Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia
Slogan "Celebrate, Connect, and Care for the natural world through the power of entertainment."
Location Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S.
Coordinates 37°14′5″N 76°38′40″W / 37.23472°N 76.64444°W / 37.23472; -76.64444Coordinates: 37°14′5″N 76°38′40″W / 37.23472°N 76.64444°W / 37.23472; -76.64444
Owner SeaWorld Entertainment
Opened May 16, 1975 (1975-05-16) (as Busch Gardens: The Old Country)
Previous names Busch Gardens: The Old Country - 1975 to 1992
Busch Gardens Williamsburg - 1993 to 2005, 2008–present
Busch Gardens Europe - 2006 to 2008
Operating season March – January
Area 389 acres (157 ha)
Rides
Total 54
Roller coasters 7
Water rides 3
Website BuschGardens.com/VA
Toll Plaza of Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Busch Gardens Williamsburg (formerly known as Busch Gardens Europe and Busch Gardens: The Old Country) is a 383-acre (155 ha) theme park located in James City County, Virginia, about 60.40 miles (97.20 km) northwest of Virginia Beach, originally developed by Anheuser-Busch (A-B) and currently owned by SeaWorld Entertainment, a division of Blackstone Group. The park opened on May 16, 1975, adjacent to Anheuser-Busch's brewery and near its other developments including the Kingsmill Resort complex. The park is themed around various European countries.

The park was originally called Busch Gardens: The Old Country, reflecting the European theme. In 1993, the park was renamed Busch Gardens Williamsburg before briefly being named Busch Gardens Europe in 2006 until it returned to the Williamsburg name in 2008. Similarly, its sister park in Florida was originally called Busch Gardens: The Dark Continent until it was officially renamed Busch Gardens Tampa Bay until a brief switch to Busch Gardens Africa from 2006 to 2008. In 2015, the estimated attendance of 2.78 million makes it the twentieth most-visited park in the US.[1]

In addition to its landscaping and European theme, Busch Gardens is widely known for its roller coasters, including Griffon, Alpengeist, and Apollo's Chariot, which won No. 4 best steel coaster in 2012 from the Golden Ticket Awards.

History

Beginning in the early 1970s, the Busch Gardens theme park was developed by Anheuser-Busch (A-B) as a portion of the company's development investment in the Williamsburg area, which grew to include a brewery, the Kingsmill Resort, as well as residential and office properties.

The St. Louis-based brewer invested in the area following negotiations held between August Busch, II and Winthrop Rockefeller, who was both governor of Arkansas and chairman of Colonial Williamsburg in the 1960s and 1970s.[2] (Water Country USA, a local water park, was acquired by A-B in the 1990s, and added to the company's theme park activities, which include a number of SeaWorld properties in other states as well).

In the last part of the 20th and early into the 21st century, as a brewer, A-B found itself competing in an increasingly global market. In 2008, after initially resisting an unsolicited stock bid, A-B announced it had reached an agreement to be acquired by the even larger Belgium-based InBev. The newer owners announced plans to sell-off the portions of A-B activities which were not part of the core beverage business as it worked to reduce debt incurred to fund the acquisition.

The Blackstone Group was selected in late 2009 to acquire and operate the 10 former A-B theme parks, including two in the Williamsburg area. In July 2010, the adjacent Kingsmill Resort was scheduled to be acquired by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a company owned by Denver-based Phillip Anschutz.

Overview of features

The park features a combination of roller coasters and Broadway-style shows. The park is broken into "countries", each having its unique style of food and music. The rides in the sections of the park are also themed to the country that they are located in.

Conservation

Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve houses a variety of wild species including gray wolves and bald eagles. Busch Gardens is partnered with SeaWorld (also owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment) 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 parks' commitment to organic gardening. All brochures, maps, show guides, and all paper products in the restrooms are made from recycled material.

