Busch Gardens Williamsburg

[swilshire]

Please share all your best tips for this park. I have searched the web, but much of what I've found is very old. I have been once several years ago.

We plan to buy the $299 Platinum All Parks Pass so we can use it on other vacations. I saw one mention of a four pack, but haven't been able to find out if there is a discount if you buy four (as we will).

We leave in a week, so I'm getting started a little late.

Thanks for your help.

Sheila

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We just returned last weekend from a 7 day stay in Williamsburg. I'm not sure if they're still selling the tix we bought since we bought ours in early spring. For about $75 or 80 they sold a "hopper" so to speak, for 7 consecutive days between BG and Water Country USA, excellent nearby water park also owned by AB. For approx another $20, we could also add unlimited Colonial Williamsburg for the same 7 consec. days. So that's what we did. It was pretty hot so we spent 2 full days at the water park, 1 12-hr day at BG, 1/2 day at CW, and the other days at Jamestown Settlement and VA Beach.

We didnt' realize how big CW is and only allotted a few hours on the day of our drive home. We were surprised when they greeted us and said we'd need 2 full days to do it all so we did the condensed version, just hitting highlights and what interested the kids (gunsmith, shoemaker, blacksmith) for about 6 hrs before driving home. It was all really neat to see but kind of reminded me of our neighboring town of Haddonfield back home.

Overall was a great trip and a nice change.

 

[princesspwrhr]

How old are your kids and how long will you be here?

If you search the DIS there are some recent (within the past month) discussions, but let us know how old your kids are and how long you'll be here and there are several of us on DIS who live in this area, and those who have recently gone who will pop in.

 

[swilshire]

How old are your kids and how long will you be here?

Boys are 12 and 17. Coaster nuts.

DS17 hates water parks, but DS12 likes them, so we'll probably hit the one there a couple of times since it's included in our Platinum passes.

I bought Colonial Williamsburg tickets the last time we went and they weren't at all interested. Might walk around there one night, but that's it.

We have a National Parks pass and remember visiting one there before which we enjoyed.

We arrive late on Sunday and leave early the following Sunday, so have six days to play.

We only have a partial kitchen in our condo, so DH says "not much cooking". We'll be looking for family friendly home cooking type places to eat.

We're not big shoppers, but I will want to hit the LL Bean outlet and I also saw Calphalon and Columbia Sportswear listed.

Thanks for your help. I'm usually a big planner but haven't found a Disboards equivalent for Busch Gardens.

Sheila

 

[GatorMama]

If you don't mind a drive, Bubba and Franks, in Carrollton, is DELISH. Excellent BBQ and home-cooked style food (their chicken fingers are better than Cracker Barrell and you get a GIANT platter of them). If we hadn't cut back on our eating out... we'd be there once a week or so. Oh... they also have the best collard greens I've ever had. They have never NOT ONCE been the least bit gritty and I get them every single time I go, no matter which entree I get.

As far as Busch Gardens, the park is REALLY easy to do the entire thing after 5 PM... DH and I were there last Friday night at 5:30. We headed straight to Apollo's Chariot (our favorite coaster there) at a leisurely pace, put our bag/cup/popcorn bucket into a locker and then rode AC with almost no wait. There was ONE train ahead of us. Of course... we actually DID end up waiting becuase they decided to take a train off the track at that moment, but it was less than 15 minutes and I had never seen that happen before so it was kind of interesting too! Then we rode the Griffon and the swings and a few of the smaller rides. The only thing there was a line for was Griffon. Everything else was pretty much a walk on (just waiting for the ride to finish its current cycle before we could get on). We didn't ride Loch Ness (because I don't like it) but we did ride Alpengheist and DarKastle. We were done with everything (that we were interested in) before 7:30, so we rode Apoll's chariot again and grabbed our stuff from the locker. We went to the bathroom, got popcorn and a soda... and ice cream cones... and found a great spot for watching fireworks- a bench right infront of the III Point game. We got to watch some people play until the fireworks started and then the fireworks were pretty much directly over the game backdrop. Couldn't have been in a better spot.

 

[Belle5]

When shopping don't forget Yankee Candle. We spent a couple of hours there. For ice cream make sure you find out how to get to Handel's ice cream.

