WILLIAMSBURG— Due to safety concerns, Busch Gardens Williamsburg has announced it will be implementing a chaperone policy starting on Sept. 20 and continuing through the remainder of Howl-o-Scream.
The policy states that all visitors ages 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old when visiting the theme park after 4 p.m. on Howl-O-Scream event nights. The chaperone must accompany their party at entry, remain inside the park during their visit and be available by phone throughout their stay. Guests aged 15 years or younger who are found inside the park unaccompanied by a chaperone who is not in the park and available by phone will be subject to ejection without refund.
Guests 16 years of age or older must be able to present a valid government-issued photo ID (Driver’s license, State-issued ID card, Passport, Military ID) with date of birth prior to park entry. If unable to verify proof of age, guests may be denied entry into the park.
Busch Gardens adds that chaperones must present a valid government-issued photo ID with a date of birth at park entry. One chaperone may accompany no more than ten guests aged 15 or younger per day. In addition, the chaperone must accompany their party at entry, remain inside the park during their visit, and be available by phone throughout their stay.
On Sept. 14, James City County Police responded to a report of a fight in progress called in by an employee in the France area of Busch Gardens at approximately 9:50 p.m. According to the JCCPD, while the surrounding area was secured, searched and evidence was gathered, an 18-year-old male approached officers at the park entrance and reported that he had been stabbed. It was determined that the victim had been involved in the altercation that occurred minutes before.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg did not say if the new policy was in response to the incident.
“The safety of our guests and ambassadors has always been our top priority at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. We are committed to keeping Busch Gardens Williamsburg a place where guests of all ages can come together to enjoy everything our park has to offer,” the park said in a press release.
For more details about the chaperone policy, visit the official Busch Gardens website.
