Has anyone been to Busch Gardens/Colonial W'burg VA?

[ladeedeb]

I know alot of people rave about CW, but I've been twice and just don't get the hype, esp for kids. (I've got a degree in colonial American history, I really wanted to like it! Hence trying the second time.) It's very over priced for what it is. I found many of the interpretters not that receptive (this is after asking "leading" sort of questions about their craft.) One woman thoroughly insulted my mother to a group of other guests. I do not at all like their Revolutionary City afternoon program. It's a great concept and each part is very well done. However, they start at one place, act out a part. Then they move to another place up the street, act out another part. Then to another part of the street, another part. You get there early to get a good spot, but then you're moving (finding a new "good spot", dealing with other people pushing/grumbling, getting settled... ) again in 10 minutes. Add in kids who are ugly they can't see, are in the sun, don't have a place to sit, etc. We finally left before the end. It was just not well thought out.

We also found zilch for actual children's activities. I'd seen people talk of games, crafts, etc- nothing either time we were there (late April.) Maybe better other times, something you may want to check.

I wasn't nuts that every other building was trying to sell you something either.

On the other side- we very much enjoyed the Yorktown Victory Center and Jamestown Settlement. (We went the first time with 4 kids ages 4-8 and the next time with 2 kids ages 8 and 13.) LOTS of hands on stuff, the interpretters were very friendly, engage the kids in trying army uniforms, trying a compass on the ships, scraping a deer hide or carving out a wooden canoe... Tons for kids to do (and they don't even realize it's a history lesson The admission cost much more reasonable. Everything in the parks is an exhibit (either interactive or regular museum type.) The gift shop's at the end, not through the whole thing.

Just my two cents!

I agree with this assessment completely. We enjoyed CW many, many years ago, but when we returned to take our son to see it, it was terrible. We found Jamestown to be much much better. More hands on for the kids and staff that was much more willing to interact. Also, we enjoyed the ships. Everyone was much friendlier and still in character. Yorktown Visitor Center was great, also, although my son was a bit older when we went there.

BG is fun for little ones, but until my son was a little bit older, I just watched him on all of the little kid rides (there were quite a few all over). We could see many of the shows together, though. Haven't been to WC, but if your son likes water parks, I am sure you will have fun.

Have a great time!

 

[babyfacebabe86]

I live 30 mins up the rode. Me and dh love the coasters. I think there is only 5. Took my dd there for her 3rd bday. She liked it. I really don't think it takes much to impress a child. Water Country is fun. There are some great outlets in Williamsburg. Have fun!! And btw...BG is a beautiful park. And bbq- I would recomend Peirce's BBQ as well. I liked it...and I don't even like va bbq!

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

having been to busch gardens 3 yrs in a row, we love it there, almost as much as wdw. we have been to colonial williamsburg and it is neat, but we prefer Yorktown and Jamestown, they are more historical (just my humble opinion). Until our trip there I had no idea how important Jamestown was to US history.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

I live 30 mins up the rode. Me and dh love the coasters. I think there is only 5. Took my dd there for her 3rd bday. She liked it. I really don't think it takes much to impress a child. Water Country is fun. There are some great outlets in Williamsburg. Have fun!! And btw...BG is a beautiful park. And bbq- I would recomend Peirce's BBQ as well. I liked it...and I don't even like va bbq!

ITA about Pierces.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

I live in Williamsburg & they are having great specials right now. They have a bounce back ticket for 7 consecutive days for BG WC & CW that costs only $98 for adults & your son would be free because he's 5. Pick up the Williamsburg Magazine when you come because they have lots of coupons for discounts in area restaurants.

I think your son would really enjoy Forrest of Fun. As the PP stated they have 4 rides including a Super Grover roller coaster. They also have a 4-D Sesame Street movie in the Globe Theatre. There are also lots of rides for kids throughout the park. If you have any questions please just PM me & I'd be happy to help you.

Have fun planning

just to correct, your son will not be free, admission begins at age 3. BUT the park prices are great.

