Busch Gardens VA Christmas Town

[Mickeyluver37]

Anyone here ever do this? I think last year was the first year, and this year's opens today. We only have the opportunity to go tomorrow, as every other Saturday and Sunday between now and Christmas is booked!

It's a 3.5 hour drive for us- just trying to decide if it's worth the trip or if we should head to Sesame Place for their holiday celebrations this weekend instead. The problem is appeasing to the big kids-trying to do something fun for the whole family on our one free weekend!

 

[pepperw23]

Not yet, but I think we are going to go next weekend. Kind of annoying that is is only at night though. It sounds like a good time regardless. There was a four page ad in yesterdays paper (The Pilot).

 

[bas71873]

I went last year, I live 45 minutes away. It's very pretty, not sure it's worth a 3.5 hour drive though. I remember saying last year that I was glad that as a passholder I only had to pay $10 to get in and not $20. You can see Santa, it snows in France, there are several musicals shows, the penguins were a joke (there were 2 in the whole exhibit). We did have fun riding the rides, BUT, not all of them are open and those that are are weather depending. Example, the Griffon was open, but if it drops below a certain temp, it closes. Oh, it was also INSANELY crowded the night we went and I do know that several nights they closed due to capacity.

I honestly don't know what to tell you, but my gut says not worth the drive

ETA - the park IS decorated BEAUTIFULLY though! A PP mentioned it only being opened at night, I think that's the case because the majority of their work force is back in school AND, I don't think the whole concept would be nearly as effective in the daytime. Plus, they'd have to charge you more if the hours were longer

 

[rapriebe]

We are at Williamsburg now and are planning to go to Busch on Sunday night. I figured it would be real crowded on Friday and Saturday night so we are hoping for lower crowds on Sunday. Being an AP holder, I like the fact that it only costs $10. Don't think I would be happy to pay $20 each. Unfortunately, it is suppose to be very cold on Sunday so we'll have to bundle up.

 

[GJM]

We went last year when we went to Williamsburg for Thanksgiving. It was nice with all the lights, it really wouldn't be the same in the daytime. I wouldn't drive 3.5 hours to go there, that I don't think is worth it. It was pretty cold when we went.

 

[mbforbes]

We went last year (we live an hour away and are AP holders. We really enjoyed it and are planning to go again this year. I am not sure I would drive 3.5 hours though......probably not.

 

[lisaviolet]

the penguins were a joke (there were 2 in the whole exhibit).

ETA - the park IS decorated BEAUTIFULLY though! A PP mentioned it only

OMG. The Penguins. Nothing like lining up for a long time to see the statue penguins. Oh the Christmas memories.

Went multiple times last year. We did the gosh what's it called - the historic Williamburg BUMP pass. It's not bump - what is it? My head can't find the word.

BOUNCE! That's it.

It was okay. But it was the first year and they were interested in feedback so who knows - maybe better this year?

Hope this doesn't spoil anything. They were bang on with the decorations. Beautifully done.

Totally OT but a lovely stomach memory. The lovely New Town and my fabulous nacho chips in the background. Yum!

And this picture shows how cold it was last year. You can see how crisp the sky is - so pretty. We drove through horrendous conditions to get there. That HUGE storm up the east coast. Cars in the ditches everywhere. I will never forget that drive.

 

[ajk912]

I went last year, I live 45 minutes away. It's very pretty, not sure it's worth a 3.5 hour drive though. I remember saying last year that I was glad that as a passholder I only had to pay $10 to get in and not $20. You can see Santa, it snows in France, there are several musicals shows, the penguins were a joke (there were 2 in the whole exhibit). We did have fun riding the rides, BUT, not all of them are open and those that are are weather depending. Example, the Griffon was open, but if it drops below a certain temp, it closes. Oh, it was also INSANELY crowded the night we went and I do know that several nights they closed due to capacity.

