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Busch Gardens Europe

Williamsburg, Virginia

Description

Location: Busch Gardens Europe is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, about 10 minutes south of the city's historic core. You can get driving directions by clicking the Busch Gardens Europe link on Theme Park Insider's Google map of U.S. theme parks.

History: Busch Gardens opened in 1975 as Busch Gardens: The Old Country. It was later renamed Busch Gardens Williamsburg and is now known as Busch Gardens Europe. In 2006, Theme Park Insider readers voted Busch Gardens in Williamsburg the world's best theme park.

Hours: http://www.buschgardens.com. Busch Gardens Europe is open daily from late May through Labor Day, and weekends from late March through Halloween.

Tickets: Buy online. Always try to buy your tickets in advance, to save time when you get to the park.

Parking: Buy online. Purchase your parking pass online, as you will save 10%. You can upgrade to preferred for $10 more at the parking toll booth.

Reservations: Busch Gardens does not have a ride reservation system, but does allow you to book dining packages in advance.

Strategy: Go directly to The Griffon. Get ye to DarKastle second in the morning, because the lines will be pretty long by noon; if you miss the morning, try again in the evening after 8:00, when the crowd has thinned out.

After DarKastle, ride the Big Bad Wolf--the line for this one tends to be a bit slow because of its low capacity, so it makes sense to ride it early (but it's especially good after dark). After that, head for Alpengeist (and the log ride, if you're so inclined), then take the skyway from Rhinefeld to Banbury Cross (or just walk), and head to Festa Italia and Apollo's Chariot.

If it's a hot day, check out the Roman Rapids there and the Escape from Pompeii. Then go to Grogan's Pub in Ireland or the Brew Master's Club. The Loch Ness Monster, except on the busiest days, usually has the shortest lines of BGE's coasters (no insult intended here--it's a fun ride); so, you can probably pick up a ride there any time during the day. If you really need to beat the heat, head over to Killarney and queue up for Corkscrew Hill, where you wait inside in air-conditioned comfort (but if you're wet from the water rides, you'll freeze to death).
-- Last edited by Drew Petzold

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Readers' Opinions

Attractions

Animal Attractions(Rating)(Height)
Eagle Canyon9
Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve8
Lorikeet Glen8
Pet Shenanigans8
Amazing Animals8
Aquitaine(Rating)(Height)
Griffon954
Kinetics6
Banbury Cross(Rating)(Height)
Aeronaut Skyride9
Pirates7
Festa Italia(Rating)(Height)
Apollo's Chariot952
Tradewind852
Roman Rapids742
Turkish Delight748
Heatherdowns(Rating)(Height)
European Steam Locomotives9
Loch Ness Monster848
Killarney, Ireland(Rating)(Height)
Emerald Beat9
Secrets of Castle O'Sullivan7
Corkscrew Hill742
New France(Rating)(Height)
Alpengeist954
American Jukebox8
Oktoberfest(Rating)(Height)
Brewmasters Room10
This is Oktoberfest9
Curse of DarKastle942
Der Wirbelwind848
Big Bad Wolf842
Der Autobahn7
Der Katapult6
Der Red Baron636
Rhinefeld(Rating)(Height)
Land of the Dragons8
Rhine River Cruise8
San Marco(Rating)(Height)
Starlight Orchestra9
Escape from Pompeii842
Flying Machine842
Da Vinci's Cradle842
The Battering Ram842

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Dining

Aquitaine(Rating)
Bistro 2059
Banbury Cross(Rating)
M. Sweets and Son9
Squires Galley8
Muffin Man5
Festa Italia(Rating)
La Cucina8
Ireland(Rating)
Grogan's Grill9
New France(Rating)
Trappers Smokehouse 10
Oktoberfest(Rating)
Das Festhaus10
Rhinefeld(Rating)
Gingerbread Haus5
San Marco(Rating)
Ristorante della Piazza9
Vino é Caffe8

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