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

[Tink-in-Training]

Morning all (and thanks for hanging in there with me)!

First of all...

c&ldisneylovers - Thanks for the heads up on the lines. We aren't quite sure what to expect going on a Tue. thru Thurs. trip. The park's not open late yet and I don't know if most kids are out of school yet or not, but regardless, being a seasoned Disney commando, I'll be sure to follow the 'get there and get in line early!' commandment.

Tybug - Hello fellow flip-flopper! Alas, I think I will be imprisoned to sneakers but am STILL bringing flip-flops juuuust in case! Thank you SO MUCH for that ride info. You answered all of my questions! We'll probably give DarKastle a shot and I might have to shut my eyes on Corkscrew Hill. Sometimes my belly has a difference of opinion with simulators.

Lifelong_Dreamer - Thanks for the coaster detail. We can't wait to ride them! I don't know if we'll have time to do Colonial Williamsburg as we tend to be lazy park people, stretching it out over the whooooooole day and possibly part of the next day if we decide to split it with a visit to WC. I hope you can get back there! I'm hearing lots of great (though hilly) things. When I write the actual TR when I get back, I'll try to make it like you're there with us!

PrincessJasmine1972 - Your first trip to the MOUSE!!! Congratulations!!!!! Woohoo! Have a wonderful time.

FoP - Good to see you over here doing nothing as well! Thanks a bunch for that info. Oddly enough, I was just thinking about what to carry with me in the park on the train into work this AM (we nothing-ers must have ESP ). I'm thinking I'll just do my wallet and leave the phone in the room safe. I do want to bring my digicam into the park. I'm sure the BF won't mind zipping it into his cargo short pockets! But other than that, I really don't want to have a lot on me.

Thanks again to everyone for their comments!

So, a little update (4 days! Yay! I'm getting excited!)

I discussed the hotel options with the BF last night. Before leaving, I'd kind of been leaning towards the Days across from WC, particularly after talking to a few people here at work who've stayed there. The convo with the BF went something like this:

ME: So, I'm thinking we should just stay at the DAYS. It's right across from WC. I've been hearing good things. It doesn't have continental breakfast, but there's plenty of places to go in the area. It's in our budget. I hear it's clean. I was talking to...
BF: Is there a gym?
ME: A...gym? We'll be on vacation...
BF: I'm just sayin'. If I wanted to work out...
ME: (going through mental pictures of hotel) Um. Ya, it showed a fitness center, but just had pictures of treadmills.
BF: Any weights?
ME: I don't know. Do you want me to call?
BF: Nah. If not, I won't work out. We're on vacation. That sounds fine. I trust your judgment.
ME: (I'm now wearing my sweet GF smile thinking, 'Do ALL men require at least one cyclical conversation about something that 'matters but doesn't really matter before making a decision?) OK.

So, I was set to book the package this AM from the BGW website when something told me to look one more time at the a la carte option. Glad I did. The DAYS has a (non-changeable/non-cancelable/non-refundable) rate online right now that if booked with the multi-day e-tickets on the BGW website will save us about $30. So, I sent the BF an e-mail to make 110% absatively posalutely certain that this is what he wants. Then I'll book it at lunch. Then I'll go sign up for AAA. Then I will delve back into the pile of crap I need to get through today and tomorrow to even GO on vacation. Once the hotel is booked and the confirmation and tickets are printed, I'll feel a lot better.

I'm excited. So is BF. After the past 6 months we've had, we both seriously need some down time. I have an uber-busy 4 days ahead of us until we leave, so I'm not sure when I'll be able to actually feel relaxed, but I'm not going to stress too much. Between now and Monday I have to:

- work late, today and tomorrow
- get to AAA
- print out TripTiks and directions to the restaurants we want to go to
- prime and paint 4 dining room chairs
- do laundry
- clean house
- give the kitties 3 whole days worth of love so that they don't destroy my apartment or drive the downstairs neighbors batty
- pack
- buy a few extra tank tops, a gift and a cake
- attend my lil bro's college graduation and graduation party on Sunday
- attend a family cookout on Memorial Day
- get enough sleep before heading out at midnight in case I need to take over driving early



Using my crystal ball, I can already see that item #4 on that list will probably languish, unless I teach the girls how to use paintbrushes.