Howl-O-Scream

Howl-O-Scream, the park's signature Halloween event, offers more than a dozen attractions featuring vampires, werewolves, witches and skeletons. Guests are immersed in an elaborate Halloween atmosphere including haunted houses and Halloween-themed shows. The event's mascot was pumpkin-headed Jack until 2011 in which the mascot became the Lady of the Gardens. Since the 2013 season, there has not been a distinct mascot for the event. Howl-O-Scream typically opens the last full weekend in September and continues every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday usually through the last full weekend of October. The event began in 1999. Currently, the Howl-O-Scream redecorating and conversion work is done by Oak Island Creative, an independent company that provides similar services to multiple theme parks and other locations.

Christmas Town

Christmas Town is the park's Christmas event that began during the 2009 season. Several Christmas and holiday themed attractions and shows are showcased, including a 50-foot (15 m) animated Christmas tree called "O Tannenbaum" that lights up in sync to Christmas music in the Oktoberfest portion of the park. Many of the flat rides are in operation as well as the park's train, skyride, Mach Tower (reimagined without the free fall drop as Nacht Tower), and (weather permitting) one roller coaster, which has traditionally been Verbolten since its 2012 opening season, though previous Christmas town seasons saw Griffon and Alpengeist as the operating roller coaster. During the celebration, the park is decorated with millions of lights. Shopping is also an important part of Christmas Town. The event starts the weekend before Thanksgiving and continues every weekend until the week before Christmas, where it stays open for the rest of December, excluding Christmas Day, until New Year's Day.[3]

Hamlets

The park is separated into 10 different hamlets, themed to European villages from England, France, Germany, Italy, Scotland, and Ireland.

Two attractions provide transportation around the park. The Aeronaut Skyride gondola lift transports guests between the Sesame Street Forest of Fun, Aquitaine, and Rhinefeld hamlets; while replica steam trains transport guests between the Heatherdowns, Festa Italia, and New France hamlets. The train serves as a convenient way for families with small children to travel around the park together as well as providing an "Old Country" themed method of transportation fitting the park's overall theme.

Banbury Cross (England)

2014 Street View of Banbury Cross, England

Banbury Cross is fashioned after England, with stereotypical red telephone booths and common English architecture. Guest Services windows are located next to the turnstiles of the Main gate. 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, having introduced in May 2014 the show "London Rocks," featuring puppets, animation, and live performances of music from classic British bands, including Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles.[4] The theater previously featured the films Pirates, starring Eric Idle and Leslie Nielsen; Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination!, a 4-D film; 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 including Mark Wilson's Worlds Greatest Illusions, America on Ice, Hot Ice, Celebrate America and the People's Choice.

Heatherdowns (Scotland)

Backfield view of Heatherdowns, Scotland

Heatherdowns mimics a Scottish hamlet situated at the top of the hill on the path leading from Banbury Cross. 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. Tweedside Gifts is located adjacent to the train station. Heatherdowns is also home to the Highland Stables featuring Scottish Blackface sheep, Border Collies, Clydesdales and a European barn owl. Guests can interact with the animals and see them in action as they demonstrate their skills during daily demonstrations. Prior to 2010, the stables were home to several of the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales until the theme park unit of Anheuser-Busch was sold in 2009. 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 features four new children and family rides and attractions themed to Sesame Street, including a Zierer junior roller coaster named Grover's Alpine Express, Bert and Ernie's Loch Adventure flume ride, Oscar's Whirly Worms rock-n-tug-type ride, Prince Elmo's Spire shot-n-drop ride, and wet and dry play areas. The area also features a stage for the main show "Sunny Days Celebration" and a gift shop. The hamlet 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.

Killarney (Ireland)

2014 street view of 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. This area features Celtic Fyre, at the Abbey Stone Theatre, a celebration of Irish dance. Previously, the theatre housing Celtic Fyre was named the Magic Lantern Theatre, and housed some of the best theme park musical reviews in the United States. Shows such as Kaleidoscope, Hats Off to Hollywood, Journey into Music, Stage Struck, and Rockin the Boat are some of the names of these productions. 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)

Street view of San Marco, Italy
A performance of "Mix It Up" in San Marco.

