Busch Gardens, VA a.k.a. Disney World It Ain't: A Trip Report

[Tink-in-Training]

I love Walt Disney World (I'm on the DIS, so that might just be the most understated sentence in history).

In short, my BF...doesn't. Normally when I begin to spout some sort of Disney trivia, wish, story, etc., he smiles, nods and eventually I hear, "Baby, it's just not my thing." Then I turn on my internal pout and the subject changes. Ah, well, such is life. Relationship is a compromise and all that.

So, our vacations have never been to the World. (I usually do those trips solo or with friends. And as you can see by my rather depressing ticker, it'll be some time before I'm actually back 'home' again. ) When talk turned to vacation this year, we planned it out so that we were taking at least 2 weeks together - the week of Memorial Day and the week of July 4th. We decided that for the first vacation we'd road trip down to Williamsburg, VA to do Busch Gardens and maybe Water Country for a couple of nights. I thought I might begin to exercise my TR muscles and write a mini-TR to practice for next year's big Disney TR.

Since we aren't leaving until next week...Welcome to my Pre-Trip Report! Sit down. Stay a while. There's coffee and desserts on the back table.

Here's the cast:

Me (Nikki a.k.a. Tink-in-Training a.k.a. 'The Princess') : I'm 27 going on 7 (at least when it comes to Disney). I'm an obsessive trip planner. I'm addicted to Boston Market macaroni and cheese. I have a serious shoe and make-up obsession. I am the typical girly-girl. I love me some theme parks and am a roller coaster fanatic. I am both selfless and selfish, forgiving and stubborn, flaky and observant all in one 5'4" package. I don't have any human children to speak of, but I am a mommy to 2 furry kitty girls , Isabel and Dory, and am the fairy godmother to THE cutest baby on the planet, Mr. Jake Robert . I've been on the 'get your rear in shape' bandwagon now for a little over a year and have lost about 50lbs.

BF ('The Man' a.k.a. the love of my life a.k.a. Partner in (Non-Felony) Crimes) : The BF is older than me but loves to be 7 with me. He loves roller coasters as much as I do. We also share a love of TV commercials (our current favorites are anything with the GEICO gecko, Honda Element commercials, Comcast Slowsky ads and the amp'd mobile commercials). He's a true friend - caring and comforting, but not afraid of speaking the truth. He's the one person in my life whose hugs make the hurt disappear completely, if only for a moment. He's also the one person who can get my blood boiling like there's no tomorrow. We do a lot of laughing, a little bickering and plenty of eating together. He's my biggest gym supporter and pseudo-trainer. He himself is in great shape...you know, can eat an entire large pizza AND maintain rock-hard abs. (Jerk. Love you!) He didn't used to be a 'cat person' but has since made close friends with my two girls, so close that Isabel ignores me when he's over. Kitty love is so fleeting.

Here's the plan:

Monday, 5/28/2007-Tuesday, 5/29/07: Leave from Southeastern, MA at midnight. Yes, midnight. We're hoping to avoid most holiday weekend traffic, commuting traffic and any kind of in-general traffic. The drive's about 10 hours. BF will be doing the first leg, from midnight until about 5am. I will do more sleeping. I'm way good at that. He's not a big sleeper and these are usually prime hours for him. I'll do the second leg, from 5am until we arrive. I work in Boston, about an hour and a half from home, and am up almost every morning at 4am. This is my prime time (ugh, by necessity rather than choice). We figure we'll stop for a breakfast/sanity break at some point. Upon arrival, we'll check into the yet to be reserved hotel room. Then head over for an easy, lazy, maybe nap on a bench kind of day at the park. Ride some stuff, rest, eat, ride more stuff, eat, eat, rest, note things we want to see/do on Wednesday (Neither of us have been to BG, VA, by the way.) The parks close at 6pm during the week, so we won't really be burning the candle at both ends. We'll grab something to eat and then make an early night of it.

Wednesday, 5/30/07: Eat an early breakfast and be there at park opening. Ride the stuff we missed/want to do, eat, generally enjoy the park and each other. Maybe check out Water Country. Head out at park close and grab some dinner.

Thursday, 5/31/07: Sleep in (which between the two of us, usually means as "late" as about 8:30am). Grab a bite. Drive, unhurridly, back home, stopping somewhere along the way to eat.

