Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Park Information & Tickets to Busch Gardens in VA
Busch Gardens is taking excitement and thrills to new heights in 2011. With the addition of a new psychological thrill ride, Mach Tower℠, the rejuvenation of an iconic village and the return of exciting events, 2011 will bring a year of thrills at the Williamsburg theme park. Mach Tower lifts riders nearly 240 feet above Oktoberfest and drops them at breathtaking speeds. And the fun doesn’t stop there. Busch Gardens’ Oktoberfest village has a fresh new look complete with restaurants, games and performance areas. Summer, fall and winter are packed full of excitement with the return of IllumiNights: A Busch Gardens Encore, the 13th anniversary of Howl-O-Scream in the fall and Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration, the holiday spectacular that transforms the European-themed park into a winter wonderland.
Pulse-Pounding Thrills
(New in 2011) Mach Tower: As guests enter Busch Gardens’ Oktoberfest this spring, they will see the massive spire known as Mach Tower℠. This psychological thrill ride will take guests on the ride of their lives. The tallest ride in the park, Mäch Tower lifts up to 30 riders nearly 240 feet above Oktoberfest. After rotating at the top of the tower and getting a few seconds to take in the view, riders drop at breathtaking speed. State-of-the-art special effects including enhanced audio and other surprises will elevate Mäch Tower to new heights in ride design and engineering. Fans can visit www.facebook.com/buschgardens for the latest information and park updates.
(New in 2011) Oktoberfest: After more than 30 years, Busch Gardens’ Oktoberfest village has a fresh new look. Next year, the park is updating its German village atmosphere with restaurants, games and performance venues that follow a traditional German Oktoberfest celebration. Guests can enjoy fresh-baked pretzels and a new beer garden set amid canopies of colored maypoles and festive banners that depict the rich heritage of Bavaria.
Europe in the Air: A visit to Busch Gardens is a visit to all of Europe when guests board “Europe in the Air.” This high-tech simulator takes guests on a fun-filled journey across the terrain, over the seas and through the air over Europe.
Griffon: Set amid a French village, Griffon carries riders up 205 feet, then hurtles them 90 degrees straight down at 75 mph. And that’s just the beginning. Griffon evokes the power and speed of a mythical beast that is part eagle, part lion. It plunges, twists and turns giving riders an adrenaline-pumping adventure that's unlike any coaster experience in the world. Griffon is the world’s tallest and first floorless dive coaster in the world. It’s also the first to incorporate two Immelmann loops (an inverse diving loop named for a WWI German fighter pilot).
Curse of DarKastle: This thrilling ride sends passengers careening through a castle frozen in time. Integrating state-of-the-art ride engineering with the latest in image projection and 4-D technology, Curse of DarKastle produces a profoundly moving and unique thrill ride experience.
Alpengeist: A snow monster notorious for once stalking the French and German Alps, Alpengeist is rumored to be lurking in the shadows at Busch Gardens. Marks of its mischief are evident as the ski-lift-style steel roller coaster winds through treacherous territory, propelling riders on a dynamic journey.
Apollo’s Chariot: Thrilling adventure awaits riders who board Apollo’s Chariot. Experience the ultimate in airtime as passengers plummet 209 feet on this steel hypercoaster’s first drop.
Loch Ness Monster: Continually rated a favorite by park guests, this classic interlocking, double-looping roller coaster gives guests a peek at Scotland’s most infamous serpent. “Nessie” hurls its passengers along 3,240 feet of steel track into the air, over water and through a dark cave.
Verbolten: In 2012, Busch Gardens will deliver a world-class coaster experience like nothing before. Set in the re-envisioned Oktoberfest section of the park, this sleek launch coaster design utilizes electromagnetic technology to propel riders through a high-speed thrill packed with twists, turns and plunges. Verbolten will feature many “firsts” when it debuts in the spring of 2012. Fans can visit www.facebook.com/buschgardens for the latest construction information and park updates.
Sizzling Entertainment & Events
Celtic Fyre: Visit Busch Gardens and celebrate Irish culture with “Celtic Fyre” a new show filled with stories, singers, musicians and the magic of Irish dance. Guests will feel that they are a part of the celebration as our storyteller invites them into his inn to witness how the Irish celebrate life.
IllumiNights: A Busch Gardens Encore: IllumiNights: A Busch Gardens Encore is a new, nightly spectacular that combines family fun and memories with world traditions. Trees will bloom with color and the night sky will burst with dazzling arrays of light each night during the celebration. Each area of the park will celebrate IllumiNights in its own way, culminating in a park-wide pyrotechnics extravaganza that will have guests returning again and again.
Howl-O-Scream: Celebrating 13 years of fears, Howl-O-Scream, the park’s premier Halloween event, features 13 attractions starring vampires, werewolves, witches and skeletons. Guests are immersed in an elaborate Halloween atmosphere including haunted mazes and Halloween-themed shows. Beware. Nowhere is safe. Howl-O-Scream opens Sept. 23 and continues every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 30. Visit www.howloscream.com/williamsburg for more information.
Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration: Celebrate this holiday season with Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration. Experience the park in a whole new light for the second year with exciting attractions, dazzling shows and one-of-a-kind gift ideas that will make everyone say, “Now this is Christmas.” Gaze at more than a million twinkling lights while enjoying hot chocolate and fresh-baked Christmas cookies. A complete Christmas Town experience includes a visit to Santa’s workshop and to the parks’ 50-foot tall, light-animated Christmas tree. Christmas Town opens Nov. 25 and will continue, select days through Dec. 31. For more information, visit www.christmastown.com or call (800) 343-7946.
Kid-Friendly Attractions
Sesame Street Forest of Fun: Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street? Just follow the signs to Busch Gardens. Elmo, Big Bird, Abby Cadabby and other Sesame Street characters are now at the world's most beautiful theme park. Sesame Street Forest of Fun is Busch Gardens' newest children's attraction. This area features family-friendly rides, playgrounds and a 4-D Sesame Street movie. Kids can meet their favorite Sesame Street characters and get their picture taken with them as well.
Hours of Operation: Open March-December. Times vary.
Admission: Required.
Contact Information
PURCHASE BUSCH GARDENS TICKETS ONLINE
Directions: From Williamsburg, take Route 60 East approximately three miles.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
1 Busch Gardens Blvd.
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8785
Phone: (800) 343-7946
Email: info@buschgardens.com
Website: www.buschgardens.com/va