Budget tips, for Colonial Willaimsburg/Bush gardens

[Belle5]

Our family spent a week in CW last June. Go to Tripadvisor to the Williamsburg, VA "forums" and do a search on "trip report". You will learn so much that way! (You will probably find my trip report by doing that)

What NOT to do to save money. Under no circumstances should you bid less than a 3* on Priceline!!!! We needed two rooms for a week in CW and then another two rooms for another week in DC, so I bid on Priceline. I really, really did my research and found that all the two star hotels near the outlets were good (Marriott Springfield Inn, Fairfield Inn, etc.) Lo and behold, if a "new" Priceline hotel didn't pop up on me. HORRID!!!!!!!! Staying in such a dive totally tainted the Williamsburg experience for us. Where you stay is really important! We have decided if we ever go back we will not use Priceline in Williamsburg (worked great for DC).

Highlights for us:#1-- kids 11 years plus (through age 22) loved the archeological dig site in Historic Jamestowne! DH and I loved it to!!!! If it weren't for our five year old, we could have stayed there all day...Talk about a treasure hunt! #2-- eating in the Taverns #3--Water Country #4--the tour at the Capitol in CW (fascinating with a good tour guide) #5--the church (our family name is on one of the pews so we all got a kick out of thinking that our ancestors might have sat near George Washington and other famous people who owned pews in the church)

Regrets--(other than the hotel...) that we didn't do any of the CW evening programming.

**if there is a meal ticket to pre-puchase for BG, it is a good deal.

**Busch Gardens is pretty to look at and has a couple of nice coasters--but DON'T expect the workers to be ANYTHING like Disney CM's. My older kids are still talking about how inept the employees at BG were--it was SAD!

**Younger two really liked Jamestown Settlement--we all did!

 

[andrews1ma]

I am so glad I found this thread!

I have been reading lots of reviews on Trip Advisor in regards to where to stay- I think that is a good start when I plan trips, then I can sort out all the other important details- mainly the dining! Being that I haven't been there in over 10 years I am sure there are lots of new places to stay. I have been looking into the Woodlands as a lot of posters have suggested for 2 reasons- one is price and the other is proximity to the attractions. My only concern is that we are driving and will probably prefer to use the car most of the time if the walk is far enough to make my 10 year ds old whine. Sooo I then started to look at hotels that may not be walking distance but close enough to all to still feel like we were " on property" so to speak. I have been reading some good reviews about the Hampton Inn and Suites Historic District location and it seems to get good marks. It is also fairly inexpensive for the dates in the spring that we want to go. If anyone has any feedback about this hotel I would love to hear. I had mentioned before in an earlier post that when my DH and I went way back when we stayed at the Williamsburg Lodge ( I begged him because I thought it would be like staying on property and feeling immersed in the surroundings) and although the property is beautiful and everything in pretty much walking distance ( from what I can remember) we really weren't all that impressed- especially when it came to the $$$- I didn't think it was worth it.

Thank you to everyone for all the great suggestions regarding the attractions and CW area. I have also gone on to Trip Advisor and read some Tr's now I need to start taking notes- and possibly making a trip binder

 

[stahshee]

I was thinking Governors inn. If I stay at one of the "offical hotels" I get 25% off the cost of the evening programs.. I want to do the Cry witch, Ghost amoung us , and the dance anyone done any of the evening programs?

 

[mebbradley]

I have done the Ghosts program! it's amazing, make sure to take your camera! I've only been through half of the Cry Witch Program.

Any other Evening programs you are interested in?

I may have done them

 

[ShanPooh]

In addition to the usual stuff...
We had fun with the Ghost Walk that was through CW. We did it back in 1998, on our honeymoon
We also had a lot of fun at Gambol's at one of the historic taverns. I think they have games, songs, and entertainment for the whole family in the early evening.
Williamsburg Pottery was really enjoyable for us.
The day we went to Water Country USA (mid-late July), it was 100 degrees out!
We felt so bad for all of the costumed interpreters at CW in that heat!