Note: In case it slipped past your radar, we're going to do a lot of eating. We both watch what we eat 6 out of 7 days a week and cheat together on Sundays. (Sunday has since become my favoritest day of the week. Yay Sunday!) However, we also cheat on bank holidays (no joke) and Vacation. Here in the Northeast we are devoid of: Sonic's, Golden Corral's and CiCi's. We plan on eating at two of these places for dinner while in VA and stopping at the third on the way home. I know, it's all fast food or buffet, certainly not what one might call even 'cheap gourmet', but it is gooooood. The BF really wants Sonic curly fries. I'm looking forward to CiCi's macaroni and cheese pizza (big surprise, I'm the mac n' cheese queen) and well, as 'ghetto' (as one friend called it) as Golden Corral might be...they've got lots of food. And desserts. I heart Golden Corral. And I have a pin to prove it. (Hmm...maybe I should get a lanyard and start pin trading.)

So here's what's left unresolved:

The hotel: I'm kind of a hotel snob. I used to work for Starwood Hotels and Resorts and I'm used to staying in some really ritzy places for less-to-no $$. Frankly I'm afraid of the Days Inn-type places (yet I wouldn't think twice of paying $100+ a night for a room in a 'modified' Motel 6 because it's been Disnified with a giant Pongo and Perdita in the courtyard or a computer-shaped pool...go figure). I have heard horror stories. So if you have any recommendations of where to stay or where NOT to stay, they'd be greatly appreciated. We don't need anything special...just a CLEAN bed and an insectless room. We're likely booking a package through the BG website so that we get a deal on the tix. I've priced it all out separately and it is about the same or a little more, a la carte.

AAA: I have a 2004 Honda Civic that (knock on wood) has been good to me because I have been good to it. However, I'm a worrier and am having the 'what if something happens on the way down/home?" thing going on over and over in my head. I've let my AAA membership expire and languish to the point where my membership card has since retired to a tropical island and is sitting in the sun with a fruity umbrella drink. If I renew my membership this weekend, does anyone know if it's active immediately, even if I don't have my permanent card? I can't remember from last time. I'd also like to get a TripTik for the rides there and back.

The restaurants: Need to print out directions from the hotel (once decided) to the places we want to eat. Very Important. There is mac n' cheese pizza riding on this. OH! And does anyone know if there is a Jamba Juice in the commutable Williamsburg area? I fell in love with Jamba when I was in Cali a few years back and we have one on the BU campus in Beantown, but I don't get to have it anywhere near as much as I'd like.

Packing: Just taking an overnight bag each. The BF's will hold only the essential and more importantly, sensible, items to bring/wear. I will probably have 2 outfits too many. I will bring a pair of sneakers and 4 pairs of flip-flops. (Yes, I break the cardinal rule of proper park footwear. But I also don't get blisters so much and find them more comfy. I hate having hot feet and sneakers=hot feet.) I'll also have make-up I probably won't wear and will forget the sunblock. I'd like to pack a little snack cooler for the car. My iPod. CDs when we tire of the iPod. Cotton for BF's ears when he tires of listening to me. My therapist. I think that's everything.

Maybe a little later I'll put up a pic or two...of me...so you can know me, put a face to the name and all that. But not of the BF, because he'd murderize me. He hates pictures. Period. It's a fight to get him to take pics with me. He's absatively posalutely gorgeous, but hates the way he looks in pictures. I'm also going to look through the park rides/shows/snacks at some point and try to make a list of things we simply 'must' ride/see/eat. Perhaps I can post that later when work gets tiresome (which may be in, oh, say 15 minutes).

So, we'll see how this goes. At this point I'm hoping for A reader. Even just a single, solitary reader to (possibly) enjoy my babble. Because I do. Babble that is. Incessantly. (Hmm. Maybe I should pack more cotton for the BF's ears.)

5 days until we leave!

 

[wdwmom2]

I've done Busch Gardens and Water Country in a long weekend and had a great time . They are both alot of fun!!!!!!

No, Disney it is not. But go with a great attitude and I am sure that your trip will be wonderful!!!! I hope to visit both places before summer is over. We only live about 3 1/2 hours away, so it really isn't that bad of a drive.