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. San Marco is based upon Renaissance era Italy. A prominent feature within San Marco is Da Vinci's Garden of Inventions. This garden features Italian statues and flowers set amid rides based on sketches by Leonardo da Vinci. Also in the area is Ristorante della Piazza, featuring Italian cuisine and allowing guests to watch "Mix It Up." During the summer until 2008, sounds of the Starlight Orchestra could be heard while dining.

Festa Italia (Italy)

Festa Italia is themed around a fair celebrating Marco Polo's return to Italy from his famous visit to China. It contains many of the park's midway games, all with a festival theme. Its attractions are themed around Roman mythology.

Rhinefeld (Rhineland Germany)

A street view of Rhinefeld, Germany

This section is based upon the country of Germany. It is largely themed to a runaway ski resort in the German Alps. The third leg of Busch Gardens' skyride arrives and departs from this section. Also in Rhinefeld is Land of the Dragons, a large children's play area featuring a playground, five rides, and seasonal shows.

Land of the Dragons

When it opened in 1994 (replacing the former Grimms Hollow children's area), Land of the Dragons was the main kiddie area at Busch Gardens. It is home to Dumpherey the Dragon, the area's mascot. Other major notes taken to Land of the Dragons include its dragon-themed 3-story tree house, a wet play area with waterfalls, squirting geysers, and a serpent inhabiting the area, and a dragon-egg Ferris wheel. There are also smaller play zones, slides, smaller wet play areas and (formerly) a gift shop called Dragon Digs.

As of the 2012 season, the Lost Children building has been relocated from its former building, dubbed Wild Moose Lodge, in New France, to what was formerly the Dragon Digs gift shop.

Oktoberfest (Bavarian Germany)

Das Festhaus in Oktoberfest, site of live performances, shops, and eateries.
Beste Brezeln und Bier as viewed from the Oktoberfest bridge from San Marco.

Like Rhinefeld, this section is based on Germany during the annual celebration of Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest features many of the park's flat rides. It is also home to a large assortment of carnival-style games. Das Festhaus is a large, air conditioned eating facility where guests can purchase German food or American classics. While eating in Das Festhaus, guests can experience "Entwined", a show incorporating the Grimm Brothers' most famous fairy tales. A new show has been added recently entitled "Roll out the Barrel." This section of the park formerly hosted The Big Bad Wolf, a suspended roller coaster. The Big Bad Wolf was closed on September 7, 2009.

On September 18, 2010, it was announced that in 2011, Oktoberfest will be renovated with new shops and sights including a new beer garden and pretzel shop known as Beste Brezeln und Bier with a Bavarian maypole occupying the flower garden in front of Das Festhaus, along with a 246-foot (75 m) drop tower called Mäch Tower. Also announced was a new "multi-launch" roller coaster that will open in spring of 2012 on the former site of the Big Bad Wolf roller coaster. On September 17, 2011 it was announced that the new coaster would be called Verbolten. On May 18, 2012, Verbolten officially opened to the general public.[7]

Aquitaine (France)

Entering Aquitaine, France in 2014

Centering on the village of Aquitaine, this section is based on France. It is home to many boutiques and one of the park's skyride stations, where the first leg of the skyride arrives from England and the second leg departs for Rhinefeld, Germany. The Royale Palace Theatre in France hosts numerous shows throughout the season.

New France (French Canada)

The Final Plunge of Le Scoot Log Flume in New France.

New France is based on French colonial Canada and consists of a hub of Canadian-themed shops with a colonial tone throughout the area. Rides in New France include the Busch Gardens Railway departing from Caribou Station and Le Scoot Log Flume, featuring a 50-foot (15 m) plunge through a saw mill. A predominant feature in this area is the Trappers Smokehouse which has an outdoor grill centrally located. Trappers Smokehouse offers grilled and smoked items such as chicken, ribs, and beef brisket. In 2017, New France will become home to the park's new GCI wooden roller coaster, InvadR.

