The Failure Of Busch Gardens Houston - A Short Lived Theme Park | Expedition Extinct

[@anthonycullever7578]

As a native Houstonian yes I did visit the Bush brewery as a kid and did attend the park. I was only 4 and 5 but it closed the year I turned 5. I enjoyed it even though I was young it was entertaining to me as a kid then. Wish it was still here it could have thrived as the others have done.

[@aarondamron6343]

As a Houstonian I’ve already lost Astroworld. Why do you have to reopen those wounds by introducing me to another theme park we’ve lost.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

You can't miss what you didn't know existed!

[@aarondamron6343]

Expedition Theme Park YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT I CAN’T MISS! (Jk, love your channel)

[@jbfranklin26]

Don't complain! In Southern California alone, I've lost Bush Gardens Van Nais, Japanese Deer Park, Lion Country Safari, Marineland, Movieland Wax Museum, POP, Santa's Village, etc. And you're complaining about losing only 2. The list above contains 7 so far. I can also add Nupike. Not to mention PortDisney which was never built.

[@NickyD]

you got six flags feista and over texas both better parks then astroworld or this

[@NickyD]

@@jbfranklin26 and could lose seaworld san diego

[@michaeltaylor1603]

As a Houstonian, I wanted my dad to take me there. Alas, when he decided to, it had closed. I remember them expanding the brewery. Best footage I've seen of this park. I think the Houston Zoo & AstroWorld played a role in its demise. Maybe even 1973 energy crisis. You should do one on Hanna Barberland (Spring, Texas) Now Splash Town & twice owned by Six Flags. LOL! Great video! Thanks again for featuring my home town.

[@johnychen]

Great video. As a native Houstonian, I remember going to this park as a kid. Glad to know that a piece of this park is at Lagoon.

[@spikewriter]

I remember going there shortly after this opened, if not opening weekend. At that time (and my memory may be faulty), you had to go through the brewery tour first. This was not a plus for my parents because they didn't drink, so not a great start for them. However, since Busch Gardens was far more laid back than Astroworld, I think they enjoyed it more. I do remember them especially enjoying the canal ride because they could just sit back and relax. i think Dad took a ton of photos that first trip, which my brother probably has. (Dad was serious about his photography hobby.) As a kid, Busch Gardens was ... fun and relaxing on a hot day, but I always preferred Astroworld (though I did enjoy the theming). Funny to realize the three parks of my childhood -- Astroworld, Busch Gardens, and Sea-a-Rama in Galveston, are all gone. Funnily enough, my husband grew up near the Van Nuys Busch Garden -- and his family never went. But thanks for this look back. I remember when it opened, and when it closed.

[@CoasterHorizons]

I didn’t even know that existed

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Now you do!

[@tumbleweed8342]

Same

[@clarinetJWD]

Same... I've liven in Houston for 28 of my 35 years, and never knew this existed. They should try again--we've been totally starved for a theme park since Six Flags killed Astroworld decades ago, and Busch has been good to their theme parks.

[@coasterfair2602]

Me either

[@clarinetJWD]

@Harlock1776 agreed that the Astroworld location won't work anymore. Definitely needs to be outside the Beltway to get enough room to expand. Problem is as long as I can remember, there has always been a "plan" for a new park breaking ground in "2 years", and yet it hasn't once happened. I do not have high hopes.

[@brauliofloresjr]

I work in the brewing department and it's crazy to think this actually existed at one time. There's a few pictures floating around within our network that are pretty awesome. Cool part of Houston history!

[@alecvip7562]

Looks like all major parks die in houston.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Right!?

[@alecvip7562]

@@ExpeditionThemePark still kinda mad about astroworld. They really turned it into a fucking parking lot

[@lightyagim5010]

Because it’s so crowded with the football team

[@shoyuramenoff]

@@ExpeditionThemePark Astroworld's death was senseless. I live in Canada and I'm upset.

[@旭球]

@Harlock1776 everything you just said is correct, but I can't help but feel that those are all solvable engineering problems. Not even joking, I would like to take a crack at starting a park here myself if I could ever get access to funding.

[@Coolsomeone234]

It couldn't compete with Astroworld. Ah well at least you still have that park

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Wah

[@DangerDays05]

I'm sorry, what?

