Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a theme park located in James City County, Virginia about 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Williamsburg. It opened on May 16, 1975, adjacent to the local Anheuser-Busch brewery and other-related AB developments including the Kingsmill Resort complex. The park is themed around the history and culture of old-world Europe. It is owned by Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC), the family entertainment division of Anheuser-Busch.
The park was originally called Busch Gardens: The Old Country , reflecting the European theme. In the early 1990s the park was renamed Busch Gardens Williamsburg . In 2006, the name was changed to Busch Gardens Europe , to once again reflect the European theme. Similarly, Busch Gardens Tampa was renamed to Busch Gardens Africa at the start of the 2006 season. Starting in late 2008, the park has been gradually returning to the Busch Gardens Williamsburg branding.
Overview
Busch Gardens opened on May 5, 1975. The park features a combination of roller coasters and Broadway style shows. This park is laid out as a large circle that crosses the path between Banbury Cross, England and Heatherdowns, Scotland. A left turn at this crossroads leads to Italy/San Marco, while a right turn leads to Killarney, Ireland. Guests may also follow the path straight into Heatherdowns, Scotland. Beyond Heatherdowns, the walkway leads down a steep hill containing thirteen flights of stairs with slanted landings. At the base of this hill is the Rhine River Cruise boat ride. The path beyond the boat ride continues up an equally steep hill and stairs leading to Rhinefeld, Germany. Even though the Rhine River Cruise is one of the mildest rides in the park, its location is not accessible to strollers, wheelchairs or ECV Mobility Carts. The park's operating season originally ran from mid-March until the end of October. In the 2009 season, the season will be extended to the end of December for Christmas-themed attractions and shows.
Awards
The park traditionally receives high accolades in the international Golden Ticket Award, hosted by Amusement Today. In 2006, the park placed in Best Food, Best Shows and Cleanest Park. It took the top place in the category Best Landscaping. Busch Gardens has over several years received recognition from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), most prominently taking the Applause Award for "management, operations and creative accomplishments that have inspired the industry with foresight, originality and sound business development" in November 2002. Busch Gardens Williamsburg was voted as the "World's Best Theme Park" in both the 2006 and 2007 Theme Park Insider Awards. The ride Curse of DarKastle won the 2005 Theme Park Insider Award for "World's Best New Theme Park Attraction."
Conservation
Jack Hanna's Wildlife Reserve houses a variety of wild species including gray wolves and bald eagles. Busch Gardens is partnered with SeaWorld (also owned by Busch Entertainment Corp.) in the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, which offers guests the opportunity to contribute to wildlife conservation. The Rhine River Cruise's Boats are battery powered to cut back on power generation and prevent water pollution. In addition Busch Gardens and Water Country USA both use insects rather than pesticides in the park's commitment to organic gardening. All brochures, maps, show guides, and all paper products in the restrooms are made from recycled material.
Special events
Busch Gardens hosts a "Summer Nights" concert series featuring performances by nationally known rock and country artists such as artists like Eddie Money, Peter Frampton, Grand Funk Railroad, and The Guess Who. During Howl-O-Scream, which begins the middle of September and runs through the end of October, the park and many of its attractions are transformed during Halloween.
The park also periodically offers special rates or packages for certain members of the US military. The current program, entitled Here's to the Heroes , was initiated in February 2005 and has been extended through the 2009 season. Active duty, active reserve, ready reserve, or National Guard service members, along with up to three direct dependents, are granted one day's free admission to Busch Gardens Williamsburg or one of Anheuser-Busch's other parks.
Christmas Town
Announced on December 4, 2008, Busch Gardens will be holding a special Christmas event named "Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration" starting on November 27, 2009 and lasting through December. Events will include special holiday-themed dining opportunities, unique shopping experiences, evening Santa Claus visits, children's shows, strolling carolers, tree-lighting ceremonies and select rides including Griffon (weather dependent), Corkscrew Hill and Curse of DarKastle.
Countries
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is divided into ten organized areas called hamlets. The hamlets are themed after six European countries.
Two attractions provide transportation around the park. The Skyride gondola lift transports guests between the Banbury Cross, Aquitaine and Rhinefeld hamlets; while replica steam trains transport guests between the Heatherdowns, Festa Italia, and New France hamlets.
Banbury Cross (England)
Banbury Cross is fashioned after England, complete with stereotypical red telephone booths and common English architecture. A variety of shops await guests in this small hamlet. Guest Services windows are located next to the turnstiles of the Main gate. Stroller, wheelchair and ECV Mobility Cart rentals are provided on the right side of Banbury Cross just inside the entrance. A simulacrum of the famous St. Stephen's Clock Tower (Big Ben) is the central element of this area. Banbury Cross also includes The Squire's Galley, serving breakfast and lunch, as well as a funnel cake shop, ice cream shop, and candy store. The Globe Theatre, a double-sized replica of William Shakespeare's performance home, is the most prominent attraction in the area, currently featuring Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination! , a 4-D film. The theater previously featured the films " Pirates ", starring Eric Idle and Leslie Nielsen, R. L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse , and Haunts of the Old Country . Prior to the 4-D films, the theater hosted a variety of live shows. Banbury Cross also contains the skyride station nearest to the Main Gate. The Aeronaut (first leg) of the skyride departs to Aquitaine, France, while the Zeppelin (third leg) skyride arrives from Rhinefeld, Germany.
Heatherdowns (Scotland)
Heatherdowns is a quaint Scottish hamlet situated at the top of the hill on the path leading from Banbury Cross, England. It is the second of Busch Gardens' European hamlets. The central attraction in this area is the Loch Ness Monster. When this coaster premiered in 1978, it was the tallest and longest looping coaster in the world. It is the only roller coaster with interlocking loops currently in operation (until it was removed in 2003, Orient Express at Worlds of Fun also had interlocking loops). Tweedside Train Station offers a 20 minute ride through the park with additional stops in Festa Italia and at the central train station, Caribou, in New France. The Label Stable gift shop is located adjacent to the train station and offers a variety of Anheuser-Busch gift items. Heatherdowns is also home to Clydesdale horses, identified with the Anheuser-Busch brand since 1933. Other points of interest include Pigs in a Kilt, a counter service walk-up.
Sesame Street Forest of Fun
Opened on April 3, 2009, Sesame Street Forest of Fun at Busch Gardens features four new family-friendly rides, including a Zierer junior roller coaster named Grover's Alpine Express, a log flume, a rock-n-tug type ride, a shot-n-drop ride, and wet and dry play areas all themed to Sesame Street and Sesame Street characters.
Killarney (Ireland)
Formerly known as Hastings, England, this section of the park was re-themed in 2001 as Ireland, the newest country in over 20 years. The most prominent attraction in this section of the park is the 4-D simulator Corkscrew Hill, in which riders travel in miniature through old magical Ireland. This area also prominently features Emerald Beat, an engaging celebration of Irish dance, showcasing world class performers. Grogan's Grill offers Irish cuisine in this area. Outside the gateway next to Dining with Elmo, the walkway makes a sharp left turn and begins a long, moderately steep climb toward Aquitaine, France. Several animal sanctuaries and an animal performance theater are situated along this path.
San Marco (Italy)
When Italy/San Marco was opened, it completed the outer circle walkway around Busch Gardens. Part of the park's expansion included a high pedestrian bridge across the Rhine River into Oktoberfest, Germany. The bridge currently houses a salute to the various branches of the US military. San Marco is based upon Renaissance era Italy. Escape from Pompeii is a Shoot-the-Chutes ride transporting guests to a 1920s dig of the ruins of Pompeii. The ride features prominent fire effects and a fifty-foot plunge. A promine
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