I honestly don't know what to tell you, but my gut says not worth the drive

ETA - the park IS decorated BEAUTIFULLY though! A PP mentioned it only being opened at night, I think that's the case because the majority of their work force is back in school AND, I don't think the whole concept would be nearly as effective in the daytime. Plus, they'd have to charge you more if the hours were longer

We are waiting till it's included with the passholder rate. I really don't understand how it isn't..you would think an ANNUAL pass would include what's going on in that year. I get blocking off certain dates, but blocking out a whole season, that annoys me. I know it's only $10 a person, but annual passes are pricey enough as it is.

 

[rapriebe]

We are waiting till it's included with the passholder rate. I really don't understand how it isn't..you would think an ANNUAL pass would include what's going on in that year. I get blocking off certain dates, but blocking out a whole season, that annoys me. I know it's only $10 a person, but annual passes are pricey enough as it is.

You've got a LONG wait if you think they will ever have AP holders get free entry into ChristmasTown. I think we should consist ourselves fortunate that they give us a 50% discount. I also have an AP pass to WDW but I don't get into the Halloween parties or Christmas parties free. The discount that Disney gives to passholders for these parties in peanuts compared to what Busch gives.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Can anyone that went this weekend report on how it was? We decided to go to Sesame Place for their holiday party instead...it was FREE with the passes, and we figure we still have the rest of the month to decide on BG. Sesame Place was one weekend only.

Are you serious that the penguins were fake? There is a picture of real penguins on the website!!!

I also agree that it should be included in our passes. With the cold weather, hardly any of the normal rides are open, so I don't think it can be compared to any of Disney's parties!

 

[ajk912]

You've got a LONG wait if you think they will ever have AP holders get free entry into ChristmasTown. I think we should consist ourselves fortunate that they give us a 50% discount. I also have an AP pass to WDW but I don't get into the Halloween parties or Christmas parties free. The discount that Disney gives to passholders for these parties in peanuts compared to what Busch gives.

I don't know about that. Last year was the first year it was open, and already this year you can find $5 off coupons at ChickFilA and such. I am thinking maybe either next year or the year after they will have a deal and make it part of admission. Either like the regular VA Fun Card, or the fall Fun Card, or maybe part of the annual pass. They are losing out on a big market by not having a better deal (for repeat visitors) like they do with the regular annual or season passes, I bet before long they will start capitalizing on that. So we'll wait, we are in no rush! Maybe by then they'll have the kinks worked out.

BTW, I wouldn't compare ChristmasTown to Disney's Very Merry Christmas Party. Disney is still open during the day for the passholders, they are only closing from 6pm to 1am. Big difference. And Busch Garden's season is a HECK of a lot shorter, I would expect a lower price tag for their annual passes. They are only open daily from June-early September, besides that it's just weekends for fall and spring (except for spring break when they are open all week.) So now they are open weekends in December, I still think before too long they'll include that in (they'll probably raise the price a bit, which is fine, I just don't want to spend $10 to go once.)

 

[bas71873]

Can anyone that went this weekend report on how it was? We decided to go to Sesame Place for their holiday party instead...it was FREE with the passes, and we figure we still have the rest of the month to decide on BG. Sesame Place was one weekend only.

Are you serious that the penguins were fake? There is a picture of real penguins on the website!!!

I also agree that it should be included in our passes. With the cold weather, hardly any of the normal rides are open, so I don't think it can be compared to any of Disney's parties!

They weren't fake, but there were only TWO of them in the whole exhibit.

A friend of mine when this weekend and she said it was pretty dead. I bet the closer we get to Cmas, the more crowded it is. We went on the 26th last year and it was a zoo!

 

[lovetoscrap]

They weren't fake, but there were only TWO of them in the whole exhibit.

A friend of mine when this weekend and she said it was pretty dead. I bet the closer we get to Cmas, the more crowded it is. We went on the 26th last year and it was a zoo!

We were there around mid December last year and there were more than 2 penguins. I want to say that there were maybe 5, 3 on one side and 2 on the other? They weren't doing much, so not very exciting but still cool to see. Of course there was no line at all so we got to walk right in and spend as much time as we wanted in there.

