Busch Gardens, Water Country To Announce Expansion Plans Sept. 18

By Amber Lester Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Busch Gardens and Water Country will announce plans for expansion on Sept. 18.

Enthusiast website Screamscape.com has guessed Water Country will expand to include a new waterslide, Busch Gardens will add new food buildings and a major ride to its Germany section and even that Busch Gardens might be adding a new “country,” possibly Spain, to the Europe-themed park.

The enthusiasts will get concrete answers Sept. 18, when Busch Gardens and Water Country USA will unveil a two-year, multi-million dollar expansion plan billed as “the largest investment in the history of the parks.” Officials are planning several additions in both parks, as well as updates to existing attractions and the expansion of a signature park event, according to a press release.

“We’re reimagining the look and feel of some of the most recognizable areas of Busch Gardens,” said John Reilly, park president. “We’re revitalizing Busch Gardens and Water Country USA with new attractions so our guests can enjoy the parks for years to come.”

The new plans will be revealed before an audience of the park’s most loyal fans during Busch Gardens’ Pass Member Appreciation weekend. The parks’ design and engineering teams will work with local contractors to build the new attractions; the first of the new attractions will open in spring 2011. Busch Gardens has set up a special site for fans to track the news.

“This is a good news story for the entire region,” said Dick Schreiber, president of the Greater Williamsburg Charter & Tourism Alliance. “New attractions mean more entertainment options for families visiting the Williamsburg region along with good jobs now that will boost the local economy during a critical time of the year.”

Some hints already exist about what changes might be planned. Busch Gardens submitted a site plan to the James City County Planning Commission on July 20 for a 2011 expansion to the Germany section. The site plan proposes new food buildings, walkway modifications and a single tower attraction, for which the Board of Supervisors has already approved a height waiver.

Comments  

 

0 #9 Guest 2010-09-10 11:34

I doubt that CW drools. They are not BG and BG is not CW. They cater two distinctly different audiences and CW has been holding up with history buffs for many years before and during the time that BG has been here. Your "co-opt" comment reminds me of the prior comments years ago about Disney building a history theme park somewhere around here. Silly goose, this is history central already!

Congrats to BG for going through with improvements and changes. I'm always a bit nervous about the health of the park now that they're being managed by new blood. BG has a beautiful, quality theme park going. I hope it continues.

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0 #8 Guest 2010-09-09 14:46

I hope the long term plans call for a restructing of "Festa". Aside from the signature rides, the area has become a congested dead-end and taken on the title "the ghetto of Busch Gardens". The "most beautiful theme park" could certainly use a face lift in that area, and I would welcome it!

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+1 #7 Guest 2010-09-09 10:41

Sweet. A new ride at BG could be exciting! I say could be because look at Europe In The Air-ouch. Worst ride ever.
It could also lighten up some lines. Been there numerous times this summer and something is always down for maintenance, which makes other lines uber long. For a moment there I thought I wouldn't renew my pass next year.

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+6 #6 Guest 2010-09-09 09:06

Nice to see the new owners immediately step up to the plate and make a significant investment in their new purchase. This is great news for the community!!!!

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+3 #5 Guest 2010-09-09 07:51

Cool, then I could bring my Polish Imperial flag!

Na zdrowie!

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+4 #4 Guest 2010-09-09 07:02

The buildings in New France look exactly like the town of Zakopane Poland. Poland even has a logging river so the log flume would still fit the theme.
It would be an easy retrofit to add Poland to the country mix.

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+2 #3 Guest 2010-09-09 06:54

This local, too, is 'cited about the possibility of SPAIN being added to our "local" amusement giant!

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+3 #2 Guest 2010-09-09 06:32

I always thought that Spain would be an excellent idea for BG and then, like "New France", they could have develop the spinoff, "New Spain", a kind of frontier Mexican theme. Mexican food also sells very well!
I bet the first ride will be on the bullfight theme "Raging Toros!! Ole!

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+1 #1 Guest 2010-09-08 14:25

Busch Gardens continues to be THE leader for our local tourism industry, leaving poor old do-nothing head-in-the-dir t Colonial Williamsburg in the dust.

Thank you, Busch Gardens, for your vision, energy, and investment for our locale. It sure is lacking from CW.

Here's an idea: Can Busch Gardens co-opt CW?? How about a roller coaster down Duke of Gloucester Street to liven things up?

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