Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA - touring plan?

[TheLittleRoo]

I know it won't be as complicated as Disney, but we're going for two days over spring break, and I'd like to get an idea what order to tackle the rides and stay ahead of the crowds.

Has anyone been and have suggestions about the order of rides, or which ones have the longest lines (take the longest to load, etc). Also do they have something like Fastpass or Universal's "Front of the Line" ticket upgrade?

I've gotten so spoiled to TourGuide Mike's version of WDW, I can't bear to wait in lines anymore!!

 

[bethie]

Sorry, there are no fastpass or any system like it in place at BG. The only thing I could suggest is to go to your left rather than your right-LOL!! What I mean, is that when you enter the park, you enter through England. When you get past Big Ben and headed towards Scotland, the path goes left, right or straight. It seems most folks go to the right, starting in Ireland, head the other way towards Italy and catch Apollo's Chariot, Roman Rapids, etc.. first. You might be some crowds that way, maybe.

BTW, if you go straight, the Loch Ness Monster is there which is still a good roller coaster, but not as popular as Alpeingiest or Griffin.

Please feel free to PM with any specific questions. I, myself, am hoping to hit the seasonal sneak preview for pass holders on the 16th!

 

[virginiamama]

There is a single-rider line on the Griffon, and also a child-swap. Just bring the family to the entrance and a ride attendant will give the first rider a card. They wait in line (can use single-rider line) and then when they get off the ride, bring the card to the 2nd rider, and they give the card to the attendant, and they will walk you right up to the VERY front of the line and you usually get on the next ride. I think child-swap may be available at other rides too, we've only used it on Griffon. That's probably my only time-saving advice.

We love BG! We have platinum passes. We love to eat at the Fest Haus, the carved turkey sandwich is really good there, there is tons of seating and the show is cute. You can buy a large plastic drink container and lanyard the first day and get much cheaper refills. DH likes to eat at the Smokehouse in New France (near the Griffon). There is an ice cream place near the carousel and we usually get one huge waffle cone for everyone to share. You should be able to see just about everything in two days.

Have you been to Sea World Orlando? I can compare some of the rides/attractions to the ones there. If you give me some more info about your family, ages, interests, maybe I can help some more. Can you tell I'm jonesing for a BG day??? They have a passholder preview day before the official season opening, so we've got that marked on the calendar.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

I'm only taking the younger two on this first trip to BG. They are DD6 and DS3. DH won't be with us, so it's pretty much a recon tour for us of the thrill rides and an active day in Kiddie Land.

DS13 is waiting with baited breath for the feedback report of what he'd like to ride. We can't go wrong with the AP for VA residents, so we plan to buy them. In fact, Costco is selling the AP two park pass (BG and the water park) for $64 each. I think we'll get that instead.

So how are the crowds? We've been to King's Dominion and found it... a little scroungy with LONG lines. I hope BG is better in both regards.

Any tips for the little ones? Will they see enough after one day, or will two days be about right?

 

[Sally]

BG is very small and is a one day thing at best. You can get there at opening and be done by close with everything. When I was there last season I still didn't see a lot for the younger crowd and a couple of shows. All of our public schools have spring break at the same time so it might be crowded. Sadly BG hasn't tried to update for families with younger children and still focus on thrill rides. Of course if your kids do the thrill rides at WDW, like mine do, then they will enjoy BG.

 

[virginiamama]

I would think it would be a VERY full day to try to see most everything at BG in one day. The park is very hilly (if that's a word), lots of walking on inclines/declines. We love all of the rollercoasters. I remember my mom stuffing my Grungies zip up boots (they were the tallest shoes I had) with papertowels so I would be tall enough to ride the Loch Ness Monster. The rollercoasters are all so different from one another.

Definitely get the two-park passes, if you plan to make just a couple of trips this season it is worth it. We love Water Country too. We go to BG constantly in the spring, mostly only in the evenings in the summer when it is cooler and less crowded, and then any time in the fall. We fill in the summer days with Water Country. If the family really loves it, you could always upgrade to the platinum 2-year passes and get in to Sea World and Sesame Place (PA) free.

Here are our family favorites:
all rollercoasters
train ride
the "big" swings
the Land of the Dragons (except for the egg ride!)
climbing section in Land of the Dragons (great workout)
Pet Shenanigans show
the bird aviary
the Clydesdale barn
standing on the bridge by Griffon when the ride comes down underneath
standing next to the water watching the Griffon go by
standing on the bridge where Escape from Pompeii comes down
the sky ride
feeding the turtles on the bridge down below the Loch Ness Monster (path goes down steps to the left of Loch Ness, across bridge, then up a steep incline to the Land of the Dragons.)

 

[Mickeyorbust]

I think there are plenty of things for the little ones to do. Granted it's no Disney World but near every rollercoaster there are smaller rides for the little ones. And my DD6 loves Land of the Dragons...Huge play area with 5 rides for the kiddies. Wears her out, and me chasing her around, everytime. We also have platinum passes and go atleast once a week. The littler ones will probably enjoy the show in the Fest Haus...singing and dancing and they pull people out of the tables to dance too. It's cleaner than Kings Dominion and to me a less exhausting park...more shade so it's a little cooler, etc. It is small so you should have no problem seeing it all in one day.

 

[minniebeth]

Subscribing....will be there over Easter. Planning on going Easter Day...anyone have any idea how crowded it will be on Easter day?