Roller coasters

The Loch Ness Monster's interlocking loops
Griffon, Alpengeist, and Loch Ness Monster Rollercoasters shown in close proximity.

Existing (listed by first year)

Defunct (listed by closing year)

Animal attractions

Border Collie playing in back fields of Highland Stables

Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve

Along with various birds that inhabit Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve, attractions here are the bald eagles and wolves. Eagle Ridge is a 3,000+ foot area set aside for housing and rehabilitating bald eagles and providing education to visitors. Wolf Haven is a viewing area where guests may observe one of Busch Garden's pairs of wolves. One pair is on exhibition at a time. Busch Gardens also provides Wolf Valley for those wolves not on display. Over 8,000 feet (2,400 m) of natural habitat is intended to ensure the animals' health and well-being.[11]

Highland Stables

Busch Gardens' Highland Stables features Scottish Blackface sheep, Border collies, black Clydesdales, and a European barn owl. Guests can interact with the animals during daily demonstrations.[12]

Parking and transportation

A European-themed locomotive built by Crown Metal Products for the Busch Gardens Railway.

At the park, special parking areas are provided for persons with special needs or disabilities, recreational vehicles, and groups arriving by buses and motorcoaches. Trams provide shuttle service to and from entrance gates from outlying parking areas.

Within the park itself, three steam locomotive powered trains operate on the 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge[13] Busch Gardens Railway, a 2-mile (3.2 km) loop of track, providing transportation between the Heatherdowns, Festa Italia, and New France themed areas. Additionally, a skyride provides transportation between the Banbury Cross, Aquitaine, and Rhinefeld themed areas.

Awards and recognition

Golden Ticket Awards: Best Landscaping – Amusement Park[14]
Year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Ranking
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1[15]
NAPHA Survey: Most Beautiful Park
Year 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Ranking
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

The National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) named Busch Gardens the world's Most Beautiful Park for the 26th consecutive year in 2015.

NAPHA Survey: Favorite Theme Park
Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Ranking
1
1
-
1
1

Attendance (Rounded)

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
3,094,000[16] 2,900,000[17] 2,800,000[18] 2,744,000[18] 2,856,000[19] 2,726,000[19] 2,699,000[20] 2,780,000 [21]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.teaconnect.org/images/files/TEA_160_611852_160525.pdf
  2. ↑ O'Brien, Kerry A. (2008). Back to Williamsburg. Virginia: O'Brien Books and Publishing. p. 30. ISBN 9780615175263. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  3. ↑ Christmas Town Official Website
  4. ↑ http://www.insidethemagic.net/2014/05/new-london-rocks-show-brings-the-psychedelic-fun-of-the-british-invasion-to-busch-gardens-williamsburg/
  5. ↑ Busch Gardens Williamsburg – Loch Ness Monster Archived May 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/Attractions/Rides/Europe-in-the-Air
  7. ↑ Bush Gardens Williamsburg (April 5, 2012). "The Wait Is Over For Busch Gardens' Verbolten". Blog. Sea World Parks Blog. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  8. ↑ Busch Gardens Official Blog
  9. ↑ YouTube video released during the September 17th, 2011 Pass-members Appreciation Event.
  10. ↑ http://bgwfans.com/2014/september-23rd-update/
  11. ↑ "A New Home to Roam at Busch Gardens Williamsburg". WildLIFE Conservation News. Spring 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  12. ↑ Busch Gardens Williamsburg – Highland Stables Archived July 16, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  13. ↑ Steamlocomotive.info
  14. ↑ Busch Gardens Williamsburg Media Room Archived January 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  15. ↑ Amusement Today 2011 Park and Ride Winners
  16. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2008 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2008. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  17. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2009 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 2, 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  18. 1 2 "TEA/AECOM 2011 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2011. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  19. 1 2 "TEA/AECOM 2013 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  20. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2014 Global Attractions Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  21. ↑ "TEA/AECOM 2015 Global Attractions Attendance Report Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association. 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2016.

Sources

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