Disney's Intersest in Busch Gardens

[RCLGOOF]

I live in Chesapeake, VA and was wondering if anyone has heard anything lately about Disney's interest in Busch Gardens. I live about 45 minutes from BG Williamsburg and would be thrilled of the possibility of Disney being in my backyard.

 

[Hurricane]

Last rumor I heard was either the Busch family will personally buy the parks or they will be sold to an international park operator. Rumor was that Disney was possibly interested in Sea World but I doubt they'd make a move.

 

[RCLGOOF]

It seems like a no brainer to me for them to be interested up here.

 

[Laura]

Busch Gardens doesn't really have a Disney standard in rides and attractions. It's more like a cleaner Six Flags. I can't imagine Disney would be interested.

 

[Hurricane]

It seems like a no brainer to me for them to be interested up here.

I disagree. I'm a BGE Annual passholder and it is by far my favorite non-Disney park. However, it doesn't fit in with any of Disney's existing properties as far as themeing. More importantly, it's a seasonal park. It does have a great location as far as Mid-Atlantic/New England is concerned but I don't see a compelling reason for the acquisition. Further, the water park and BGE aren't congruous and there isn't a huge amount of land available for expansion. One needn't be reminded of Disney's America to believe that the mouse wants nothing to do with the Tidewater area. BGE is a great park (BGA less so) but I just don't see it being a Disney Park.

 

[jen2009]

I live in Va Beach and think it would be great to have Busch Gardens owned by Disney. If they kept the park the same, but put Disney touches that would be even better. It would make Hallowscream like Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party in Disney, but a lot closer. Ownly if it were true.

 

[Roxas]

You do know Disney can own a property without branding it Disney (i.e Touchstone is part of the Disney group)

 

[unkadug]

You do know Disney can own a property without branding it Disney (i.e Touchstone is part of the Disney group)

True, however most people also are aware of the fact that Touchstone is a Disney property. I think that if Disney did buy the BG parks and kept the name BG that people would start comparing the two; it would bring down the Disney name as far as theme park quality is concerned in the public eye.

 

[danv3]

Busch Gardens doesn't really have a Disney standard in rides and attractions. It's more like a cleaner Six Flags. I can't imagine Disney would be interested.

Exactly. They'd have to spend a ton to get it to the Disney level and I don't think that would be worthwhile.

 

[coasterphil]

Busch Gardens doesn't really have a Disney standard in rides and attractions. It's more like a cleaner Six Flags. I can't imagine Disney would be interested.

It may not be Disney as far as attractions are concerned, but it's better than Disney's parks in pretty much every other area so I'd hardly consider it "a cleaner Six Flags."

 

[surfsupdon]

It may not be Disney as far as attractions are concerned, but it's better than Disney's parks in pretty much every other area so I'd hardly consider it "a cleaner Six Flags."

The overall landscaping is much better than at Disney. And I find the themed areas of the Busch Gardens park more convincing than many 'lands' and areas at MK. I really like Busch Gardens VA. In some instances they do surpass Disney.

Should they buy the park? I think that would be a poor idea. My concern would be that Disney would put too many characters and current movie tie-ins to their newly bought park. I don't want to see that happen.

 

[Hurricane]

Landscaping is top notch at BGE. It's no wonder it's been voted the most beautiful theme park in the world for years and years. However, the theming is great but the attractions just aren't up to Disney standards.

 

[RCLGOOF]

No Brainer

I still think that this would be a wise investment for Disney as far as Williamsburg goes. Not so sure about Tampa?

 

[Alphakitty24]

Disney needs to focus on what parks they have. Not buy more land and make more places to go. They can't afford it and neither can anyone else. We are in an economy crisis.

 

[prberk]

I agree with the last post. Not a good time for Disney to leverage themselves for this, for minimal or no gain.