My kid's LOVED Historic Jamestowne...(not referring to Jamestown, though we really enjoyed that, too)! It's the place with the archeological "dig site". We could have stayed there for hours just watching. They found a pistol of some sort while we were there. You can then go over to the archaearium to see the museum where they are housing all of their "finds". I think it's run by the National Park Service...

 

[Tistal]

Even if you have someone who doesn't like water parks you should still go. Stick him in the Hubba Hubba Highway. I could spend the whole day in there

I agree that BG is easily doable in an evening unless you want to watch all the shows. If you want to watch the shows you'll need more than just the evening.

My favorite place to eat Williamsburg way is Luigi's (http://luigisitalianrestaurantnewportnews.com/). It looks pricy, but the portions are EASILY shareable between two people with leftovers.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Even if you have someone who doesn't like water parks you should still go. Stick him in the Hubba Hubba Highway. I could spend the whole day in there
I agree that BG is easily doable in an evening unless you want to watch all the shows. If you want to watch the shows you'll need more than just the evening.

My favorite place to eat Williamsburg way is Luigi's (http://luigisitalianrestaurantnewportnews.com/). It looks pricy, but the portions are EASILY shareable between two people with leftovers.

omg! That is heavenly!

Yes, when I say we did a 12 hr day, we saw the Irish dance show and Pet Shenanigan, & the little show outside the German theater. Also we can't just hit our favorites. Last time we were there was 4 yrs ago. Now ds11 could ride everything so when I tell you we hit every ride, I'm talking everything but the smallest kiddie rides at least once. Many 2-3x. We were exhausted.

 

[HeidiGW]

hopefully, you can get the plat. passes...I bet you can, but double check...they limit to certain zipcodes, I'm told, but don't know which ones.

since the Busch family sold out, things have changed at the parks...including no more "family 4-pack deals". (It used to be buy three get one free or 25 % discount on more.)

I recently put a post on the Universal/SW boards here, responding to a Diser about her upcoming trip and sent her an e-mail with more info. There is some chatter about BG Wsmburg there, too. You'll just have to hunt.

Have a great trip! It's great here!!!

 

[chris1gill]

I wanted to mention they stopped doing the 4 pack quite a while back if memory serves me. We were lucky to have purchased when they did and we renew annually at the 4 pack price minus the discount for renewal...

 

[jjsmom]

Thanks for this post. I'm very interested in our family going, since there's no way we can get to WDW this summer. We went 4 years ago during Oktoberfest and the one thing that sticks in my mind was the price of the food. Crazy!! Far worse than Disney for CS type stuff. We spent one night at Kings Mill (very nice, but very pricey).

We also thought about Hershey Park, but I can't stand the weekend traffic going around Balto. (Gotta go on a weekend, BAH HUMBUG).

We live closest to 6 flags. Went there once as a chaperone school trip and I couldn't wait to get out of the place. Staff was rude and poorly trained, and park patrons were out of control and vulgar. I'm a Disney snob and that's that.
Sorry, I digress.
Back to WLMSBG, we were told about an inexpensive family style buffet rest just down the road. Well, we went there and the line was wrapped around the building so it was a huge waste of time. I can't remember the name. We ended up going back to KM and paying for an expensive sit down dinner (way out of our weekend budget).

 

[swilshire]

Thanks for all the great tips. I'm starting to feel more organized.

Disappointing that they no longer offer the 4-packs of Platinum passes, but still cheaper than Disney annual passes by far. They told me that the 2 years won't start until I activate them at the gate if I buy ahead of time, pay all at once and print out the info to avoid parking the first time. Does that agree with your experiences?

jjsmom --- I got stuck in BWI last Friday. It took me 33 hours to get home. Lots of unhappy folks.

Sheila

 

[jjsmom]

Thanks for all the great tips. I'm starting to feel more organized.

Disappointing that they no longer offer the 4-packs of Platinum passes, but still cheaper than Disney annual passes by far. They told me that the 2 years won't start until I activate them at the gate if I buy ahead of time, pay all at once and print out the info to avoid parking the first time. Does that agree with your experiences?

jjsmom --- I got stuck in BWI last Friday. It took me 33 hours to get home. Lots of unhappy folks.

