Governor Christens Newest Busch Gardens Ride

By Amber Lester Saturday, May 01, 2010

Shortly after taking the podium at Busch Gardens on Friday, Gov. Bob McDonnell revealed a secret to the crowd: he gets motion sickness.

McDonnell was on hand to christen the park’s newest attraction Europe In the Air, a 4-D ride that replaced Corkscrew Hill in the Ireland section of Busch Gardens. The ride simulates a journey in an “air sleigh” over famous European sites, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome, and Stonehenge in England, tipping and zipping riders through mountains, under trees and over waters.

The ride features real footage filmed in Europe, enhanced with some CGI elements. Portions of the trip go beyond the screen; the smell of chocolate wafts over Paris and travelers’ hair is blown back by the wind as the “air sleigh” moves through the sky.

Since he’d mentioned it, one had to wonder how McDonnell handled the ride. “It was fantastic … very realistic!” he said. “But when we went down towards the water, I did have to close my eyes!”

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Ireland’s construction, Busch Gardens decided to revamp the indoor simulation ride and create an entirely new dance production called “Celtic Fyre.” They are the first attractions introduced since Anheuser-Busch InBev sold the park to the Blackstone Group in September.

The new show, “Celtic Fyre,” features a new set and cast in the Abbey Stone Theater. The show takes place at a wedding reception in a classic Irish pub and features a cast of high-kicking Irish step dancers and two tap dancers. In one scene, Irish step dancers have a dance-off with the tap dancers; the only thing missing after the energetic floorboard stomp is a cry of “You got served!”

The new attractions gave McDonnell an opportunity to promote his plans to pump $10 million into Virginia’s tourism industry through new incentives. He told an audience of coaster enthusiasts, media members and park visitors that as a resident of Virginia Beach, he spent many summer days at the park and believes his child might be the only one who ever screamed so loud a park attendant stopped the ride.

“You run a great park and I can see by the smiling faces and laughter that you have another great season ahead,” he said.

After the ride, he said Busch Gardens and Water Country play key roles in bringing visitors to the region. “I’m supporting their expansion into a destination, not just a short stay,” he said. “Tourism is one of our strengths.”

Europe in the Air will open to the public in May. Visitors to the park can already see “Celtic Fyre” in the Abbey Stone Theater.