Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Previously known as Busch Gardens: The Old Country (1975–1992)
Busch Gardens Williamsburg (1993–2005, 2008–present)
Busch Gardens Europe (2006–2008)
LocationJames City County, Virginia, U.S.
Coordinates37°14′5″N 76°38′40″W / 37.23472°N 76.64444°W / 37.23472; -76.64444
StatusOperating
OpenedMay 16, 1975; 49 years ago (1975-05-16)[1] (as Busch Gardens: The Old Country)
OwnerUnited Parks & Resorts
ThemeEurope
Slogan"Celebrate, Connect, and Care for the natural world through the power of entertainment."
Operating seasonYear round
Area422 acres (1.71 km2)
Attractions
Total53
Roller coasters10
Water rides3
WebsiteBusch Gardens Williamsburg Home Page
Main gate of Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 2014

Busch Gardens Williamsburg (formerly Busch Gardens Europe and Busch Gardens: The Old Country) is a 422-acre (1.71 km2) amusement park in James City County near Williamsburg, Virginia, United States, located approximately 60 miles (100 km) northwest of Virginia Beach. The park was developed by Anheuser-Busch (A-B) and is owned by United Parks & Resorts. The park opened on May 16, 1975,[1] adjacent to Anheuser-Busch's brewery and near its other developments, including the Kingsmill Resort complex.

The park, originally named 'Busch Gardens: The Old Country', is themed to various European countries. In 1993, the park was renamed to Busch Gardens Williamsburg and briefly named Busch Gardens Europe from 2006 to 2008. In 2015, an estimated 2.78 million people attended the park, ranking 20th in overall attendance among amusement parks in North America.[2] The park also features notable roller coasters, including Griffon, Verbolten, Pantheon, Alpengeist, and Apollo's Chariot.

  1. ^ a b "Old Country 'shining jewel'". Free Lance-Star. (Fredericksburg, Virginia). Associated Press. May 17, 1975. p. 1.
  2. ^ Rubin, Judith, ed. (2016), The Global Attractions Attendance Report (PDF), Themed Entertainment Association, archived from the original (PDF) on June 18, 2016.