Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA Advice?

[Lewandowski]

Hey All,

I am aware that this is not Disney, but it appears that many people post on these boards regarding quite a few theme parks, and I thought this was probably the best place to ask.

I will be going to Busch Gardens Williamsburg for the day on Friday, and was wondering if any of you have any ideas on a touring plan? I have never been before but heard many great things about it, and made myself familiar with the rides and attractions there. I plan to arrive at 11:30am and depart at 8:30pm.

I am 18 years old and will be going alone. I am mostly going for the roller coasters and water rides but here is what I want to do:

Griffon and Apollo's Chariot (Multiple Times)
Alpengeist
InvadR
Loch Ness Monster
Tempesto
Verbolten
Mach Tower
Der Wirbelwind
De Vinci's Cradle
Battering Ram
Curse of DarKastle

Water Rides:
Le Scoot
Roman Rapids
Escape from Pompeii (Possible twice if I like it a lot)

This is pretty much it. I would like to ask about the Quick Queues as well? I have looked on the website, but its really confusing and not clear. How does it work, and what are the differences between the options and pricing? Of course obviously larger prices means its better, but I'd like to know a lot more detail. Would it be worth it on a Friday?

I am a single rider for everything, but would like to do a few rides multiple times especially Griffon and Apollo's Chariot. Another option I have thought of was something I have done at Six Flags a number of times. After riding once, wait on the side, and if there are any empty seats (because most people go in groups), ride again in the empty seats. Now at WDW this would never work, but it does pretty well at Six Flags. Would it work at Busch Gardens you think?

Any tips on what rides to start with? Using logic I expect Griffon and Apollo's Chariot would probably have the longest lines, but I have never been there. Also whats the average wait time for the rides I listed on a Friday? Trying to debate if the quick queue is worth it. I will not pay over $50 for it, but there are a few cheaper ones.

Also any good options for places to eat?

 

[brockash]

Haven't been yet myself, although going this weekend, but when Iwas looking it looks like the water rides are shut down for the season, just as an FYI.

 

[HeidiGW]

Full disclosure, I moved to the west coast a year ago. although a pass holder for almost 20 years, I haven't been in the parks since spring 16. ( I've been to SW San a few times, tho.)
It should be Hall-o-Scream, so that will change your plans. It is fun, and worth doing as much as you can before you leave. It starts around 5 pm.
Le Scoot was torn up last time I was there, not sure if it open now. RR used to close for a maze...I wouldn't count on it being open. Same for Pompeii.
I doubt you will need the quick que for rides as it should be low crowds doing the day. It will get crazy by 4. You might want to get it for the mazes.
Best food is at the smokehouse in New France. Best funnel cakes are in the building across from it. Food is good in Ireland. But have a drink or sausage in the festhaus while watching the show. Refill cups are a good deal.

 

[poetz]

I was there on a Thursday in early June before schools were out. All the rides were pretty much a walk on all day, but the Halloween stuff will definitely bring in people later in the day, and with Friday being the start of a holiday weekend, it might be a bit more crowded than when I was there.

For my experience though, the longest coaster line I stood in was for Verbolten and that was maybe ten minutes. I walked on Griffon at park opening, which was 10 am that day, and got a front row. I could have gotten back on that one multiple times with the same result. One thing to note - when I was there, the Festa Italia section opened about an hour after the rest of the park. I couldn't even walk through it, so I had to walk toward France first or cut under the Loch Ness Monster and walk down to the Rhine River. So check the map when you get there - any later openings of rides or sections should be listed. I'm not sure how they might stagger openings for their fall schedule.

I ended up hitting Apollo's Chariot later in the afternoon but still only waited maybe five minutes. The walk through the queue probably took longer. That section did feel more crowded since it's basically a dead-end with two coasters squeezed in the same area, but it was still nowhere near Disney crowded.

Have fun.

