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Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Williamsburg

The Busch Gardens amusement park in Virginia opened as Busch Gardens: The Old Country in May 1975. It was owned by Anheuser-Busch for over 30 years there was a brewery next to the park. The park's name changed to Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 1992 and to Busch Gardens Europe in 2006. The name reverted back to Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 2008. After Anheuser-Busch was purchased by InBev in 2008, all 10 of their amusement parks, including the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens theme parks, were sold. Busch Gardens is presently owned by United Parks & Resorts, Inc., the organization formerly known as SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. The park is currently divided into 10 lands representing countries of 17th-century Europe. It is often voted as the "Most Beautiful Theme Park" thanks to its lovely design, wonderful theming, and gorgeous landscaping. In addition to the fantastic coasters, the park has entertaining shows and plenty of great places to eat.

Four coasters have been added since my last visit: InvadR (2017) is a wood coaster built by
Great Coasters International. Pantheon (2022) is a launched 2-inversion steel coaster from Intamin. DarKoaster (2023) is an indoor launched family coaster from Intamin. Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge (2025) is a family inverted coaster built by Bolliger & Mabillard.

Six coasters have left the park.

  • Big Bad Wolf (1984-2009) was suspended coaster built by Arrow Dynamics. (See pictures below for details.)
  • Das Kätzchen (1976-1984) was a kiddie coaster built by the Allan Herschell Company
  • Die Wildkatze (1976-1983) was a Schwarzkopf Wildcat 54m model. From 1984 to 1991, it was Wild Cat at Playland Park. From 1994 to 1999, it was Wildcat at Steel Pier. From 2001 until 2005, it was Wildcat at Williams Grove. Since 2007, it has been running as Wildcat at Adventure Park USA in Monrovia, Maryland.
  • Drachen Fire (1992-1998) was an Arrow Dynamics looping coaster with five inversions. It was Standing But Not operating from 1998 until it was scrapped in early 2002. (See pictures below for details.)
  • Glissade (1975-1985) was a Schwarzkopf Jet Star Jumbo Jet model. From 1993 to 2001, it operated as Tornado at Aztlán Parque Urbano in Mexico City, Mexico. From 2002 until 2019, it operated as Tornado at Selva Mágica in Guadalajara, Mexico.
  • Wilde Maus (1996-2003) was a Mack Rides Wilde Maus / Compact Moblile coaster. It was called Izzy in 1996. It operated in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay from 2004 until it was demolished in 2023. It was called Cheetah Chase from 2004 until it was renamed Sand Serpent in 2012. (See pictures below for details.)

Videos


Alpengeist


Apollo's Chariot


Big Bad Wolf


Drachen Fire


Griffon


Grover's Alpine Express


Loch Ness Monster


Tempesto


Verbolten


Wilde Maus