Kinder Karussel
| Company type | Amusement park |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Tourism |
| Founded | May 16, 1975 in James City County, Virginia, United States |
| Founder | Anheuser-Busch |
| Headquarters | James City County, Virginia , United States |
Area served | North America |
| Products | Amusement park rides and attractions |
| Owner | United Parks & Resorts |
| Website | buschgardens |
Busch Gardens Williamsburg—previously known as Busch Gardens Europe and Busch Gardens: The Old Country—is an amusement park situated in James City County, close to Williamsburg, Virginia, approximately northwest of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Originally developed by Anheuser-Busch (A-B), the park is currently owned by United Parks & Resorts and is one of the two operational parks under the Busch Gardens brand.
The park officially opened its doors on May 16, 1975,[1] and is located near Anheuser-Busch’s brewery as well as the Kingsmill Resort area.
Initially launched as 'Busch Gardens: The Old Country', the park’s theme revolves around diverse European nations. It was renamed Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 1993 and briefly adopted the name Busch Gardens Europe between 2006 and 2008. In 2015, attendance was estimated at 2.78 million visitors, placing it 20th in popularity among North American amusement parks.[2] Notable rides include prominent roller coasters such as Loch Ness Monster, Griffon, Verbolten, Pantheon, Alpengeist, and Apollo's Chariot.
History
During the early 1970s, Anheuser-Busch (A-B) initiated the development of Busch Gardens as part of a broader investment strategy in the Williamsburg region, which also encompassed a brewery, Kingsmill Resort, and various residential and commercial properties. The theme park opened in 1975 under the name Busch Gardens: The Old Country.
This investment followed discussions between Gussie Busch of Anheuser-Busch and Winthrop Rockefeller, then Arkansas governor and Colonial Williamsburg chairman. Throughout the 1990s, A-B expanded its theme park holdings by acquiring Water Country USA alongside its existing SeaWorld parks across multiple states.
Following Belgium-based InBev’s acquisition of Anheuser-Busch in 2008, plans were made to sell off non-core assets. By late 2009, The Blackstone Group was chosen to purchase and manage ten former A-B theme parks, including two located in Williamsburg. Additionally, in July 2010, Kingsmill Resort was slated for acquisition by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a company owned by Denver entrepreneur Phillip Anschutz.
The COVID-19 pandemic postponed the start of the park’s 2020 season until August 6. Upon reopening, Busch Gardens hosted the Coasters and Craft Brews event with limited capacity, mandatory advanced reservations, and health screenings including temperature checks. Other special events held that year comprised Taste of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Halloween Harvest, Christmas Celebration, Winter Weekends, and Mardi Gras.
Beginning January 2021, Busch Gardens Williamsburg transitioned to a year-round operation model. Previously open from late March through early January, the addition of Winter Weekends and Mardi Gras events marked its inaugural winter season openings.
Overview
This amusement park blends thrilling roller coasters with Broadway-caliber live performances and is organized into themed "countries," each offering distinctive culinary experiences, music styles, and attractions reflective of their cultural inspiration.
Conservation
The Wild Reserve, featuring Jack Hanna, houses animals such as gray wolves and bald eagles. Busch Gardens collaborates with SeaWorld—both under United Parks & Resorts ownership—through the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, allowing visitors to contribute to wildlife preservation efforts. The park’s Rhine River Cruise employs battery-powered vessels to minimize emissions and reduce water pollution. Additionally, Busch Gardens along with Water Country USA utilize beneficial insects rather than chemical pesticides for organic horticulture practices. All printed materials used throughout the park are produced from recycled paper content.
Howl-O-Scream
Since its inception in 1999, Howl-O-Scream has served as the park’s premier Halloween celebration, offering more than twelve attractions centered around themes such as vampires, zombies, clowns, witches, and skeletons.
St. Patrick's Day
Busch Gardens Williamsburg introduced its first St. Patrick's Day festival in March 2021, spanning all ten hamlets. This event showcases Irish-inspired cuisine, live music, and entertainment—including award-winning Celtic Fyre stepdancing performances—along with various special activities. The San Marco Theatre features performances by Virginia’s Irish Dance Schools. Families can participate in a scavenger hunt led by a leprechaun, while adults have access to a variety of alcoholic beverages, including Guinness and green beer.
