If Busch Gardens is sold... (Williamsburg: oceanfront, amusement parks, how much)

[wjjbward]

So Anheuser Busch is being sold and word has it the new company will probably unload the Busch amusement parks. Who do you think would be a good new owner of Busch Gardens and/or Water Country USA?

I'm thinking Disney!

People might balk at the Mouse coming here, but back in the 1990's, Disney wanted to build Disney's America in Virginia and it fell through because of opposition from locals.

If Disney played their cards right, they could redo their "America" themepark right in Williamsburg by buying Busch Gardens.

A Virginia blogger has written about the possibility and has some great ideas. Revive “Disney’s America” in Virginia! « Virginia Virtucon

Think of the tourism boost to Williamsburg. And Disney is the only company I can think of that would maintain the grounds of Busch Gardens as beautifully as Busch Gardens itself has done all these years.

Who knows? We may even get our much desired third bridge-tunnel built because the southside would want some of those tourism dollars. Heck, maybe Disney could build a Disney Quest (5 story arcade complex) on the old Dome site at the VB Oceanfront.

Any other ideas out there?

[Erma]

I would be hoping Disney, but there are other theme park owners that may want to bid on it as well. who owns Kings Dominion?

[wjjbward]

Kings Dominion is now owned by Cedar Fair, who owns Cedar Point in Ohio.

We went to Kings Dominion back in June and noticed how Kings Dominion is not very clean compared to BG. I don't know if they'd keep up the appearance of Busch Gardens or not.

That being said, they might add even more thrill rides. I just don't know if they'd have the regional appeal of Disney.

[crux]

I hope they keep it so it doesn't look sloppy like KD or Six Flags. AB ran a pretty nice entertainment wing.

[dvcgal]

My husband's boss is on some economic development board here in Williamsburg and apparently Disney did come up and take a look at the BG parks but nothing else has been said. I know that it was rumored a few years back that they really wanted to build a park similar to Sea World (in Orlando) but had some opposition from locals there about having too many parks in one area, so Disney backed off. It would be awesome if Disney did buy the BG parks but Disney likes to expand and I'm not sure how much they could expand and build at the current BG locations.
We shall see!!!

[Erma]

The Dark Country in Tampa...would that be sold as well?

[vjosie]

I just hope it is purchased and maintained as a theme park. I moved here from Nashville and was pretty distressed when they sold Opryland and replaced it with a mall. More money.

[Spongedaddy]

Rumor has it that Busch is going to purchase the parks back so something of the Busch legacy remains.

[Rita Mordio]

I truly hope that our Busch Gardens does not change. I mean think about it, the park has been named the Most Beautiful Theme Park how many consecutive years now? A LOT!

Busch Gardens should remain who they are. The now-owners of Anheuser-Busch should look at keeping the amusement park the way it is now - it's a great money maker.

I will have to say though... I am rather mad about the whole selling of the company...

[Erma]

I wish the new owners keep everything just the way it is, same workers, same entertainment, same way of doing business