I only one of these I got to ride was Europe in the Air, which I enjoyed but Soarin was better. we took my mom on Europe in the air and after she rode it she threw up in a trash and an employee saw her and gave us free quick que tickets. I think the reason I never rode Corkscrew hill was because I was afraid to ride it. Unfortunately Battle for Lake Eerie closed before I got a chance to ride it.

[@librapaladin81]

Questor forever!

[@josephpiech4240]

I've been on Questor, King Arthur's Challenge and Cork Screw Hill; and loved all of them. Never rode the Europe one and after seing this I'm glad I missed it...but Battle for Eire looks amazing! I'm hoping to get back to VA this summer and have a go at this new ride since motion simulators are some of my favorite attractions--I just hope it's still there AND the VR visor has been designed to accommodate people that wear glasses.

[@TravelExperiences]

Great Work my Friend! Always here to support you!

[@jakewimzy1988]

I do vaguely remember riding Questor once in Tampa as a kid. Mostly because it was breaking down because some other guest didn't fasten their seatbelt. Which caused their emergency safety protocol to be enacted.

[@sonimatic]

Can we talk about the Dark Rides at the Tampa park?

[@scrambled5948]

There used to be dark rides at Busch gardens Tampa?!

[@sonimatic]

Did you not watch the video?

[@scrambled5948]

Fidel Camuze yes and no, I saw and replied to this comment before he mentioned that they built a clone of questor at Tampa.

[@kingposeidon4535]

Yeah but that's a simulator, not a dark ride. To my knowledge, the closest that Tampa has ever had to a dark ride was some sort of Egyptian tomb walk-through show.

[@cameronsvajdlenka6383]

@@kingposeidon4535 Yup. It was a pretty cool show... You'd go from room to room, where there'd be timed lighting effects, and some automated movement; mostly just the opening of Tut's sarcophagus. It eventually stopped being a guided thing, the effects were all turned off and you could just walk through at your own pace. They then turned in to an up-charge haunt experience for Howl-O-Scream, and after that it was closed. They tore it down to build Cobra's Curse.

[@studiopzp]

I'm a local, so I did them all except Questor. Corkscrew Hill is my favorite, but I do enjoy Eire as well.

[@gavinhatfield2354]

I work at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and I'll always have a soft spot for Corkscrew Hill

[@Flickawho]

Does anyone else remember Bermuda Triangle? It was a motion simulator ride at Sea World Orlando. I enjoyed it a lot as a kid.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I do ;)

[@mvillepirate]

I hope for a follow up video on the Tampa version! Akbars version was actually pretty crazy 🤗

[@HonorKnightAdventurist]

Akbar's Adventure Tours was easily the best marriage of ride tech and film. Also hysterically funny.

[@daniel.909]

Only have done Eire, and I really liked it. Its certainly not the best dark ride ive ever done, but its still really fun and a solid fit for the park. Great ride for families also.

[@uprising4c19]

The only one of these I've rode on was Battle for Eire

[@uprising4c19]

and that closed during the Pandemic

[@thrillington2008]

Loved Corkscrew Hill and Battle For Eire

[@pirateprincess1997]

Cork screw hill was the best ride ever, my family goes to Williamsburg every 5 years (my parents had their honeymoon there) The last time we went I was looking for cork screw hill and discovered that they replaced a great original ride with Europe in the air and it was absolutely STUPID It was horrible you could tell they did a knock off sorin...they should have never had replaced cork screw hill, it fit the magic of the park and it was extremely fun

[@brentgoeller8257]

Questor all the way!

[@abbyroed]

Your Busch Gardens videos make me want to go there so baaaaaad!!! 😬

[@mrceagle]

I'm glad I found this. Nice video. I have only been to BGW once and I got to ride Questar. I really enjoyed it but those Leaf themed seats were very uncomfortable. Wish I had had an opportunity to experience Corkscrew hill.

[@PoseidonXIII]

Great job! Thou this reminded me how little I know about the Busch Gardens parks.

[@213dreamingstar]

omfg the martin short ride at Busch Gardens Tampa was ridiculous. I look forward to the eventual video for that (Do one on the Haunted Lighthouse show from BGT too please)

[@thecritic1109]

Thanks for doing a video on my favorite park

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

My pleasure! Thank you

[@lazor222]

Corckscrew hill will forever be the greatest

[@RealFuturePictures]

Corkscrew Hill was created by WETA Digital, the same special effects Studio that worked on the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Europe in the Air was complete garbage. It wasn't even in 3D.

[@GrantsAdventures]

Corkscrew on Screw Hill Was beautiful and immersive. I enjoy Battle For Eire a bit as well, but it missed several key aspects of what VR is capable of. Never got to experiance Questor, but am able to add my experiances of King Arthur and Europe in the Air were under par. Europe in the Air simply sucked.

