Our "budget" vacation this year!

[kandb]

We have decided to skip Disney this year after going 8 years in a row. Anyhow, I wanted to share what a great deal we are getting on our trip to Williamsburg, Va. We are staying at a Residence Inn in Newport News (they say its 20 min. to BG). I got the hotel for $83/night with the government rate (DH and I both work for the government). We are getting a 7 day ticket for Williamsburg historic area, Busch Gardens and Water Country. We are a family of 5 but my 5 year old sons ticket is free. The tickets will be $446 for our family for the 5 days and include parking. I have a bunch of restaurant gift cards that I order from our credit cards, so dinner every night should be covered. I know we will buying some snacks in the parks but after a big breakfast, I plan on us just eating that and a big dinner. I didn't figure in gas for traveling but so far the trip is only costing us around $1,100. We will probably spend a few hundred more, but I think the price is great for a 7 day trip.

 

[dmoore718]

That's great!! I love a good deal! We got a good deal on a condo in Ocean City,MD a few summers ago and I felt like a rockstar for getting a 2 bedroom condo across the street from the beach and overlooking the bay for $700!

Great job! Enjoy your trip!

 

[havaneselover]

We live an hour from Busch Gardens/Water Country and enjoy our visits so much. Both parks are pristine and the rides are great.

I take snacks when I go to BG to keep the cost down. Their snack policy is similar to WDW's. I bought refillable cups in 2010 (they still let me use them but refills are $1.29 instead of $0.99 since they are from a previous year). Most of the time we get them filled with water for free. Even the slushee refilles are only $2.29. I also bought a popcorn container in 2010 and get popcorn refills for $0.99. The pretzel place by the Festhaus is the best, by the way.

Sounds like a lovely vacation and I bet you'll enjoy it even more knowing what a great deal you got.

 

[got2sammies]

I agree! I go to Disney almost every year but me and DS have an annual pass for BG.. The park is great and I Love the hot dog pretzel bun! You should be very close to everything.. There is a Wendy's, mcds, and KFC/Taco Bell right outside the park on route 60.. Plenty of chains restaurants too going up by the outlets.. Have fun!
Ps I do the same with my popcorn bucket and refill mug from 2010!!!

 

[Straitlover]

You might want to check Skyauction.com. They've been having some Willliamsburg condo deals on there. You might be able to get a condo cheaper than $83 per night.

I love Williamsburg!

 

[kirstenb1]

We have season passes to BG/WC. They're both great parks, and I hope you have a wonderful trip!!

 

[sheetz]

It sounds like more and more people taking "budget" vacations to Williamsburg. We're taking our first trip this year in combination w/ a trip to DC.

 

[laurafergie]

We have decided to skip Disney this year after going 8 years in a row. Anyhow, I wanted to share what a great deal we are getting on our trip to Williamsburg, Va. We are staying at a Residence Inn in Newport News (they say its 20 min. to BG). I got the hotel for $83/night with the government rate (DH and I both work for the government). We are getting a 7 day ticket for Williamsburg historic area, Busch Gardens and Water Country. We are a family of 5 but my 5 year old sons ticket is free. The tickets will be $446 for our family for the 5 days and include parking. I have a bunch of restaurant gift cards that I order from our credit cards, so dinner every night should be covered. I know we will buying some snacks in the parks but after a big breakfast, I plan on us just eating that and a big dinner. I didn't figure in gas for traveling but so far the trip is only costing us around $1,100. We will probably spend a few hundred more, but I think the price is great for a 7 day trip.

I lived in the area for 20+ years. I just wanted to comment on the 20 minutes to Busch Gardens. It is possible....with no traffic. But you will be traveling past Ft Eustis on I64, and it always clogs up there, as in complete stop. Not to mention the going to VA beach traffic, especially Fri-Sun. Traffic is crazy in Hampton Roads. You always need to be aware of it.

If at all possible, I would strongly suggest you get a condo in Williamsburg. i guarantee you can get one at least for the $83 you have budgeted. Your trip will be much more stress free without the travel time and traffic.

But have a super time at BG!! It is a wonderful park! Colonial Williamsburg is one of my favs too! You'll have a great time.

