Suggestions for Williamsburg VA - Marriott Manors Club

[lat]

I remember reading posts about the discussions for this resort and the things to do in the area. But the search function is not available.

We are going to stay in a 2-br unit at Marriott's Manor Club Ford Colony for the July 4th week in 2005. With 2 kids (4 and 7), I would like to know what the fun places to go (busch garden, water country of course). Not sure about Colonial Williamburg given their ages, some people said that it might be borning for them, and the weather will be HOT!!!

Any must see or do, any fun or good/reasonable restaurants?

I also looked up TUG for resort review and got some information.

Thanks!!!

 

[Doctor P]

Colonial Williamsburg should be very fun for kids that age if you choose your activities carefully. They have lots of kids oriented activities and they have opportunities for the kids to dress up like colonial residents for the day. Here is a link to some children's books (they have prices on them, but they are not for sale on the website itself): http://history.org/Publications/books/index.cfm?subcatid=37 and here is a link to the Colonial Williamsburg site itself: http://history.org

 

[NMW]

I have heard that July 4th is the best time to go to Williamsburg because they have a lot of special events to celebrate the July 4th holiday. We almost went last summer but decided our daughter at age 2 would be a little too young. We would have went if she was your youngest's age. I think it will be hot, but everywhere in the South is hot in the Summer!

 

[laceemouse]

We own a T/S week in Williamsburg and went last June. You will enjoy BG and Water Country. DO NOT MISS Jamestown! If your kids have seen Pocahontas they will LOVE it!!! They have replicas of the ships that the early settlers came over on which you can board. They have an authentic Native American Village, and a replica of the settlement that the Engish folks built. It is all outside and the kids run around and explore at will. It is fantastic! You will also enjoy Colonial Williamsburg. There is a fife and drum parade, and lots of other activities to show how people lived back then. My kids loved the armory with all of the old weapons and such. They also liked the old jail. And, there are animals like sheep that you can touch like a petting zoo!!! Enjoy

 

[NCRedding]

We love Williamsburg. Highly recommend Busch Gardens--they usually run a bronze pass which is a seasonal pass--and is about the cost of a 2 day pass. This way, you can come and go as you please, without worrying about the cost--it also gives a percent off of food and souveniers in the park. The Italian restaurant at BG serves reasonably good food, and has singers on stage. Your kids would probably prefer the German place (which serves a variety of foods cafeteria style) then you sit at picnic tables and see an oomba band and dances.

I second the recommendation of Jamestown with your kids. My DD is 12, has been to Colonial Williamsburg several times, and still prefers Jamestown over CW--more for her to do.

We love to eat at the Aberdeen Barn or the Yorkshire House--excellent meat, a little pricy. The Trellis, in Merchant Square is awesome, but NOT kid friendly. We have had HORRIBLE experiences at Applebee's and 2nd Street Bar/Grill. There is also a great Italian restaurant on the road to BGs in the strip center about 1/2 mile from the gate back towards town--on the right. I wish I could remember the name--it is excellent and reasonably priced.

 

[lat]

Thanks so much to all your advice

 

[disneyeveryyear]

We went to Williamsburg last July with our two children (4 & 9) and they had a ball.

We purchased the Williamsburg Flex Ticket available at www.williamsburgflex.com. We did not book a hotel through them and bought the 7-4-1.

It allowed us to go to Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Busch Gardens and Water Country for as long as we were there for one price. The four year old was free, she just had to have her picture taken with an adult who paid.

It was so worth the price. It was much cheaper than buying each ticket individually, and if we only wanted to stay somewhere for 1/2 day, then we didn't feel like we had paid full price and needed to get our money's worth.

The only drawback was that we had to pay before we left, and pick the tickets up when we got there, but it was all on the up-and-up and worked great for us.

 

[lat]

Thanks for the info. I went to their website and could not figure out how to buy the tickets or the pricing without having hotel option. How did you do it, by calling them? (too late here right now )

Thanks!!!

 

[lampy]

LAT

We will be there the same week. We did a private exchage and are staying in a 2BR unit July 3-10.

Thanks for the posts, this is helpful in planning our trip too.

I actually worked on the Jamestown Settlement and want to show our kids (13,10).

How much walking is Williamsburg and Jamestown?