Night of Oktoberfest
Since 1976, the Germany Hamlet has hosted the annual Night of Oktoberfest, an event exclusively for guests aged 21 and over. Attendees enjoy German-style food and beverages, a DJ, games, raffles, and access to select rides within the Germany section.
Christmas Town
Debuting in 2009, Christmas Town is the park’s festive winter event offering exclusive holiday-themed attractions. A centerpiece is the 50 ft "O Tannenbaum" Christmas tree in the Oktoberfest hamlet, which illuminates in harmony with music. Various venues present holiday shows ranging from retellings of classics like Scrooge No More to ice skating performances and a cappella groups such as Gift of Harmony. Popular rides like Verbolten, InvadR, Pantheon, and more recently Apollo's Chariot operate during this period, along with selected flat rides, train services, and skyride availability. The entire park is decorated with millions of lights and numerous live Christmas trees. Seasonal dining and retail options enhance the overall guest experience. Christmas Town runs from the weekend before Thanksgiving through weekends until mid-December, then daily until shortly after New Year’s Day.
Hamlets
The park is organized into ten distinct hamlets inspired by traditional European villages from England, France, Germany, Italy, Scotland, and Ireland.
To facilitate guest movement across these hamlets, Busch Gardens Williamsburg offers two primary transportation experiences: The Aeronaut Skyride—a gondola lift linking Sesame Street Forest of Fun, Aquitaine, and Rhine Feld—and the Busch Gardens Railway, a steam train replica connecting Heatherdowns, Festa Italia, and New France. Beyond their practical function, these transport options contribute to the park’s "Old Country" atmosphere while providing convenient travel for families throughout the park.
Banbury Cross (England)
Banbury Cross embodies traditional Tudor English design elements and includes iconic features such as phone booths and a central replica of Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben). Guest Services are conveniently situated near the main entrance gates. Dining choices encompass The Squire's Grill for breakfast and lunch offerings, complemented by a funnel cake stand, an ice cream shop, and a candy store. The area’s highlight is The Globe Theatre—a double-sized reproduction of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. After renovations completed in 2014 restored live performances following its previous use for 4-D films like Haunts of the Old Country and Pirates 4-D, it now presents “American Jukebox: Summer Remix,” a musical show celebrating decades of American hits.
Heatherdowns (Scotland)
Heatherdowns presents a Scottish-inspired village situated on the hill overlooking Banbury Cross. Tweedside Train Station provides a picturesque 20-minute journey with stops including Festa Italia and Caribou Station in New France. Nearby, visitors can explore Tweedside Gifts. The Highland Stables showcase Scottish Blackface sheep, Border Collies, and Clydesdales, featuring daily herding exhibitions and opportunities for photographs. Until 2010, these stables were home to the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales prior to the 2009 sale of Anheuser-Busch’s theme park division. Seasonal booths support events such as the Food and Wine Festival and Summer Nights.
- Loch Ness Monster – This Arrow Development looping coaster is distinguished by its interlocking loops. It was closed in 2023 for refurbishment by Premier Rides.
Sesame Street Forest of Fun
Inaugurated on April 3, 2009, Sesame Street Forest of Fun includes four family-oriented rides themed around Sesame Street characters. Attractions include Grover's Alpine Express, a Zierer Force roller coaster; Bert and Ernie's Loch Adventure, a flume ride; Oscar's Whirly Worms, a rock-n-tug ride; and Prince Elmo's Spire, a Zamperla shot-n-drop tower. The area also contains both wet and dry play areas, a stage for the "Sunny Days Celebration" show, and a retail shop. The Skyride station closest to the Main Gate is located here, providing connections to Aquitaine, France, and Rhinefeld, Germany.
