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The park was originally called "Busch Gardens: The Old Country", reflecting the European theme. In the early 1990s the park was renamed Busch Gardens Williamsburg. In 2006 , the name was changes to Busch Gardens Europe, to once again reflect the European theme. Busch Gardens Williamsburg attracts nearly 2.5 million guests annually. The park operates from mid- March until the end of October . OVERVIEW Busch Gardens Williamsburg opened on May 5 , 1975 . The park features a combination of world class roller coasters and Broadway style shows for all ages. Busch Gardens is located 3 miles east of Williamsburg, Virginia . Awards Busch Gardens Williamsburg has been voted the world's Most Beautiful Theme Park for fifteen years and named the world's Favorite Theme Park for the fourth year in a row by the National Amusement Park Historical Association . Also the park received high accolades in the international Golden Ticket Award, hosted by Amusement Today, in Best Food, Best Shows and Cleanest Park. It also took the top place in the categories, Best Landscaping and Most Beautiful Park. In 2003 Busch Gardens was awarded the Applause Award in honor of the park's "management, operations and creative accomplishments that have inspired the industry with foresight, originality and sound business development." Conservation Busch Gardens is dedicated to wildlife conservation and animal care. Jack Hanna's Wildlife Reserve houses a variety of wild species including grey wolves. The Eagle Ridge is a sanctuary for injured bald eagles that are rehabilitated until they recover. The Rhine River Cruise's Boats are battery powered versus the usual fuel burning motors to cut back on power generation and prevent water pollution. In addition Busch Gardens and Water Country USA both use insects rather than pestcides in the park's commitment to organic gardening. Busch Gardens Recycles 500 tons of materials annually. All brochures, maps, show guides, and all paper products in the restrooms are made from recycled material. Material Recycled Breakdown:
COUNTRIES Each region of the park contains shows, restaurants, shops, and Roller Coaster s. The Skyride transports guests between Banbury Cross, France, and Rhinefeld. Replica Steam Trains travel around the edge of the park, providing transportation between the themed areas. Banbury Cross This section is based upon England . The park's main entrance, it is also the location of the Globe Theater, home to the movie Haunted Lighthouse 4D , directed by R.L. Stine. The large clocktower, Big Ben, is located in the central plaza of the area. Heatherdowns This section is based upon Scotland . Heatherdowns is home to the Loch Ness Monster , which was opened in 1978. The coaster has a top speed of 60 mph, has two chain lifts, covered helix, and is the only coaster in the world that has interlocking loops (a second, the Orient Express at Worlds Of Fun in Kansas City, MO , was built, but closed in 2003.) Stables holding the famous Clydesdale Horses are located in this area. Killarney This section is based upon Ireland . Formerly known as Hastings, it was part of the England section until 2001, when it was re-themed as Ireland, the newest country in the park in twenty years. It is home to " Corkscrew Hill ", a 4-D simulator ride. The shows " Emerald Beat " and " Secrets Of The Castle O Sullovan " also resides here. San Marco This section is based upon Renaissance era Italy . In San Marco, enjoy the chance to catch a meal and show at the Ristorante della Piazza. The water attraction " Escape From Pompeii " is located here as well, featuring fiery special effects and a fifty-foot plunge. The attraction Da Vinci's Cradle , based on sketches by Leonardo Da Vinci , along with the Battering Ram , the Flying Machine, and several kiddie rides are also located here in an area named Da Vinci's Garden. Festa Italia As with San Marco, this section is Italian. It is themed around a fair celebrating Marco Polo's return to Italy from his famous visit to China. Festa Italia is home to the Apollo's Chariot and the Roman Rapids water ride. There are many smaller rides that surround the main attractions in this area, such as "Turkish Delight," "Tradewinds" and "Elephant Run."
Rhinefeld This section is based upon Germany . This area is home to the Alpengeist , a Bolliger And Mabillard inverted roller coaster, the tallest of its kind. The children’s play area Land Of The Dragons is located here as well. Oktoberfest Along with Rhinefeld, this section is also based on Germany. Oktoberfest celebrates the German festival of the same name. The area is home to one of the first suspended coasters, the Big Bad Wolf . This coaster has a top speed of 48 mph, races through a Barvarian village, and a 99 foot drop above the Rhine River. The new ride for the 2005 season was Curse Of DarKastle . It is located where the Wilde Maus once stood. This is an enclosed, motion-based ride based upon Ludwig II Of Bavaria . Real and 3D sets are combined to create a seamless experience. Elements include shattering ice, hot/cold transitions, and a simulated free-fall. For the 2006 season, the ride was unveiled with enhancments such as the replacement of the ballroom scene with a flying scene. The Amazing Adventures Of Spider-Man in Islands Of Adventure has a similar ride concept. The bumper cars, "Die Autobahn," are located in Oktoberfest as well. Das Festhaus is one of the themed restaurants which seats 1,000 people. A show featuring German music and dance celebrating Oktoberfest is held daily. The main gift shop in this area is Oktoberfest Gifts . Aquitaine This section is based upon France. This area contains many shops. The only other main attraction in this area is the Le Mans Raceway , which is a racecar track. This area contains one of the skyride station locations. The Cirque du Soleil-like show, Kinetix, runs at the Royal Palace Theater here during summer nights. ''Coming Soon:'' A new roller coaster with a height of 210 feet, which has been comfirmed by Busch Gardens, but no further details have been released. Most likely opening during the 2007 season at the earliest. Upto date information about the new roller coaster can be found at Busch Adventure Zone (unofficial fansite) New France This is the only non-European themed region. It is based on French colonial Canada . It is home to many shops, along with the Le Scoot Log Flume (50 foot drop) and a train station. ANIMAL ATTRACTIONS Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve There are various kinds of birds that inhabit Jack Hanna’s Wild Reserve . A big attraction here are the Bald Eagle s and Wolves . Eagle Ridge Eagle Ridge houses injured and rehabilitating bald eagles and provides education to visitors. Wolf Valley In order to provide more room for Busch Garden's Grey Wolves a new habitat called Wolf Valley has been constructed in front of Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve. Clydesdales Busch Gardens Williamsburg is home to the famous Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales . These magnificent horses are located at the stables between Barnbury Cross and Heatherdowns. Howl-O-Scream Every Fall, starting in the middle of September the park closes down normal evening operations and opens up Halloween-based theme rides and mazes all across the park. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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