I think the BF needs a name other than BF. I have a friend that calls him the BMAN. We'll go with that.

K...gotta get some more work done. Hopefully the next time I post we'll have somewhere to sleep.

Happy Thursday!

 

[Tybug]

Tink, girlfriend(or should that be the Ggirl??) I hope you don't mind me saying that, "YOU'RE A HOOT"!!!

I hope you guys have a blast! I for one will be waiting for your official, I've actually been there trip report!!

Happy to hear we're giving you the info you need... keep asking if you need more. As for the dining chairs... they aren't going anywhere sister! Let 'em wait!!

 

[hiwaygal]

Just some thoughts from another "local"...

You will definitely see E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G if you plan on spending two days at BGW. It's just not that big. Granted, DH and I have season passes and don't ride many rides (he's not "into it" ) but even just going in the evenings we usually can walk the park three times or more.

My favorite place to eat is the smokehouse, but the Festhaus is good too.

You can also walk around the historic area at Williamsburg after hours, you might even be able to get a ghost tour one evening. Even Merchants Square can be kind of fun for walking/some shopping (but those stores are PRICEY!).

For shopping (not sure if you really care) Prime Outlets has quite a few great stores (I think you mentioned something about shoes ) and if you are into Yankee Candles, there's a great store there too. The Pottery might have some interest, and the Wythe Candy outlet is one of my favorites.

Have fun!!

 

[Tink-in-Training]

Just some thoughts from another "local"...

You will definitely see E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G if you plan on spending two days at BGW. It's just not that big. Granted, DH and I have season passes and don't ride many rides (he's not "into it" ) but even just going in the evenings we usually can walk the park three times or more.

My favorite place to eat is the smokehouse, but the Festhaus is good too.

You can also walk around the historic area at Williamsburg after hours, you might even be able to get a ghost tour one evening. Even Merchants Square can be kind of fun for walking/some shopping (but those stores are PRICEY!).

For shopping (not sure if you really care) Prime Outlets has quite a few great stores (I think you mentioned something about shoes ) and if you are into Yankee Candles, there's a great store there too. The Pottery might have some interest, and the Wythe Candy outlet is one of my favorites.

Have fun!!

hiwaygal - The more I'm thinking about it, the more I'm guessing we'll do a day and a half at BG and a half day at WC (especially considering the forecast right now is calling for mid-hi 80's/lo 90's!!). After a full 10hr drive, Monday night into Tuesday, we're planning on going slow on Tuesday during the day, so we might be able to stretch it out just right.

I'll definitely tell BMAN about the possibility of a ghost tour. He's totally into that and me, not so much. We watched Ghost Hunters on SciFi last night before bed. Ya, when we went to bed I made him shut the closet door, cuddle me up AND talk to me until I fell asleep. My gifted, overactive imagination be damned!

Ooooooo. OUUUUTLETTTSSS. He'll never let us near there. Here's what happens when he and I have a discussion about shopping:

What I say: Honey, I was thinking we could go to the mall or the outlets this weekend. I just want to look around. I hear there are some pretty good sales. Maybe we can get you some shorts. Want to?

What he hears: Honey, I have decided we are going to the mall AND the outlets for the entire weekend. I want to look around at all of the shoes. I hear there are some pretty good sales on shoes. We will get me more shoes. We're going.



Besides, my most recent footwear purchase set me back $80 so I have to back off for a week or two. The death toll rang as soon as I put those puppies on my feet. But c'mon, who can say no to black and white faux snakeskin 5" heels with a peek-a-boo toe? (The snakeskin's classy, not trashy.)

Sorry, down another rabbit hole there. Back to the topic!

What is this Wythe Candy place you speak of!? Perhaps we could sneak a peek in there. BMAN has a sweet tooth for dark chocolate that I'm totally willing to use to my advantage.

