As most of you have heard by now, Anheuser-Busch has agreed to accept a new cash offer from InBev to buy their company.
So far, there hasn't been any mention about the fate of the Busch Theme Parks (Busch Gardens, Sea World, Sesame Place). But most analysts believe that InBev will most likely sell them off.
I consider Busch Gardens Europe to be my home park. It's one of my favorite places to relax and have fun. So I'm a little more than interested to find out who the new owners will be.
The Busch parks are some of the best run properties in the world. They have set the standard for what a regional theme park should look and act like. So any company that bought them would instantly be a major player in the industry.
Now, I know the odds are completely against it.... but what if the Walt Disney Company stepped up and bought the parks?
Let's use Busch Gardens Europe as an example.
It's been voted "Most Beautiful Park" for as long as I can remember. So it would definitely fit the Disney standards for cleanliness and beauty.
Also, it wouldn't be very tough to add a little "Disney Magic" to the theming that already exists there.
What if they turned BGE into a Mid-Atlantic version of EPCOT? The countries and related architecture are are already there. All the Imagineers would have to do is to add some creative story overlays.
For instance....
Curse of DarKastle - Change the ride film, storyline and a few sets and you could have the first ever "Haunted Mansion" in 3D.
Roman Rapids - With a few animatronics, you could have a Hercules themed white water adventure.
Big Bad Wolf - The Bavarian village the coaster flies through during the first section of the ride could be themed to any number of classic Disney stories. Add some on-ride audio and you could totally reinvent this classic roller coaster.
Loch Ness Monster - I don't think you'd necessarily have to re-theme this ride (which is celebrating it's 30th birthday this year). However, Disney could design a killer monster animatronic to go in the cave that currently sits empty. It worked with Expedition Everest, why not here? (By the way, whomever owns the park needs to step up and put a monster in that cave. Plus, they need to restore the fog and lighting effects!)
Globe Theater - There is already a perfect place towards the front of the park for one of the world famous Disney 4-D movies.
(I'm sure you guys could come up with some good ideas too...not just at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, but at the other parks too. Give it a shot in the forums!)
Plus, let's not forget about Water Country USA and the Kingsmill Resort & Spa. Add that in and you have a ready made Disney theme park resort.
Remember, Disney wanted to get into Virginia once before. Yeah, I know, they wanted to get into the Washington, DC market. But this might be close enough.
History tells us that Disney doesn't acquire parks, they build them.
But remember the rumor from a few years ago that Disney was thinking about buying Knotts Berry Farm in California and turning it into a west coast version of Disney's America?
Sure, this is all just a daydream. I know it's not going to happen. There are too many reasons why it wouldn't be feasible for Disney to take on this project.
But, maybe there are a few reasons why it would work?
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