Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Journey to the unexpected. Busch Gardens has an exciting lineup of events planned for 2009. From concerts to interactive animals experiences, there’s plenty of fun for the whole family. The world’s most beautiful theme park also is celebrating several milestones in ’09, including the opening of the Sesame Street Forest of Fun, 25th anniversary of The Big Bad Wolf, 10th anniversary of Apollo’s Chariot roller coaster and the inaugural season of Christmas Town:  A Busch Gardens Celebration. For all the latest information, visit buschgardens.com/va.

New This Year

Sesame Street Forest of Fun: Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street? Now, you can just follow the signs to Busch Gardens. Elmo, Big Bird, Abby Cadabby and other Sesame Street characters are now at the world's most beautiful theme park. Sesame Street Forest of Fun is Busch Gardens' newest attraction and just for children and their families. This new area features family-friendly rides, playgrounds and a 4-D Sesame Street movie. Kids can meet their favorite Sesame Street character and get their picture taken with them as well.

Christmas Town: Open weekends from Nov. 27 through Dec. 13 and daily Christmas week, "Christmas Town:  A Busch Gardens Celebration" will create the anticipation of the season and fill visitors' senses with all things Christmas. The park will transform into a winter wonderland filled with holiday traditions, new surprises and park favorites that make everyone say, "Now this is Christmas."

Pulse-Pounding Thrills

Griffon: Set amid a French village, Griffon carries riders up 205 feet, then hurtles them 90 degrees straight down at 75 mph. And that’s just the beginning. Griffon evokes the power and speed of a mythical beast that is part eagle, part lion. It plunges, twists and turns giving riders an adrenaline - pumping adventure that's unlike any coaster experience in the world. Griffon is the tallest dive coaster in the world; the first floorless dive coaster; and the first to incorporate two Immelmann loops (an inverse diving loop named for a WWI German fighter pilot). Griffon offers over-the-edge excitement on more than half a mile steel track and is the centerpiece of Busch Garden's French Section.

Curse of DarKastle: Busch Gardens’ newest adventure sends passengers careening through a castle frozen in time. Integrating state-of-the-art ride engineering with the latest in image projection and 4-D technology, Curse of DarKastle produces a profoundly moving and unique thrill ride experience.

Alpengeist: A snow monster notorious for once stalking the French and German Alps, Alpengeist is rumored to be lurking in the shadows of Busch Gardens’ Germany. Marks of its mischief are evident as the ski-lift-style steel roller coaster winds through treacherous territory, propelling riders on a dynamic journey.

Apollo’s Chariot: Gut-wrenching adventure awaits aboard Apollo’s Chariot, the park’s hypercoaster celebrating its 10th anniversary. Experience the ultimate in airtime as passengers plummet 209 feet on this steel roller coaster’s first drop.

The Big Bad Wolf: Celebrating its 25th anniversary, The Big Bad Wolf is among the world’s first suspended roller coasters, The Big Bad Wolf sends guests “howling” at the speed of fright. Suspended from an overhead track, riders fly seemingly out-of-control through a deserted Bavarian village.

Loch Ness Monster: Continually rated a favorite by park guests, this classic interlocking, double-looping roller coaster gives guests a peek at Scotland’s most infamous serpent. “Nessie” hurls its passengers along 3,240 feet of steel track into the air, over water and through a dark cave.

Sizzling Entertainment

Busch Gardens is recognized as much for its live entertainment as it is for its extraordinary rides. The park’s nine main stage shows offer guests a diverse lineup of award-winning live musical performances, animal antics and 4-D theater experiences. Busch Gardens' Summer Concert series returns with another season of entertaining music beginning Memorial Day weekend. From rocking honky-tonk to crooning country, Motown medleys and kid concerts, the European-themed park is the place to be for summertime family entertainment.

The Lettermen: May 30 & 31. The 60’s and early 70’s saw The Lettermen score more than 25 chart hit singles, including “Theme From ‘A Summer Place.” Their signature sound made romantic standards of songs such as “Smile,” “Put Your Head On My Shoulder,” “Shangri-la,” “Love” and on and on.

Glory at the Gardens: Every Sunday in June. Rockin' music in a beautiful park. "Glory at the Gardens" returns to Busch Gardens with an inspiring lineup of Christian bands. We've expanded this popular concert series for
2009 with 13 contemporary Christian bands performing over four Sundays in June.

Summer Nights:The always popular Summer nights concert series returns to Busch Gardens in 2009 with five weekends of great music.Every Saturday and Sunday from July 11 through August 9, some legendary rockers will take the stage. including, Kansas July 11th and 12th, The Commordores July 18th and 19th,Little River Band July 25th and 26th,Foreigner -August 1st and 2nd and Loverboy August 8th and 9th.

Hours: Open March-December. Times vary.

Admission: Discovery Ticket unlimited access to Busch Gardens and Water Country for seven consecutive days for 79.95. Busch Gardens single day ticket is 59.95 for everyone three and older.Water Country USA single day ticket is 41.95 for adults and 34.95 for kids 3-9.