With lands themed to several nations in western Europe, Busch Gardens Williamsburg opened in 1975 as Busch Gardens: The Old Country, switching to its current name in 1992 before a brief change to Busch Gardens Europe from 2006-08.
Our recommendations below come from our ongoing survey of Theme Park Insider readers. Locations with star ratings ★ ranked especially highly among our readers. Vote here to take part in our surveys and submit your picks for top attractions.
New for 2025
The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge - Located in Oktoberfest, this 2,583-foot Bolliger & Mabillard family inverted coaster calls back to the park's Arrow Suspended Coaster that ran from 1984 to 2009 on the site now occupied by Verbolten.
What to Do
Roller Coasters
Pantheon★
A 3,328-foot Intamin coaster featuring four launches, two inversions, a maximum height of 180 feet, a 95-degree drop, and a top speed of 72 mph. Height requirement: 52 inches
Alpengeist
A 3,828-foot Bolliger & Mabillard inverted coaster with a 170-foot drop, top speed of 67 mph and six inversions. Height requirement: 54 inches
Apollo's Chariot
A 4,882-foot Bolliger & Mabillard hyper coaster with a 210-foot drop and top speed of 73 mph. Height requirement: 52 inches
Griffon
A 3,108-foot Bolliger & Mabillard dive coaster with a 200-foot drop, top speed of 71 mph and two inversions. Height requirement: 54 inches
Loch Ness Monster
A 3,240-foot Arrow custom looping coaster with a 114-foot drop and top speed of 60 mph. Known for its unique, interlocking vertical loops over the water, Nessie is getting a partial track rebuild for the 2024 season. Height requirement: 48 inches
Verbolten
A 2,835-foot Zierer coaster themed to a drive through the Bavarian forest, with an 88-foot drop and top speed of 53 mph. (Follow the link for a spoiler that might be needed for sensitive riders.) Height requirement: 48 inches
InvadR
A 2,118-foot Great Coasters International wooden coaster with a 74-foot drop and top speed of 48 mph. Height requirement: 46 inches
DarKoaster
A four-launch indoor Intamin coaster, with a top speed of 36 mph, built within King Ludwig's abandoned fortress from the old Curse of DarKastle ride. Height requirement: 48 inches
Tempesto
A 863-foot-long, 150-foot tall Premier Rides Sky Rocket II coaster, with a multi-pass LSM launch and top speed of 62 mph. Height requirement: 54 inches
In addition to these "grown-up" coasters, Busch Gardens Williamsburg offers Grover's Alpine Express, a Zierer Force coaster in the Sesame Street Forest of Fun children's land.
Other Attractions
Note that certain attractions below might be open only on weekends.
England
Sesame Street Forest of Fun - children's play area
Italy
Escape from Pompeii - shoot-the-chutes flume ride
The Battering Ram - swinging boat
The Flying Machine - scrambler
Festa Italia
Roman Rapids - river rapids ride
Turkish delight - teacup spinner
The Trade Wind - Musik Express ride
Oktoberfest
Der Autobahn - bumper cars
Der Wirbelwind - wave swinger
Germany
Kinder Karussel - carousel
Rhine River Cruise - boat ride
Land of the Dragons - children's playground
New France
Le Scoot - log flume ride
Le Catapult - scrambler
Ireland
Celtic Fyre - highly recommended show, featuring Irish music and step dancing
Finnegan's Flyer - an S&S Screamin' Swing with a height of 80 feet and speed of 45 mph.
Looking for discount tickets? Get Busch Gardens Williamsburg tickets
