Busch Gardens Williamsburg is planning a new attraction, submitting paperwork to have the addition’s height of more than 150 feet approved.
“Busch Gardens Williamsburg opened to the public in the spring of 1975, featuring several European-themed countries. Over the next 38 years, the park has continued to add expansions, which include a multitude of major ride attractions,” reads a document submitted to James City County’s planning staff. “During this ongoing evolution, Festa Italia has been chosen as a next location to host the park’s next exciting addition.”
In the first step toward developing this new attraction, Busch Gardens submitted a height waiver request to James City County on Monday, citing plans to build an attraction about 150 to 160 feet tall. The attraction would include an entry and exit platform about 10 feet above the existing ground level.
The requested height is slightly shorter than Apollo’s Chariot.
The attraction would be located to the south of Apollo’s Chariot in Festa Italia, and is identified as a 2015 project on the county’s website.
The Board of Supervisors is expected to review the height waiver at its Nov. 12 meeting. In advance of that, a balloon test will be done to show how tall the new attraction would be. The balloon is scheduled for between 8 and 10 a.m. Monday. In the case of poor weather that day, the backup date for the balloon test is between 8 and 10 a.m. Oct. 17.
If the height waiver is approved, Busch Gardens would next submit a site plan to James City County for approval. The plan would show where structures would be developed on the property, but would likely not show specifics on the type of attraction, a James City County planner said.
A Busch Gardens spokesperson said he could confirm paperwork was submitted to the county, but could not provide any additional information regarding the plans.
