Busch Gardens/D.C. Trip Report...with Pics!

[KStarfish82]

OK so some people have been pressuring me to start this mini-TR...not to mention any names...ahem BARB ahem

I hope no one minds this TR about BG Williamsburg and D.C. being on this board, but I honestly don't know where to put it!!!

 

[KStarfish82]

Day 1....

Well, it is Thursday morning and the car is packed. We drive about 8 hours to Williamsburg.

On the way, we stop at one of those Jersey rest stops along 95. Having to go to the bathroom (of course), I see a Roy Rogers. Now, we had a Roy Rogers by my house for year, but it closed about 10 years ago .

Well it was proabably 9:00 am and I walk over to the place. I see all the breakfast food and look to where the fries are usually out. Well to my disappointment, there are tater tots, no fries

So I ask the lady, can you make fries. She says, "Sure!", and she gets me a nice, fresh, piping hot order. Yum!!

Sorry about the tangent on the food.....

Anyways we reach Williamsburg at around 3 pm. We check into out hotel (the name escapes me at the moment) and it was OK. Nothing special.

We then head to Golden Corral....LOVE this place!!!! Years ago, this was the first Golden Corral we had ever been to, so it was kind of reminiscent.

Well we pig out and decide to do a little shopping. We go to this place called the Christmas Mouse...what a place!!! I am very into the holidays and there were 50 decorated Christmas trees and thousands of ornaments I buy a few for less than what I would pay in NY

Then we look around some local shops and head back to the hotel to hit the sack...

Next up...Busch Gardens!!!

 

[KStarfish82]

Day 2.....

So we are up around 8ish and get ready to hit the parks. We had to pack because we weren't staying at the same hotel that night.

Well here we are!

We were greeted by some locals

Well the park wasn't really open yet but we got some pics along the way!

DF and I

Mom and Dad

Continued.....

 

[KStarfish82]

By the way, I think those things were made for kids!!

Well after the park officially opened and we headed over to the Griffin. All I have to say is WOW. What a superb coaster, and one of the smoothest I have ever ridden.

Basically, it is a floorless coaster with three rows, 10 people to a row. It takes you up about 200 feet and you get a spectacular view of the James River. Well before you drop, they stop the coaster so that you are looking down the 90 degree drop. And then they drop you!

Well after we rode that three times, we caught the Skyride and head over to Alpengeist.

DF and I

Well we rode Alpengeist (much bumpier than I remember). And then, DF got sick. He was OK, but has a little motion sickness.

Now the rest of the day is a little blurry, so I will post the pics that I have.

Dar Kastle (just like Spiderman..awesome)

Big Bad Wolf...if you couldn't tell

Don't remember what this ride was called....but my sister was annoying the **** out of me!!

Continued.....

 

[KStarfish82]

Some random pics....

This park is sooo beautiful....you can see why.

Continued.....

 

[marciemi]

Katie - well, I'M here! Enjoying reading it so far! When you say Dar Kastle is like Spiderman, I'm confused? I'm guessing a different Spiderman than at IOA? The Griffin sounds really cool.

When the kids were really little, we had some kind of "best roller coasters" video and I remember before going to Cedar Point with them showing them the clips of the Big Bad Wolf to get them psyched up for the similar ride (Iron Dragon) there.

Keep it up! (and Barb will get off your case!)

 

[KStarfish82]

Some more ride pics...

Escape from Pompeii

My bro and DF having a little too much fun....

Rest time on the train....

Continued....

 

[KStarfish82]

Now, this was one of the highlights...the Aviary. Basically, it was a house with brightly colored parrots. We first walked in not knowing what it was and saw that the bird were landing on people. Well, we noticed why, they were selling food for $3 a cup

Well we splurged and got some food. Then we were attacked!

Things seem all great....

Then they come in flocks!

My sis was terrified....this was one of the only pics we could get

OW!! Check out where the birds claws are!!

And there are casualties...

Yea no kidding....

Continued.....

 

[t-and-a]

Great trippie, Katie, I love your photos! You guys look like a fun group and it looks like you had an awesome time!

 

[Minniespal]

Brillant trippie, lovely photos.

 

[keishashadow]

Glad you had a nice time, evidently the crowds were manageable

Think that's the main thing that "put me off" GBW; even though we were @ gate before they opened (weekend in August); it was soooo crowded & soooo hot (worse than I've ever experienced in FL).