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[GeorgeY]

When we goto Busch Gardens in Williamsburg we stay at the Williamsburg Marriott. It is right next to Busch Gardens and very convenient to drive to and from the park. It is a nice hotel, but very plain, sort of how you would probably picture a nice convention hotel.

George

 

[lindalinda]

AAA will give you a temp card until you get your new one in the mail.

Wear comfy shoes, the park is hilly. We had fun there. There is a roller coaster called Alpengeist (or something like that) that is awesome! And another called Appolo something that was too freaking scary for me (it has to do with the restraint, it has these little thigh things that hold you in.....) but the kids did it and loved it. Have fun!

 

[Tink-in-Training]

I have readers.

wdwmom - I'm sad it's not Disney, but definitely going to make a great time of it. The BF and I have a good time no matter what we do. Heck, we've made an adventure out of going to the mall. I'm not worried (about that, anyway...I may or may not be worried about any of the following: the weather, the car, the room and whether or not my cats will eat all of my houseplants in protest).

GeorgeY - Thanks for the recommendation. I'll definitely take a look at the Marriott. Unfortunately we are trying to make it a budget trip, so it might get axed based on price, but it is now on the 'hotel' list.

lindalinda (typing linda twice in a row like that was fun!...doesn't take much with me ) - Thanks for the info on the AAA card; that eases my mind. The shoe thing makes me a little sad. Confined to sneakers. But I suppose that's better than having BF tell me I'm going to have to EAT my flip flops if I complain 'one more time'. I'm going to look at the rides at lunch today. We will ride EVERY roller coaster we can! I think there's some new thrill ride/coaster opening this weekend.

Your comment on the scare from the restraint-type...I can be claustrophobic, but not just in small rooms, moreso when I'm restrained or feel like I can't get out. The ONLY time I've never had a problem with this is on rides. It's the opposite with them - they can't be close/tight/secure enough!

Thanks again to everyone for reading. I'll do my best to post more soon and keep you entertained. (That's my favoritest smiley!)

 

[pgsahm2]

Hey. I answered your post on the nothing thread.... just so you don't miss it......

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=18807974&postcount=1743

 

[Tink-in-Training]

Hey. I answered your post on the nothing thread.... just so you don't miss it......

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=18807974&postcount=1743

Yes, thank you! I'll try to make a list of any questions I come up with, that way I'm not pestering all of you!

 

[Christine]

Sounds like you have a great trip planned.

Just to let you know--I am from Virginia and I probably wouldn't go to Water Country this time of year only because, for the most part, it's still pretty cool here and the water is definitely frigid. Maybe you are tougher than I am but just beware that it may be chilly!

 

[Duchie]

Can't wait to hear the details of your trip! We're going to Williamsburg for the first time next month and I've had a heck of a time finding any info on it. So some first-hand knowledge will be VERY welcome!!!

So I'll just grab some and wait for the TR to unfold. Don't take too long - I need details before we leave on the 13th!

 

[katlas&kids]

Just so you know, I am the wierd one out here. Busch Gardens to me is a bore. I live withing 45 minutes of it adn Yawn... haven't been there more than 4 times since it has opened. Lots of hills, walking & shows. The new roller coaster, the Griffin, will give you some good excitement I heard, since it is steel and flips you upside down. Long lines for it though as it just opened last weekend.

I guess my main bore about it is there isn't to much to do. Now it has expanded since I went last, with a new country (ireland) and all the new coasters. But I am also a wooden coaster person, love the air! so take anything I say with a grain of salt!

I'll probably get booed off of the thread, but give me Kings Dominion any day! More coasters, water park inside the park, more kid stuff, which you don't need since the kitties aren't going. And my son, who is handicapped and went this past Sat., and can take his wheel chair doesn't to Busch due to the hills and lack of rides.

That said, Roman Rapids, Escape from Pompei and alpenguiest are great. The front of Alpenguist is the best, though you can do the middle for a ride to experience. Again I don't hold on, so the middle was a bit slow, but then made the front better.

Can't tell you much about Water country. Sorry. Went there many moons ago, you can do great if your legs can carry you up all those steps and it is lots of fun.