 

[pommfrites]

just to correct, your son will not be free, admission begins at age 3. BUT the park prices are great.

My fave place to eat is Capt George's seafood buffet..not cheap but you get your money's worth. I always overeat there. We took my son a couple of years ago when he was 2 and he had a ball in the kid's sections...don't they still have the Land of the Dragons section? They had kids' rides and fountains to run around in. A huge treehouse to run up and down in. BGW is a high thrill park...but even at 2, my son loved the big log flume. He thought it was so cool, we had to ride it again. I was preggers at the time with his lil sis and could only do the tame stuff. Jamestown is always a hit...we went to CW when I was in the 5th grade on an overnight school trip. A couple things were interesting like the old pharmacy/apothecary and the lantern/ghost walk. Other than that it was a waste of time and $$$. Jamestown is far more hands on and fun for everyone.
Hope that helps and you have fun!

 

[rottiemom]

You guys...you guys are the best .

I wouldn't say to him, "We can't afford Disney". Instead, I'd say, "We've decided to try this great new park!" It'll sound more positive to him.

Oh no way would I tell him "we can't afford Disney!"
No, my plan was pretty much what you suggested. He'll be fine with it.

Are you planning on going Labor Day weekend?

No, I was actually thinking about going in 2 weeks. I thought that Labor day weekend might be busy.

I don't really have any money saving tips as BG doesn't really offer any deals on food or snacks. They do offer cheaper refills on drinks if you buy the souvenir cup and if you get a regular locker at WC ($10.00 for the day) you get a $3 coupon when you return the key that you can use in any gift shop or food place (my bf and I shared nachos last week ).

I did see the info on the meal deals in the parks & that definitely sounds like a good way to go. But very good to know about the lockers at WC. I can't see a way around having to rent one if I'm planning to carry anything more than a credit card.

Water Country also has this deal, I think it's $18 for the two meals and two drinks. Their dining isn't as elaborate, but it was still a good deal since just sandwich costs around $8-9, so it's like everything else is free.

OK, so I'd need different meal tickets for WC & BG? Because the websites don't make these things really clear. It looks like you could use the meal vouchers at either park.

Another tip, for the additional drink tickets in Busch gardens, I had heard mixed reports about getting a frozen lemonade with these, so I asked their CMs and they said they weren't supposed to, but they would do it. So just ask, we got them both days we were there.

Excellent! Offhand, do you remember what kind of fountain drinks were available at BG & WC? My husband & I don't really drink soda.

We are planning on going to Busch Gardens/Wild Water Country in 2 weeks. We purchased the multi-day 2 park ticket $69.99 each (my kids aren't in Colonial Williamsburg). We are going to prepurchase parking it's $10 on internet $12 at the park.
We found a decent deal on the hotel. Country Inn Suites includes breakfast. King bed suite with 2 tvs, fridge, microwave, etc. was around $100/night. The breakfast is great because it saves us around $25.
I would really suggest that you check out tripadvisor.com there is really good info on the forums.

Yes! I've been checking the tripadvisor forum (a tip that I picked up on the disboards after doing a BG/WC search...I love this place) and it's a huge help. A place that includes breakfast is a must, as is a pool. I'm happy as long as the hotel is decent. We stayed in a Country Inn once in Ohio and it was lovely. And prepaying for parking is an excellent idea!

We just got back from 4 days at BG & WC and we had an absolute blast. We did the discovery ticket which gave us 7 consecutive days at both BG & WC and hopping is allowed. Did not include parking but we pre-purchased and you only have to pay for parking for 1 day - just keep the parking ticket/receipt they give you to return to either park.

Wait...you mean that if you pay for parking once & keep your receipt you won't have to pay for parking for the rest of your 7 day visit? Because if so, that's awesome.

more...

 

[pilesoflaundry]

One thing I did forgot to mention was when we went to BG w'burg the new section wasn't there for kids. (forrest of fun and the seseame street rides) and while my kids are easy to entertain, at a theme park they are all about the big deal rides so for us it wasn't enjoyable.

