Worlds Of Discovery
The Busch Entertainment Corporation have rebranded all their theme parks as Adventure Parks under the Worlds of Discovery banner.
There are currently ten Worlds of Discovery theme parks in the United States, five of them are in Florida and in 2008 Busch Entertainment announced the creation of a further four brand new parks in Dubai, first phase opening is scheduled for 2012.
The Busch Entertainment Corporation was ranked fifth in the world in terms of estimated total visitor numbers in 2007 by the Themed Entertainment Association/Economics Research Associates' Attraction Attendance Report.
Tiger encounter at the new Jungala exhibit at Busch Gardens Africa
©2008 Busch Entertainment Corporation. All Rights Reserved
United States Worlds of Discovery amusement parks
The current Worlds of Discovery amusement parks in the US are:
- Adventure Island - the Key West themed water park next door to Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa Bay (seasonal opening)
- Aquatica - the brand new water park that opened in Orlando in 2008
- Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa Bay - an African themed park combining animal attractions like lions, giraffe and zebra with roller coaster rides and shows
- Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Virginia - similar to Busch Gardens Africa but with a medieval European theme
- Discovery Cove - an exclusive reservation-only water park in Orlando where you can swim with dolphins
- SeaWorld Orlando - the renowned marine theme park combining attractions like killer whales and dolphins with roller coaster rides and shows
- SeaWorld San Diego, California - similar to SeaWorld Orlando
- SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas - similar to SeaWorld Orlando
- Sesame Place - a children's park based on the Sesame Street characters near Langhorne, Pennsylvania including rides, water attractions and shows
- Water Country USA - a 1950s and 60s surf themed water park next door to Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg (seasonal opening)
Dubai Worlds of Discovery amusement parks
The planned parks in Dubai are:
- Aquatica
- Busch Gardens
- Discovery Cove
- SeaWorld
The new parks will be built in conjunction with the United Arab Emirates Nakheel property development company on The Palm Jebel Ali, one of the three man-made palm-shaped islands being built off the Dubai coastline.
The four parks will be situated on a killer whale shaped island and will also have hotels, spas, restaurants and shops.
It is expected that the Dubai parks will be similar to their US counterparts.
Right now, the Busch Entertainment parks are offering free admission under the "Here's to the Heroes" program for any active-duty, active reserve, ready reserve service member or National Guardsman.