SPRING INTO BUSCH GARDENS ON MARCH 26

36th Season Features Rejuvenated Oktoberfest, New Shows And Dining Options
Online Ticket Offer Lets Guests Bring A Friend For Free

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (March 22, 2011) – It must be spring: the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and Busch Gardens is opening to another exciting year Saturday.

    “This year is going to be one of our best,” said Park President Carl Lum. “We’re offering guests extraordinary values, new entertainment and heart-pounding thrills.”
The fun begins when a team of chef-inspired musicians cook up fabulous fun in the debut of Mix It Up!, a new show in Italy’s Il Teatro di San Marco. Exciting sounds fill the air daily as Busch Gardens’ amazing musicians perform some of Italy’s most popular songs. Watch the plot thicken as our crazy chefs and waiters compete to serve up their musical menu. It’s a fast-paced feast for the ears and the eyes.

 Also this spring, a special fluffy guest is calling Busch Gardens home. The Easter Bunny is hopping into town beginning March 26 through Easter Sunday for exciting photo opportunities and appearances at Der Marktplatz, situated in the park’s rejuvenated Oktoberfest village. The village has been transformed and now features a new pretzel bakery, additional games and a new performance space, all of which capture the look and feel of a traditional Oktoberfest celebration.
Guests will notice a few more changes in the rejuvenated Oktoberfest village, including the relocation of Der Katapult. The scrambler-style ride, known now as Le Catapult, has moved to the New France section of the park. In its place is the massive new spire known as Mäch Tower, a nearly 240-foot-tall tower ride that is set to open later this spring.

For guests looking to spend time at the park with a friend, Busch Gardens recently announced an offer for Virginia residents unlike any other in the park’s 36-year history. Virginia residents who purchase a single-day ticket online at www.buschgardens.com/friendforfree can receive a second ticket free. The Bring a Friend for Free promotion is a great way for friends and families to experience all the park has to offer – together.