I have stayed at the Days inn across from Water country, which is just down 199 from Busch Gardens. It was nice, but again, a few years ago! All places are marked well, so you shouldn't get lost.

Also if you are into history, Jamestown and Yorktown are just up the road and Williamsburg proper has all the nice history tours.

Have a great time and keep us updated. Since I live south of Williamsburg, ya can't wave at me, but I'll remember you this weekend!

 

[Tink-in-Training]

Just so you know, I am the wierd one out here. Busch Gardens to me is a bore. I live withing 45 minutes of it adn Yawn... haven't been there more than 4 times since it has opened. Lots of hills, walking & shows. The new roller coaster, the Griffin, will give you some good excitement I heard, since it is steel and flips you upside down. Long lines for it though as it just opened last weekend.

I guess my main bore about it is there isn't to much to do. Now it has expanded since I went last, with a new country (ireland) and all the new coasters. But I am also a wooden coaster person, love the air! so take anything I say with a grain of salt!

I'll probably get booed off of the thread, but give me Kings Dominion any day! More coasters, water park inside the park, more kid stuff, which you don't need since the kitties aren't going. And my son, who is handicapped and went this past Sat., and can take his wheel chair doesn't to Busch due to the hills and lack of rides.

That said, Roman Rapids, Escape from Pompei and alpenguiest are great. The front of Alpenguist is the best, though you can do the middle for a ride to experience. Again I don't hold on, so the middle was a bit slow, but then made the front better.

Can't tell you much about Water country. Sorry. Went there many moons ago, you can do great if your legs can carry you up all those steps and it is lots of fun.

I have stayed at the Days inn across from Water country, which is just down 199 from Busch Gardens. It was nice, but again, a few years ago! All places are marked well, so you shouldn't get lost.

Also if you are into history, Jamestown and Yorktown are just up the road and Williamsburg proper has all the nice history tours.

Have a great time and keep us updated. Since I live south of Williamsburg, ya can't wave at me, but I'll remember you this weekend!

katlas - I can relate. We have Six Flags New England about an hour away and I would say the same thing about that park. :yawn:

We've heard good things about BG and may also be going to the one in Tampa in August (thinking about the heat is already making me sweat!). My parents and younger brother have been to BG, VA and they loved it (alas, I was in the Acores when they went on that trip). Even if it was a complete wash, the BF and I would do everything we could to make it a great time.

Oh and there will be no booing off this thread. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

You seem to be a coster lover, like I am. I've never been to King's Dominion, but I HAVE been to (and fallen in love with) Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH. LOVED IT! Especially Millenium Force. That park is a coaster-lover's dream come true. Wooden coasters, steel costers, inversions, stand up, feet hanging, they've got it all. AND a water park! It was a great family vaca.

Thanks for your input (and the hotel info), I welcome all info, positive and negative. Helps me be realistic about what to expect.

I was able to glance through the park attractions/shows during lunch. Hoping to post a 'Must Do/Must Avoid At All Costs' list soon.

TTFN!

 

[Tink-in-Training]

So, this is me. Hi!

Now you have a face for the name/obsessive personality.

Ok, so I looked over the attraction list for BGW and here's what I've come up with so far:

MUST DO:
Griffon
Alpengeist
Apollo’s Chariot
Big Bad Wolf
Loch Ness Monster
(all coasters, all must-do's by default)

Escape from Pompei - I remember my family raving about this when they came back (granted it's like 10 years ago now). I'm looking forward to this one.

Roman Rapids - because hey, who doesn't want to get wet?

Pirates! - so this one reads as a '4-D' experience. I'm spoiled by the Disney and Universal 4-D experiences, so I'm not sure if this won't suck in comparison, but it's worth a shot.

Pet Shenanigans - the BF won't be plussed. This one is for me.

Oktoberfest - I'd like to do this one, though I'm not sure how into it the BF will be. I think I'm going to use that chocolate cake to lure him in.

All of the animal attractions - The BF will definitely be drawn to the Wolf exhibit. Can anyone tell me what the Jack Hanna part of this is like/all about?