- Bert and Ernie's Loch Adventure – A flat flume ride enhanced with water features
- Oscar's Whirly Worms – A rocking and spinning Rockin' Tug attraction
- Prince Elmo's Spire – A family-friendly shot-n-drop drop tower manufactured by Zamperla
- Grover's Alpine Express – A 24-foot-tall family roller coaster by Zierer
Killarney (Ireland)
Originally known as Hastings, England, this section was transformed into an Ireland-themed area in 2001—the first new country addition in more than two decades. This reimagining led to a 17% increase in park attendance after opening and garnered a prestigious award from the Themed Entertainment Association. The Abbey Stone Theatre hosts Celtic Fyre, a celebration of Irish dance; in 2021, it received recognition as Best Amusement Park Entertainment by USA Today. Formerly called the Magic Lantern Theatre, this venue previously showcased notable musical productions such as Kaleidoscope and Rockin' the Boat. Visitors can enjoy Irish fare at Grogan's Grill.
A pathway next to Castle O'Sullivan climbs toward Aquitaine, France, passing animal habitats and two performance theaters. Initially opened as Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve in 2000, this zone was integrated into Killarney in 2017 under the name Jack Hanna Trail.
- Finnegan's Flyer – A S&S Sansei Screamin' Swing that launched in spring 2019; it propels riders up to 100 feet at speeds of 45 mph
- Eagle Ridge & Wolf Valley – Animal exhibits located near the village
- Pet Shenanigans Theater – An outdoor venue formerly presenting More Pet Shenanigans
- Lorikeet Glen – A covered aviary where vibrantly colored birds interact with guests
San Marco (Italy)
Introduced during Busch Gardens’ expansion, San Marco completed the outer loop walkway and added a pedestrian bridge connecting to Oktoberfest. This area is themed around Renaissance Italy and features Da Vinci’s Garden of Inventions with attractions inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s designs. Dining options include Ristorante Della Piazza, which serves Italian cuisine alongside live entertainment such as "Mix It Up."
- Escape from Pompeii – A shoot-the-chutes water ride with indoor segments depicting Pompeii’s catastrophic eruption through effects involving fire, water, and collapsing statues
- Little Gliders & Little Balloons – Children’s rides inspired by Da Vinci’s inventions
- The Battering Ram – A high-capacity swinging pirate ship ride that remains upright without inversion
Festa Italia (Italy)
Festa Italia commemorates Marco Polo's journey back from China through a festival featuring midway games and attractions inspired by Roman mythology.
- Apollo's Chariot – This is the inaugural Bolliger & Mabillard Hyper Coaster, showcasing thrilling drops around water features and hills, painted in a striking purple and gold palette that can be seen from the park’s entrance.
- Roman Rapids – An Intamin River Rapids attraction navigating through ancient Roman ruins, designed to drench participants.
- Tradewinds – A permanent music express attraction.
- Elephant Run – A child-friendly variant of the music express ride.
- Turkish Delight – A unique adaptation of the traditional teacups ride.
- Tempesto – A Premier Rides Sky Rocket II coaster boasting three launches, an inline twist, and a non-inverting loop, reaching speeds near 60 mph in both forward and backward directions.
- Pantheon – A multi-launch coaster manufactured by Intamin.
Festa Italia also contains the Festa Train Station, part of the Busch Gardens Railway system.
Rhinefeld (Rhineland Germany)
Rhinefeld is themed as a ski resort nestled in the German Alps and serves as the third stop on Busch Gardens' Skyride. It includes Land of the Dragons, a sizable children's play zone featuring rides and seasonal entertainment.
- Alpengeist – A Bolliger & Mabillard inverted coaster themed around a haunted ski lift legend, featuring six inversions and an Alpine-style station decorated with ski equipment.
- Kinder Karussel – The park’s historic Herschell Carousel.
- Land of the Dragons – An interactive children’s zone with a treehouse, various rides, and formerly a Ferris wheel.
Land of the Dragons
Launched in 1994 as a replacement for Grimms Hollow, Land of the Dragons is Busch Gardens' main area for young children. It features Dumpherey the Dragon as its mascot, a dragon-themed three-level treehouse, and a water play area with waterfalls and geysers. Key attractions include:
- Flutter Splutter – a flying dragon ride
- Chug-A-Tug – boat ride attraction
- Bug-A-Dug – music express-style ride with ladybug-themed cars
- Dragon-themed Treehouse
- Brook – interactive wet play zone
Since 2012, the Lost Children facility was moved here from Wild Moose Lodge in New France, occupying the former Dragon Digs gift shop space.
