Williamsburg - First Trip Questions

[dtuleya]

Our family (me, DH, DS 9 & DS 14 - history buff) are going to Williamsburg for the first time June 17-22. I was hoping someone could help me with some questions I have.

We are staying at the Powhatan Plantation the first night (thanks for a great rate from Orbitz) and the last four nights we are staying at Kings Creek Plantation. We plan on relaxing and enjoying these two beautiful resorts as much as possible.

We want to plan on going to Water Country (weather permitting), Busch Gardens and definitely Colonial Williamsburg. Are Jamestown and Yorktown worth going to?

**How much time should we allow for each place? Can we do Busch Gardens in one day?

**What are some other "must see" sites?

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Depending on the crowds, BG is doable in one day. You just will need to be there at opening and stay till closing.

Jamestown and Yorktown are pretty cool. You can get the visitors pass that allows you to go to them and Colonial Willimasburg. Since one of your children is a history buff this would be great for them. Jamestown is getting ready to celebrate their 400th birthday next year, so now would be a great time to go. I am not going anywhere near Williamsburg next year lol

I always enjoy going to the Pottery as well. If you like shopping, there are also a TON of outlet stores in the area.

 

[Ellen aka Snow White]

Our fifth graders just got back from Williamsburg. We did do Jamestown and the kids really enjoyed it. Our bus driver was unable to find the right entrance for Yorktown - so we had to skip it. We spent a whole day in Colonial Williamsburg - there was a lot to do. Take your time and really explore. I can't comment on any of the other places. Have fun

 

[msdznyduck]

Williamsburg Pottery Outlet is definately worth the trip........we are campers, and the first time we visited, the van was packed with camping stuff and didn't have the room to put a lot of stuff. We made a trip a few months later with a relatively empty van and picked up all kinds of stuff. Cement pots for plants are always commented on during the summer. The van was dragging its tail all the way from Virginia to NJ due to the weight

Have fun

msdznyduck

 

[stevenpensacola]

Our kids were 11, 6, and 4 when we went to Williamsburg/Jamestown. The little ones really liked Jamestown.
Lots for them to see/do/climb on.

They were kind of indifferent about Williamsburg. Busch Gardens was great, as is the Busch Gardens waterpark located nearbye.

There is a really pretty miniature golf course in W'burg that you might want to visit. It's right next door to Wendy's.

 

[vellamint]

Our family went last summer!! We had a great time!!!

Colonial Williamsburg is very interesting.....there wasnt much going on the week we were there but we still spent 2 half days there. The kids liked Jamestown better....good for another half day. (keep in mind my kids were not really interested in history....they were a bit bored....but out of the two they liked Jamestown).

Water Country was great....overcast and no lines at all so we were able to do every single ride and leave at 4 o'clock.

Busch Gardens, on the other hand, took us 2 FULL days and a couple hours after Water Country to do every single ride that we wanted to. We did not do the rides twice....we missed 3 shows...and we are not interested in the roller coasters (yikes we are chicken). I think you can do 3 days there easy especially if it is crowded....remember we went the last week of August and it was pretty empty....plus it basically rained on and off all week which was good in that the temperature was not as brutal as people told me it would be and it may have deterred some visitors. And we did not do everything like I said before....

I dont know how the above poster did it in one day..........???

Oh and by the way, it is a GREAT park......very pretty and fun.

Have a great time.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Originally posted by vellamint
[I dont know how the above poster did it in one day..........???

Oh and by the way, it is a GREAT park......very pretty and fun.

Have a great time. [/B]

Well I have been going there my whole life so I know the shortcuts and the lay of the land . I'd give it 2 days though. Actually I notice if it is really hot out, most people head to Water Country. If you can stand the heat and humidity that's a good time to go.

 

[dtuleya]

Thanks for all the great advice!

 

[mtemm]

Make sure to take advantage of the night programs at Colonial Williamsburg. They are a couple of dollars more...you can buy tickets for each program right on Duke of Gloucester street. They are so facinating!!!! We've done several...ghost tour (not about ghosts), Cross or Crown are two I remember off the top of my head. So worth it! I can't stress that enough. Some are so popular you need to make reservations in advance...best to get a calendar ahead of time so you know what's going on. Here's something I found on-line....you'll want to check back as you get closer:

http://www.history.org/visit/events...x.cfm?startDay=17&startMonth=6&startYear=2003




There is also a plantation you can visit with your ticket to Colonial Williamsburg. There is a slave settlement there that is very interesting.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

We went to Williamsburg on our 1st anniversary in 1997 and LOVED it!! We can not wait to go back, but just want to wait until our son is a little older.

We went to a Mock Witch Trial and it was SO incredible, it was a little intense if I remember at times, but it sounds like your kids are older so its not a big deal. We loved the restaurants, the games, etc. It was excellent.

One of the off the beaten path things we did was there was a private scenic country road back to Williamsburg from Jamestown *I think it was Jamestown * and it was just so beautiful you could not go above 25 MPH but it was just neat.

We did Busch Gardens in 1 day, but me being me was totally comparing it to WDW which it is not and I really wanted to go to WDW for our anniversary but still had a super time. We are not much for rides so it was just walking around. It was totally completley empty when we went (October 12th) and Water Country was closed

It was an amazing trip and can not wait to go back. Hope you have a super time

 

[HoneyPooh]

Hubby and I and two sons have been going every year since before sons (ages 15 and almost 18 ) were born. BGW can be done in one day (and we ride all the coasters) but I wouldn't recommend it. You would miss the best part of the park which is enjoying the scenery Take your time and sit in a shady spot and watch the people, birds and squirrels etc. We usually buy the three day tickets good for BGW and WC (Water Country) and use about a day and a half on BGW. The Pottery is great, make sure to take the tunnel (well actually the "pipe" ) that goes under the railroad tracks and all the way back to the right in the giant building. They have ABSOLUTELY everything you could imagine in that building. It's the only vacation where the souviniers I bring home are things like dish drainers and craft supplies! There is a great Christmas shop on the main drag called The Christmas Mouse that has two stories of Christmas ornaments. If you need a specific theme ornament for someone you will find it here. We usually head down to Virginia during the last week of June but due to son graduating this year we are skipping our trip Have a great time! Wish I was going!

 

[dtuleya]

Thanks again! I knew I could count on fellow Dissers to help me out!

 

[AspiringCindy]

We love Williamsburg. We took the ghost tour and found it to be not so scary,but very informative. Definitely worth it. Busch Gardens needs 2 days to be fully covered. Also, we visited the Williamsburg Winery and enjoyed that.

 

[Denine]

We love Williamsburg and BGW. I like to eat in the colonial restaurants. They are a little more expensive, but fun.
We always signed up for the special tours at Williamsburg.
Haven't been to the waterpark or Yorktown.

 

[Spirit Feather]

Don't forget the College of William and Mary. BEAUTIFUL campus, nice to just walk through on a warm evening. I got to stay in the dorms there a few times while attending various conferences on campus.

There is also a great plantation on the James River. I cannot remember the name of it but it was included in our Williamsburg Pass at that time so the Colonial Williamsburg folks may to be able to help you out. I was fascinated by the place, well worth the drive over.

Oh, and do take the kids to Jamestown. It may not be as exciting as BGW, but it is so cool!