OT-Anyone travel to Busch Gardens Virginia?

[familyfirsttimer]

We are considering a long weekend trip to Busch Gardens, Va because we can drive there in @5.5 hours and it will be a quick little getaway.
Have any of you gone there and have hotel recommendations? It is me, DH, DD7 and DD4. I have read about the Kingsmill Inn and that it has a shuttle to the park (which sound great) but it is fairly expensive. Any advice or recommendations?

TIA!

 

[TerriBelle]

We visited a few years ago and had a lot of fun. We did Jamestown on our way there before going to the hotel. We also spent a day in Williamsburg and a day at Busch Gardens. I can't remember where we stayed but a lot of neighbors have stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge. It has an indoor waterpark that is great for kids.

If you go to Williamsburg look into renting the costume for your DDs. Mine loved wearing the white dress around town! They do make you buy the hat.

 

[Mom2DS]

We have been to Busch Gardens every summer for about 4 years now and have stayed at 3 different hotels. We stayed twice at the Quality Suites on Richmond Rd. The first time we were VERY happy with it -- it had a very comfortable king bed in separate bedroom from the kids and they serve a very nice hot breakfast. The second time we stayed there we were disappointed in the bed, however, so I guess it just depends which room you get. The next year we stayed at the Quality Inn at Kingsmill. It's not the best hotel we've ever stayed at, but was clean and close to the park. It has an indoor pool. This last year we stayed at Best Western Westpark on Richmond Rd. and I would NOT recommend staying there! I know there is a fairly new hotel near Water Country USA which I think is a Days Inn. It looked fairly nice, but I don't have any experience with it. Wherever you decide to stay, enjoy the park -- it's a great time! If you have time, try Water Country USA too -- my boys love it!

-Dawn

 

[java]

Only have heard great things about that Kingsmill Resort. But never have stayed there. We went to Busch Gardens last Sept. and stayed at the Great Wolf lodge(the kids loved it and we needed the space)
I have a friend that just got back yesterday and she spent 2 nights at that BW and changed resorts it was so bad. And she suggested we try 2 of the new hotels she saw..A Comfort Inn Suites and an Embassy suites. So maybe check those out
Oh and have FUN! we loved it and enjoyed walking around Colonial Williamsburg as well.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

Okay...I will preface this by saying that I don't really like big coasters. SM, SpaM, and Thunder are all fine with me...but not so much for RnR... I live about 45 minutes from Busch Gardens....and if you aren't into big coasters, there isn't much to do...some shows and a couple3D type and kiddie rides ....Also, if you have been to WDW, it's nothing impressive....not as many places to eat, bathrooms, and its not as clean as WDW....Escape From Pompei is weak compared to Splash.. Now that's just my opinion...

 

[TSM1993]

We usually stay at the Choice Hotels (Econolodge, Quality, Rodeway, Etc) all the Econolodges are fine and Quality Inn Kingsmill was good but with us we usually do all day at BG, Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown so we are really not getting back to the room until later at night so we are just there to sleep change and shower.


But stay away from Rodeways in Williamsburg been to both of them had rude service and overcharged and the other was going thru renovations and did not feel to secure in the other.

 

[michboro]

We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge last summer and the kids loved the indoor waterpark and the arcade!

 

[laceemouse]

While it is true that nobody does the FAMILY ride like WDW, we still enjoyed our 2 days at BG! We do NOT do big thrills, but we found plenty of shows and rides to do there. We liked the sky bucket ride, the old cars you drive, the German show and food, and stuff like that. We did NOT find it dirty, and the grounds were gorgeous (they have won awards for their landscaping!) They also have wolves and the Clydesdales....way cool!!! My youngest did the kiddy rides and had a blast!! We also LOVE Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown (our favorite!) We stayed at a timeshare one trip, and a Marriot the other. We love the whole area so much we are trying to decide when to go back!!! ALSO, way less crowded that WDW which was great .

 

[jillyjoey]

You will love Busch Gardens. My family lives in Chesapeake VA -- so we don't need a hotel room when we go. Actually, we are going this summer too. You may even want to check out staying at or near the beach and driving to Williamsburg to give you some other vacation options -- not really that far at all 1 hour, tops. Williamsburg is great and if you have the chance eat at one of the taverns in Colonial Williamsburg. Wonderful. Personally, I think 2 days tops at BG is plenty. There is also Water Country, if you are a fan of waterparks. Myself -- never been. Kings Dominion is in Ashland, north of Richmond. If you hit 81 on western side of the state, you hit Skyline Drive/ Shenadoah mountains and all kinds of caves and natural chimney, etc. There is so much to do in VA it is a great place for a trip. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel is a neat experience (as long as the weather cooperates -- otherwise can be scary). Norfolk has a lot to see as well. Chincoteague is awesome too. Okay, I'm rambling now, aren't I. Next to WDW, Busch Gardens is my absolute favorite vacation place (Nags Head/Ocracoke - may tie). I have no doubt you will have a great time and will find a great place to stay. The last time I actually had to stay at a hotel was in 1976 so I don't think my advice will help you out any other than my mom has stayed at Kingmill and Williamsburg Inn for conventions and said they were great.