I'm going to need gastric bypass surgery to recover from all the food we're going to consume. ::sigh::

 

[Tink-in-Training]

I have a room!

I have tickets!

I have WAY to much to do!

But at least that's out of the way. More later...

 

[katlas&kids]

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.

TTFN!

We will be in DW in late Aug..for FREE Dining...! Gotta love it, disney and free food. Yummy! Its not that bad down there if you keep hydrated.

Oh and there is a Great wolf lodge in Williamsburg. Not to cheap but it is AC and waterpark is inside!

And on coasters, oh yeah!!! I have kids your age and still ride them! Whoo hooo!

 

[katlas&kids]

As for Kings over BGW... gotta remember that I was there the first year it opened, like 1972 or so. Back then they had you drive through the african safari, had the scooby doo roller coaster and the tower and not much else.

I do like both, but if I want to ride, Kings wins hands down. It may be a bit more crowed, but it is bigger, things are closer together, and even though it is a bit to close to Richmond, when I have gone, it hasn't been that scarey!

I do so hope you have a good time! If you need a celly to go on & on wil BMan eyes roll, PM and I'll chat ya through! kat

 

[Tink-in-Training]

katlas&kids: Oh and there is a Great wolf lodge in Williamsburg. Not to cheap but it is AC and waterpark is inside!

I did see this but it was a bit out of our price range. I think we'll probably have our hands full with the two parks, maybe a quick trip into historic Williamsburg and (duh, duh, DUHHHHH): MINI-GOLF. We are fanatics (and scary competitive). We can turn the lamest course into an absolute epic battle. I like to think this just strengthens our relationship...especially when I win!

As for Kings over BGW... gotta remember that I was there the first year it opened, like 1972 or so. Back then they had you drive through the african safari, had the scooby doo roller coaster and the tower and not much else.

I do like both, but if I want to ride, Kings wins hands down. It may be a bit more crowed, but it is bigger, things are closer together, and even though it is a bit to close to Richmond, when I have gone, it hasn't been that scarey!

I'd only heard some vague things about KD and not all of them were great (dirty, scary, etc.). It seemed like BGW had more rides/attractions that appealed to both of us.

And finally...

We will be in DW in late Aug..for FREE Dining...! Gotta love it, disney and free food. Yummy! Its not that bad down there if you keep hydrated.

Is there room for me in your luggage???

On a serious note, I hope you have a great trip!

 

[ChrisFL]

What I say: Honey, I was thinking we could go to the mall or the outlets this weekend. I just want to look around. I hear there are some pretty good sales. Maybe we can get you some shorts. Want to?

What he hears: Honey, I have decided we are going to the mall AND the outlets for the entire weekend. I want to look around at all of the shoes. I hear there are some pretty good sales on shoes. We will get me more shoes. We're going.

That sounds very familiar!!

 

[hiwaygal]

What is this Wythe Candy place you speak of!? Perhaps we could sneak a peek in there. BMAN has a sweet tooth for dark chocolate that I'm totally willing to use to my advantage.

There are actually two in Williamsburg...one in Merchants Square (at the west end of the Historic Area) and one further out west of town on Route 60 (the main road through Williamsburg). They have great candy and gourmet foods as well. Lots of "novelty" candy and some imported stuff too. You won't regret stopping there!

 

[Iansmom]

I chaperoned a HS field trip there just last week.
We stayed at the Days Inn - Historical Williamsburg and it was surprisingly clean. don't know how much it cost though as it was a package price for the whole trip. Travelocity is showing it at about $87/night.

several years ago, my family stayed at the Marriot Williamsburg and it was pretty nice.

My favorite coaster at BG is the Loch Ness Monster. The Griffon opened the day we were there. And a bunch of our kids tried it out, but after watching it about two dozen times, I just could not keep myself from saying "NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!" I didn't have the guts to try it.

Have a great trip.

 

[Renysmom]

We love BG and are lucky enough to live within 40 minutes so we go there alot.