I do hope your son enjoys it. Good luck at WC, we haven't been there so I have no idea what it's like.

 

[rottiemom]

If you're traveling down 95 there's a great BBQ place in Woodbridge, VA - Dixie Bones BBQ. Reasonably priced (slightly cheaper than Pierce's and much cheaper than Red Hot & Blue) and good southern cooking (except for the corn bread & rolls).

Excellent! I'll make a note of this. Plus I plan to consult the chowhound.com forums before we go (a great place to get ideas about what's yummy when you're travelling somewhere).

I know alot of people rave about CW, but I've been twice and just don't get the hype, esp for kids. (I've got a degree in colonial American history, I really wanted to like it! Hence trying the second time.) It's very over priced for what it is. I found many of the interpretters not that receptive (this is after asking "leading" sort of questions about their craft.) One woman thoroughly insulted my mother to a group of other guests. I do not at all like their Revolutionary City afternoon program. It's a great concept and each part is very well done. However, they start at one place, act out a part. Then they move to another place up the street, act out another part. Then to another part of the street, another part. You get there early to get a good spot, but then you're moving (finding a new "good spot", dealing with other people pushing/grumbling, getting settled... ) again in 10 minutes. Add in kids who are ugly they can't see, are in the sun, don't have a place to sit, etc. We finally left before the end. It was just not well thought out.

We also found zilch for actual children's activities. I'd seen people talk of games, crafts, etc- nothing either time we were there (late April.) Maybe better other times, something you may want to check.

That's too bad, expecially considering that you're interested in Colonial American history. There's supposed to be some children's programs but they end in mid-august which will be prior to our visit. You've got me thinking that maybe we should save CW for another visit & just stick to the parks.

I wasn't nuts that every other building was trying to sell you something either.

Ugh...I hate this!

On the other side- we very much enjoyed the Yorktown Victory Center and Jamestown Settlement. (We went the first time with 4 kids ages 4-8 and the next time with 2 kids ages 8 and 13.) LOTS of hands on stuff, the interpretters were very friendly, engage the kids in trying army uniforms, trying a compass on the ships, scraping a deer hide or carving out a wooden canoe... Tons for kids to do (and they don't even realize it's a history lesson The admission cost much more reasonable. Everything in the parks is an exhibit (either interactive or regular museum type.) The gift shop's at the end, not through the whole thing.

Just my two cents!

Your two cents are much appreciated! You've given me a lot to think about.

As far as colonial williamsburg, we have never paid for the tour. You can go and park in merchant's square - where all the shops are - and wander around for free.

THIS is why I love the budget board . Excellet tip!

We usually use priceline name your own price for hotels. The city is small enough that it doesn't matter where we get placed...you're never more than 10 min from the parks. I've gotten 2 1/2 star hotels for $35.

I've never tried priceline (we just don't travel that much) but this might be a good time to start...

My family and I were there two weeks ago, we usually go to wdw every year but this year we decide to go to Williamsburg for a budget trip. I enjoy it, it was very peaceful and calm. When you go to wdw, you are always on the go there is something to do no matter what time it is. At Williamsburg and the parks they close alot early then you would expect in the summer. We found in the evening hrs. there wasn't to much to do. But, enjoy the slow pace for a change. We stayed at the Williamsburg Hotel and Suites, if you have any questions.

Actually, after the year that we had, a trip where we're not on the go all of the time sounds ideal. And lazy evenings are fine with us. We tend more towards getting up & out early in the mornings anyway.

BG is fun for little ones, but until my son was a little bit older, I just watched him on all of the little kid rides (there were quite a few all over). We could see many of the shows together, though. Haven't been to WC, but if your son likes water parks, I am sure you will have fun.

You know, he's never been to a waterpark but I have no doubt that he'll love it. He's the king of the waterslide at our local pool .