Most of my friends waited until the weekend or so before Christmas and it closed to capacity every night. The closer you get to Christmas the more crowded it will be. Same advice as I give for Disney, get there before opening and head to whatever is the most important to you. We were able to see Santa as soon as they opened his doors and didn't have lines for anything else either. It got more crowded as the evening went on. And be sure to go on the train-- we usually skip it but it was very enjoyable (but cold!).

 

[kirstenb1]

We are waiting till it's included with the passholder rate. I really don't understand how it isn't..you would think an ANNUAL pass would include what's going on in that year. I get blocking off certain dates, but blocking out a whole season, that annoys me. I know it's only $10 a person, but annual passes are pricey enough as it is.

I go back and forth on this. We meant to go last year, and didn't. We may or may not this year.

FWIW, we have platinum passes, so we can get into Sea World and Tampa BG, in addition to going to BG and Water Country in Williamsburg. We pay a goodly amount for those passes, and it chafes me they don't include Christmastown. Especially with the very few things that are open. It's nice they have big Christmas-feast type foods, but we want more rides and shows, and penguins!!

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

I go back and forth on this. We meant to go last year, and didn't. We may or may not this year.

FWIW, we have platinum passes, so we can get into Sea World and Tampa BG, in addition to going to BG and Water Country in Williamsburg. We pay a goodly amount for those passes, and it chafes me they don't include Christmastown. Especially with the very few things that are open. It's nice they have big Christmas-feast type foods, but we want more rides and shows, and penguins!!

We have the platinum passes also. I can't figure out why Christmas town is not included. We did go last year the Saturday before Christmas and the place was packed. This year, I decided that we are going this weekend!

 

[Miniefan]

We went this past Saturday night. I was a little disappointed. Most of the rides are closed and the lines for the shows are really really long. I don't understand the reasoning behind all of the coasters not being open- if the large one, the Griffon, is open then why can't the others be open as well?!?

I am glad we got to at least check it out but I am not so sure I will go again. I don't understand why it costs extra, the Howl o Scream event wasn't extra. I would definitely not drive all that way to go here. It is very pretty but not really worth the time or money.

Kim

 

[hereyago]

We went this past Saturday night. I was a little disappointed. Most of the rides are closed and the lines for the shows are really really long. I don't understand the reasoning behind all of the coasters not being open- if the large one, the Griffon, is open then why can't the others be open as well?!?

I am glad we got to at least check it out but I am not so sure I will go again. I don't understand why it costs extra, the Howl o Scream event wasn't extra. I would definitely not drive all that way to go here. It is very pretty but not really worth the time or money.

Kim

Exactly-and the Griffon riders get to go through water near the end, but they can't open up the other rides? Just like Howl O scream-they had log flume open until 5, but no escape from Pompeii, just the haunted house. On both rides you can get wet. I have not gone to CT and even DD said she didn't want to go if she can't ride all the rides-she a roller coaster person.

And totally unrelated to CT-but why can't Water Country have a water roller coaster thing like Typhoon lagoon? I mean, they will have that thing next year with you go into a glass type box then the bottom falls out, but seriously, think of some new stuff.

 

[lisaviolet]

Sorry I probably caused the penguin confusion. I said statues with a because they were asleep and we lined up in very cold temperatures for a long - long time. One of those laughing now memories.

Here they are! Not a great picture because they had many admirers and I had to move along.

 

[scjo68]

We are looking forward to going this year. It's just an hour away for us.
I'm trying to figure out the best time to go. I've read lots of reviews from last year that said the first weekend last year was packed. So we purposely didn't go this past weekend.

We are thinking of Sat., the 11th. I think Sunday nights will be less crowded than Saturdays, but not really practical for us with the kids having school the next morning.

What is everyone's opinion of Quick que? Does it need to be purchased ahead of time? If it would help us avoid the long waits for the attractions/shows that I have heard about, it may be worth it.

 

[hereyago]

We don't do the Quick Que. for the regular pass, it's like 15.00 and you can use the pass for each ride once that day I believe. Then the unlimited is about 40.00. Pass holders get a discount, but adding 40.00 to it is a bit much.
You can purchase online.