[@rayizard5687]

There were simulators in traveling carnivals as far back as the late 70s/early 80s. They usually looked like a rocket from the outside.

[@TheGameBoyss]

I've never been in a simulator, but this video seems interesting!

[@walrus8636]

Oh god I wasn’t prepared to see the original soarin’. My heart 😭💔

[@sojourning_soldier9888]

Questor was the best hands down. Didn't care too much for Corkscrew. I just went back to Busch Gardens last week and took my kids. It has been 18 years since I've been. I was broken hearted to see that they did not have the 3d moving rooms anymore. Also, my other favorite, Big Bad Wolf was gone. My kids had fun on their first visit, but the visit wasn't the same for me.

[@SRHunt85]

I only got to ride Europe in the Air, I would’ve been impressed if it wasn’t for the fact that I’ve ridden Soarin over California several times prior. I really hope we can go back to Busch Gardens at some point so I can ride Battle for Eire.

[@YoursTrulyChris]

My goodness I remember corkscrew hill from the early 2000s.

[@jessebowen2651]

Man Corkscrew Hill was one of my favorite rides in Busch Gardens I was sad to see it go

[@jadedk1tten]

corkscrew hill was terrifying as a child i remember crying haha

[@VideoJoeYo]

As of May 22nd, 2021 it is now being reported that Battle For Eire has permanently closed. All references to the ride have been completely scrubbed from the website and all URL links redirect to the main Rides page.

[@RanHam]

Was the Williamsburg Questor enclosed in a cabin? The tampa one was but when i rode corkscrew hill the screen wasn't attached to the sim.

[@fosterthepeopleHMC]

I've ridden over half these rides, but they all just make you feel sick in the end game. Corkscrew Hill was the best hands down, though.

[@theowinters6314]

I kind of want to go and try Battle Of Eire now, as it looks really fun.

[@brycevo]

I really liked the Sea World simulator ride. I hope you'll cover it.

[@scrambled5948]

which one?

[@lileycullen]

Wild artic

[@ladyalfhildrforestofvioletmist]

It's funny because I adored Curse of DarKastle and I know I rode it many times, but I legitimately don't remember riding any of these somehow. Just based on timelines, I feel like I must've ridden Corkscrew Hill, or maybe Europe in the Air? But I really don't remember either. For some reason they just didn't have the same impact on me that DarKastle did I guess. Fascinating... I wish I could remember these though, Corkscrew Hill looks like it would've been fun. Maybe we just never went on it. I suppose it's possible we just missed it... it felt like I'd ridden everything in the park back then but I suppose maybe not.

[@0116scooter]

Didn’t know that Williamsburg had The Questor. I remember the one they had in Tampa.

[@akaoni7946]

6:53 is that sonic’s va? I know he’s been in commercials before he got the role

[@blueava19]

I remember going on Corkscrew Hill a few times. It was my very first simulator ride but after that it was just meh. The only part that was exciting was the drop from the castle.

[@Moon_Mann11]

I grew up with Cork Screw Hill, at the time I was scared of it. I was born the year 2000, so I was 6-9 when I rode it😂

[@EggheadDash]

Man the Corkscrew Hill animation did not age well.

[@JoeyAnimate]

It was 2001. What did you expect

[@TrypodKat]

I was thinking the same thing. Loved it when I was a kid.

[@vianjelos]

@@JoeyAnimate didnt shrek come out around that time? It aged alot better than this.

[@JoeyAnimate]

@@vianjelos I guess the animation studio that Busch gardens hired was small and not like the big studios like dreamworld.

[@galaxeonart9338]

Maybe so, yet still better than Europe in the Air. Wish they’d have renovated the ride and reanimated all the scenes.

[@laurenkavanagh66]

i love the way *that's* how americans think irish people look lmao, at least the newer one stuck close enough to our folklore.

[@stormygirl84]

"Near Washington DC," yeah, five hours away. And damn, I'm old. I remember Questor.

[@theovlogs6034]

I like this video

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thanks!

[@FireBlastStudios]

I haven't been on Battle for Eire (and never had any interest in Europe in the Air) but the closing of Corkscrew Hill was the beginning of a series of disappointing decisions from BGVA that ultimately lead to my favorite ride there being closed to be replaced with... nothing.

[@Star_Floofer_Uni]

Nah! Battle for Eire ended up being a fail and closed after a year.

[@amusementnow4416]

In 2017 I saw the very generic "virtual reality 2018" sign and hoped for the best. Looks like it came out well!

[@canghostsbe_gay]

I have this "The old country" post card tacked on my wall.

[@citizenofcorona8783]

NOW I have to make a trip up to BG Williamsburg. It sounds WAAAAAYYY better than the Tampa one, which is the poorman's version of Animal Kingdom.

[@DannytheTourist]

At least this park didn't have Robots of Mars. The film that killed third party simulators.