[@Coolsomeone234]

@@DangerDays05 (astroworld was also in Houston, and that got shut down too)

[@alecvip7562]

@@Coolsomeone234 and turned into a parking lot

[@MarkFendy-sw7hn]

​@@alecvip7562and Houston still has nothing to this day! Malls and Museums ain't shit!

[@groton27]

Why is Houston such a bad market for theme parks seems on paper it would be a great location

[@laurelviolet]

Hotter than hell and twice as humid?

[@tobiashoyden2644]

In Astroworld's defense, the company that owned it fucked it up

[@TX.SpaceCowboy]

Hot af, and we're broke

[@tinsote7176]

@@laurelviolet Have you been to Central Florida?

[@rmannayr2129]

RIP TO ALL OF THE HOUSTON THEME PARKS!

[@_Capybara_]

“I’ve been looking forward to this” - Dooku

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Twice the pride, double the fall.

[@andreajoki9758]

There was a really interested book (a novel actually) that was published last year about the original Busch Gardens in Pasadena, CA - and the eccentric Mr. and Ms. Busch. It's a novel about Pasadena's lost attractions, really, but had a lot of Busch in it. Worth checking out, I guess, for the historical aspects. Arroyo by Chip Jacobs. Personally, I'm still mourning the loss of Busch Gardens in Van Nuys :( As always, well done on the research and presentation. These are always entertaining and informative.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you

[@scs998]

That king of beers song low key slaps and I'm ashamed that I love it

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

So good!

[@StorybookAmusement]

I’ve never heard of this, but what a story! I’m interested to look into it more. 🕵🏼‍♂️

[@gordonwchas]

Thank you so much for this! Brings back fond memories of going with my family. I was 8 when they opened.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jayparry1139]

Great choice in music...I haven't heard it in more than 20 years...brings back many fond memories...

[@megsley]

another fantastic old budweiser jingle! love your videos they're obviously well researched and very informative!

[@amberfigueroa3527]

Wow! I live about 40 minutes away from Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I always knew about Tampa, but didn’t realize other parks existed at one point.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah!

[@Rodzilla5332]

Boy I’d like to find out about the huge theme park that has been supposedly coming to N Houston somewhere north of Humble for the past 10 years. There is always a new rumor that it’s bought more land or is about to break ground. Never happens.

[@Rodzilla5332]

Harlock1776 I even heard on the news like two years ago that with the completion of the Grand Parkway, at least the part to 59N, that they would be open within a year. Still nothing. Drives me crazy because I would love having that so close to me.

[@gener2682]

One of the problems with Grand Texas has been electric availability to the area. The power company out there told them it would be years before they could or would provide enough power to run the amusement park. They told Grand Texas that they could build it sooner at their expense but the park said no. This was some years ago. So far they have built a race track, RV park, Water Park, Adventure park, and installed much of the under ground infrastructure for the amusement park. A couple more years and we should start to see rides being built.

[@rodneywashington2017]

EarthQuest Adventures was gonna be THE ONE, but when people stole the money of those in Montgomery County, New Caney to be exact in location, then it didn't happen. EarthQuest Adventures was gonna the "Grand" theme park. Disney Scale theme park. Unfortunately, there's nothing Grand about Grand Texas. We have an Honest Investors Problem when it comes to Theme Parks or certain mega projects in The Greater H. The plans and ideas are fine. The so called brain trust crooks are the problem.

[@marybethshipley2969]

I went there as a kid when I was about nine years old. I still remember most of the theme song from the commercial: something about ‘see the Pagoda, ...fun and good times on the Orient express… Hop on a channel, go see it all, as you float through the land of fun and happiness.....Busch Gardens, it’s the place to be”

[@GregBatte]

The info on the train at Lagoon, so awesome. You do an amazing job.

[@flashhobbies]

Born and raised houstonian and never knew about this.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Many do not!

[@otaking3582]

Even though I've already seen Defunctland's video on this subject, it was still interesting to watch

[@floydcooley1]

You're killing me by saying "Gussie." St. Louisans knew him as Augie.

[@TheCoasterMeme]

I always wondered about this and never could find anything on it, thanks for uploading this!!! 😊

[@Bloodyspoons]

I had no idea that the trains in Lagoon (my home park) were from a previous park, especially not Busch Gardens!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yep!

[@tired_teetee5816]

Ah, so thats where they got the name Busch Gardens. And also another theme park in Houston thats closed. Never knew about it till now. Great video as always!

