Williamsburg VA area

[VirginiaMom]

Williamsburg is only about 30 minutes from Richmond. If you plan ahead, you could also check out concerts/events in Richmond to stop at on your way to Williamsburg. It's on the path from Ohio to Williamsburg.

My kids don't enjoy the historic stuff. Water Park; Busch Gardens; GreatWolfLodge are their favorites.

Also, you pass Richmond International Airport on the way to Williamsburg. They have an Aviation Museum there now. If your kids like planes, that's something to look into. My son enjoys it.

 

[Prose]

I am so excited to find this thread! We are planning a trip to Williamsburg in June, and I was so bummed that there is nothing like the DIS boards for other cities! I am so spoiled by this wonderful board!

Some questions for everyone:

- how bad is the heat/humidity in mid June, compared to Orlando? We were in WDW last year in June and it was pretty darn hot

- our plan right now is 1 day CW, 1 day Busch, 1 day water park, Maybe a day in VA Beach, and one other day is still undecided, maybe the aquarium. How does that sound? We are not roller coaster people, so I am pretty sure we can do Busch in a day. We may expand CW to a day and a half. It will be DH, me, and DD 8.

- we are waffling between flying and driving (from Indianapolis). The problem with flying is that there are no direct flights, so by the time we get to the airport ahead of time, check in, wait, fly, land, get out, layover, re-board, fly, etc. it will be 5 hours or so. The drive is around 11. We are thinking about going Indy-Louisville-Lexington- West VA- VA....maybe a quick stop at the Kentucky Horse Park.

- We're looking for a hotel with a king bed and a sofa bed - DH is tall, so queens are tough and doubles out of the question. We are thinking a Hampton Suites, Fairfield Suites or Spring Hill Suites. Also, should we just stay at our W'burg hotel and drive to the beach frmo there? The hotel prices at the beach are crazy!

Thanks to all for advice in advance! You rock!

 

[breezy1077]

Lived in Va. Beach for a time and loooved it!

Va beach is a must see if you're that close(only about a 40 min. drive to the ocean). The boardwalk style beach is so much fun. We loved to just people watch. I still remember my childhood trip to Williamsburg and it was one of my favorites (I think I was 6?). Busch Gardens is a must - again you're that close - ya have to go.

If you're in Va beach. the locals loved a place called the Reef on Shore dr. I'm not sure if it's still there but they had the best crablegs, shrimp (fried and peel-n-eat), everything was good. It's a dive but was priced appropriately and didn't fall into the tourist trap kind of place. Once you're done eating there's a place right across the street (was a tourists trap) that had a gazebo you could sit outside and enjoy the ocean.

Also, I'm almost done, stop by a meat market or store if you can and buy something called "Jimmy Sauce". It's so different from anything you can buy here and if you love bbq you'll love this stuff

Ahhh, I miss va beach!

 

[breezy1077]

Prose,

you must have been posting when I was. To answer the question about weather - yes it's hot, but if you're by the beach it's more of a dry heat. It will get more humid the further inland you are. If it's a rainy day it can get opressively humid, but we didn't experience a lot of rain when we were there (that might have been a fluke).

One thought about flights. Do you know anyone in central oh you can stay with then go to Columbus Int'l Airport. Skybus flies to Richmond I think and you might be able to get a very cheap flight. Just a thought

 

[Mickeyorbust]

In Norfolk, there is the maritime museum Nauticus,

Hey, don't forget the Virginia Zoo...i work there so I'm a little partial. We have a zoo train opening next month.

I think you were referring to the Virginia Marine Science Museum...it's a cool place.

Nauticus is right next to the USS Wisconsin...Navy ship you can tour.

 

[Mickeyorbust]

Doea anyone know if we went in June if the heat and humid weather would be more bearable? We are wondering if maybe staying at Virginia Beach would be better? Any advice? Thanks! Lisa in Indiana

June and the beginning of July are better. End of July and August does get Hot. Usually upper 90's to lower 100's and humid end of July/August. However, I have to say that I find it more tolerable then Orlando at the same time of year...may be because overall there's more shade here.

Staying in VA Beach is more of a personal preference. Traffic is very congested around the beach at that time of year. It does get very crowded on the beach during the summer. So it's up to whether you like crowds or not. Unless you're a hotel/resort guest you will be paying for public parking spaces. One more thing, VA Beach has a free summer concert series at the boardwalk during the summer. Usually they have several bands playing on different stages at the same time. And most of the time it's bands that are known, not a band no one's ever heard of.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) We stayed at the Powhatan Plantation (timeshare) in Williamsburg.
2) Near all the activities.
. . . Yorktown Battlefield
. . . Jamestown Settlement
. . . Williamsburg
. . . Busch
. . . Williamsburg Winery
3) We bought inexpensive 3-day passes to Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown.

NOTE: If in the budget, eat at the Williamsburg Inn. Relatively upscale, but worth it.

 

[hollieplus2]

We are planning on going during fall break Oct 4-10th. Water country USA will be closed and Busch Gardens is only open on the weekends so we would do Williamsburg, Jamestown etc during the week. I REALLY like the wolf lodge but it's expensive. But it does have the water park for DS7. Has anyone stayed there or somewhere else and can convince me that I would have a great time somewhere else.