Oktoberfest (Bavaria, Germany)
Oktoberfest reflects Germany’s iconic festival atmosphere, featuring numerous flat rides and carnival games. Das Festhaus is a large air-conditioned restaurant offering both German and American dishes along with rotating live performances. This section previously hosted The Big Bad Wolf suspended coaster until it closed in 2009.
In 2011, Oktoberfest received updates including new retail shops, a beer garden, and Beste Brezeln und Bier pretzel shop highlighted by a traditional Bavarian maypole. The Mäch Tower, a 246-foot drop-observation ride by Moser's Rides, operated here until 2023. The former Big Bad Wolf location was redeveloped into Verbolten, a Zierer ESC family-launched coaster that debuted in spring 2012 with speeds up to 53 mph and featuring a distinctive free-fall element.
Oktoberfest annually hosts BierFest, showcasing more than 22 international beers alongside German-inspired food and drinks.
Previously included in this area was the trackless dark ride Curse of DarKastle (2005–2017), which closed due to costly maintenance; its building has since been repurposed for seasonal event spaces. In 2023, DarKoaster: Escape The Storm opened here as North America’s first all-indoor Intamin family launch straddle coaster.
Key attractions include:
- Der Autobahn – bumper cars
- Der Autobahn Jr. – kiddie bumper cars
- Der Roto Baron – Red Baron-style ride
- Der Wirbelwind – classic yo-yo swing attraction
- DarKoaster: Escape The Storm – indoor straddle coaster experience
- Verbolten – Black Forest-inspired launched coaster with vertical free-fall feature
- Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge – steel coaster reaching speeds of 40 mph; serves as spiritual successor to Big Bad Wolf
Aquitaine (France)
This area, centered around the village of Aquitaine and drawing inspiration from Belle Époque France, includes a variety of specialty shops and a prominent Skyride terminal linking England with Rhinefeld, Germany. The Royal Palace Theatre presents several rotating seasonal performances.
- Griffon – A Bolliger & Mabillard dive coaster named after the mythical griffin; it boasts a 205-foot vertical drop, two Immelmann inversions, and concludes with a splashdown. It is the counterpart to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's SheiKra. Debut year: 2007
New France (French Colonial)
New France replicates the ambiance of French colonial Canada through its retail outlets and attractions such as the Busch Gardens Railway departing from Caribou Station and the Le Scoot Log Flume, which features a 50-foot descent through a sawmill setting. Dining options include the Trappers Smokehouse, offering an assortment of grilled and smoked selections like chicken, turkey legs, ribs, and brisket.
- Le Scoot Log Flume – Traditional elevated log flume ride
- Le Catapult – Standard carnival scrambler ride
- InvadR – A wooden coaster by Great Coasters International that opened in 2017; themed around Viking invasions, it includes nine airtime hills, a 74-foot drop, and reaches speeds up to 48 mph
Current Attractions (organized by launch year)
| Name | Manufacturer | Category | Opening Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loch Ness Monster | Arrow Development | Custom Looping Coaster | 1978 |
| Alpengeist | Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) | Inverted Coaster | 1997 |
| Apollo's Chariot | Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) | Hyper Coaster | 1999 |
| Griffon | Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) | Dive Coaster | 2007 |
| Grover's Alpine Express | Zierer | Force 190 Model Coaster | 2009 |
| Verbolten | Zierer | ESC Model Coaster | 2012 |
| Tempesto | Premier Rides | Sky Rocket II | 2015 |
| InvadR | Great Coasters International (GCI) | Wooden Coaster | 2017 |
| Pantheon | Intamin | LSM Launch Coaster | 2022 |
| DarKoaster: Escape The Storm | Intamin | Family Launch Straddle Coaster | 2023 |
| Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge | Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) | Family Inverted Coaster | 2025 |
Retired Rides
| Name | Manufacturer | Type | Opening Year | Closing Year | Succeeded By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Die Wildkatze (German: The Wildcat) | Schwarzkopf | Wildcat Model Coaster | 1976 | 1983 | Big Bad Wolf |
