Busch Gardens Williamsburg remains the reigning champion for the title of “World’s Most Beautiful Park.”
The park, located in lower James City County, was recently honored by the National Amusement Park Historical Association for the 29th year in a row, Busch Gardens announced in a news release Thursday.
The award stems from the 33rd-annual NAPHA Amusement Park and Attractions Survey. NAPHA is a worldwide organization that works to preserve, document and emphasize enjoyment of the amusement park and theme park industry.
“This award exemplifies Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s longstanding commitment to ensuring a world-class guest experience in a beautiful setting,” said Kevin Lembke, park president at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA. “I’m so proud of our entire team. They all play a role in achieving this honor.”
The park’s topography helps make Busch Gardens Williamsburg unique, said Jason Ingram, landscaping leader at Busch Gardens.
“Using our park’s existing topography is one of the things that make this park so special. You could be strolling along a beautifully shaded, lush pathway and then out of nowhere a roller coaster can rush overhead. Our landscape really creates wow moments for our guests,” Ingram added.
Busch Gardens has used its title recently as an example of the theme park’s value and investment in its visitors and grounds. The park recently requested a 355-foot height waiver to build a new attraction near the broken bridge and Verbolten.
The height waiver is the tallest ever approved by the Board of Supervisors for the park.
At board meetings, Lembke emphasized the importance of adding new attractions to the park to keep visitors coming back and attract new ones, as well.
Supervisors agreed supporting Busch Gardens — one of the largest taxpayers in the county — would also support the community. Supervisors approved the application unanimously.
The application came on the heels of the opening of other rides at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA: Finnegan’s Flyer and the Cutback water coaster.
