Busch Gardens Europe
Williamsburg, Virginia
Busch Gardens Europe
Williamsburg, Virginia
Busch Gardens in Virginia opened as Busch Gardens: The Old Country in May 1975. Its name changed to Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 1992 and again to Busch Gardens Europe in 2006. The park is currently divided into six lands representing countries of 17th-century Europe. It is often voted as the "Most Beautiful Theme Park" thanks to its lovely design and gorgeous landscaping. The park latest coaster is Griffon, the world's first floorless diving coaster (see below). In addition to the great coasters, the park has entertaining shows and plenty of places to eat. Some of its previous coasters include:
Glissade was a Schwarzkopf Jet Star that opened in 1979. In 1993 it became Tornado at La Feria Chapultepec Magico in Mexico City.
The Drachen Fire coaster was built by Arrow Dynamics in 1992. The ride had been closed since 1998 until it was demolished in February 2002. No official reason for the closure was given, but some people speculate roughness, maintenance problems, noise, or poor park location were to blame.
Wild Maus (see below) was relocated to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 2004.
Die Wildkatze was a Schwarzkopf Wildcat model that ran from here from 1976 to 1983. After that it ran as Wildcat at Playland Park in Rye, New York, Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Williams Grove in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The ride has been running at Adventure Park USA in New Market, Maryland since March 2007.
Alpengeist   |
Apollo's Chariot
 |
Big Bad Wolf 
 |
Loch Ness Monster 
  |
Wild Maus (formerly Izzy)  |
Drachen Fire |
Griffon
Press Release (August 23, 2006):
Busch Gardens Europe Goes Over the
Edge with Griffon
I hope to return soon to photograph and ride this new
coaster!