I live 30 mins up the rode. Me and dh love the coasters. I think there is only 5. Took my dd there for her 3rd bday. She liked it. I really don't think it takes much to impress a child.

True words!

having been to busch gardens 3 yrs in a row, we love it there, almost as much as wdw. we have been to colonial williamsburg and it is neat, but we prefer Yorktown and Jamestown, they are more historical (just my humble opinion). Until our trip there I had no idea how important Jamestown was to US history.

If this trip goes well we'll have to plan a longer one. Since this is pretty much spur of the moment we're not going to have the kind of time (or budget) for a long trip right now. But it seems that there's a LOT to do in this area. Plus I think that Virginia is just gorgeous

BGW is a high thrill park...but even at 2, my son loved the big log flume. He thought it was so cool, we had to ride it again. I was preggers at the time with his lil sis and could only do the tame stuff.

Since Splash Mtn is his favorite ride I think that a log flume will delight him...especially if we get wet.

A huge help...thank you all so much!

 

[Irin997]

Hope to help clear up a few things for you!

Parking: Yes, you only have to pay for parking once. Purchase online for $10. Do not buy the preferred for WC, it's really not worth it. You can buy the preferred at BG, but if you park way out in nowhere land, you have to take a tram anyway. Again, keep your receipt and on the receipt it specifically says to show it to any tollbooth to come back to either park the same day. One day we went to WC and then went to BG at night for the Foreigner concert (included with admission). It worked well.

Meal Deals: Good deal, but we found that we didn't eat the dessert. Each meal platter you choose already comes with a side so I found myself getting strawberries as dessert. Honestly, avoid the delicious chocolate cake they have cause it wasn't that great. If you want a very nice air conditioned lunch eat at Das Festhaus in Germany, esp when they have the Oktoberfest show going on. Lot of fun. The prices are $20 at BG and $18 at WC for adults. When you get to the parks you'll see a kiosk scanning station that you will scan your meal deal ticket and are able to redeem for small ticket like vouchers. These are good for 7 days and can only be used in the issuing park. It's nice to go and not have to worry about the cost of food, so I liked that aspect of it.

Drinks: I think they have Pepsi fountain drinks so they have Pepsi, Diet, Cherry Pepsi, Orange Soda, Root Beer, etc. Pretty standard drink choices.

Let me know if you have any other questions! Like I said I just got back (went for 4 days last weekends) so my knowledge is fresh!

 

[snoopybabe]

just to correct, your son will not be free, admission begins at age 3. BUT the park prices are great.

Generally admission begins at age 3 but if you go to thier website

http://www.buschgardens.com/BGW2/Purchase/Visitors.aspx

and scroll over the Williamsburg Bounce Ticket it says that ages 5 and under are free with adult paid admission. As well as a child ticket is valid for ages 6-17.

I am not passing along misinformation they are running another special which is something they do throughout the season.

 

[mechteach]

DH's parents live in Williamsburg, so we have been there a lot. I love WDW (we're going there again in October), but I l-o-o-v-e everything there is to do around Williamsburg. My kids are 5.5 and 3, and we were just at BG again this past weekend, so I thought I would give you a little more detail about what you all might enjoy there.

At BG, there are 2 main kid areas, and then small kid-ride clusters throughout the park.

1) The Forest of Fun is the new Sesame Street area, and it is right behind England, after the entrance. When BG says they open at 10 on their website, FoF is generally open at 9:30. Your son will probably enjoy all of the rides in FoF (roller coaster, wild worm, and bounce up and down rides), with the exception of the dragon boat ride, which is pretty tame. There is also a 4-D SS show in the Globe Theater roughly every hour which was excruciating for us, but which our kids really loved.

2) Dragon Land is tucked back in the Germany/Oktoberfest area. The rides there are pretty tame (flying dragons, slow/small ferris wheel, etc.), but your son might enjoy a brief spin. The big draw is the carousel just outside the entrance, and the huge tree climbing structure in the middle.