The train - I know, exciting, huh? Quick backstory: On one of my first solo trips to WDW I was in the MK on a v-e-r-y HOT day. It was around 3pm, I wanted to avoid the crowds of the parade and was about worn out, but was fighting the fade and refusing to return to my hotel (oh the things I've learned since). I was wandering, almost blindly, and ended up boarding the train at Main Street Station. I was sitting on the outside and leaned my head agains the post (while keeping my hands and feet safely inside the vehicle at all times) and...I was out. In a big way. Like almost drooling out. Suddenly I jerked awake and looked around, completely disoriented. There was an older couple next to me and I recognized that they had gotten on at the same time I had. When the gentleman noticed me looking around he smiled and said, "You've been out for 2 whole trips around the park now! (That's about 40 min.!) I told my wife that if you didn't wake up by the time we pulled into the next station, I was going to give you a little shake. We didn't want to leave you asleep!" I was sooooo embarassed! And thankful for their concern. I thanked them and they got off in Frontierland. I stayed on the train until we got back to Main Street and let the breeze cool my face and keep me awake. Then I headed right for the gates and my room! Since then, I ride the train on every visit and it soothes me into an almost sleepy state. I wonder if the BGW train will do the same!?

SKIP:
The Battering Ram
Da Vinci’s Cradle

Both of these do the swinging and/or swinging around in a circle thing. And unless BF wants to see what I ate for breakfast...again...I'll need to steer clear of these. Maybe we'll eat some turkey legs instead.

NOT SURE about:
Corkscrew Hill - can someone tell me more about what this is and if it's worth it?

Curse of DarKastle - not getting rave reviews thus far. What, exactly, is this? Oh, and it's worth mentioning that I'm a total baby. I kept my eyes closed on every trip through the HM at MK until I went as an adult! I also have a severe fear of anything I define as a 'scary walk-thru'. I had a pretty scarring experience in a 'fun house' as a child. When a friend and I visited Universal while we were in Cali, we queued up for the Mummy attraction, not realizing it was a walk-thru until...we were walking thru. I tried to do it, but literally broke down in the middle of the attraction. An employee apparently saw my state on a security monitor and they 'magically' appeared and ushered me through a well-hidden emergency exit. It took me a good 15 min. to calm down. I was so embarrassed, but it totally reminded me of my limits.

Secrets of Castle O’Sullivan - the effects sound good in this. Worth it?

As far as 'Must Eat', I think we'll probably just graze as we go. On everything. Especially things that we will regret eating when we have to add an extra 900min. to our cardio workouts when we return.

I think we'll keep Water Country on the backburner. We have one pretty close to us up here, in Plymouth, NH and we went there last year on our July vacation. Right now weather.com is saying it's supposed to be partly sunny/sunny and in the mid-hi 80's/lo 90's during our stay (being from NE though, where if you don't like the weather you can just wait 5 sec. for something new, I know this could change in a week's time). We'd love to compare the 2 parks and it looks like it's got some great slides. We'll see. I'll pack my bathing suit and a couple of towels (and matching flip flops and probably still forget the sunblock) just in case.

So I think that's it for now. I'm probably going to discuss the hotel options one last time w/ BF this evening (read: I will tell him what I've narrowed it down to and he will tell me he doesn't care, I should pick it like he's told me at least 4 times since we decided to go and that he trusts me).

Still open to any questions, comments, advice, warnings, Jamba Juice locations and notifications of great shoe sales in the greater Williamsburg area.

TTYS

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Oktoberfest - I'd like to do this one, though I'm not sure how into it the BF will be. I think I'm going to use that chocolate cake to lure him in.

We're AP holders and go pretty frequently. BG has some pretty awesome coasters. It's also a beautiful park. I used to love Kings Dominion but quite frankly, it's pretty scary there now.

Ocktoberfest is the ONLY airconditioned eatery in all of BG. If it is even remotely humid, this is a good way to lure him in I think I have eaten just about every meal at BG there with a few exceptions of pasta in March

The train is your friend. BG is all uphill I swear.

 

[Tink-in-Training]

Pooh Girl - Totally off topic here but...that first tag the TF has graced you with...um, share. Please. PRETTY PLEASE!

Also, thanks for the info on the park. I have heard from a lot of people that it is very pretty and it's also very clean.

::sigh:: And it this point it sounds like I'll be stuck in sneakers. My flippies will be crying silent tears in the bag back in the room.

