I need help: leaving for BG Williamsburg tomorrow:

[estherhead]

So, we're cleaning & packing & rushing about ready to go to Williamsburg tomorrow. I'm pretty prepared & we're excited. OK, we're excited.

We're going to Monticello (on the way) and got a Bounce pass with Water Country USA, BG, & Colonial Williamsburg. I also bought the BG Meal Deal (bought 3 of them as we'll be going more than one day.) And I just bought tickets to Dance, Our Greatest Diversion.

So I think things are going well. Here are the two things I'm freaking a bit about.

How hot is Colonial Williamsburg? I've heard the buildings are air conditioned but I'm worried about melting. DH is VERY excited about the 90+ weather & humidity as he adores it. I'm more of a rainy day kind of gal. Or puffy clouds & 70 degrees with a slight wind.

Second, I just measured my girls and they don't reach the roller coaster height. They are slightly bummed but I told them they are really scary roller coasters so they are a bit less bummed. Which parts open first at BG? The hours are 10 am to 9 pm when we are going. We are early morning people. So we're planning on being there at 9:30.

We'd like start in Sesame Street area with a 2 yr old, 7 yr old, 8 yr old. I hate standing in lines for baby rides so I'd like to hit those first thing. Is it open at 10 am or is it later that this land opens? If we can't start with that, what should we do in that first half hour to hour before the crowds hit?

I've also read that there is Parent Swap similar to Universal where you stand at the end of the ride & wait for your family to get off. We'll all want to do the 3D rides for sure so we'll need to use that.

Any info you all can give me would be great. I know we'll be fine but it is these little details that are so hard to find out on Tripadvisor. I don't mind winging it a bit, but I like to know my options.

Oh, is there a great, shady place for the baby & I to hang out at Water Country USA? Somewhere she can play in bits of water while I sit next to her relaxing?

 

[kimnvbva]

It sounds like you are going to have a great trip. Just one thing, it's going to be very very hot this weekend. Almost 100+ degrees. That doesn't count for humidity. The nice thing about BG is there a lot of shows you can go see when the weather is unbearable. I haven't been to Water Country in a while so I can't give you any advice there. I just wanted to give you a heads up on the weather. Bring lots of sunscreen!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

I don't recall any parts of BG opening later than others. Germany might open a little later, but I don't know why that would be. We always get there after 10 a.m., so it's not an issue. BG also has kiddie rides spread throughout the park--a lot in Italy, a couple in Germany, Land of the Dragons, of course, between Germany & France, some in England/Scotland. You'll see them as you walk through the park.

As for Water Country, there is a baby/toddler section. As you face the wave pool, turn right and walk down the hill. There are shaded picnic areas--one on each side. The water is about ankle-deep. There is another kiddie area. Once you've come down the hill from the wave pool, facing the baby area, turn right and walk down that path. It will dead-end at a playground. There is zero-depth there.

 

[virginiamama]

Hey,
We love BG/WC!
As for the weather, yes, it's usually hot and humid. The places you are going are shady in general, there should be lots of spots where you can at least get out of the sun for a bit. I haven't been to CW in a long time, but yes, I do remember the buildings not being air conditioned.

Just an idea, if the weather is just too hot, try WC in the morning, BG in the evening. (I am assuming the "bounce pass" works similar to a hopper.) As far as I know, everything opens up at both parks at the park opening time. My DS9 is too short for Apollo's Chariot, Alpengeist, and Griffon. He is tall enough for Big Bad Wolf and Loch Ness. He hasn't been brave enough to try Loch Ness yet. But there are plenty of rides to keep him happy. There are two places for the kids to cool off, one in the new Sesame Street themed part, and on in the Land of the Dragons. Then also you can cool off on the log flume, Escape from Pompeii, and Roman Rapids rides.

As for Water Country, there are plenty of shady places, but I can't think of any places where the shade actually reaches the pool areas. Back at the Hubba Hubba Highway there is a big canopy area adjacent to a zero entry pool that that is connected to the "highway". There are so many kids areas to choose from, so just skip around and try them out until you find one that meets your needs. Be sure to have flip flops or comfy water shoes because the rides and pools are spaced wide apart and that much walking on hot/wet concrete can be hard on your feet.

At BG, there is usually an attendant at the entrance to the ride que, and I think you just walk up with the whole family (I believe they needed to see the kids that necessitated the swap) and they will take care of you. I've done this with Griffon for sure, and we used a single rider line there to speed things up. As for the morning, I think there is something new that is similar to a character breakfast with the Sesame Street characters.

I'd be happy to answer any more questions that you might think of.

 

[estherhead]

Thanks everyone! A single rider line will be so great. I had decided I just wouldn't get to ride Griffon since 3 of us won't be able to & the other 2 would have to ride once at a time. But Parent Swap with single rider sounds perfect.

That's interesting about BG in the evening & WC in the morning. I was thinking about doing opposite. Getting all hot & gross and then going to WC, which is open until 8 p.m. Hmmm, you are making me re-think things.

 

[jesseiann]

At 7 and 8, your girls should be able to go on the Big Bad Wolf at least. We took DS3 on it and he loved it. It's a lot more fun (but a slightly longer wait) if you sit in the front.

Sesame Place actually opens at 9:00. I don't think a lot of people know this. We got there right at 9:00 and it was pretty empty that first hour. DS loved the little roller coaster there too.

They have a really nice kids area at Water Country that the two year old can play in. They even have some little tube rides they can go on.

Make sure you feed the birds in the little bird house while you are there. It was one of our favorite things.

This website has a lot of good info.

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/reviews/busch_gardens_williamsburg/

Jessie

 

[estherhead]

Thanks! That is wonderful news about Sesame opening at 9:00 a.m. This is everyday? Because it would be nice for us to go as early as possible to beat the heat of mid-day. I'm trying to plan this trip to be doing things from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30. THen eat lunch. Then be swimming or in a.c. until 5:00. 100 degree weather is not for me!

 

[jesseiann]

As far as I know it opens at 9:00. The parking gates are not open until then though, so you don't want to get there too early. We got there at 9:00 on a Friday and were done with Sesame place by 10:00.

 

[virginiamama]

That's interesting about BG in the evening & WC in the morning. I was thinking about doing opposite. Getting all hot & gross and then going to WC, which is open until 8 p.m. Hmmm, you are making me re-think things.

That sounds good too. I try not to go on the weekends during the summer since we are able to go when we want to, we try to avoid the crowds by going to BG in the evenings on weekdays. When we had a pool, it was always nice at a hot ballgame to know that a cool dip in the pool was waiting for us. When it is hot, WC does get super-crowded, which causes me some anxiety with keeping track of my younger DS. It usually thins out later in the day, so if you go BG in the morning, WC in the afternoon/evening it might be crowded when you get there but should taper off. I'd just hang out in the different play areas until people started clearing out, then go get in line for the "rides". Now you've got me jonesing for a WC trip!!!