OT: LIVE Report from Colonial Williamsburg: Final PHOTO update

[Mouse Skywalker]

We ride the train around to the Scotland station, and exiting we find the Budweiser Clydesdales. These were amazing horses, and the girls wanted to take a look.

Watching everyone get pictures, we were impressed how well-trained the horses were.

We went back to Ireland to see the 5:00p show in the Abbey Stone Theatre.

This was called "Emerald Beat", and was a 30 min Irish music and step-dancing show. It was really well-done. We liked it a lot. Plus, we dodged a rainstorm while we were in the show.

After the show, we did some souvenir shopping, and I wanted to ride one last coaster before we left: the "Loch Ness Monster".

Here's my attempt at taking a photo while riding a coaster. Shoot, I should have had the camera on the "sports" setting, but not too bad...

It was now 6:00p. We had been in the park since 11:00a, and had rode all the coasters but one, "Alpengeist". We were ready to call it a day, get some dinner, and go back to our condo.

On the way out of the park, we had to take this photo though. It was too perfect for our family.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

We drove back to the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor's Center and ate at "Huzzah". This was not any fancy restaurant, but we wanted to go back to Colonial Williamsburg and say our goodbye before we left.

We split a pizza and had some wonderful cider and ginger ale. Then we went to the Visitor's Center, and did some final shopping.

That's it for our trip. We have to pack up this morning, check out, and make the long drive back to Rochester, NY. I hope you all liked the report, and thanks for following along.

 

[safetymom]

Safe travels home!

 

[mainegal]

Thanks for the trip to Williamsburg. I really enjoyed it.

I hope you transition well back into the current day world.

 

[AnneR]

Safe travels Dave - We may pass each other on the road. I leave today to go south for a stay in SC.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

One More Stop!!

We decided that since we didn't see the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg, that we would make one more colonial stop on the way out. So our adventure isn't quite over yet!

 

[disneym2m]

Strange, I never thought of Busch Gardens as a roller coaster park. I guess because one hour north of Richmond, VA there is Kings Dominion and that park has like over 20 roller coasters. But I guess if you are comparing Busch Gardens to Disney World, then yes, BG has more roller coasters.

I am so glad you enjoyed the park and your pictures were just beautiful. It was raining in Richmond and all I could think about was I hope it doesn't rain on the Parfitt family during their day at the park......too funny.

Have a safe trip home.

P.S. Where did you hear that the Big Bad Wolf roller coaster was closing??????? Yikes, that can't happen.

 

[rotlex]

OK, I'm late to finding this thread, but wanted to say awesome info, pics and stuff in general.

We are in the early stages of planning our first "non Disney" trip for springtime next year, and Williamsburg is where we are headed! I have not been there since high school back in the early 80's, and am really looking forward to it now, especially after reading this thread!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Strange, I never thought of Busch Gardens as a roller coaster park. I guess because one hour north of Richmond, VA there is Kings Dominion and that park has like over 20 roller coasters. But I guess if you are comparing Busch Gardens to Disney World, then yes, BG has more roller coasters.

I am so glad you enjoyed the park and your pictures were just beautiful. It was raining in Richmond and all I could think about was I hope it doesn't rain on the Parfitt family during their day at the park......too funny.

Have a safe trip home.

P.S. Where did you hear that the Big Bad Wolf roller coaster was closing??????? Yikes, that can't happen.

Melissa, thanks for keeping the rain up your way. Funny, we stopped at a truck stop across from Kings Dominion on the way down, and it was SCARY!!! It totally freaked us out, and gave us a bad impression of Kings Dominion. We heard that Big Bad Wolf was closing from Busch Gardens themselves. I was following them on FB, and they sent out an announcement. Better ride it while you can.

We are in the early stages of planning our first "non Disney" trip for springtime next year, and Williamsburg is where we are headed! I have not been there since high school back in the early 80's, and am really looking forward to it now, especially after reading this thread!

Thanks Steve. We had a great time at Williamsburg.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

We're home after 11 hours in the car yesterday. Ouch! We're beat, but here's our final photo update from yesterday.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

OK, yesterday before we left we decided to make one more stop in Colonial Williamsburg. We had not seen the Governor's Palace, and figured "who knows when we will be back" so we should see it before we go. So what if we start our long drive a little later. Boy, am I glad we decided to see this. The Governor's Palace is definitely going to be one of the highlights of Colonial Williamsburg.

We had a guided tour of the palace, and the first room they take you in is the main entryway. Wow, you could tell this room was meant to make a statement. It's a dark, heavy wood, and the walls are lined with weapons.

Some of these were originals, and you could see the guns were dated 1760. Evidently, the Royal Governor conducted most of his business in this entryway, and you were meant to see the display of strength.

As you toured through the ballroom, they had musicians playing.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

After touring the interior, you could go outside behind the palace and see the formal gardens. These were absolutely gorgeous.

The girls had heard there was a hedge maze that they wanted to try out.

We toured the palace and ground for about an hour, and then decided to hit the road to head home. I'm so glad we decided to make this final stop. It was a great way to end the trip.

Well, thanks for following along everyone. It was a great trip, and I was so glad to be able to share it with you all. Thanks for reading.

 

[Renysmom]

P.S. Where did you hear that the Big Bad Wolf roller coaster was closing??????? Yikes, that can't happen.

Melissa-

It was on all the news stations and newspaper about 10 days ago..
Can you imagine BG without the Wolf, how sad

 

[cyberbox2]

We have Walked by the Governor's Palace so many times over the years and always admired its external beauty but have never ventured inside.

I hope that when we are in Williamsburg next weekend that we make the time to tour the inside.

Great photo's and happy to hear that the entire vacation was a success.

 

[auroralark]

First I wanted to say that I'm sorry to hear about Dana's grandmother.

But I loved reading your report. I'm really sad to hear that Big Bad Wolf is closing! I LOVE that coaster. I have many fond memories of riding it with my sister. It stinks to know I'll never get to ride it again. Oh well.

Thanks for sharing your trip!

 

[disneym2m]

Melissa, thanks for keeping the rain up your way. Funny, we stopped at a truck stop across from Kings Dominion on the way down, and it was SCARY!!! It totally freaked us out, and gave us a bad impression of Kings Dominion.

I know what you mean about that truck stop...we NEVER, EVER go there. I think it just looks scary but okay, but I NEVER go. Honestly, don't let the truck stop scare you, Kings Dominion is actually okay. Not as pretty as Busch Gardens, but ALOT more roller coasters and rides. And if you like roller coasters, that is the park to visit at least once.

 

[disneym2m]

Melissa-

It was on all the news stations and newspaper about 10 days ago..
Can you imagine BG without the Wolf, how sad

WHAT IN THE WORLD..... that is just not right. Busch Gardens needs that roller coaster. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE..... CAN'T THINK OF WORDS.......... WHAT IN THE ..JUST........UGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[disneym2m]

See I am so upset that I double posted....

 

[mshoo1]

I was very suprised to hear the news about the Big Bad Wolf. The park sent out a notice to annual passholders last week giving us the news. The good news is that they are probably planning to build something new in it's place.

As for the maze behind the Governor's Mansion, my students at William and Mary used to tell me that one of their rites of passage before graduation is sneaking into the maze at night and running through it in their "birthday suits."

Thanks for posting the pics. It brings back good memories of the time I spent there in graduate school.

 

[TSWJan78]

Thanks for a Great trip report Dave... I have now added Williamsburg onto my list of places to visit!!