Did get to enjoy Big Bad Wolf, Pompeii (wish it were longer ) & the aviary. One of the birds attacked DH & ripped off a mole on his neck ; evidently thought it was a seed! Staff member laughed & said it happens all the time as she handed him a few bandaids vicious predators lol.

Did you do RL Stines' Haunted Lighthouse...bumpy ride; had "Doc" from BTTF.

 

[RVGal]

Yay! A Trippie!

Looks like you guys had a good time.

I think I have the same picture of the Big Bad Wolf that you have somewhere... from my trip in 1989...

 

[ChisJo]

Thank you for the great trip report and the pics! You've just convinced me to go to BG - was kind of debating between that and KSC (even though we both are definately NOT space enthusiasts!). Can't wait to experience it! Thanks again!

 

[bubba's mom]

Better late than never, eh????

So, finally had a chance to go over your trippie.... Did the bird bite under his eye....was that the reason for the 'close up'??? Did it hurt? Hope he's okay So, while I like the bird thing....not so much for me. Have a 'scarred' past....when little at the zoo, bird crapped on me so...yeah....got a fear of geese, seagulls, etc. flying over top my head

Looks like a fun trip..... I haven't been to BG VA since I was a 'young un' Maybe someday we'll get there w/ the boy Trippies with lots of pix are always great!!! I would have to agree w/ Alison and say you all look like a bunch of fun people......even more funner drunk? ooops! Did I say that out loud????

Thanks for sharing.....loved reading about it....... Sorry took me so long, but weekdays are crazy around here.....the boys schedule keeps me hoppin'.....

 

[KStarfish82]

Thanks for the comments so far everyone!

So Hallowscream began at around 6 pm. That is, the "Haunted" sections began to open. They had a variety of characters walking around the park and jumping out at people.

Well they closed the Skyride and Pompeii in order to set up Haunted Houses. What I like about what BG did is that they gave each attraction a "scary" rating and who it was appropriate for.

We took a ride on the Haunted Train ride...pretty lame. Then we went to the main haunted attraction. It was only for people ages 17 and up. We are sent into a dark house with all different spooks...it was really great.

Just some pics we were able to get. Sorry they are dark.

It was really great though. Definitely check it out if you are in town.

Well we had our fill of Halloween fun, we headed out and got on the road. The original plan was to head to Hershey Park, about 4 hours away.

But the plans changed...

 

[KStarfish82]

Been a few days since I posted but on with Day 2.....

We had driven a few hours north, with every intention on going to Hershey Park. Well it started to rain and we were really getting tired, so when we pulled off to get gas, we saw a Best Western. We decided to check their rates...and it was only $50!!! We booked and spent the night.

Sorry no pics, but its a Best Western, you can use your imagination


So we get up early and drive a good 40 minutes to Washington D.C. This place is impossible to park!!! Finally, we find a garage and park.

First stop...the Smithsonian

This was a section with animals across the globe...pretty cool

And of course the gems....

My bro and a big rock/crystal

The Hope Diamond

Continued.....

 

[fairfax]

Great trip report! I am originally from Virginia and although I haven't been to Busch Gardens or Williamsburg in years, this brings back great memories. Also, I love the Natural History museum. I worked near there in DC and sometimes would go on my lunch hour. I'm amazed you found a parking place in DC! Looking forward to your next post.

 

[ChrisFL]

Katie - well, I'M here! Enjoying reading it so far! When you say Dar Kastle is like Spiderman, I'm confused? I'm guessing a different Spiderman than at IOA?

DarKastle is the only other ride in the world (AFAIK) that uses the same technology as Spiderman at IOA, so yes, they are referring to that one.

 

[Spidey7]

DarKastle is the only other ride in the world (AFAIK) that uses the same technology as Spiderman at IOA, so yes, they are referring to that one.

So what is Darkastle like? Is it on the same level as Spiderman? Is it like a haunted house but 3-D like Spiderman/Haunted Mansion type of thing? Looks very cool would love to hear some details.

 

[KStarfish82]

So what is Darkastle like? Is it on the same level as Spiderman? Is it like a haunted house but 3-D like Spiderman/Haunted Mansion type of thing? Looks very cool would love to hear some details.

Yes, DarKastle is similar to Spiderman in its effects. The cars are the same and you definitely get the same feel but the story revolves around a haunted castle. Kinda nifty with the holiday coming up and all.