Any tips for Busch Gardens Williamsburg

[Skywalker3]

Hi, Leaving soon for a trip to Williamsburg. Have 3 days scheduled at Busch Gardens: 2 at the park, 1 at the waterpark. Meeting up w family who live nearby, and go frequently, but who haven't done thrill rides in awhile, due to having little kids. We're focusing a lot on all the coasters. We are 'rope droppers' at Disney/Universal, so we plan to be there before opening if possible. What are the coasters that have the longest lines? which ones should we head to first at park opening? I read there is a new one, so I know that one may be popular, but any tips/tricks are appreciated. Also, any food recommendation? in Busch or elsewhere in Williamsburg. We might do a seafood buffet one night. Hope to make it to Yorktown and Jamestown another day, how long should we allow at each of those? (Hubby and I could spend ALL day at each, but teens are not all that interested,...) Thanks in advance!

 

[Skywalker3]

bumping...anyone, anyone...bueller????
found a few vlogs, looks pretty busy....the express passes they sell are sold out the days we're there, so I'm expecting crowds! Want to make sure kids hit the most popular coasters first!

 

[NYCgrrl]

We took DGD there in conjunction with a trip to Williamsburg and the man did most of the thrill rides with the crazee girlie, the first day; I was busy getting “cultcha”, .
Once she tired out her Ompah I joined them the next day and we did the scary house ride(fun!), a riverboat ride, and I can’t recall what else. A good time for all!

The day I went, I can’t recall any really long lines but it was a weekday during the summer. I do recall that the topography wasn’t as graded as WDW so it was a bit hilly with the walk up and down to the river being particularly so.
Oh I just remember something! There was a long line for a water ride as they both came back soaking wet and the man looked bedraggled.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

We just moved from the area a few months ago (I lived in Yorktown). I'm not a big coaster person so not much help there.

As far as food, Fat Canary in Williamsburg is our favorite. Definitely worth a stop, be sure to make a dinner reservation in advance! The cheese shop in Merchants Square also has great sandwiches. Berret's seafood is good too. Amber Ox is fun if you want something a little more casual.

Budget a couple of hours for each (neither is an all day affair IMO) Yorktown and Jamestown. I prefer historic Jamestown to the Jamestown Settlement living history setup, but up to you. The museum on the national park side is really interesting and worth a trip. Wear good walking shoes though! When in Yorktown, once you are done at the battlefield (you should go see the battlefield) go hang out at the Riverwalk for a bit. Have lunch at the restaurant or get ice cream at Ben and Jerrys. Enjoy the scenery and living in history. It's a fun place with a tiny beach. There are also boat tours that depart from the dock there if that is something that interests you.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I love the area, but I don't ride the coasters and I haven't been during the "Covid era" so may advice is probably "old".

One thing to know about Busch Gardens Williamsburg is that they don't usually open all areas of the park at "rope drop." But, they do let you know this (Hi Seaworld Orlando for screwing my fam by not telling us and actually haphazardly opening areas). If I remember, it's usually Germany/Oktoberfest/New France (one, two, or all three depending on the season and weekday) that isn't in the "1st open", and that usually open one hour after park open (probably b/c they are so far away going any direction in the park). I'm not sure with Covid if that changed, but be aware when you make plans to see if you can get a recent park schedule to see if they may have a section closed to start the day.

Oh, and I just got an email that Busch Gardens Williamsburg has gotten rid of park reservations...so that should be a help for planning.

I'll post more later, but I have to run now...

 

[Skywalker3]

Thanks so much, everyone!!! Appreciate all the tips and food recommendations. Will try and find out about which rides/ areas open at which times. Don’t want to waste rope drop time going in the wrong directions. Thanks again!!

 

[TwoMisfits]

Hi, Leaving soon for a trip to Williamsburg. Have 3 days scheduled at Busch Gardens: 2 at the park, 1 at the waterpark. Meeting up w family who live nearby, and go frequently, but who haven't done thrill rides in awhile, due to having little kids. We're focusing a lot on all the coasters. We are 'rope droppers' at Disney/Universal, so we plan to be there before opening if possible. What are the coasters that have the longest lines? which ones should we head to first at park opening? I read there is a new one, so I know that one may be popular, but any tips/tricks are appreciated. Also, any food recommendation? in Busch or elsewhere in Williamsburg. We might do a seafood buffet one night. Hope to make it to Yorktown and Jamestown another day, how long should we allow at each of those? (Hubby and I could spend ALL day at each, but teens are not all that interested,...) Thanks in advance!

Since you asked for a food rec, eat at Food For Thought (especially if you have allergies or dietary preferences - they totally take care of you and can component practically anything). Reasonable prices, interesting and amazing food, and just really nice staff (and not a chain). I ate there during our short "historic only" trip last September (and we've eaten there a few times before), and it's a can't miss site for Williamsburg...here's the link - https://www.foodforthoughtrestaurant.com/

Also, if you go, Jamestown and Williamsburg are the best historic sites - Yorktown is good, but it's a morning activity (2-3 hours), not an all day one, so you could actually hit the parks all afternoon/evening if you went there...

 

[Skywalker3]

Back from our trip, and REALLY appreciated all the tips/info. We did the driving battlefield tour at Yorktown on arrival afternoon.
Then 2 days at Busch gardens, 1 day at the water park, then final day at historic Jamestowne site before hitting the road. Really, enjoyed historic Jamestowne. Great archaeology museum, and walking paths around the old fort area/church, graveyard. Yorktown was good too, but no museum, and small visitor's center. Did realize we could park there, and walk to Yorktown, but didn't quite have time, Trolley looked like a good option to get around
Busch was great fun. DH and I were surprised by how well themed it was for the various lands. Kids loved almost all of the coasters. We did rope drop 1 day,and glad we did. We got lots of rides done first thing, and thank y'all for letting me know about the staggered openings. Germany opened 1 hr later than say Ireland, France, etc. on day 2 we didn't get there as early, and were met with much longer waits. and lots more folks using their version of head of the line pass. . All of rode the Griffon, loved it. So smooth. I didnt' do front row, but later the kids waited for it and thought that was wild.
Anyway, great getaway, and really wonderful destination! Thanks again for the info!

 

[PollyannaMom]

I haven't been in years, but we loved that park when we went. So glad you had a good time!