| Das Kätzchen (German: The Kitten) | Allan Herschell Company | Little Dipper Model Coaster | 1976 | 1984 | |
| Glissade | Schwarzkopf | Jet Star - Jumbo Jet Type Coaster | 1975 | 1985 | Wild Maus |
| Name | Manufacturer | Type | Opening Year | Closing Year | Replaced By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drachen Fire | Arrow Dynamics | Custom Looping Coaster | 1992 | 1998 | 'Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge' |
| 'Wild Maus' | 'Mack Rides' | 'Steel Wild Mouse' | '1996' | '2003' | 'Curse of DarKastle (DarKoaster: Escape The Storm)' |
| 'Big Bad Wolf' | 'Arrow Dynamics' | 'Suspended Coaster' | '1984' | '2009' | 'Verbolten' |
Entertainment
| Event | Show Title | Venue | Debut Year | Preceded By | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mardi Gras
From late January through late March |
Sunny Days Celebration | Sesame Street Forest of Fun | 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Orleans Brass Jazz Band | Das Festhaus, Oktoberfest | 2021 | Festhaus Varieté: Comedic Jugglers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carnaval Imaginique: A Golden Jubilee Spectacular | Globe Theatre, England | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bourbon Street Brigade | Il Teatro Di San Marco, Italy | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'The Craw Daddies' | 'Aquitaine, France' | '2025' | 'Mardi Street Party (France); revival of Samba Jamboree' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Mardi Street Party' | 'Killarney Village, Ireland' | '2025' | 'Samba Jamboree; revival of Mardi Street Party (France)' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| St. Patrick's Day Celebration
March |
'Celtic Fyre' | 'Abbey Stone Theatre, Ireland' | '2010' | 'Emerald Beat' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Sunny Days Celebration' | 'Sesame Street Forest of Fun' | '2010' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Dublin Over' | 'Killarney Village, Ireland' | '2021' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Killarney Village Celebration' | 'Killarney Village, Ireland' | '2022' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kids' Weekends
Late March to late April |
'Celtic Fyre' | 'Abbey Stone Theatre, Ireland' | '2010' | 'Emerald Beat' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Sunny Days Celebration' | 'Sesame Street Forest of Fun' | '2010' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Dublin Over' | 'Killarney Village, Ireland' | '2021' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Oom-Pah Band' | 'Das Festhaus, Oktoberfest' | '2021' | 'OktoberZest (partial)' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Food & Wine Festival
From late April until late June |
'Celtic Fyre' | 'Abbey Stone Theatre, Ireland' | '2010' | 'Emerald Beat' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Sunny Days Celebration' | 'Sesame Street Forest of Fun' | '2010' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Sesame Street: Let's Play Together!' | 'Globe Theatre, England' | '2018' | 'Elmo Rocks!' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Dublin Over' | 'Killarney Village, Ireland' | '2021' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Trio di Roma' | 'Il Teatro Di San Marco, Italy' | '2024' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'We Are Oktoberfest' | 'Das Festhaus, Oktoberfest' | '2025' | 'OktoberZest; second revival of This is Oktoberfest' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summer of Wonder
Late June through late July |
'Celtic Fyre' | 'Abbey Stone Theatre, Ireland' | '2010' | 'Emerald Beat' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Sunny Days Celebration' | 'Sesame Street Forest of Fun' | '2010' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Sounds of San Marco (daytime set)' | 'Il Teatro Di San Marco, Italy' | '2023' | 'Bel Concertino' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'We Are Oktoberfest' | 'Das Festhaus, Oktoberfest' | '2025' | 'OktoberZest; second revival of This is Oktoberfest' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Broken Turnstiles' | 'Aquitaine, France' | '2025' | 'Abbey Taverns' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Sounds of San Marco (nighttime set)' | 'Il Teatro Di San Marco, Italy' | '2025' | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Across the Pond: Legends of the UK" | "Globe Theatre, England" | "2026" | "American Jukebox: Summer Remix" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Kinetix: A New Generation" | "Royal Palace Theatre, France" | "2026" | "revival of Kinetix" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bier Fest Brews & BBQ