[@nickcosss]

I'm guessing this is where the Simpson's got their Duff Gardens episode inspiration!! I never suspected bud actually had a theme park first!

[@egrace3738]

We went as a family to Busch gardens several times. I remember the trained parrot 🦜 show...first time I saw a bird ride a bicycle 😄

[@rmannayr2129]

RIP BUSCH GARDENS HOUSTON!

[@tbx59]

You always do a great job with these.

[@averyeml]

That’s my favorite thing about being a Houstonian- we have a surprisingly beefy collection of defunct, shuttered, or rumored and never opened parks. Astroworld, this, Hanna Barbera land, and the rollercoaster that is Splash Town. I’m POSITIVE I don’t know them all, lol

[@jtlovescodelyoko]

I did not know about this, but please do a video on AstroWorld next.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Not next but one day

[@MarkFendy-sw7hn]

Been about three years so far not a video about Astroworld!

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

“the early British steamers from the Empire” UK: *Rule Britannia*

[@QoasterMaster]

Imagine the kind of coasters that we could see at Busch Gardens Houston... B&M invert = Himalayan monal B&M dive = Indian vulture Looping coaster = Coppersmith barbet B&M hyper = Himalayan buzzard Multi-launch = Amur falcon Skyrocket 2 = Forest owlet RMC hybrid = Lammergeier Kiddie coaster = Indian roller

[@CoryJohnson0424]

You make absolutely great content, Thank you

[@thejupiter2574]

@03:12 the announcer's voice is that of TV actor Roger Davis ( best known for his acting on Dark Shadows and on the western Alias Smith and Jones ).

[@PetitMew]

Had no idea it even existed. Only been to Tampa's

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yep crazy isn't it!

[@el_guapo1318]

I remember my parent's telling me about this and wondering hat happened to it and what the whole story behind it was. Thank you for finally giving me an answer. Not so thank you for reminding me how crappy it is now that we have Zero theme parks in the area (although, I guess we do have one that is under construction, but I have not heard or seen any updates on it for like almost two years now. But at least the water park phase of the construction is finished and running, I guess.)

[@el_guapo1318]

I feel that I should also point out that, given the much, much larger population nowadays as well as the much larger demand for things to do in terms of theme parks, had this park been made today instead of back then, it would more than likely be extremely successful. Especially once you take into consideration (and this information I am about to give you comes as a bit of insider information about the inner workings and thinking of the City of Houston government [referred to as simply "The City" from this point forward]) the fact that increasing tourism/travel to The City is one of the major goals of The City, it would definitely be something that would allow The City to advertise Houston as a tourist destination to increase the travel and by extension increase revenue to Houston due to all the tourists coming to spend their money to see whatever theme park(s) we have to offer. Hence why attempting to create a new theme park has been one of the major goals in The City, but so far none of the talks have lead to anything mostly due to disagreements between the council members and the bidders on the project. Which sucks.

[@muppetsretrofan8873]

You'd think Busch would be smart enough to make sure their park locations are not too close to another theme park. Given Houston already had Astroworld, Busch Gardens Houston was doomed from the start.

[@vivalanina]

free beer!? that makes it worth the trip enough for me!

[@rmannayr2129]

YES FREE BEER!!!!!!!!!!

[@mistermadmachine6311]

Awwwww😊happy ending for the train

[@mikes6866]

Brilliant as always! X

[@velociraptor4you3291]

Yet ANOTHER Busch Gardens park I never knew existed...till now. :)

[@travisbell1732]

I always learn so much with your videos. For instance: Who knew that when you say Budweiser, you’ve said it all! Mind blown! 🤣 But in honesty, I grew up in Utah going to Lagoon and riding the train every time. Now I live in Houston, TX. Never knew my histories would be linked like that. Thank you for this video!

[@tylerkochman1007]

Knew you'd be doing this one as soon as I saw the video on the Californian one

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Haha :D yeaj

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Astroworld: closes Busch Gardens Houston: *Hey you, you're finally awake*

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

The best memes

[@charlieruns7953]

I remember going as a Young child. We stopped to eat at the food court. My dad put my little sister in a chair. She was maybe 3 years old. The back of the chair was open and my sister fell through and cracked her head open on the floor. Blood was everywhere ! My dad grabbed a bunch of napkins, cleaned the blood up, and we carried on with our day. Now a days, it would have been a lawsuit.

