As you make your way through England and towards Italy, an ancient building looming in the distance captures your eye. A mysterious fog rises from a pile of ruins, and everything appears to be collapsing. Making your way through the queue, a boat emerges from the building; it soars down a drop, creating a huge splash. Your tour boat is waiting for you! Should you reconsider? Possibly, but remember, once you enter, you may never escape!
Opening in 1995, Escape from Pompeii was Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s third major water ride. The ride is based on the destruction of the ancient city of Pompeii in 79 A.D. This insane water ride was manufactured by Intamin AG and is one of the parks signature attractions. Pompeii is themed to an excavation site on the destroyed city. Having a kid friendly height of 42 inches, many families get the chance to brave the ruins together. With a maximum drop of 80 feet, riders will get the thrill of a lifetime as they plunge into the waters below.
Once you are safely secured inside your boat, you begin your assent up the hill and disappear into the mysterious building. Lights are shaking, wooden beams are breaking, and going back is most certainly not an option. Your tour slowly enters into a room in which everything is calm, when all of a sudden, a fire breaks out! The room is scorching, and the traveling fire burns a statue the Roman god, Zeus. Exiting the room, you think you are safe, but as soon as you get a sense of relief, a fire starts to form on the ceiling directly above you. Entering the next room, you notice it is very dark, and mystifying. Then, an ancient statue falls over narrowly missing your boat. Your tour than enters a room dense with fog. Suspense is at an all-time high and you don’t know what is coming next. A door in front of you swings open as light from the outside pours in. Only one thing can be coming now, the drop! Plummeting down, you quickly approach a pool of water below. Slamming into it, the boat creates a tidal wave that drenches all the riders on board and many park guests observing. The fun does not stop there; guests on dry land have opportunities to drench riders with 8 different water cannons. But don’t worry, you will get your chance to do the same once you exit the ride!
Beware of the dangers during Howl-O-Scream, when Busch Gardens turns Pompeii into a bone-chattering maze that is sure to make the bravest of visitors feel weak at the knees! During Christmas Town, Pompeii turns into a grand light display, which dazzles thousands of park guests.
