page_title: Busch Gardens Williamsburg
section_title: Oktoberfest (Bavarian Germany)
hierarchical_section_title: Busch Gardens Williamsburg / Hamlets / Oktoberfest (Bavarian Germany)
caption_attribution_description: English: Front view of Das Festhaus
context_page_description: Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a 383-acre amusement park located in James City County, Virginia, United States. Located about sixty miles northwest of Virginia Beach, the park was developed by Anheuser-Busch and is owned by SeaWorld Entertainment. It opened on May 16, 1975, adjacent to Anheuser-Busch's brewery and near its other developments including the Kingsmill Resort complex.
  The park is themed around various European countries and as such was originally called Busch Gardens: The Old Country. In 1993, the park was renamed Busch Gardens Williamsburg before briefly being named Busch Gardens Europe in 2006 until it returned to the Williamsburg name in 2008. In 2015, the estimated attendance of 2.78 million makes it the twentieth most-visited park in the US.
  In addition to its landscaping and European theme, Busch Gardens is widely known for its roller coasters, including Griffon, Loch Ness Monster, Alpengeist, and Apollo's Chariot, which won No. 4 best steel coaster in 2012 from the Golden Ticket Awards.
context_section_description: Like Rhinefeld, this section is based on Germany during the annual celebration of Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest features many of the park's flat rides. It is also home to a large assortment of carnival-style games. Das Festhaus is a large, air conditioned eating facility where guests can purchase German food or American classics. While eating in Das Festhaus, guests can experience "Entwined", a show incorporating the Grimm Brothers' most famous fairy tales.  A new show has been added recently titled "Roll out the Barrel."  This section of the park formerly hosted The Big Bad Wolf, a suspended roller coaster. The Big Bad Wolf was closed on September 7, 2009.
  On September 18, 2010, it was announced that in 2011, Oktoberfest would be renovated with new shops and sights including a new beer garden and pretzel shop known as Beste Brezeln und Bier with a Bavarian maypole occupying the flower garden in front of Das Festhaus, along with a 246-foot (75 m) drop tower called Mäch Tower. Also announced was a new "multi-launch" roller coaster that opened in spring of 2012 on the former site of the Big Bad Wolf roller coaster. On September 17, 2011 it was announced that the new coaster would be called Verbolten. On May 18, 2012, Verbolten officially opened to the general public.
  The area also hosts a large part of the annual BierFest festival, featuring a large number of beers from around the world, with at least 22 different beers on tap throughout the whole area. German themed food and non-alcoholic beverages are also sold during the festival.
  On January 23, 2018, it was announced that the park's only dark ride, Curse of DarKastle, would not reopen for the 2018 season and would be officially closing for being a burden with maintenance costs. The building that harboured the dark ride is now used as event space such as Santa's workshop for Christmas town and a walkthrough maze called Frostbite for the halloween event Howl-O-Scream.
  Der Autobahn (Bumper Cars)
  Der Autobahn Jr. (Kiddie Bumper Cars)
  Der Roto Baron (Red Baron)
  Der Wirbelwind (Waveswinger) – classic yo-yo swings ride
  Mäch Tower – Opened on August 19, 2011, this 246-foot (75 m) tall free-fall tower is located on the site previously occupied by Der Katapult, which has been moved to New France. Riders are seated in a 30-person ring around the tower, which rotates as it makes its way to the top. Special effects include vibrating seats and on-board audio.
  Verbolten – Brave The Black Forest – A family-style, Black Forest themed launched roller coaster with a top speed of 53 mph. It also has a free fall when the track comes out from under it.
caption: Das Festhaus in Oktoberfest, site of live performances, shops, and eateries.
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