[@fatal613]

My family took me to Busch Bird Park when I was about 5 or 6. And, sadly, that is all I remember of Busch Bird Park😞

[@thehamelsduck1600]

Awesome video as always.

[@bd5av8r1]

Just go ahead and kick Houston where it hurts. Right in the amusement park. :D lol I visited Busch Gardens Houston but don't remember it much. It was Astroworld I preferred. lol

[@wendymccoy1093]

For some reason I always forget that the Bunch Garden we still have is in Galveston and thought it was in Houston. Didn't know we actually had one there!

[@DCGARR]

Bunch Garden in Galveston? You also have a Moody Gardens there that is pretty popular, though it's not a themepark. There used to be a Sea Arama Marineworld there that closed in the late 80's, I think.

[@JAG8176]

At that time the market was crowded for attractions. Galveston had Sea Arama. Then in Houston there was AstroWorld, NASA ,and the recently opened Galleria.. The park was also rather far away despite being only ten miles away from the Astrodome.

[@Coolsomeone234]

When are you going to do that failed cedar fair park in Houston?

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

One day

[@tessdurberville711]

My mother went to the Busch Gardens in California, but all that she can remember is that there was a trained bird🐦🦜🕊️ show and lush greenery🌴🌳🌺. And a beer 🍻 garden, but she was too young to partake, and she does not care for beer. 🙂🌷 I worry what happened to the wild animals from the Houston park 😔.

[@lindaoconnor4293]

Had no idea it was a thing, but love the Williamsburg location. (Minus losing the Big Bad Wolf 🐺) rumor has it that the Battle for Eire (the indoor 3d vr ride with the fairies) will be the next to be changed to something. Hopefully it doesn't merely serve as a Haunt attraction like DarKastle is....

[@edvaira6891]

I honestly didn’t have A CLUE this park ever EVEN EXISTED! And I am pretty knowledgeable about major US amusement park history...

[@crankychris2]

Busch Gardens in Tampa had a hospitality tent with unlimited [a sign said 'only' 2] free beer, many adults never ventured any further than the tent, of course admission was only a few bucks back then, now it's $100.

[@detroitdiezel7856]

I never knew this. Great job.

[@krististarosta6736]

Any chance you’ll do an expedition on Splash Mountain? Because they’re retheming it to The Princess and the Frog.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

One day maybe. Likely when it is complete

[@rmannayr2129]

THE TRAIN AT THE LAGOON!

[@JBThrills]

I didn’t even know there was going to be a Busch gardens Houston!! If there was that would’ve been amazing!!! It’s so sad it didn’t happen

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I know right!

[@rickjwilliams]

I used to work there when it opened in 71'.

[@RegenerativeHomes]

Seems like a much better fit than San Antonio Sea World, but San Antonio's Riverwalk attracts tourists statewide and beyond. I don't remember Houston ever promoting itself as a tourist destination. Did they ever even have a tourism bureau? I don't remember an effort to package the Space Center, Busch Gardens, Astroworld, the Astrodome, specialty shopping districts, and historic sites. A city needs to do that to attract visitors. Then, the taxes as mentioned would make sense. If the venue is not making money but still draws people to the city, then it did not make sense to add another tax on top of property taxes and business tax.

[@avb3adventures472]

As a Houstonian being born in 2007 I missed AstroWorld and now Bush Gardens 😤

[@diveloopthrills7613]

I didn’t know we had a Busch Gardens here in Houston. The only Houston park I heard about was Six Flags Astroworld

[@ChannelThemePark]

Great video Sam! Suggestions: Expedition: Dollywood, Expedition: Lake Winnie

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

For the future for sure!

[@elevatoralarmcoasterandarc1214]

Hey, Expedition Theme Park! Can you please do Six Flags Astroworld for Expedition Extinct?

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

One day!

[@alexgeorge501]

I hope we get an Expedition video on the CNE (Canadian national exhibition/the EX) in August!

[@rmannayr2129]

I DIDN'T KNOW THIS EXISTED!