August |
"Celtic Fyre" | "Abbey Stone Theatre, Ireland" | "2010" | "Emerald Beat" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Sunny Days Celebration" | "Sesame Street Forest of Fun" | "2010" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Sounds of San Marco (daytime set)" | "Il Teatro Di San Marco, Italy" | "2023" | "Bel Concertino" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "We Are Oktoberfest" | "Das Festhaus, Oktoberfest" | "2025" | "OktoberZest; second revival of This is Oktoberfest" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Broken Turnstiles" | "Aquitaine, France" | "2025" | "Abbey Taverns" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Sounds of San Marco (nighttime set)" | "Il Teatro Di San Marco, Italy" | "2025" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Across the Pond: Legends of the UK" | "Globe Theatre, England" | "2026" | "American Jukebox: Summer Remix" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Kinetix: A New Generation" | "Royal Palace Theatre, France" | "2026" | "revival of Kinetix" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Howl-O-Scream
Early September through early November |
"Monster Stomp on Ripper Row" | "Globe Theatre, England" | "2014" | "Pirates 4-D (2011); second revival of Monster Stomp" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"Fiends (2024 revival)
|
"Abbey Stone Theatre, Ireland" | "2024" | "Jack is Back; third revival of Fiends in the Festhaus" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "The Witching Hour" | "Oktoberfest" | "2024" | "revival of Jack's Haunting Hour" |
- |
"Skeletones in Your Closet" |
"Das Festhaus, Oktoberfest" |
"2025" |
"Phantoms of the Festhaus; revival of Skeletones" |
- |
"Spirit Spellebration" |
"Il Teatro Di San Marco, Italy" |
"2025" |
"Skeletones" |
- |
" rowspan="3" |Halloween Spooktacular Late September to early November |
"[Count von Count](Count)'s Countdown to Halloween" |
"Sesame Street Forest of Fun" |
"2017" |
- |
"Monster Game Show" |
"Sesame Street Forest of Fun" |
"2024" |
- |
"Monster Street Party" |
"Aquitaine, France" |
"2024" |
- |
" rowspan="12" |Christmas Town November through early January |
"Celebration of Lights at O'Tannenbaum" |
"Oktoberfest" |
"2009" |
- |
"England Carolers" |
"Banbury Cross and Globe Theatre, England" |
"2009" |
- |
"Santa's Fireside Feast" |
"Castle O'Sullivan, Ireland" |
"2009" |
- |
"Polar Pathway: Spectacle of Lights" |
"'Escape from Pompeii' exterior" |
"2011" |
- |
"' rowspan="2"|Gloria!" |
"' rowspan="2"|Abbey Stone Theatre, Ireland" |
"'2011'" |
"'Rejoice'" - "'2023'" "'Celtic Fyre: A Christmas Celebration'" - "'Scrooge No More!'" "'Globe Theatre, England'" "'2014'" "'A Sesame Street Christmas'" - "'Twas That Night'" "'Royal Palace Theatre, France'" "'2015'" "|- Elmo's Christmas Wish Sesame Street Forest of Fun 2021 - Merry Misfits Aquitaine, France 2023 - Wisemen Il Teatro Di San Marco, Italy 2023 Unto Us - Christmas Town Live! A Holiday Special Das Festhaus, Oktoberfest 2025 Up on the Haustop |
Roller Coasters and Rides
Corkscrew Hill Europe in the Air Reflectone Simulator ride 2010 2016 Battle for Eire Curse of DarKastle Oceaneering Tracked dark ride 2005 2017 DarKoaster: Escape the Storm| Name | Manufacturer | Type | Inaugurated | Decommissioned | Succeeded by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gladiator's Gauntlet | Vekoma | Canyon Trip | 1988 | 1993 | |
| Questor | Simulator ride | 1990 | 1996 | King Arthur's Challenge | |
| Sea Dragon | Mack Rides | Sea Storm | 1987 | 1998 | Apollo's Chariot |
| Eagle One Monorail | Westinghouse Electric Corporation | Monorail | May 1975 | 1998 | |
| Drachen Fire | Arrow Dynamics | Custom Looper coaster | 1992 | 1998 | Festhaus Park |
| King Arthur's Challenge | Simulator ride | 1996 | 2001 | Corkscrew Hill | |