 

[RooRach0906]

There are also a lot of fabulous outlets in Williamsburg if you like to shop.
BG can definately be done in a day even if you ride the big rides. I have done it many times on Saturday in the Summer.
I have never been to Water Country (crazy I know)
Kings Dominion is awesome its water park is in the park and about 1 hr 1/2 away it does have a few more rollercoasters but DH and I prefer BG rides esp Griffon. Also we love Corkscrew Hill (Like Star Tours) but the walk in make me feel like the walls are coming in.
Also a warning Dark Castle is a cool ride but I do scare pretty easy (I can not watch horror films) and I still can not ride it with my eyes open, just occansionally peeking part of it is b/c its 3D and I cant take things popping out at me.
BG just open (last year) a new kid park Elmo and friends.
My parents own a timeshare there Kings Creek Plantation. I am not sure how much it is but all the rooms are. They are many sizes to choose from and are nice, clean and almost all have kitchens and there is a gas grill at the one pool, there are 3 pools two outdoor and one indoor there might be a 4th they were not doing building last time I was there, it is also walking distance to Water Country.

 

[coolbeans]

subbing... we are going too this summer.

 

[kathmzh]

We, too, are planning a Williamsburg vacation! My 7 year old dd does not want to go to WDW She wants a historic vacation.
Does anyone know/think the 7 in 1 ticket is worth the extra money?? It is the same as the bounce ticket but adds admission to Jamestown and a few others.
TIA.
I am looking at the King's Creek Plantation. The rate was about $130.00 for a two bedroom cottage. I thought that was pretty good and definitely "budget" compared to the Great Wolf Lodge!

do you mind telling where you got this rate? I was looking at August and found the prices to be much higher....it looks like a lot of us are going to be down there!

 

[kcromley]

i believe if you google wyndham vacation rentals, it will show a variety of timeshare rentals which are reasonably priced, in the Williamsburg area. good luck and have fun.

 

[stahshee]

how are the shuttles in CW.. Do I need to rent a car to get to BG or can I take the shuttle

 

[kevindorsey]

We are also going

this summer ...is the bounce pass available to everyone or only VA residents? TIA

We are planning on another trip in August too.

 

[my2redheads]

do you mind telling where you got this rate? I was looking at August and found the prices to be much higher....it looks like a lot of us are going to be down there!

I was actually looking at early fall so the prices are somewhat lower. You might also check skyauction.com or even eBay for a timeshare rental. Although you may have to wait a month or two until the summer season starts to book.

 

[Kimkimba]

We've been before many years ago and are going again this summer. Thanks for all the awesome information.

 

[Cdn Gal]

Thanks for the info. We are going down there this summer and really don't know what to expect. Great advice for the package ticket deal. How expensive are the evening shows/package etc?

 

[stahshee]

do you have to take the shuttle around CW? Can you use a car? Im confused

 

[mickeygaga]

subbing

 

[stahshee]

I made my reservation at the governors inn. I got it for 66 per night. Free breakfast

 

[samples78]

Due to this thread I am now planning a trip to Williamsburg the first week in June. My question is about golf in the area - are there any special deals on greens fees, or any recommended courses? My dad and husband would greatly appreciate any info you can share.

 

[lisaross]

i'm currently booked at the Best Western wondering if i should switch to governors inn - it looks like a really nice outdoor pool!

anyone stay at both? which did u like better? both have continental bkfast - i think the BW has an indoor pool - i do like outdoors better myself...

I made my reservation at the governors inn. I got it for 66 per night. Free breakfast

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

We loved Busch Gardens. Water Country USA is a blast too. We stayed at kings creek and rented 2 br with friends and then on a seperat time we stayed in a 1 br there. It is literally right next door to water country USA. If you are looking for a hotel there is a days inn ( i think) directly across from water country and next to the presidents heads park. They offer continental breakfast. As for food, breakfast we ate at the "astronomical pancake house" and it is awesome. Mama Steves is OK. We ate at a chinese buffet next to Kmart near the general store and that one was really good, it was actually an aisian buffet not just chinese. We love Pierce's Pit BBQ. Places to eat in the park, there is a place right by the log flume that serves bbq food, YUMMY and we also like Das Festhaus, it is similar to biergarten. HTH