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Busch Gardens Williamsburg files zoning for major new attraction

2006-01-27

By Jason Jackson: Busch Gardens Williamsburg has filed a request with the James City County (Virginia) planning commission for a height variance in order to build a major new attraction in the France area of the park.

County regulations require a variance on structures over 60 feet tall. Larry Giles, Busch Gardens' Vice President of design and engineering filed the variance application, which included his remarks that "this area will now host Busch Gardens' latest expansion, guaranteed to thrill and reward the most challenging park guests."

[Editor's note: Thanks to TPI reader Justin Bates for filing this story, too.]

Readers' Opinions

From Pete Brecht on January 27, 2006 at 11:58 AM
That's great news for those of us in Virginia. Let the speculation begin as to the nature of the new attraction. While I would love for BGW to add to their collection of coasters, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the new attraction is more of a heavily-themed dark ride or drop ride. I really like what they did with DarKastle, and it's easier for them to attract families with that type of ride than with another big coaster.

This new building boom is somewhat reminiscent of the late 90's, when BGW added Alpengeist and Apollo's Chariot in a 3-year span.

From Russell Meyer on January 27, 2006 at 5:11 PM
I'm putting money on a drop ride of some type, hopefully more like Tower of Terror than Drop Zone. It does appear that the addition will be a thrill ride. The probelm is that the propsed addition is in France, where space is pretty limited. A dive machine can almost be completely ruled out unless it weaves in and out of Alpengeist.
From Mike M on January 28, 2006 at 7:27 PM
I actually think a dive machine would work. If they do it like they did for Oblivion at Alton Towers, then they could fit it into a relatively small footprint.
From Jason Jackson on January 28, 2006 at 10:44 PM
This isn't going to be for 2006 though! I guess we will have to wait for 2007! Makes sense to put something big in at the same time the Jamestown 2007 Celebration will be happening nearby!
From Pete Brecht on January 29, 2006 at 7:48 AM
Doesn't BGT have a North American monopoly on B&M dive machines as part of their contract when they built Sheikra last year? Obviously, BGT and BGW are owned by the same company, but I got the impression that there wouldn't be another dive coaster on this continent for a while.

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