3) Additionally, there are 2 small flyer-type rides in Italy, next to the big boat that goes upside down. The balloons are too baby-ish, but he might like the flyers where you can lie flat on your belly. There are also Red Baron-style flyers and kid bumper cars in Germany next to the adult bumper cars, and just down the hill from the Oktoberfest building (which might be a good lunch spot for your family, btw).

4) In addition to the kid-specific rides, you might want to consider the Da Vinci's cradle ride in Italy, the Wave Swinger (I think that's the new name) in Germany, and Escape from Pompeii in Italy (there is a moment in the interior of the ride where fire comes out that briefly startles my DD, but other than that it's just a flume ride). Riding the "cups" around the park is also fun, but lines start to form as the day goes on. If your son has any roller coaster tolerance at all, you might try the Big Bad Wolf in Germany - it's pretty calm, with the exception of a big drop over the water, which you can see from the bridge that goes into Germany.

I agree that the CW activities are not great for kids, but you might just enjoy walking around the CW area - our kids love running on the lawns, trying out the stocks, etc.

Have a fun trip!

 

[rottiemom]

Parking: Yes, you only have to pay for parking once. Purchase online for $10. Do not buy the preferred for WC, it's really not worth it. You can buy the preferred at BG, but if you park way out in nowhere land, you have to take a tram anyway. Again, keep your receipt and on the receipt it specifically says to show it to any tollbooth to come back to either park the same day. One day we went to WC and then went to BG at night for the Foreigner concert (included with admission). It worked well.

OK, so it's pay for parking once PER DAY, not once for the entire length of the tickets.

Meal Deals: Good deal, but we found that we didn't eat the dessert. Each meal platter you choose already comes with a side so I found myself getting strawberries as dessert. Honestly, avoid the delicious chocolate cake they have cause it wasn't that great.

At WDW we would usually end up getting fruit or bringing our desert back to the room anyway for a snack later on so this whould be fine. I know myself. If it's hot & I'm going to be doing a lot of walking in it the last thing I should do is eat heavy or sweet. I'd rather carry it back to the room in my purse than in my belly .

If you want a very nice air conditioned lunch eat at Das Festhaus in Germany, esp when they have the Oktoberfest show going on. Lot of fun. The prices are $20 at BG and $18 at WC for adults. When you get to the parks you'll see a kiosk scanning station that you will scan your meal deal ticket and are able to redeem for small ticket like vouchers. These are good for 7 days and can only be used in the issuing park. It's nice to go and not have to worry about the cost of food, so I liked that aspect of it.

Awesome, thank you! And I like the food cost already being taken care of (and the savings of course). I like the idea of Das Festhaus for lunch as a break in the middle of the day. I was toying with making reservations for Dinner with Elmo & friends on Saturday. My son is still at the point where he enjoys characters & I don't know how much longer that will last...

Let me know if you have any other questions! Like I said I just got back (went for 4 days last weekends) so my knowledge is fresh!

Just curious but where did you stay?

Generally admission begins at age 3 but if you go to thier website

http://www.buschgardens.com/BGW2/Purchase/Visitors.aspx

and scroll over the Williamsburg Bounce Ticket it says that ages 5 and under are free with adult paid admission. As well as a child ticket is valid for ages 6-17.

I am not passing along misinformation they are running another special which is something they do throughout the season.

Yeah, I was trying to figure this out! When I went to check out the prices on the 7 day flex tickets the child under 6 ticket came up as free but I see on the BG/WC websites that kids 3 & up need tickets. But children under 6 are free at CW. But then he wouldn't have a valid ticket for BG/WC?

DH's parents live in Williamsburg, so we have been there a lot. I love WDW (we're going there again in October),

Oh sure, rub it in .

Seriously, your post rocks and I really appreciate your breaking it all down for me!

1) The Forest of Fun is the new Sesame Street area, and it is right behind England, after the entrance. When BG says they open at 10 on their website, FoF is generally open at 9:30.