| Wild Maus (previously Wild Izzy) | Mack Rides | Wild Mouse coaster | 1996 | 2003 | Curse of DarKastle; later moved to Busch Gardens Tampa as "Cheetah Chase" |
| Le Mans Raceway | Arrow Dynamics | Antique car attraction | 1975 | 2006 | Griffon |
| Big Bad Wolf | Arrow Dynamics | Suspended roller coaster | 1984 | 2009 | Verbolten |
| Riffle Rapids | Children’s water ride | \~1994 | \~2009 | Moved and rethemed as Bert and Ernie's Loch Adventure | |
|
Simulator ride 2001 2010 Europe in the Air |
| Name | Manufacturer | Type | Opened | Closed | Replaced by |
|---|
Entertainment Offerings (Partial List)
- Skeletones Howl-O-Scream at Il Teatro Di San Marco operated year-round until closure and succeeded by Spirit Spellebration; later relocated to Oktoberfest as Skeletones in Your Closet - Up on the Haustop Christmas Town at Das Festhaus during Oktoberfest operated until closure and succeeded by Christmas Town Live! A Holiday Special - Celtic Christmas Trio Christmas Town at Killarney Village operated year-round until closure - American Jukebox: Summer Remix Globe Theatre in England operated year-round until closure and succeeded by Across the Pond: Legends of the UK - Bürgermeister's Hideaway (paid dining experience) Year-Round Germany open since 2022 planned public opening 2025 - Bürgermeister's Storytime Food & Wine Festival Prost! Patio during Oktoberfest planned for 2025
Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve
At Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve, guests can observe bald eagles and wolves. The area known as Eagle Ridge extends over 3,000 feet and is dedicated to the care, rehabilitation, and educational outreach concerning bald eagles. Wolf Haven allows visitors to view one of the park’s wolf pairs at a time, while Wolf Valley serves as a natural sanctuary for wolves not currently on display. Additionally, the reserve hosts an aviary called Lorikeet Glen, which features Rainbow lorikeets along with various other bird species. Situated within the Ireland section, this area has seen a reduction in animal exhibits recently; however, several key displays remain open to the public.
Highland Stables
Located between the England and Scotland sections, Highland Stables presents Scottish Blackface sheep, Border Collies, black Clydesdale horses, and Highland cattle. Visitors can participate in daily interactive demonstrations highlighting these animals.
Parking and Transportation
The park provides designated parking spaces for individuals with disabilities, as well as areas for recreational vehicles and group buses. Shuttle trams operate to transport guests from remote parking lots to the main entrance gates.
Within the park boundaries, three steam locomotives travel along the Busch Gardens Railway, a narrow gauge track forming a loop that connects the Heatherdowns, Festa Italia, and New France sections. Additionally, a skyride system links the Banbury Cross, Aquitaine, and Rhinefeld themed areas.
Awards and Honors
In 2021, USA Today recognized the park as the fourth top amusement destination in the United States.
| Golden Ticket Awards: Best Landscaping – Amusement Park | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ranking | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | 1[3]} | 1[4]} | Template:Center | Template:Center | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NAPHA Survey: Most Beautiful Park | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 1990–2022 (annual) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ranking |
Template:Center (every year) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NAPHA Survey: Favorite Theme Park | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ranking | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Visitor Attendance (Approximate)
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,094,000 | 2,900,000 | 2,800,000 | 2,744,000 | 2,856,000 | 2,726,000 | 2,699,000 | 2,780,000 |
Sources
- Announcement page for Busch Gardens Williamsburg expansion
- Official website of Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Official Howl-o-Scream website for Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Official Christmas Town website at Busch Gardens Williamsburg