Busch Gardens will open its gates to guests for the first time this summer with an event series in August that highlights many familiar features of the park along with local craft beers.
The park, a centerpiece of recreation and tourism in the Historic Triangle, has been closed throughout the pandemic, and the event, titled Coasters and Craft Brews, will be limited by Virginia’s Phase 3 restrictions. The restrictions limit events and venues to 50% capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is lower. Busch Gardens’ capacity is 24,000.
The Coasters and Craft Brews event will run Thursdays through Sundays from Aug. 6-16 and requires advanced registration.
“In compliance with Virginia’s phase 3 safety guidelines for reopening businesses, the park will operate with enhanced health and safety protocols for cleaning and sanitizing, physical distancing, face covering requirements and temperature screenings,” a news release from Busch Gardens reads. “Special event capacity will be extremely limited to create ample space for guests to enjoy their experience, while maintaining physical distancing in a safe environment.”
The general park will be closed, but guests can visit various outdoor spaces, rides and roller coasters. The park listed Ireland, Scotland, France and New France as available villages, along with InvadR, Griffon, Loch Ness Monster and new Finnegan’s Flyer as open rides. Animal exhibits, barbecue and more than 20 local and craft beers will be available as well.
Reservations for the Coasters and Craft Brews special event are required for all those who attend and are available at buschgardens.com/williamsburg/reservation. Admission is free for active Members, Annual Pass Holders and Fun Card holders. Special event tickets are available for $44.99 or guests can buy a membership, which start at $10.99 per month.
The event will be open Thursday through Sunday from 5-9 p.m. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the event will also be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We want to thank our guests for their patience and are so excited to be able to give them a taste of Busch Gardens Williamsburg when we safely welcome them back,” Kevin Lembke, president of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, said in a news release. “(We) are working hard to prepare the park for this special event so guests can join us for a fun and safe experience.”
When Virginia entered Phase 3 of reopening, theme parks were subjected to the same restriction of 1,000 guests. The park has remained closed, and officials have said allowing only 1,000 guests at a time is not a feasible business model.
Busch Gardens advocated for different guidelines because of the large capacities at theme parks and developed strategies for reopening with up to 7,000 guests. Elected officials have said keeping the parks closed or at such a small capacity is devastating the local economy and keeping many out of work.
State officials did not budge. “I think if we look at the reality of what’s going on, especially in the other states around us, we’re seeing surges in numbers. Those individuals are the same folks that come and enjoy our amusement parks,” Gov. Ralph Northam said June 25.
In the weeks since Virginia entered Phase 3, Hampton Roads has seen a surge of coronavirus cases. The region saw a 672% increase in its seven-day moving average of cases from June 9 to July 28, leading Northam to impose restrictions on Hampton Roads, mainly on bars and restaurants.
Josh Reyes, 757-247-4692, joreyes@dailypress.com