See, I has seen this mentioned on the DIS but I couldn't find this referenced anywhere on BG's website. Very helpful!

I agree that the CW activities are not great for kids, but you might just enjoy walking around the CW area - our kids love running on the lawns, trying out the stocks, etc.

Have a fun trip!

So like the PP said above, can we just park & enjoy the grounds without a ticket or do we need a ticket to actually enter Colonial WIlliamsburg (like you have to do at Mystic Seaport)?

Thank you SO much!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

So like the PP said above, can we just park & enjoy the grounds without a ticket or do we need a ticket to actually enter Colonial WIlliamsburg (like you have to do at Mystic Seaport)?

Thank you SO much!

CW is an open campus, you can walk around anywhere on the streets/green as well as restaurants and gift shops. You need to have a ticket (looks like a clipon ID badge) to go into any of the "exhibit" buildings. (They are marked with a colonial flag out front.)

The street directly in front of the capitol (forget the name now) is blocked off to non-ticket holders during their Revolutionary City performance. (It was about 1-4pm when we went in April; I think I saw it's in the morning for the summer. Check the website.)

 

[nancycg56]

I live close to Williamsburg and we go fairly often so a couple of things:

Try The Cheese Shop in Merchant's Square for sandwiches ~ excellent but can be crowded.

The Trellis Restaurant is fabulous.

All the outlets on Rte 60 (Richmond Road) including a HUGE Yankee Candle Store are fun to poke around in.

There is a Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum on Rte 60 as well which is just so funny

I love CW and we often go up just to walk around. You can find souvenirs somewhat cheaper in some of the shops in Merchant's Square ~ on one of the side streets there is a pretty good shop that sells loads of CW stuff. I can't remember the name of the shop or the street but it's just down from the Barnes & Noble.

Stop in the peanut shop for some good Virginia peanuts.

Have a great stay!!!

 

[kittylady1972]

I just wanted to say also that I LOVE the Busch Gardens Williamsburg park! It's just a beautiful park and I think you will really enjoy it. We last visited in Summer of 2007 with our three kids - ages 7, 3 and 4 at the time - and we liked it so much we went back two more times for weekend trips and it is a good 3.5 hour drive from us!

We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites a few times and it was very nice and very convenient. We also rented a condo one other time at a timeshare resort which had a great pool. Another time we went cheap and rented a room at the Days Inn Colonial and even though the motel wasn't much to look at the room was perfectly fine for us.

With the closing of the Big Bad Wolf this year, we have decided to return to BG this year as well to ride it one last time (or two). We're heading back in just over a week. My oldest son was the only one tall enough to ride BBW in 2007, but this year all three kids should just be able to ride it at 42 inches so we are heading back for one last ride there. My kids love thrill rides but only one is tall enough for an additional coaster this year - he will ride Loch Ness! The other two should be able to ride so much more than they did last time.

The shows are great as well. We watched a pet show last time with tons of animals that the kids just loved. My kids also enjoy shows. The food was expensive but all pretty good for a theme park. I loved the pickles they had there!

We are also doing the $69 combo pass and while I considered the Colonial thing, I have read reviews that also tend to say the pass doesn't get you into everything and some of the better stuff is free so if we feel up to it we may do that.

I'm even considering extending our little adventure more by making a trip first to the Luray Caverns area. We've never been there and it sounds cool too. I think my kids would enjoy it too.

Have a great trip!

 

[big_red_s]

We went to Busch Garndens last year and my kids loved it (DD4 and DS2).

Your son will also love the Jamestown Settlement. We spent a day there and it was interesting to them and us. Colonial Williamsburg was a disappointment, we will go back when they are school age though.

By the way, if you're driving from the north we spent a day at Mt. Vernon and DD4 had a grand time. We spent the night at the Best Western in Alexandria, VA about 3 miles from Mt. Vernon.

