The parks, originally known as Busch Gardens: The Old Country and Busch Gardens: The Dark Continent, respectively, were long known as Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. In 2006, Busch changed the names of the parks to Busch Gardens Europe and Busch Gardens Africa.
Of course, as many readers have pointed out, this created quite a bit of confusion. Theme park chains are opening parks all over the world, and Busch is no exception. One hears "Busch Gardens Europe" and expects it to be in, well, Europe.
So Busch is said to be mulling a change back to more geographically accurate names, such as Busch Gardens Williamsburg or Busch Gardens Virginia for the European-themed park, and Busch Gardens Tampa or Busch Gardens Florida for the African-themed destination. There is no comment from the official channels on these rumors, one way or the other, as of this point. (And yes, I've asked.)
Complicating this question is the recent sale of parent Anheuser Busch to Belgian brewer InBev. If InBev were to sell the parks to another company, would that buyer want to keep the "Busch" name on the parks? If there is a chance that it would not, why endure the hassle of and public confusion over a name change now, if the parks names might change again in a year or two?
And if the name change is to go through at the end of this season, would that indicate that the "Busch" name is likely to stick around -- suggesting that the might be something to the rumor of the Busch family buying control of the parks?
So many questions....
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I just wandered around the BGW/BGE website, and I see in most text sections the park is referred to as "Busch Gardens Williamsburg." The only place "Busch Gardens Europe" is listed is on the headline/banner.
So honestly, Busch needs to decide what their names are and be consistent with their choices anyways.
As for the official/media-campaign difference, I agree that this is silly and needs to be made consistent. It reminds me of Disney in promoting the "Toy Story Midway Mania" rides as "Toy Story Mania" in advertising and press releases, despite the fact that WDI clearly included "Midway" in the attractions' name. Why the confusion? Why not pick a name and stick with it?
For the record, I still consider it Busch Gardens Williamsburg (and probably always will), but because I see the park referred to as Busch Gardens Europe so much on this site, as well as at the official web site, I have begun referring to the park as BGE most of the time. It really doesn't bother me one way or the other. As long as everyone can identify the place that I am referring to in conversation, I am happy!
I know Aquatica can be changed to Florida Wet Busch…… hahahahahaahahhaha
How much time and money is spent at endless commitee stages in the development of a brand name only for it to lose any sense of continuity when put in the hands of the marketeers ?
Decide on a name format and run with it. Customers like continuity.
Duff Gardens! Mmmmm......Duff Gardens.
Seriously, I like the Europe and Africa monikers better than Williamsburg and Tampa.
Around the time of the tax rebates there were some local commercials for "Fun Spot". The annoying place just off I-Drove with the dirty great big wheel visible from Kirkman, I-Drive etc. They also have a location on the 192 in OldTown.
Anyhoo, these commercials featured a family, of course, being the US and being a cheapo commerical, the Family was the owner, his Son, Daughter and their charming (I'm sure) Children. They were holding up their lovely rebate & stimulus checks saying that they were going to visit a themepark. When asked which one, they obviously replied "Fun Spot". When asked why they did want to visit one of the bigger ThemeParks they replied that they didn't get that much!
Nice little bit of tongue in cheek promotion for them, but in all honesty, who would want to visit a 2 bit Go Cart track, that costs around $7 per 5 minute ride.
IF, you were to visit this place for a full day, highly unlikely, and decided to take in 10 rides each (There is a bigger selection at the Old Town Location) then you are looking at about $70. For that price you might as well get a 1 day, 2 park Universal Ticket for not much more with the apportunity to ride a much larger selection of rides, much much much better themeing and a location that would offer some kind of safer enviroment for kids.
(Yeah, Wristbands are available, but check the terms and exclusions on those things)
Anyway, totally irrelevant to the rest of the thread, just wanted to mention it and didn't think it was worthy of its own Discussion!
Toodles :)
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