Busch Gardens – The Dark Continent Map and Brochure (1984 – 2023)
Location: Tampa, Florida
Years Active: 1959 – Active
Busch Gardens is the name of two amusement parks in the United States, owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.
The original park is in Tampa, Florida, and the second park is in Williamsburg, Virginia. There were also previously Busch Gardens parks in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California (1964–1979) and Houston, Texas (1971–1973). The “Busch Gardens” name was earlier used to refer to the gardens developed by Adolphus Busch near his home in Pasadena, California, which were open to the public from 1906 to 1937.
The Busch Gardens amusement parks were initially developed as marketing vehicles for Anheuser-Busch and featured hospitality houses with samples of Anheuser-Busch products. They also included stables that housed many of the company’s Clydesdale horses, which have been associated with Anheuser-Busch since 1933.
Eventually, rides and attractions were added to the parks and, over time, were developed into full theme parks while still promoting Anheuser-Busch. Busch Entertainment Corporation, now called SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, was created as a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch Companies to run the various parks in 1959.
Busch Gardens’ Name and History
Busch Gardens is no longer called the Dark Continent. The theme park, originally known as Busch Gardens: The Dark Continent, underwent a name change. The “Dark Continent” subtitle was dropped from its name several years ago, and it has been referred to as just Busch Gardens since then.
Busch Gardens’ Affiliation with Disney
Busch Gardens is not part of Disney. It is owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a separate company from The Walt Disney Company. While both Busch Gardens and Disney operate popular theme parks, they are distinct entities with no direct affiliation or ownership ties to each other. Visitors to Busch Gardens should not expect Disney-themed attractions or experiences at the park.