We were there a few weeks ago when the were testing the Griffon. it's a monster and will be so much fun.

Here are some pics from the test runs:

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

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.

I love wrestling. WWE

 

[pgsahm2]

Those pics of The Griffon are scary. It looks like all of the people fell out. Yikes!

Definitely don't miss the LochNess. It's a fun ride. And sometimes if you catch it just right there's very little line.

 

[Tink-in-Training]

ChrisFL: That sounds very familiar!!

As it does to anyone acquainted with such an accomplished shoe addict as myself.

hiwaygal: They have great candy and gourmet foods as well. Lots of "novelty" candy and some imported stuff too. You won't regret stopping there!

No, but BMAN might if he's stuck in the car with me for 10hrs on a sugar high!

Iansmom: ...but after watching it about two dozen times, I just could not keep myself from saying "NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!"

I make it a point to never stare too hard when I'm approaching and/or waiting in line. I sometimes distract myself to the point where I'm strapped in and we're climbing the first big hill and I think 'Um, this doesn't look like 'It's a Small World' to me. What is it again we're riiiAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!' So there's that.

renysmom: We were there a few weeks ago when the were testing the Griffon. it's a monster and will be so much fun.

Awesome pics!! I'm so psyched. Reminds a little of Millenium Force at Cedar Point. The first hill is so steep that it feels like you actually travel down and IN ON YOURSELF before you reach the bottom. I remember being at the top, alongside my mom, looking down and thinking 2 things: 1.) I think I just died a little and 2.) WaitwaitwaitIwanttogetoffcuzthereaintnowaythisstupidlittlelapbariskeepingmybuttinthisseatAHHHHHHHHHH!. Then I got off and waited another 60min to ride again. Awesome.

Pooh Girl - a cute little aside here ("Big Surprise oh Queen of the Off Topic," you say). Ahem. My 1 1/2 month old godson's name is Jake (not Jacob). His middle name is his maternal grandfather's first name. Robert. Jake Robert...see where I'm going with this? Not unlike Jake the Snake Roberts of classic WWF fame. So, while he was still 'enwombed' we took to calling him Jake the Snake. Then his Dina (that's me - Dina is a shortened form of the Portuguese word for godmother) decided to make him a very special onesie for his very own:

Ok, so that's the end of my godson/wrestling/non-thread topic related morsel. I'll post an update to the BGW pre-vacation shenanigans shortly.

 

[Tink-in-Training]

So, thus far the tally is as follows:

Hotel reservations: CHECK!
Tickets: CHECK!
TripTik: CHECK!
Directions to the restaurants: CHECK!
Tips from the DISers: CHECK!
AAA renewal: not so much CHECK. Need to do tomorrow.
Packed bags: again with the not CHECKING.
Primed/Painted dining room chairs: AAAAAHHHH! GOOD LORD MAN I AM ONLY ONE WOMAN!

(I did, however, have time to stop into DSW today on the premise that I should have new sneakers. When I realize 15 minutes later that the red slingbacks I was trying on did not qualify as 'sneakers', I high-tailed it out of there.)

Annnnnywho....

I spoke with my mom last night and the girls will be going to spend some time with their 'grammy' and THE DOG. THE DOG is going to be at doggy day care during the day, so they'll have the run of the house and then parental supervison when THE DOG returns home at night. I call him THE DOG because I imagine that's how Izzy and Dory would write it if they could work the keys (and spell) with their furry little digits. And hey, just because pictures are fun:

This is Dory.

This is Isabel.

This is THE DOG. (and please note that this picture might be all about the "AWWWWW" but gives absolutely no testament to the destruction he can cause and the blind fear and panic he inspires in my cats.) His name is Cody. He's about 9mths. old and he's the biggest momma's boy I know.

Ok, so that was fun. Moving on...

