Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion Proclaim Region
Virginia’s Gateway to Family Thrills
Partnership is the first in 15 years between the two theme parks
RICHMOND, VA (May 5, 2015) – Virginia’s two largest theme parks are celebrating 40 years as the commonwealth’s premier family entertainment venues. To mark the occasion, the parks are joining forces this summer to raise awareness of Virginia’s Gateway to Family Thrills, the 75-mile corridor connecting Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens®.
Busch Gardens’ Marketing Vice President Dan Dipiazzo and Scott Clemons, director of marketing for Kings Dominion, announced the partnership today during a joint news conference held on the State Capitol grounds. The partnership is the first between the two theme parks in nearly 15 years. It was made possible in part because of a $25,000 matching grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation, and includes a digital advertising component as well as a combined ticket offer so guests can experience both theme parks at a reduced price.
The parks developed two ticket deals to support the Gateway to Family Thrills promotion.
- The Virginia Thrills Ticket costs $106 and is valid for one single-day admission each to Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion within seven consecutive days. The promotion represents a $34 savings off the combined retail ticket prices to the parks.
- The Virginia Thrills Ticket Plus costs $135 and adds each venue’s water parks to the package. The Virginia Thrills Ticket Plus is valid for two single-day admission tickets to Busch Gardens and/or Water Country USA® and two single-day admission tickets to Kings Dominion and/or Soak City within seven consecutive days. The promotional price represents a $121 savings off the parks’ combined retail single-day admission prices.
“This partnership highlights the friendly competition between Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion, and brings our resources together to create a much larger voice in a crowded market,” Dipiazzo said. “Why drive a thousand or more miles for a vacation when we have Orlando-quality attractions right here in Virginia.”
The two parks individually offer an assortment of rides, shows and family-friendly entertainment. Combining their resources lets the parks, the state and local tourism boards representing Richmond and Williamsburg to reach out to families living in the Northeast who may be unaware of what is available to them just a few hours down the road.
“We are both going after similar guests,” Clemons said. “Joining together, Virginia’s premier theme parks offer an attractive option for families who want a thrilling vacation closer to home.”
The Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance and Richmond Region Tourism are also participating in the partnership, which further extends the advertising resources available in the affluent Northeast markets of Philadelphia and New York.
“This is an unprecedented partnership between two of Virginia’s best entertainment options,” said Rita McClenny, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “The friendly competition between Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion has created two world-class theme parks. Combining their resources with the state’s grant program, creates a unique opportunity to market the corridor from Richmond to Williamsburg to families who may not otherwise consider Virginia as a thrill vacation destination.”
Visit www.virginiathrills.com for information on purchasing tickets or to learn more about the Virginia Gateway to Family Thrills.
Gateway to Family Thrills Quick Facts
Combined Park Thrills
- Nearly 600 acres of rides, shows and attractions
- 21 rollercoasters, featuring Intimidator-305, one of the world’s tallest and fastest giga-coasters, and Tempesto™, Busch Gardens thrilling new launch coaster with three launch experiences and slow-roll inversion.
- 3 kid areas featuring more than 20 rides designed for families to enjoy together.
- 63 acres of water parks, including Soak City at King’s Dominion and Water Country USA® in Williamsburg, Virginia
Promotion Details
Markets: Primarily Northeast markets, focusing on Philadelphia, New York
Timeframe: May through September
Advertising: Primarily digital banners and paid search
Parks: Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Kings Dominion
Water Country USA
Kings Dominion Soak City
Ticket offers: Virginia Thrills Ticket
Price: $106
Description: Valid for one single-day admission each to Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion within seven consecutive days
Virginia Thrills Ticket Plus
Price: $135
Description: Valid for two single-day admissions to Busch Gardens and/or Water Country USA and two single-day admissions to Kings Dominion and/or Soak City within seven consecutive days.
–Park Press release
Twisted Colossus, a Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) hybrid roller coaster opened for media the other day at Six Flags Magic Mountain. This ride designed by Allen Schilke sends riders up 121 feet in the air on this dueling racing monster. Twisted Colossus is the re-imagined coaster based on the original Colossus roller coaster only instead of using wood track this coaster used a Iron Horse I Beam style track to twist riders in never before seen directions. This includes a first ever Top Gun Stall, an inversion where one train is upside down in a zero g roll while the other train is below cresting an airtime hill, and the Western Hemisphere’s first ever High Five element, where two trains pass through an overbanked turn facing each other with the illusion that you can reach out and “high five” other riders. Their are also many airtime filled moments, sending you out of you seat 18 times. Parts of the original structure remain for the new ride as well.
