Going to Williamsburg for Easter--Need Advice

[nexttripdisney]

We just decided to take an Easter long-weekend trip to a destination that we can drive to (10 hrs?).

I don't know anything about Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement or Busch Gardens; all places I'd like to visit.

What's the most economical way to buy tickets (on-line?); what will the weather be like?; will it be crowded?

Any advice or comments would be most appreciated!

BTW: We're a family of 6, the kids are 15, 13, 11 & 6.

 

[rie'smom]

Here's a link to the official site with packages:
http://www.history.org/visit/hotels/vacationpackages/

 

[Wall-E1]

I don't know if you want to spend the money on it, but if you click on the shop tab from the link that rie'smom gave you, they have the Colonial Williamsburg Guidebook on sale for $10.95. It is filled with information and will help you to get the most out of your visit there. I ordered it before we went and highly recommend getting it before you leave.

 

[kirstenb1]

I have season passes, but there used to be combo tix that would get you into CW and Jamestown, and I think they bundled Busch Gardens too. They were 7 day passes.

In April, the lows will be in the 40's, and highs near 70. On another BG thread, someone pointed out that many locals will have their break 2 wks before Easter. Therefore, your visit should be very uncrowded. Your kids are at a terrific age to really enjoy BG.

Also, Williamsburg has great outlets with stores like Adidas, Nike, Coldwater Creek, LL Bean, Oakley, Coach, Dooney and Bourke and a ton more.

I think Williamsburg is just a fantastic vacation, and you'll love it!!!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I don't remember what we ended up doing for tickets, but just wanted to throw out that we love Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center. We've been twice (with kids ranging from infant on up to 14 years old). Very hands on history and just fun for all ages. The interpreters are all great involving people just walking by, telling you how this was done, here try this, what do you think this was used for? Totally love them both.

I was less impressed with Williamsburg (I know everyone raves about it.) I found many interpreters tough to engage and just not as out-there as I'd hoped. (There were a few who were awesome, but many just saying their spiel and that's all.) It may be different since it's Easter week, but both times I've gone in April- the scheduled events were a little sparse.

 

[nexttripdisney]

On another BG thread, someone pointed out that many locals will have their break 2 wks before Easter. Therefore, your visit should be very uncrowded. Your kids are at a terrific age to really enjoy BG.

Thank you so much for mentioning this; it makes it all seem much more appealing.

dh doesn't seem to want to go to BG and he's calling up his friends who live in VA--probably hoping for someone to say, "Don't waste your time." I, however, like to go to places I've never been before so I'll push for it.

Can Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement be done on the same day?

 

[nexttripdisney]

I have season passes

Is there that much to do there to justify season passes?

You must be a local; what do you do there?

 

[hereyago]

Thank you so much for mentioning this; it makes it all seem much more appealing.

dh doesn't seem to want to go to BG and he's calling up his friends who live in VA--probably hoping for someone to say, "Don't waste your time." I, however, like to go to places I've never been before so I'll push for it.

Can Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement be done on the same day?

Why not take the kids yourself while you are down here and the DH can hang with his friends since he doesn't seem to want to go?

Jamestown is cool-except when you live here and your DD goes every year on a field trip. but Yorktown is nice, battlefields. older buildings, Nelson house is my favorite. Yorktown also has a small beach which is close to the victory and visitor center. Colonial Williamsburg, I have never been and I work up there.
Busch Gardens is good for a day's visit as well.

 

[bas71873]

I have season passes, but there used to be combo tix that would get you into CW and Jamestown, and I think they bundled Busch Gardens too. They were 7 day passes.

In April, the lows will be in the 40's, and highs near 70. On another BG thread, someone pointed out that many locals will have their break 2 wks before Easter. Therefore, your visit should be very uncrowded. Your kids are at a terrific age to really enjoy BG.

Also, Williamsburg has great outlets with stores like Adidas, Nike, Coldwater Creek, LL Bean, Oakley, Coach, Dooney and Bourke and a ton more.

I think Williamsburg is just a fantastic vacation, and you'll love it!!!

LOL. that might have been me. But just be sure to check your spring break dates with BG's calendar. For the most part in April they are only open F, Sat & Sun, but there are 2 full weeks in April that they are open....the earlier is the the week the immediate locals are on break and the later week, the week leading up to Easter, is the week the Richmond area is on break (which probably doesn't have much of an impact of the W'burg area).

 

[minniebeth]

We went to Busch Gardens ON Easter Day a few years ago and it was not crowded, and a lovely way to spend the day.

If you are looking to combine sights, I would do Jamestown and Yorktown in one day and then do a separate day for Colonial Williamsburg. Jamestown and Yorktown are more 1/2 day sights where CW, you could really easily spend a whole day.
We did the "Revolutionary City" activity in CW and thought it was well worth the time and money to see the living history aspect of the time period.

Enjoy your trip! My family really loved it when we did it~

 

[mtemm]

I highly recommend the night programs at cw. they are wonderful, and well worth the additional money!

 

[kirstenb1]

I'd allot a full day for CW. I don't think you can do both it and Jamestown in one day. We love BG, our girls are 12 and 5, and there's so much to do with all the rides and shows.

 

[Christine]

We live about 2 hours from Busch Gardens and, every Easter break, my kids go. They are in a Catholic school which takes its break starting on Good Friday and then all through the week after.

