Richmond's 50-year theme park battle
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Busch Gardens' Verbolten (left ) and KD's Intimidator 300. Photos: Scott K. Brown/Busch Gardens Williamsburg via Getty Images and Linda Davidson/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Fifty years ago this month, the region's two major theme parks opened 70 miles and 13 days apart, the Times-Dispatch's Eric Kolenich reports.
Why it matters: A half a century later, Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens continue to battle for Virginia thrill-seekers' attention — and money.
State of play: The parks that opened in May 1975 were very different than the ones we know today, Kolenich reports.
- Kings Dominion, which was built atop a Hanover County cornfield, hoped to entice families with its three roller coasters and drive-thru zoo.
- Busch Gardens, meanwhile, rose adjacent to then-owner Anheuser-Busch's brewery, aiming to offer a European-inspired experience beyond thrill-seeking. Its opening featured replica European villages, a single rollercoaster and the adjacent brewery.
KD's strategy worked. It drew 52,000 visitors on opening day and turned away nearly as many.
- Meanwhile, a paltry 6,000 people showed up for BG's opening.
- KD would be the industry leader ... for about three years.
What happened: Busch Gardens took its cue from KD and shifted its focus to families and rides, starting with the addition of its mega-coaster, the Loch Ness Monster, the world's first (and still only remaining) interlocking loop steel coaster.
- KD hit back the next year with the Lost World — a 15-story synthetic mountain with three rides.
For the next four decades, the two parks would keep adding attractions, refining their offerings and expanding their schedules — all in an effort to entice more Virginians through the gates.
What they're saying: "It's always been a prize fight," Dennis Speigel, KD's first general manager, told the RTD. "They're going after the same guy going down 95 and up 64."
The latest: Today, as the battle still rages, Busch Gardens boasts over 50 rides and attractions, including 10 roller coasters, according to Roller Coaster DataBase — and a water park.
- Never to be outdone, Kings Dominion now has around 60 rides and 13 coasters — and a water park.
- For most locals, though, which theme park they prefer comes down to personal preference, price and, often, nostalgia.
What's next: In celebration of its 50th anniversary, KD opened this season with Rapterra, its newest coaster, and the world's tallest and longest launched wing roller coaster.
- Busch Gardens, meanwhile, this weekend will unveil The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge, an all-new version of its hit 1984 inverted roller coaster that sends riders spiraling through a Bavarian village as wolves howl.
- And starting Saturday, both parks, including their water parks, will be open daily through summer.
The bottom line: Virginia's theme park battle may well continue for another 50 years, and Richmonders, who are just a short drive from both, are the real winners.