 

[ChrisFL]

I'd take Busch Gardens Williamsburg over Kings Dominion ANY DAY.

I love BGW, it's one of my favorite parks, although there IS a lot of steep hills and walking to do

 

[c&ldisneylovers]

I went to Busch Gardens last weekend (my brother graduated from William and Mary so we went on a mini family vacation) and Griffon (the new coaster) is wonderful. Go on it first thing before the lines get unbearable (over 2 hours later in the day.)

 

[Tybug]

We're ex-season pass holders as well(kids grew up, now DH and I go whenever without feeling like we have to!)...

We normally eat at the Smokehouse for our actual lunch. Just like Disney, plan to eat when others are not. The lines can be very long and take forever! Octoberfest is a must! The show is great and yes, air-conditioned! We like to grab a dessert and watch the show.

You're right on with the rides.

Corkscrew Hill is a similator type ride. Also a good place to cool off as the queue is in a cave type setting... very cool in temperature!

Curse of Dark kastle is sort of like Spiderman at Universal. Not as good... but fun.

Pirates is okay... you summed it up best by saying it's not Disney. But it's a good place to cool off.

Yes, it's hilly and yes your calves will hurt at the end of the day. But take the train... take the skyride... look at the map! There are ways to get around many of the "up"hills. (I have a bad knee and have a hard time with going up and stairs so have this down to a science!!)

Oh... and I always wear flip flops to BGW!!

And most of all... Have Fun!!!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I love Busch Gardens and I am totally envious of you! I used to live in Virginia Beach and I had a season pas for all 6 years that I lived there. Now I am back up in Canada and I have not been to the park in years. Now that they have a new coaster I am going to have to drag my brother down for a visit soon as he loves Busch Gardens as much as me. My rankings of the coasters not including Griffin are:

1.Alpengeist - This coaster is so much fun. I once rode on it 5 times in a row b/c for some odd reason there were no lines that day. By far my favourite coaster.

2.Apollo's Chariot - It feels like you are flying and the first drop is great. Also who can not love a coaster that was the site of Fabio's goose encounter (He was riding the coaster and a duck hit his face and broke his nose)

3.Loch Ness Monster - Fun ride. Lots of drops and loops.

4.Big Bad Wolf - My first ever roller coaster. This one is really fun to ride at night if you get the chance.


The pirates 4-D show is fairly humorous. It stars funny man Leslie Neilson.

One snack that is a must buy is the soft serve ice cream in France next to the kiddies dragon play land. TO DIE FOR!

Corkscrew Hill is fun. It is a 3-D motion simulator ride. Great place to cool down if it is hot out.

Oktoberfest is a fun place to grab lunch. If you time it well they have a show that they put on and they encourage audience participation.


If you are looking for a good restaurant to eat you should try The Trellis in Merchant Square over at Colonial Williamsburg. There dessert is wonderful, especially their famous Death By Chocolate cake.

I hope that you have a great time and if you have time should check out Colonial Williamsburg. It is very pretty and interesting. You can walk around it for free. You only need to pay if you want to enter certain buildings.

 

[PrincessJasmine1972]

AAA will give you a temp card until you get your new one in the mail.

Wear comfy shoes, the park is hilly. We had fun there. There is a roller coaster called Alpengeist (or something like that) that is awesome! And another called Appolo something that was too freaking scary for me (it has to do with the restraint, it has these little thigh things that hold you in.....) but the kids did it and loved it. Have fun!

That would be Alpengeist and Apollo's CHariot... I've been to BGE many many times and its a GREAT park! Disney its not, that's true, but I love it just the same. I go every year since I live only 3 hours away, but this year we are skipping it so I can finally make one of my dreams come true and go to the World in September! If you have any questions about BGE, feel free to PM me!

 

[frndofpooh]

Nikki - be sure to travel light, especially if you are going to do coasters. When we were there for Mother's Day they would not let anyone take bags onto rides at all. No backpacks, no purses, nada. They direct you to use the lockers (they have installed them near about every thrill ride now) or leave them with a non rider and were pretty firm on this. Can you say, "Busch Gardens Wants Locker Money"????

Anyway, just wanted to give you the heads up!