Busch Gardens Europe Embarks on 2008 Season
Article by Reggie Wilhelm
Another year of excitement featuring world-class roller coasters, amazing live shows, fun-filled attractions for all ages and sensational events began when Busch Gardens Europe opened on Friday, March 21, 2008. Twenty-one nights of live concerts, two gardening weekends and four days with Busch Gardens Europe’s celebrity animal ambassadors are just a few of the not-to-be-missed special events taking place at the theme park during the 2008 season.
2008 BUSCH GARDENS EUROPE SPECIAL EVENTS
Ready, Set, GROW! (April 19-20, 26-27, 2008)Join top area landscapers during two interactive gardening weekends that feature workshops and demonstrations to keep gardens blooming all year. This event coincides with the grand opening of Busch Gardens’ new landscaping shop, The Garden Gate, situated in the England section of the theme park.
Glory at the Gardens (May 4, 11 & 18, 2008)Busch Gardens Europe’s contemporary Christian concert series features 11 Christian artists, including Third Day, Mark Schultz and Natalie Grant.
Wild Days (May 31 – June 1, June 7-8, 2008)Wild Days, which features celebrity animal ambassadors Jack Hanna, Julie Scardina and Ginny Busch, allows you to interact with animals from Busch Gardens and SeaWorld theme parks and meet popular animal experts. Learn simple, but important techniques to protect wild animals and their habitats.
Summer Nights Concert Series (July 19-20, 26-27, August 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 2008)Busch Gardens Europe’s popular concert series is back and better than ever in 2008 with an amazing lineup of musicians, including performances by Peter Frampton, The Charlie Daniels Band and Rick Springfield.
Sock Hop Nights (August 23-24, 30-31, 2008)Guests can take a trip back to the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll and watch the King of Twist, Chubby Checker, perform at the Royal Palace Theatre. The following weekend, The Four Tops will sing their classic songs.
Bud & BBQ (September 6-7, 13-14, 2008)A perfect mix of ice-cold beer, smokin’ hot barbecue and live music takes place this September at Busch Gardens Europe. Join the party as chefs from around the United States prepare mouthwatering recipes while some of today’s hottest musicians take the stage.
10th Season of Howl-O-Scream (September 19 – October 26, 2008)Can’t get enough of all the blood-curdling scares at Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream? Just wait until this year as the theme park celebrates its 10th season of chills and thrills!
WATER COUNTRY USA’S NEW “ROCK ‘N’ ROLL ISLAND
Busch Gardens Europe’s sister park, Water Country USA, opens for the 2008 season on May 10 and unveils its latest attraction, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Island,” which features three slides, a lazy river and a children’s attraction – all themed with rock ‘n’ roll culture from the ’50s and ’60s.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Island’s main attraction will be a 33-foot-tall slide tower named “Jammin’ Juke Box.” Three body slides will shoot from the top of the tower, each themed after a popular rock ‘n’ roll dance – the “Funky Chicken,” “The Hully Gully” and “The Twist.” The slides will be nearly 200 feet long and spill riders into a 9,000-square-foot pool. For the little ones, Rock ‘n’ Roll Island will feature a new children’s slide called “Little Bopper.” The entire island will be surrounded by a 700-foot-long lazy river.
THE WORLD’S “MOST BEAUTIFUL THEME PARK”
A 250-acre theme park that first opened its doors in 1975, Busch Gardens Europe has been voted the world’s “Most Beautiful Theme Park” for 17 consecutive years by the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) and named the world’s “Favorite Theme Park” for the fourth year in a row. Busch Gardens Europe features five world-class roller coasters: Griffon, Alpengeist, Loch Ness Monster, Big Bad Wolf and Apollo’s Chariot. Other highlights of Busch Gardens Europe include Curse of DarKastle, Le Scoot Log Flume, Roman Rapids, Escape from Pompeii, Corkscrew Hill, Land of the Dragons children’s play area and Busch Gardens Railway. Conveniently located just 3 miles East of historic Williamsburg, Busch Gardens also lies 50 miles from Richmond, Virginia, and 150 miles from Washington, D.C.
“As Busch Gardens Europe opens for another season of great entertainment for the entire family, it’s more important than ever to plan ahead and craft your itinerary so you will get the most out of your Busch Gardens vacation,” said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing at HotelsCorp.com. “By seeking out discount Busch Gardens tickets, accommodations convenient to Busch Gardens and individually tailored Busch Gardens vacation packages before you arrive in Williamsburg, you will enjoy incredible savings.”
WORLD OF DISCOVERY PARKS
Busch Gardens Europe and Water Country USA are Worlds of Discovery Parks. Other Worlds of Discovery Parks include SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio; Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Sesame Place in Langhorne (near Philadelphia); Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park in Orlando; and Adventure Island in Tampa.
About the Author
Williamsburg Area Guide is the most comprehensive online guide to Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens Europe.
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