 

[rnorwo1]

We are going for the first time this summer. We are also a family of 5, and we were able to get a 2 BR condo at Wyndham Kingsgate for about $80ish a night and it is supposedly very near all of the attractions. So much nicer to be close and have the extra room, full kitchen and laundry, so I agree you should definitely check into that. It looks like it also has a ton of amenities, like mini golf, video arcade, theater, multiple pools (all included with resort fee of $5 per day per room). Also, my DS5 loves costume play, so I know he is going to want to wear one of the colonial costumes that they rent for around $25 plus a deposit; so the Easter bunny brought him his own costume for $25 from amazon... Didn't save any money, but at least he gets to keep it for the same price. We will probably do all breakfasts and dinners in the condo, will likely eat lunches out.

 

[Patience]

We stayed at a hotel in Newport News over the Easter weekend and found it to be an easy drive to Busch Gardens and the historical sites. I don't know how a holiday weekend compares to the summer season but we didn't encounter any backed up traffic and found it to be an easy drive.

We enjoyed our day at Busch Gardens very much by the way. Our oldest is 19 and she and her father enjoyed the big roller coasters but we also appreciated that there were so many rides for our youngest daughter and me (big coward) to enjoy while they were on the coasters. The park was beautiful and clean with lots of flowers blooming everywhere. We had discounted tickets from our credit union so the price was very reasonable. My girls also enjoyed Colonial Williamsburg and the Jamestown Settlement. We ate at one of the taverns in Colonial Williamsburg one night and enjoyed the atmosphere but found the food to be very average.

Have fun!

 

[cruella4me64]

We ate at one of the taverns in Colonial Williamsburg one night and enjoyed the atmosphere but found the food to be very average. !

I think the historic taverns try to authentically replicate food served in the colonial days, don't they? So maybe that's why it seemed average?

 

[CyndiLooWho]

We took our kids to Williamsburg for a week last year and it was awesome. We bought the same 7 day tickets that got us into most of the major attractions, and were very pleased with the value for the money. Busch Gardens was awesome.

 

[sheetz]

I think the historic taverns try to authentically replicate food served in the colonial days, don't they? So maybe that's why it seemed average?

I think the food they serve is "inspired" by colonial foods, but if they were really authentic they probably wouldn't appeal too much to modern taste buds.

 

[Keli]

You guys are making me want to vacation in Williamsburg next time!

 

[Nevergrow'nup]

Seems like a popular place to visit!!
My DH and I are planning a trip the end of September. Doing a day at BG, touring colonial Williamsburg and maybe Virginia beach area? We are trailering down a motorcycle to ride around. Still looking at hotels. Watching these threads for ideas

 

[danygirl]

Traffic will be bad on weekdays compared to what the person who was there on Easter experienced. A condo closer will be better

 

[WVMomof3]

We also just went over Easter. Had a great time, despite the chilly weather! Was so disappointed we went south and the weather at home was much nicer that weekend than Williamsburg. We met friends who drove through Newport News on Friday afternoon and hit a lot of traffic in that area. Not sure if it was an accident or always like that.

Verbolten is my new favorite coaster! Loved it.

 

[artemis4]

I will add my voice to those saying to look into condos. Last year, we stayed in Kings Creek Plantation that last week of May/ for under $50/night in a two bedroom townhouse. It isn't far from Newport News to Williamburg, but I wouldn't want to do it in morning traffic. If you get the condo, you can save even more on food with having the kitchen.

Have a great trip! Our entire family really loved the trip we took there. I highly recommend the national park ranger tours at Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown Battlefield. They are a fantastic bargain. Our kids were captivated by the history that came alive with the park ranger tour at Yorktown and the archaeology tour at Jamestowne. Colonial Williamsburg is simply incredible. Busch Gardens at Williamsburg isn't Disney, but it was the best regional amusement park we've been to.

 

[kandb]

Thanks everyone for all the info/advice. I also have a Springhill Suites booked right in Williamsburg for $96/night that includes a full breakfast and is closer. I will consider that, hearing that there could be a lot of traffic. We are super looking forward to our vacation.

 

[snoopy5386]

We also rented a timeshare through eBay at Wyndham Kingsgate. It was lovely, so much nicer than a hotel.