Krush Brau Park in Kissimmee brings lively Oktoberfest, aims for future as ‘mini Epcot’
The sounds of accordion music and yodeling waft through the air along U.S. 192, drawing visitors into an experience that transports them to Munich, Germany, all without ever leaving Kissimmee.
Oktoberfest is in full swing all month at Krush Brau Park, a new attraction that aims to highlight German cuisine and culture. The experience was dreamed up by Waylon Krush, a Washington, D.C., transplant who was inspired by a deployment overseas in the U.S. Army.
“I was stationed right outside Munich, Germany, and I went to Oktoberfest three years in a row,” he said. “It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever felt. I had to replicate that here.”
Krush’s biergarten is set under a tent with imported brews, German cuisine, stein hoisting, lederhosen, shot skis and plenty of entertainment. The venue is what formerly served as home to the Jungleland Zoo, a gem found by Krush’s real estate agent, who advertised it as a real garden — and a fairly overgrown one at that.
But the German-inspired experience is just the start and the jumping-off point for what Krush hopes will become a larger cultural experience. In phases, Krush Brau Park is slated to take shape as a cross between Epcot and Boxi Park Lake Nona.
The plan is for the attraction to have 13 distinct countries with shops, eateries and structures made from shipping containers.
“Our mission is to create a place where families can come and have a theme park that doesn’t cost a lot of money,” Krush said. “I love Disney, but not everyone can afford it.”
Renderings and plans for developing the 10 acres include the Taj Mahal, French and Italian spaces and scenes from China, Japan and Korea. In the Brazilian area, Krush hopes to build a “Christ the Redeemer” statue out of containers.
When this future phase comes to fruition, guests can also visit Canada and indulge in a poutine bar. In paying homage to the former zoo, Krush Brau Park will have animatronic animals.
In the meantime, the park’s phase one will host patrons in the Oktoberfest tent, a space that will transform to entertain guests during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and events such as the Christmastime Weihnachten and “Silvester Fest” for New Year’s.
While crafting his new attraction, Krush brought in seasoned chefs and entertainment professionals from far and wide to support the guest experience. Michael Gogolin, the park’s executive chef, moved from the Atlanta area and spent time researching German cuisine before his arrival. Now the park features creative dishes such as “disco fries” — featuring cheese sauce and pieces of bratwurst — and doner kebab.
“Everybody eats meat and potatoes, it’s just how they’re prepared. What do they use and why?,” he said. “I like to spin it. I’m not a traditionalist, classic chef.”
While Krush and his team have big ambitions for the future attraction, for now, he’s focusing on throwing the best, most authentic Oktoberfest he can.
“People get together, you put a tent up. We’ve got good beer, good food, good service and entertainment, and that’s it,” Krush said.
If you go
Krush Brau Park is open 4-11 pm Thursday-Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-8 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 30 at 4580 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee. General admission is $5 per person; children ages 12 and younger enter for free. Veterans can receive free tickets. For more information, visit krushbraupark.com.
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