 

[kirstenb1]

Season pass holder here. Dar Kastle is closed. They turned it into a walk through called Frost Bite for Howl O Scream. Do all the coasters early in the day. It shouldn't be busy. But people will start swarming in after 4 pm. I wouldn't pay for Quick Queue, I don't think you'll need it til late in the day. Think about going to some of the shows too. I liked the one at the Globe theater, I think it was called Monster Stomp. Go eat at the Festhaus, and take in the show while you're there. There are both German foods, and American. Our youngest is only 12, so we don't stay for the evenings during Howl O Scream. It's kind of gory and scary for her, but you should be fine. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Lewandowski]

Thanks so much guys. Maybe I'll plan to skip the quick queue for now in this case. OMG I am so bummed about the water rides and Der Kastle being closed. Especially Der Kastle and Escape from Pompeii. I was really looking forward to those rides, oh well. I guess it is too cold for the water rides (not for me). Der Kastle also seemed like such an interesting ride.

From what you said I think I'll plan on going counterclockwise starting with Ireland and France, and making way towards Italy. Any good German and Italian places to eat? I love German and Italian food.

 

[kirstenb1]

Go to eat at the Festhaus. It is huge, but as you go in, go straight ahead. That is the German food line. They have brats, sauerkraut, and the red cabbage, plus a good selection of beers. Take a light jacket, it gets cool at night.

 

[MrJT]

I haven't been there in almost 30 years, so I don't even recognize the names of most of the rides. I remember having fun, and I do know that I loved the Loch Ness Monster.

 

[Lvsdisney]

We were there last year this same weekend and it was pretty quiet in the morning. We left around 3:30 pm (we have young kids and wanted to avoud the scary stuff). I know we were able to ride Loch Ness and Verbolten with little to no wait time. We didn't try the other coasters since our son wasn't tall enough to ride them. I think you should be okay, especially on a Friday and get a lot of rides in.

Have fun!

 

[Zim]

It's always smart to hit the newest coasters first. Those will attract the lines more quickly. After that your plan to head counter clockwise is good as a lot of popular coasters are over that way. I agree with another poster that New France has awesome meaty platters at the Smokehouse. We used to do the German Festhaus all the time but we've been won over by the delicious ribs and smoked chicken. Plus the Halloween show at the Festhaus last year was painful to watch.

We go to BG Williamsburg all the time, including during the Halloween time, and yes we are also bummed that the Kastle closes. But if it makes you feel any better, it's essentially the same programmed ride as Spiderman, down to the fall at the end. So if you've done Universal's Spiderman ride, you're only missing the werewolf themed story as far as novelty goes.

I also agree with a previous poster that the Halloween Stomp show is not to be missed, and we aren't show people.

If you get bored in the middle of the day or need a break from the rollercoasters, the park actually attaches to the Hershey Zoo via a side walkway in the park. It's not an extra charge, but closes earlier than the park, like 5pm. You can take a stroll around the enclosures unless you aren't a zoo person. I also recommend the train so you aren't hoofing it around the park all day. It's a quick ride, makes three stops throughout the park AND goes the perfect speed for Pokemon egg hatching if you're so inclined XD

Last suggestion, get to the park at least a half hour early. The cars start backing up at the parking booths early and then there is still a pretty decent walk between the tram drop off and the actual entry area.

In all our visits we've never bought the Quick Queue pass - but we try to go on off days. This month we're going on the 29th - ugh - it was the only day we could all make it, and given that it's Halloween weekend it's going to be packed! We may have to breakdown and buy it this time... at least for the houses.

 

[Lewandowski]

Hey Guys,

Thanks so much for all the advice. I went and had a great time. Didn't even need the quick queue. Longest I waited was 30 min on both Verbolten and InvadR. I hit:

Griffon (4 times)
Apollo's Chariot (7 times)
Alpengeist (2 times)
InvadR (4 times)
Loch Ness Monster (1 time)
Tempesto (1 time)
Verbolten (1 time)
Mach Tower (1 time)
Der Wirbelwind (1 time)
De Vinci's Cradle (1 time)
Battering Ram (1 time)
La Catapult (2 times)

Had Lunch at Des Festhaus and Dinner at the Marco Polo Marketplace with great Italian food. Great food. I also attempted to walk through the Frostbite haunted house, but it was a long line and I was worried about cutting dinner too late. I had to be done by 8:30pm.

I also took sometime to scare the people in halloween customs. I actually made two of them jump so hard!!!