Busch Gardens Williamsburg Announces Emergency Shutdown & Safety Update

Williamsburg, Virginia — [Date] — Busch Gardens Williamsburg is today announcing an emergency shutdown of park operations in response to circumstances impacting guest safety.

Our top priority is always the well‑being of our guests, team members (ambassadors), and the surrounding community. We deeply regret any inconvenience caused and share the following information to ensure transparency and safety.

What Happened

At approximately [Time], park leadership was made aware of [brief description of issue: e.g. “a structural concern affecting one of the main attractions,” “potential weather‑related hazard posing risk to rides,” “an unexpected mechanical failure in a power system,” etc.].

Out of an abundance of caution, and in line with our rigorous safety protocols, Busch Gardens Williamsburg has ceased operations effective immediately until a full assessment is completed.

No guest or team member is believed to be injured at this time. Our emergency response procedures were activated, including securing the affected area, cooperating with local authorities, and mobilizing internal safety and maintenance teams to investigate.

Reason for Shutdown

The decision to close was made due to [more detailed factor: for example, “possible compromise found during a routine inspection,” “weather conditions exceeding safe operational thresholds (high winds, lightning risk, etc.),” or “mechanical issue in the ride’s braking or safety restraint system”]. Given the risk—even if remote—associated with operating under these conditions, the park cannot proceed until we are confident that every standard of safety is met or exceeded.

What Guests & Visitors Should Know

Ticket Extension / Rescheduling: Any date‑specific tickets for today (or affected date[s]) will be automatically extended to be valid on any operating day within a specified future period.

Communication: We will provide updates via our official channels: the Busch Gardens Williamsburg website, social media pages, and direct notices (email / SMS to guests who have opted in).

Park Access: The park grounds are being cleared of guests in an orderly manner. We will assist guests in exiting safely and offer lodging, food and other assistance as needed.

Future Opening: At this time, we are not able to confirm an exact reopening time. We are working diligently to resolve the issue as swiftly as possible, without compromising safety. A further announcement will be made once inspections are complete and remedial steps confirmed.

Safety Protocols & Commitment

Busch Gardens Williamsburg operates under comprehensive safety and maintenance programs including daily inspections, ride‑by‑ride safety reviews, structural audits, and emergency procedures in cooperation with local fire, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies. When any element fails to meet our strict standards—even if temporarily—we will not hesitate to shut down.

We understand that unexpected closures are frustrating. However, our community expects—and deserves—unwavering commitment to safety. We appreciate your patience and understanding, and assure you that every reasonable measure is being taken to ensure that the park can reopen in full, safely.

Contact Information

Guests who have questions or require assistance, including refunds, ticket exchanges, or information about future operations, should reach out to:

Closing Statement

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is firmly committed to the safety of all who walk through our gates. We thank our guests for their trust, our ambassadors for their dedication, and our partners in safety for their support. As soon as we have completed our internal review and necessary corrective actions, we will reopen with confidence.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

Kevin Lembke
President, Busch Gardens Williamsburg