Overview

Busch Gardens Williamsburg opened in 1975 with England, France and Germany on 3,600 acres owned by Anheuser-Busch on the James River.

The park now includes Italy, Scotland, Land of the Dragons for children, and the latest addition, Ireland. Each country offers themed rides and authentic cuisine that approaches fine dining. But if you want a hot dog and cotton candy, you can get that too.

For the adrenaline junkies in your group, Busch Gardens delivers with roller coasters:

Apollo’s Chariot plummets a combined 825 feet, more than any other steel roller coaster in the world. The initial drop is 210 feet. This coaster exceeds 70 mph.
Alpengeist includes a 106-foot vertical loop, a cobra roll, a zero-G roll, a flat spin and a high-speed spiral.
Loch Ness Monster is a classic double looping roller coaster.
The Big Bad Wolf is among the world’s first suspended roller coasters. A sheer 99-foot drop skims the Rhine River.
The Wilde Maus is tame enough for the small fry (over 42 inches tall) to ride but wild enough to make teens and adults scream in fright. It simulates the motion of a mouse through a maze with sharp curves and twists. Children 42 inches to 48 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult.

If you get too hot, try the water rides -- Escape from Pompeii, Roman Rapids and Le Scoot.

Your little ones may enjoy Land of the Dragons with a three-story treehouse, a min-Ferris wheel and pint-sized versions of some of the other big rides.

For those who just like to look at scenery, the flowers and other landscaping will be a treat while the rest of the crew runs after thrills. This is a clean park – park employees are constantly sweeping and maintaining the grounds.

If it rains, you can take advantage of the rain guarantee for a complimentary visit the next day. Or, you may decide it’s showtime. Shows include Irish Thunder with Irish step dancing, Oktoberfest with high-energy oompah, an Italian musical Holiday in Roma, Jukebox 2002 with hits from the ‘50s to today and the Starlight Orchestra with the best of swing. The park also offers animal shows where guests can watch birds and reptiles perform.

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