Newport News & Hampton, Va

Busch Gardens and Water Country USA officials ended months of speculation with a host of announcements that add up to the largest capital investment in the parks' combined histories. The two-year expansion plan offers something for everyone in the family, including new rides, a re-envisioned village theme and a much-requested expansion to one of Busch Gardens' newest events.

"Today is a big day for the Williamsburg theme parks," Reilly said.

Changes begin this year and extend into 2012, starting with an expansion of Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration. Beginning Nov. 26, guests will experience the flair of an Italian Christmas, featuring a golden color scheme, traditional Italian holiday fare and graceful angels as far as the eye can see. Busch Gardens' Italy village will leave guests with a feeling of peace on earth as the park completes the transformation into a Christmas wonderland.

In 2011, Busch Gardens and Water Country USA are taking their attractions to new heights with towering rides that offer riders a spectacular view of the James River. As guests enter Busch Gardens' Oktoberfest next spring, they will see the massive spire known as Mäch Tower^TM. The tallest ride in the park, Mäch Tower lifts up to 30 riders 246 feet above Oktoberfest. After rotating at the top of the tower and getting a few seconds to take in the view, riders drop at breath-taking speed. State-of-the-art special effects including enhanced audio and other surprises will elevate Mäch Tower to new heights in ride design and engineering. This psychological thrill ride opens in spring of 2011.

Mäch Tower is part of a complete rejuvenation of the park's Oktoberfest village. After more than 30 years, the park is updating the look and atmosphere of this iconic area. Restaurants, games and performance areas that follow a traditional German Oktoberfest celebration await visitors next year. Guests can enjoy fresh-baked pretzels and a new beer garden set amid canopies of colored maypoles and festive banners that depict the rich heritage of Bavaria.

Guests are in for the slide of their lives at Water Country USA's epic new drop slide, Vanish Point^TM. Inspired by the point on a wave where water and gravity form a perfect partnership, this summit supplies two wicked-wet ways to drop out of sight. The crest of this 75-foot tower challenges guests with two wave paths. They can step into a skybox and take a plunge when the floor drops out beneath their feet, or they can get horizontal on a 300-foot speed slide that drops them straight down as soon as they enter. Either way, it's pure liquid adrenaline.

For more than a year, thrill ride fans have been speculating what would fill the space that was once home to The Big Bad Wolf. The park is launching a new state-of-the-art launch roller coaster that will propel riders through a high-speed thrill packed with twists, turns and even more surprises. While details were intentionally sparse, Reilly assured guests that the coaster will feature many "firsts" when it debuts in the spring of 2012.

Construction is scheduled to begin soon. Fans can visit www.buschgardens.com/bignews for the latest construction updates.