It is with great regret that I inform you that what I believe was the final battle in the 2007 Flip Flop vs. Sneaker World War was waged via phone last night. Here is the play-by-play transcript:

ME: So it sounds like it's going to be fun. A lot of walking and stuff, but fun.
BMAN: That's cool. We'll be fine. We'll just wear our sneakers.
ME: (silent while I rally the troops) Well, there ARE some transportation options around the park...
BMAN: (coming in for the swift kill) Yeah, but still. We'll be ok. It's not like we'll be wearing FLIP FLOPS...Um...baby? Are you crying?
ME: No, those are my shoes.

I'm hoping to maybe do one or two more pre-trippie posts. I already have vacation fever and am having problems properly functioning at work. I AM however leaving work on an extremely HIGH note having received the detail of my annual increase yesterday. All I can say is WOW. I was just astounded and thrilled and thankful. My boss is a wonderful woman, sometimes like a mom. She knows how hard I work for her (though maybe in the past few days I've DISed a little too much). She might not always say thank you, but when it comes down to it, she always goes out of her way to make sure I'm well compensated for everything I do. I wish everyone could be so lucky.

Three hours and 15 minutes 'til I can leave. Yippee!

 

[CindysGusGus]

Nikki,
We were there last weekend. The Griffin looked awsome. I wanted to ride but none of my friends were strong enough to squish me into the "embarrassing" seat in the front of the que. I was about a quarter inch short of it clicking. I am bound and determined to lose about 15 lbs so I can ride when I go back in Oct. It is such a pretty park Im sure you will enjoy!!!

 

[MagicalMom]

We stayed at the Days Inn - Historical Williamsburg and it was surprisingly clean. don't know how much it cost though as it was a package price for the whole trip. Travelocity is showing it at about $87/night

That is great to hear. We will be staying there this Aug.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

As it does to anyone acquainted with such an accomplished shoe addict as myself.



No, but BMAN might if he's stuck in the car with me for 10hrs on a sugar high!



I make it a point to never stare too hard when I'm approaching and/or waiting in line. I sometimes distract myself to the point where I'm strapped in and we're climbing the first big hill and I think 'Um, this doesn't look like 'It's a Small World' to me. What is it again we're riiiAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!' So there's that.



Awesome pics!! I'm so psyched. Reminds a little of Millenium Force at Cedar Point. The first hill is so steep that it feels like you actually travel down and IN ON YOURSELF before you reach the bottom. I remember being at the top, alongside my mom, looking down and thinking 2 things: 1.) I think I just died a little and 2.) WaitwaitwaitIwanttogetoffcuzthereaintnowaythisstupidlittlelapbariskeepingmybuttinthisseatAHHHHHHHHHH!. Then I got off and waited another 60min to ride again. Awesome.

Pooh Girl - a cute little aside here ("Big Surprise oh Queen of the Off Topic," you say). Ahem. My 1 1/2 month old godson's name is Jake (not Jacob). His middle name is his maternal grandfather's first name. Robert. Jake Robert...see where I'm going with this? Not unlike Jake the Snake Roberts of classic WWF fame. So, while he was still 'enwombed' we took to calling him Jake the Snake. Then his Dina (that's me - Dina is a shortened form of the Portuguese word for godmother) decided to make him a very special onesie for his very own:

Ok, so that's the end of my godson/wrestling/non-thread topic related morsel. I'll post an update to the BGW pre-vacation shenanigans shortly.

love the picture! Hopefully he will not be shamed by it when he's older.

Flip flops wouldn't be a good match at BG. It's just too hilly and it usually rains in the afternoon when it's hot. But, the forecast looks good this week

The Days Inn-Historical is about the only DI I would be willing to try. It's quite pretty from the outside.

 

[PrincessJasmine1972]

DarKastle is AWESOME! You must, must try it at least once! As for the lines, I have been there in the dead summer, and I've been there in the spring a early fall. The lines are usually manageable except in the dead summer, but for brand new rides(like the Griffon) or rides who are only a couple years old(like DarKastel)the lines can be horrendous. I decided once that I was gonna wait til near closing to ride DarKastle becuase I thought the lines would be shorter(it was new then) BIG mistake.. I wound up being there at rope drop the next morning and being one of the 1st on it. We always buy 2 day tix and make a weekend of it!