 

[rottiemom]

CW is an open campus, you can walk around anywhere on the streets/green as well as restaurants and gift shops. You need to have a ticket (looks like a clipon ID badge) to go into any of the "exhibit" buildings. (They are marked with a colonial flag out front.)

I would have had no idea. Thank you!

Try The Cheese Shop in Merchant's Square for sandwiches ~ excellent but can be crowded.

If it's cheese I am SO there .

All the outlets on Rte 60 (Richmond Road) including a HUGE Yankee Candle Store are fun to poke around in.

Like I'd be "allowed" near the outlets .

We stayed at the Country Inn and Suites a few times and it was very nice and very convenient. We also rented a condo one other time at a timeshare resort which had a great pool. Another time we went cheap and rented a room at the Days Inn Colonial and even though the motel wasn't much to look at the room was perfectly fine for us.

I'm currently eyeballing the Comfort Inn Historic because there's an indoor pool (in case of rain).

We are also doing the $69 combo pass and while I considered the Colonial thing, I have read reviews that also tend to say the pass doesn't get you into everything and some of the better stuff is free so if we feel up to it we may do that.

It's actually cheaper for us to go for the 7 day flex pass since we have only the 1 child who's 5. But the more that I'm reading about this & the more replies that you wonderful people are posting the better this idea sounds. And I know that I wouldn't have thought of it if it hadn't been for our cancelling the WDW trip.
[/QUOTE]

By the way, if you're driving from the north we spent a day at Mt. Vernon and DD4 had a grand time. We spent the night at the Best Western in Alexandria, VA about 3 miles from Mt. Vernon.

We're driving from NY & it looks to be about 7 1/2 hours worth...which we can easily do in one shot. The only other times we've been in VA were with the motorcycles so this will be a completely different travel experience. After a 12 hour day on the bike 8 hours in a climate controlled, bug & tar free car is a piece of cake .

I sincerely can't thank you guys enough. I really appreciate all of the advice & replies. I know that I keep on saying that but I was so devastated about cancelling the Disney trip that I had been saving for & planning for since the winter I honestly can't believe that I'm feeling so excited about this trip .

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I am leaving on the 16th for a week in DC and Williamsburg with my sister (40) two nieces (9&10) and my nephew (14). Williamsburg was one of my favorite places to go as a kid, and I grew up outside of Boston! I dreamed of going to The College of William & Mary too... We are staying at the Williamsburg Marriott, it has an indoor and outdoor (connecting) pool and we got it gor only $103/day. I was pretty psyched about that. I can't wait for the kids to see Williamsburg... I think you have to be interested in history to really enjoy it. The girls have the American Girl dolls from Williamsburg, and have watched the movies, so I am sure they will love it. We are passing on Bush Gardens this time, but my mom was telling me how gorgeous it was when we were there when I was a kid...over 20 years ago! I will have to remember the Pierce's BBQ place and take the kids there.. I can't wait! I am so glad you started this post!

 

[Va-bear]

So, my parents were Williamsburg freaks and it has carried down to me - I spend a lot of time there. I was in Williamsburg last night - just for the evening from Richmond - just to shop at the outlets a while. (There is a new Columbia store - OMG, if you need any outdoor/rain/or even just eveyday wear, it is amazing!! I got a $95 rain jacket for $17)....oh...I digress. Anyway, we take our boys to CW, 6 and 10, and never pay for the tickets. My older sons school took them w/ tickets and he came home and said it was "awful, compared to when we go". When we go we watch the street parades/performers, go see the horses in the fields, run thru the lawns, look at the shops/homes that aren't "w/ticket" only (marked) etc, etc. (I personally like to hear the historical info given in the tours, but it's not really that kid oriented... so I wait for the school to take them for that - once is enough at that age). We have BG season tix - the 6 yo doesnt do coasters, but still it . Someone mentioned the skyride and the kiddie hang gliders - but his fav is the Roman Rapids -not too 'baby' but tons of wet fun for all (kind of like Kalihari River at animal kingdom!)

So much great advice and I hope you have a great trip!