All of our surrounding public schools are out the week prior to Easter. We have been to BG on various days during those two weeks that are on either side of Easter and it's always very crowded. I would imagine the best day would be on Easter Sunday itself.

 

[disneychic2]

I think your DH would be surprised at how interesting CW would be to him. There are so many demonstrations such as the cooper (barrel making), blacksmith and such. My DH loved everything there even though he is not a history buff in the least. Also, when you go, see if you can have lunch at King's Arms Tavern. Our favorite place to eat.

Also, AAA has brochures that are good to read and they sell discount tickets if you are a member.

Have a wonderful visit!

 

[nexttripdisney]

I don't know if you want to spend the money on it, but if you click on the shop tab from the link that rie'smom gave you, they have the Colonial Williamsburg Guidebook on sale for $10.95. It is filled with information and will help you to get the most out of your visit there. I ordered it before we went and highly recommend getting it before you leave.

Excellent--Small price to pay to be well-advised and pre-planned! Thanks!

 

[nexttripdisney]

Why not take the kids yourself while you are down here and the DH can hang with his friends since he doesn't seem to want to go?

Jamestown is cool-except when you live here and your DD goes every year on a field trip. but Yorktown is nice, battlefields. older buildings, Nelson house is my favorite. Yorktown also has a small beach which is close to the victory and visitor center. Colonial Williamsburg, I have never been and I work up there.
Busch Gardens is good for a day's visit as well.

He's going whether he likes it or not. Only kidding--but he's Ok with it now.

Thanks for mentioning Yorktown, I never even thought about it. Now we shall visit Yorktown.

 

[nexttripdisney]

We went to Busch Gardens ON Easter Day a few years ago and it was not crowded, and a lovely way to spend the day.

If you are looking to combine sights, I would do Jamestown and Yorktown in one day and then do a separate day for Colonial Williamsburg. Jamestown and Yorktown are more 1/2 day sights where CW, you could really easily spend a whole day.
We did the "Revolutionary City" activity in CW and thought it was well worth the time and money to see the living history aspect of the time period.

Enjoy your trip! My family really loved it when we did it~

Thank you! Your post was most helpful. Now I'll allot 1/2 day jamestown, 1/2 day Yorktown, 1 day Williamsburg and 1 day BG. dh wants to travel home on Easter Sunday. Sigh....

 

[nexttripdisney]

I think your DH would be surprised at how interesting CW would be to him. There are so many demonstrations such as the cooper (barrel making), blacksmith and such. My DH loved everything there even though he is not a history buff in the least. Also, when you go, see if you can have lunch at King's Arms Tavern. Our favorite place to eat.

Also, AAA has brochures that are good to read and they sell discount tickets if you are a member.

Have a wonderful visit!

Oh, he'll enjoy the historic part; he's just not crazy about BG but he's going. Thanks for mentioning AAA--I always forget about them.

 

[DCPrincess]

Sorry I'm a little late to this thread, but I just got back from a long weekend in Colonial Williamsburg so please let me know if you have any additional questions and I'm happy to try and answer them.

I put a trip report up on my blog with some pictures http://galwithablog.blogspot.com.

I'm not sure where you are staying but I just received a coupon code to share with friends and family for the Williamsburg Lodge good for the rest of 2011. Send me a message or e-mail me if you might be interested.

 

[Wishing on a star]

We had a wonderful trip to this area!

I know that in the summer, the Bounce Pass is the way to go, as it includes Water Country too. It shouldn't be too hard to compare the admission to Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, and the other sites you want to see, and then see if the Bounce Pass might save you a little.

I think the savings will also come in by ordering online....

TIP: Order from the site that you plan on visiting FIRST on your trip, as that is where you will pick up your Bounce Pass.

We planned on visiting Historic Williamsburg first (check their calander to see their schedule of events.. and go on the dates where they offer the events and activities that you are interested in) We knew we wanted DS to see the boy's Fife and Drums Corp Parade... And so we knew that we would have to visit on that Saturday of that week. As, most of the boys would be in school during the week.... I believe that when the boys are in school, they occasionally have the fully costumed Adult Fife and Drum Corp.

I do not know how much of the Revolutionary City living history enactments will be going on during the visit. We made sure to do this when they had the Reading of the Declaration of Independence, The Redcoats, George Washington, etc... It was really impressive. A do not miss if one is there to visit and experience Williamsburg.

Not for younger children... But, if Thomas Jefferson is there for a 'Conversation with a Founding Father'... This guy is amazing... It is not just an act or a costume... This man is very well known for what he does. It is his 'craft'... And if you look at photos of Jefferson at that age, during and after his Presidency... I swear it is uncanny.

We enjoyed a Carriage Ride as well.

I was just SO impressed with Busch Gardens.
We caught the show in the German FestHaus... And, then happened to catch the Italian Opera show in Italy... The german show, beergarden type, was a lot of fun... And the Italian Opera show was really something to see and hear.

Anyhow, it is a totally incredibly gorgeous themed park...
Even your DH may appreciate it!!!
We are not really theme/amusement park people... and we all enjoyed Busch Gardens!

I highly recommend this trip for families!

You can go to TripAdvisor and get a lot of good information and advice there.

Hope you have a great time!