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Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. is a St. Louis-based corporation with subsidiaries that include the world’s largest brewing organization, the world’s largest recycler of aluminum beverage containers and one of the largest theme park operators in the country.
Busch Entertainment Corporation is Anheuser-Busch’s family entertainment subsidiary. The ten Worlds of Discovery® parks include Busch Gardens in Williamsburg and Tampa Bay, SeaWorld marine life parks in San Diego, San Antonio, and Orlando, two water-themed parks in Williamsburg and Tampa Bay, a Sesame Street® themed water park near Philadelphia, an interactive marine park called Discovery Cove in Orlando, and Aquatica, SeaWorld Orlando’s all-new water park.
Busch Gardens opened in 1975, near the colonial capitol of Williamsburg, Virginia. Originally called “The Old Country,” planning for this park began in the mid-1960’s when the company started looking for a place to build a new brewery. In 1969, the company purchased a 3,000-plus acre tract of land just east of Williamsburg on the James River. According to a Sept. 17, 1969 Wall Street Journal article, the tract would be used to build a brewery, a residential development and recreation attraction. Company officials were quoted as saying the company “has been actively studying the land development business for the past 12 months as part of its long-range diversification program.” As a condition of the sale, Busch Gardens could not use an “early American” theme, since it could detract from the historical site located in Williamsburg. Construction of the brewery began soon afterward and was completed in 1971. Then in April 1973, the company’s board of directors approved plans for a 300-400 acre theme park on the site adjacent to the brewery.
On May 10, 1975, “The Old Country” opened to the public after many months of planning and construction. A formal dedication ceremony was held on May 16, 1975 and was described in detail in the May 17, 1975 edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The article stated, “More than 6,000 guests led by Governor Mills E. Godwin, Jr. and television personality Ed McMahon dedicated and officially opened The Old Country as Busch Gardens.” When Busch Gardens opened, it featured England, Scotland, France, and Germany. Today, Busch Gardens features England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, and Italy.
It was clear after the first season that Busch Gardens was successful and plans for future expansion were implemented. Today, Busch Gardens has been voted the world’s “Most Beautiful Theme Park” for 18 consecutive years by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. More than 50 thrilling rides, attractions and shows fill the park.
Busch Entertainment Corporation today includes ten theme parks throughout the United States. The ten parks entertain more than 20 million guests a year and employ more than 26,000 nationwide.
Busch Gardens Timeline
1969 - Anheuser-Busch buys 3,000 acres of land alongside the beautiful James River
1975 - Busch Gardens Europe opens featuring England, Scotland, France, and Germany
1976 - Oktoberfest debuts
1978 - Loch Ness Monster roller coaster opens
1980 - Italy, the park’s fifth country, opens
1984 - The Big Bad Wolf roller coaster opens
1987 - Festa Italia rides area opens
1988 - Roman Rapids white water raft ride opens
1994 - Land of the Dragons children’s adventure attraction debuts
1995 - Escape From Pompeii debuts
1997 - Alpengeist roller coaster opens
1998 - “Pirates,” a 4-D high-tech comedy adventure debuts - “American Jukebox” takes center stage at the Canadian Palladium
1999 - Apollo’s Chariot roller coaster opens, “Howl-O-Scream” debuts
2000 - Jack Hanna’s Wild Reserve opens
2001 - Ireland, the park’s sixth country, opens
2005 - “Curse of DarKastle” opens
2006 - “Emerald Beat” and “Kinetix” debuts
2007 - Griffon opens May 25
2008 - The Loch Ness Monster celebrates its 30th anniversary
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