Busch Gardens
2012 Park Schedules
Busch Gardens is an action-packed European themed adventure park with 17th Century Charm and 21st Century technology. Voted America's Most Beautiful Theme Park twenty years in a row, at Busch Gardens you will enjoy culinary delights from all over the world, spectacular shopping, main stage shows and a variety of rides for the thrill seeker in all of us.
Busch Gardens is home to Griffon, the world's tallest dive coaster which opened in 2007 and over 50 rides and attractions. You might also want to try Alpengeist, a twisted coaster sending you on countless spins and flips, or for the ultimate in heights discover Apollo's Chariot, the hyper coaster designed to reach great heights and super speeds. With the first plunge of 210', you will plummet a total of 825' before the ride comes to an end.
For your little ones the Sesame Street Forest of Fun is a "Kidsiderate" attraction! Elmo, Big Bird, Abby Cadabby and other Sesame Street characters have come to the world’s most beautiful theme park. The area features family-friendly rides, playgrounds and a 4-D Sesame Street movie. Kids can meet their favorite Sesame Street characters and have pictures taken with them as well. Come be a kid again and explore this KIDsiderate area.
Thrilling rides aren’t all you will find at Busch Gardens. After a busy day be sure to take in one of the many main stage and Broadway style shows. With its old European setting, you will also find authentic treasures throughout the many shops located in the park. The shopping, entertainment and rides are only outshined by the authentic European fare. Whether it's an Irish Pub you are after or the wonderful smoked bar-b-que found in New France, or maybe just a waffle cone in England, there is something here for all ages and tastes.
Each night June 27 - August 21 Busch Gardens celebrates summer with IllumiNights, a nightly extravaganza featuring live performances, music and special effects that culminates in a park-wide fireworks spectacular. Each country celebrates IllumiNights in its own way with multiple performances throughout the evening. Guests will be dazzled by larger-than-life puppets in Ireland, a celebration in the picturesque village of France, the world’s largest living cuckoo clock in Germany and amazing acrobatic feats in Italy. Nightly fireworks provide a perfect ending to the evening.
September 21 - October 30 Visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg for Howl-O-Scream when the park is transformed into a spook-tackular celebration of scarry. Enjoy haunted houses and shows to see just how brave you are, as well as "Kidsiderate" attractions for the little ones. Click HERE for additional information on this spine tingling event!
Beginning Thanksgiving weekend Christmas Town transforms the 
park celebrating all things Christmas. With millions of lights and themes representing each of Busch Gardens European Countries Christmas Town will dazzle the young and young at heart. Shop in Mistletoe Marketplace, or enjoy Santa's Fireside Feast prepared just for you by the elves. And what visit would be complete without a story from Santa himself! This truely special event creates memories to last a lifetime. Click HERE for information on all things Christmas Town
New attractions include:Mach Tower
As guests enter Busch Gardens’ Oktoberfest this spring, they will see the massive spire known as Mäch Tower℠. Opened in spring 2011 this psychological thrill ride will take guests on the ride of their lives. The tallest ride in the park, Mäch Tower lifts up to 30 riders nearly 240 feet above Oktoberfest. After rotating at the top of the tower and getting a few seconds to take in the view, riders drop at breathtaking speed. State-of-the-art special effects including enhanced audio and other surprises will elevate Mäch Tower to new heights in ride design and engineering.
Oktoberfest
After more than 30 years, Busch Gardens’ Oktoberfest village is getting a fresh new look. Next year, the park is updating its German village atmosphere with restaurants, games and performance venues that follow a traditional German Oktoberfest celebration. Guests can enjoy fresh-baked pretzels and a new beer garden set amid canopies of colored maypoles and festive banners that depict the rich heritage of Bavaria.
Coming in 2012
In 2012, Busch Gardens will deliver a world-class coaster experience like nothing before. Set in the re-envisioned Oktoberfest section of the park, this sleek launch coaster design utilizes electromagnetic technology to propel riders through a high-speed thrill packed with twists, turns and plunges. This new coaster will feature many “firsts” when it debuts in the spring of 2012. Fans can visit www.facebook.com/buschgardens for the latest construction information and park updates.