 

[Cora]

We went last June and had a ball. Our 10 year old loved Busch Gardens and Water Country. He had been to Williamsburg when he was 5. Surprisingly, he enjoyed it more when he was younger. One night we had dinner at one of the taverns in Williamburg and took a horse and buggy ride after it. That was alot of fun. FYI the horse and buggies are booked very fast, so book ahead if possible.

We also took the Ghost Tour of Yorktown. That was great. Part of it is on foot and part of it is by coach bus. Very fun!

 

[OurDogCisco]

LAT

How much walking is Williamsburg and Jamestown?

Jamestown is fairly small. They have a musuem area and exhibit area. Then, you walk outside past all the flags to see the outdoor exhibit area. The walking was fine for our 3 year old and 6 year old. Colonial Williamsburg had a little bit more walking since it covers a few blocks. I did fine. My kids did fine. HTH... Tina

 

[Disney Parrothead]

On our September '04 trip, my husband and I drove to the Naval Base in Norfolk (about 1 hour from WMSBRG) for a boat tour of all the ships and subs in port for repair. If you're into that kind of stuff, it was really interesting - we saw about 40 ships. No kids for us, but there were plenty on the tour and they all did fine. One suggestion is to bring binoculars - tour boat doesn't get close enough to see everything.

 

[allforpooh]

We also were there last summer and had a very nice time, loved the Marriott there are alot of things to do right in the resort. They have many different kids activities so get the flier when you check in.

Since we were there for a week we did Williamsburgs a few times only a few hours at a time. We also took a day and drove to VA Beach, they have alot of public parking right on the beach so it turned out to be a very relaxing day. My only suggestion if you do decide to go to the beach, leave in an off time - we left around 4:30 and hit major traffic.

Denise

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Sorry it took so long to reply.

To get the ticket only option, first you click on the link, then on "home". At that point, there will be choices in the left hand column. Click on "tickets."

We purchased the 7-4-1 ticket since we stayed more than one week. The ticket was good for our entire vacation, and you only have to buy for children who are 6 and up. Those under 6 are allowed in free everyplace (even BG - which starts charging much younger than that). They just need to be pictured with a paying adult.

Don't forget to let them know that you will be picking up the tickets if your condo is not included in their affiliated list.

If you have any other questions, send me a PM.

 

[minijeanie]

just wanted to say that Mariott Manor Club is gorgeous. clean, well kept, much like disney. rooms are burgundy and green. each unit even has a doorbell. kids will very much enjoy it.

We love Mariott vacations clubs. they are the best. wish disney VC units were half the size marriotts are.

bush gardens are water country are your best bets. colonial village would not be in your best interest. rather boring for them as it is majorily history related.

enjoy your trip

 

[minijeanie]

just wanted to say that Mariott Manor Club is gorgeous. clean, well kept, much like disney. rooms are burgundy and green. each unit even has a doorbell. kids will very much enjoy it.

We love Mariott vacations clubs. they are the best. wish disney VC units were half the size marriotts are.

bush gardens are water country are your best bets. colonial village would not be in your best interest. rather boring for them as it is majorily history related.

enjoy your trip

 

[WDWNewbie]

Don't forget about Virginia Beach when you're there! Virginia Marine Science Museum with Imax theatre is a nice way to spend a few hours. So is the Children's Museum, which is about half way between VB and Williamsburg.

We have been to Marriott Manor Club several times over 4th of July week.

I would advise you to get to Watercountry 15 minutes before it opens--the first hour isn't busy, but then it gets a little busy after that. Your older child may enjoy some of the waterslides--go to those as soon as the park opens to avoid lineups! Big Daddy Falls and Meltdown are probably the best slides for your oldest child. There are two areas for small kids that they'll probably both really like.

Can your kids stay up late? The best time to go to Busch Gardens is at around 3pm and stay until 10pm closing. You can just walk on any kids ride after about 5pm--and it's much cooler in the evenings.

Manor Club is beautiful, but there's not a whole lot for kids to do there other than enjoy the pools. Are you staying in the Manor Club older Section or the Sequal? The Sequal is closer to the 'big pool' and playground, but we prefer the units in the older section.

Have fun!


http://www.childrensmuseumva.com/exhibits.html
http://www.vmsm.com/index.shtml