[@Songwritersbehindthecurtain]

You’re back on KZbin we were been waiting for you to do kinect disneyland adventures as a promised. I’ve already seen the giveaway that you’re doing as shown on 0:44 on Jackie’s channel super enthused she’s doing the same exact thing when you’re giving away two tickets to see the new fireworks spectacular. That’s pretty cool that the train is still there to this same exact day. That was a pretty cool history and something you learn for something new each day and hope that you and jackie from super enthused are doing well and hope that you guys are going to pick a winner for the giveaway and hopefully it’s me and if I win now that would be cool and if it’s not me like last time well everybody is a winner in my case.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you Luke! Hope you are well

[@Songwritersbehindthecurtain]

@@ExpeditionThemePark you’re very welcome Sam I’m doing well and hopefully you will be doing kinect Disneyland adventures or Disneyland adventures the video game on Xbox one review and hopefully very soon you will make it to Florida and we’ll talk about feeder albums and singles and hopefully you’ll pick a winner but for my opinion everyone is a winner and that’s how the world works hope that everything goes well during the virus is going on in the uk and very soon we will see you in Florida.

[@fgrion]

when you started i thought you would have said: we are giving away to Busch Gardens Houston :)

[@blacklisted351]

How did I just get the notification for this video?

[@ernestoalejandrojuradoagui4824]

Can you do a expedition about the abandoned Lake Dolores / Rock a Hoola water park located in the mojave desert in the route 66 ?

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Will put it on my list to look into for the future!

[@catladycc]

I have a picture with my grandparents at Busch Gardens Houston.

[@dante8641]

Exepedtion accident would be cool

[@michaelford5835]

You've done a couple videos on Busch Gardens Williamsburg, any chance you could do the history of Castle O'Sullivan?

[@lewis2524]

Learn something new every video. I love then by the way

[@michaelgreenslade7260]

The Fairfield (between San Francisco and Sacramento) California brewery has always had suspicious extra acreage, were there any plans for that space? That expedition might take some sleuthing.

[@Premier_Thrills]

This video was awesome

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thanks

[@chrisbarone515]

Can you do the Evolution of The Moroccan Palace theater in Tampa Florida.

[@lorddrayvon1426]

For reference, $2.25 in 1971 is $17.06 today and $1.25 is $9.48. Inflation’s fucking wild.

[@michailokeefeMooMoo]

Great video

[@fmc9229]

I’m the 765 person that liked the video and your videos are really good

[@DooneyDoom]

I've ask my dad if he remembers this park since he's a former resident of Houston. He didn't know that existed

[@timhulsen7385]

Never heard of this park actually!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It didn't last long!

[@brycevo]

I never knew this was even a thing

[@alex-_lynx4659]

Plz do a vid on splash canyon at Drayton Manor

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

In the future maybe

[@AverageMusicEnjoyer2]

Do history of Thorpe Park or any of the rides there that you haven’t done yet pls!

[@njmaxrocks]

So was there ever a Busch Gardens Newark, NJ that I never heard of?

[@cam3033]

These videos keep surprising me

[@timhulsen7385]

Same

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

In a ghood way?

[@cam3033]

@@ExpeditionThemePark Yes

[@allenhuffman]

I remember seeing a bird show there, but I think the park was already gone by then.

[@b.g.bbeezo100]

When you say Bud !!!!🎤🎶🎵

[@AardbeiKomkommer]

Can there come one of astroworld too? I see a lot of it in the comments and I'm wondering what happened (I'm not from the USA and I'm unfamiliar with the story)

[@foxcub2yo108]

When did it close? Kinda thought this would have been covered

[@wallmart3743]

You the man!!

[@heatherfigueroa5144]

Great video 👍

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thanks 👍

[@heatherfigueroa5144]

Can you do a video on cobra curse and toy story mania

[@Hennisphere]

I lived just north of Houston for 15 years, and I never knew about this. Grand Texas needs to hurry up and break ground already.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I wish!

[@SuperKoopBrosOfficial]

My predictions for the coasters if the park kept going on: China would be the enterance of the park so it wouldn't have a coaster Korea: Dragonfly (B&M Flying Coaster) Japan: Asian Giant Hornet [(For the uneducated folks, the Murder Hornet], a B&M inverted coaster) Mongolia: Budda's Wrath (Arrow Sit Down Coaster) Nepal: Mt. Everest (B&M Giga Coaster) Saudi Arabia: Sandstorm (B&M Floorless Coaster) India: Spicy Mumbai (Intamin Launch Coaster) Philipines: High Tides (RMC Single Rail Coaster)