 

[LubsPoohBear]

we love Bushgardens we go when ever we have a chance. 3 4day trips last summer july ..aug.. and sept. heat wasnt very bad ( its the next best thing to being in Disney)every other year Disney twice off years bushgarden passes. ope u have alot of fun.

 

[minniebeth]

Prose,

you must have been posting when I was. To answer the question about weather - yes it's hot, but if you're by the beach it's more of a dry heat. It will get more humid the further inland you are. If it's a rainy day it can get opressively humid, but we didn't experience a lot of rain when we were there (that might have been a fluke).

One thought about flights. Do you know anyone in central oh you can stay with then go to Columbus Int'l Airport. Skybus flies to Richmond I think and you might be able to get a very cheap flight. Just a thought

Breezy1077,
From a fellow Dublin, Ohioan, this is EXACTLY what I was going to recommend...we've flown Skybus and have had a good experience...

 

[Psychodisney]

Any recommendations for accomodations in Virginia Beach?

 

[bethie]

I would stick with familiar named hotels in VA Beach. It wasn't too long ago that they reported bed bugs on the news at some of the older ones.

 

[Promomx2]

For all those planning on hitting Williamsburg/Va. Beach area, don't forget the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. I know there is a fee to cross but it's really neat for the kids. Right before you get into the tunnel there is a little restaurant,( not very expensive). Plus you can walk out on a pier and watch the cargo ships go by. And if you go on across you can go to Chicoteague and see the wild ponies. Lots to do in the area.

 

[DisneyCatMom]

June/August-still is going to be hot, humid and sticky for the most part. I don't know your budget, but to stay on the boardwalk at Virginia Beach is getting pretty pricey.
There are some great campgrounds at Va Beach and all around Williamsburg area-cabins for rent as well with A/C.
If in Williamsburg be sure to stop at Pierson's BBQ. It's a 1/4 mile down from the GWolf Lodge!
If going to Va Beach area-a nice 1/2 day trip or so is crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel- 13 or is it 18 mile bridge to the Eastern Shore!
Va Beach has a great night life for family's. The small carnival rides on the boardwalk-fireworks each night, large sandy beaches, rental bikes to ride boardwalk, jog or just people watch. At night they have musicians, magic shows,etc all up and down Atlantic.Lots of public parking if you just go for the day-from Williamsburg depending on time/traffic you are only talking 45 minutes or so! Well worth it!
Norfolk is great too if you wish to view battleship, subs, Nauticus museaum-it is also the port for the cruise ships-great Mall right across street also.
A good trip would probably be:
Williamsburg/JamesTown, Yorktown area's-small beaches all over the place here-stop somewhere local and ask how to get to them-James River
Norfolk
Va Beach
Eastern Shore
and don't forget Richmond further West-it is the Capital !

 

[Psychodisney]

Everything sounds great. A couple of posters talked about not being able to see through the water...is it dirty or just churned up from the surf?

 

[kacaju]

I just booked our week at Williamsburg!! We are going this summer for a family reunion. We are not staying where they are though, they have a block of rooms at the four points for $200 a night. I just booked at the Quality Suites for $109.99. They have a special at some hotels, pay for 4 nights get the 5th night free.
I also booked their 7-4-1 flex pass (like the hopper pass) so we can hop between BG, WC, CW Jamestown and Yorktown for our whole trip.
$160.45 for adults and $121.95 for the 3 kids.
Our total for the week for hotel and tickets are $1190.91
The hotel includes a hot breakfast buffet too!! And it has an indoor pool.
5 of us (me,dh, dd 14,dd12 and dd8)

 

[Promomx2]

Everything sounds great. A couple of posters talked about not being able to see through the water...is it dirty or just churned up from the surf?

The water is fine. No you can't see through the water, but I've been to beaches all along the east coast and couldn't see through any of them. It's just churned up by the sea. If you want a more secluded beach, go to the northern tip to the First Landing State park. They have a website under Virginia State parks. Be warned that the sand gets very, very , very hot in the summer.

 

[mylilnikita]

It was myelf and Grlpwrd-a friend in real life- that made the comment about not going into water we can't see.
It' s just a preferance, Grlpwrd grew up in Hawaii and I went to Oahu last year and love the water as well as the water at Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Bahamas.
I like to see what is around me.

 

[DisneyCatMom]

If you go to the Bay off of Shore Drive (just keep going up in street numbers and it will go to the left of beach and become Shore Dr, Rt 17 I think) around to First Landing campground all the way down to Duck's Inn Buffet Restaurant (this has a pier and gazebo with bar/music on end of it) there are a lot of sandbars. Depending on the tide, it is a great place for younger kids. There are virtually no wakes, much clearer water and you can walk out forever in the water. My kids love it here. It's much more like being at a lake. It can be a tough area to get to though because of private hotels, and residences. Less than 10 minute drive from boardwalk area.

 

[momto2girls]

I'm glad I found this thread. We're heading to Williamsburg after Easter. I hope that the weather is decent when we go. My girls are so excited about Colonial Williamsburg! I even had colonial dresses made for them. We're ready to go.