Sheila

Good Grief! I hate to get off topic, but I've gotta know; WHAT HAPPENED??

 

[kimmyann]

We have had platinum passes for years & did the ez pay option which in turn locked us into the rate we originally got. I suggest if your wanting to do all of the coasters to get there at opening, but be warned, they open each section at different times.(like Apollo doesn't open til 11:00) This park has outgrown itself IMO, they really need to expand, so if it's busy, it feels very busy and can be difficult to get around. If you can avoid the weekend that would help you.

The food at this park is amazing. Everything is made from scatch for each day (atleast that is what was claimed on a special I watched on the travel channel), very authenic to the country you are in. I think they are pretty resonable, it just depends on what you get for example, you can get a sample platter of barbeque ribs, chicken & briskett with fries & a roll for about $13.00, a personal pizza for $7.00, pizza,pasta,salad,desert & drink buffet for $11.99 which is all you can eat & the kids meals run at $6.99 I think. Now, I'm not writing this in stone, but I think I'm pretty close. Also, if you have a season pass you get 10% off all food, drinks, & merchandise. Also, make sure to get a souvenier cup, the refills are only $.99 & those cups can be used at ANY busch park. Hope this helps.

 

[mischief32]

WE have 2 park season passes and we love it. Just went to Busch Gardens this past Saturday. Not too crowded but we did not ride the big rides. WE just went for my 5y old to ride what she wanted and stayed for the fireworks. We arrived around 2pm and got plenty done. I just love BG. This was our second trip this year. I found the party very relaxed and everything is very laid back. YOU must try the new pretzel place in Germany next to Mach Tower(still not open). I had the best pretzel I have ever eaten. WE went back for a second one. The have pretezel bread sandwiches with homemade chips, pretzel dogs/sausages. pretzel pizza(looked delicious), pretzel cinnomen buns. I was in pretzel heaven..... I love the trappers smoke house where they have what I call the "meat plate". The brisket platter is wonderful and comes with waffle fries. My husband has the brisket sandwich which he said was very good. WE have tried the new pizza buffet and thought the foods was good. I know some people think 11.99 is expensive but all food at theme parks is over priced but is worth it when it is good. I definiately would go with the refillable mugs. WE have gotten alot of use out of these.

 

[Dreamingin2010]

We have season's passes and love Busch Garden's. We moved away from Williamsburg in 2003 but MIL is still there. We were there Friday and Saturday. Friday was super quiet. Saturday morning was quiet but mid afternoon/evening it was a zoo.
Outside the park food we love to go to Peking ( http://www.peking-va.com/Home.asp ) off of Bypass Rd. In the shopping center opposite Cracker Barrel, Behind Dairy Queen. Mongolian style food and my family favorite, Sushi train.
One other place that isn't cheap price wise but has great food and huge ice cream portions is called Queen Anne Dairy Snack, 7127 Merrimac Trl, Williamsburg, VA. It has been a family tradition for us since before we were married. It is very basic with picnic tables outside but we love it.

 

[MinnieForMe]

We are heading there the last week of August. Can anyone tell me if any day is quieter than any other? Would a Tuesday and Thursday be quieter than a Friday/Saturday or does it really not matter? What about fireworks? Are they on a certain day?

Thanks.

 

[swilshire]

Good Grief! I hate to get off topic, but I've gotta know; WHAT HAPPENED??

Lots of cancelled flights for no apparent reason and then bad weather moved in. No directs to my home, so missing connections eliminated a lot of options. Rebooked for the following day, got a room, got back to the airport at 5:15A the next morning to find my new flight cancelled. It would have been several hours worse, but a kindly gate agent felt sorry for me and put me in a cab to National Airport where there was an afternoon direct that flew on time and finally got me home. Not a fun couple of days!

Luckily it was just me and I was doing all carryons, so I had my pjs and essentials. I was feeling very sorry for the families and those travelng with small children. Saturday morning at 5:15A they were already telling the large family next to me that they were going to be stuck in Newark that night. Just another reason we try to drive on family vacations these days.

Sheila