Williamsburg VA budget trip!

[irishsharon]

A wonderful family friend is letting us use their rci timeshare points We are thinking that Williamsburg is a good choice as we can drive there (we do not have the budget for disney) I was hopeing that those who live in VA or have visited there can share some ideas.We will go the last week in Aug, for 7 days and we have 2 boys 6 &10.We have $1000 for food and entertainment.Any help and advice would be great. THANKS

 

[ICF]

There is a week long combo pass that you can get (flex pass I think it's called) -- that allows unlimited access to Colonial WB, Busch Gardens and Water Country for 7 days.

I think there is a 2nd version that allows you access to Jamestown & Yorktown too.

We got the 1st one and when we went about a year ago and it worked out well. The pass also gives you free parking @ Busch Gardens and when we were there school was still in session so there was no waits for any of the rides.

 

[2disneyboys]

I live in Norfolk va, approx 45 mins from Williamsburg. When researching things to do, consider including richmond,va (1 hour north) Newport news/ Hampton, about 20-30 mins away, and Chesapeake,Norfolk,Portsmouth,Virginia beach (45-60 mins south) in your search. I do recommend water country USA,as well as busch gardens particularly for your kids ages, and my kids love jamestown. There is a ton of historical stuff to do in this area. Tons of shopping and just lots of family friendly things to do. Have a great time!

 

[irishsharon]

Thanks for the info My 4th grader has been learning about American history this year so I'm excited for history to come to life for him!My husband and I have never been to Busch Gardens is there anything we need to know before we go?Is my budget good or do I need more?When do kids go back to school in VA,we are going Aug25-Sept1( just wondering about crowds) Also how expensive are things at BG any added costs I should know about. Thanks Also family friendly restaurants in the area

 

[princesspwrhr]

I live there. Public school goes back the Tuesday after Labor Day, so Sept 4 this year. The week you are coming will be the last week that Busch & Water Country are open daily and the crowds will be a bit higher than usual. It will also be hot as hades and humid - so prepare for that.

See if they will trade you into Parkview - good location and you can see the fireworks (they stop sometime late Aug, can't remember the exact date) from the resort and it has a really nice pool area with some features. It's also easy access to shopping & dining, though it seems off the beaten path. Kings Creek also has a good location, it's literally right next door to Water Country and the Target shopping area, easy to get to Busch, historic areas and grocery stores. Kings Creek doesn't have more than a few pools, but the cottages are cute. There are lots of other timeshares in the area, but those two have the better location imo.

 

[bas71873]

I live there. Public school goes back the Tuesday after Labor Day, so Sept 4 this year. The week you are coming will be the last week that Busch & Water Country are open daily and the crowds will be a bit higher than usual. It will also be hot as hades and humid - so prepare for that.

See if they will trade you into Parkview - good location and you can see the fireworks (they stop sometime late Aug, can't remember the exact date) from the resort and it has a really nice pool area with some features. It's also easy access to shopping & dining, though it seems off the beaten path. Kings Creek also has a good location, it's literally right next door to Water Country and the Target shopping area, easy to get to Busch, historic areas and grocery stores. Kings Creek doesn't have more than a few pools, but the cottages are cute. There are lots of other timeshares in the area, but those two have the better location imo.

Perspective is so funny. I find the last week of August the BEST time to hit water county & BG (the week days anyway) because it tends to only be locals. All the vacationers tend to be gone because most schools start in August these days

I have my BG calendar here. Fireworks end August 19th. Victoria Justice performs at BG on Sunday, August 26. I know we'll be there. She's one of my DDs favs . It's a free concert, just might have to stand in line to get in the little venue, but if you are there, it's included with your ticket.

We are season pass holders and I personally think the food is a bit over priced and we tend not to eat at the park. We eat before we go and just get a snack or ice cream. You can buy a big drink cup for around $8 and then it's refillable for .99 for soft drinks, but we always get water for free (and sometimes I bring the crystal light lemonade packs and make my own lemonade). We just went for passholder weekend this Saturday and the kids meal (hot dog, french fries, apple slices and a drink) was around $6.50. Most adult meals average around $10. They do have refillable popcorn buckets too. Meant to say too, since you'll have a car, bring a cooler and pack your lunches. They have picnic areas in the parking lots and you can go back out to your car, eat, and then go back into the park. We do that sometimes too.

If you check out the BG website, there is a Bounce Pass that is $103 for adults and $86 for kids (ages 6 - 12) and that gets us 7 consecutive days to BG & Colonial W'burg and it says during the time you are going that it includes Water Country for free (when u visit between May 19 & Sept 3...which is the whole WC season anyway?). Also includes free parking. It's 20% off if you buy online. You'd have to read it all about where to redeem, etc, but check out the website. Seems like a good deal to me....little less than $400 for your "tickets" for the 4 of you?

Here is what is says:

Tickets ages are as follows:
• Adult (ages 13 & up)
•Child (ages 6-12)
• Complimentary (ages 0-5)

Voucher MUST be exchanged for a Williamsburg Bounce Ticket at a Busch Gardens Williamsburg/Water Country USA ticket window or at the Colonial Williamsburg's Visitor Center when open.

•Ticket is valid for up to 7 consecutive calendar days from date of first use.
•Ticket includes general parking at Busch Gardens & Water Country USA during park operating days.
•Ticket is valid March 24th -October 28th.
•20% savings available only online at buschgardens.com.
•The 20% savings is not available for purchases made at the park or at any other retail ticketing outlet.
•Operating days and times vary for each attraction.
•Please check operating schedules prior to visit.
•Ticket is non-transferable and non-refundable.
•Prices and products subject to change without notice.

 

[Pixiedust34]

There is a very good and rather inexpensive place called Pierce's Pitt BBQ close to Colonial Williamsburg that is worth visiting if you're looking for some budget-friendly non-chain food to try.

 

[princesspwrhr]

Perspective is so funny. I find the last week of August the BEST time to hit water county & BG (the week days anyway) because it tends to only be locals. All the vacationers tend to be gone because most schools start in August these days

....cut....

...., but we always get water for free (and sometimes I bring the crystal light lemonade packs and make my own lemonade). We just went for passholder weekend this Saturday and the kids meal (hot dog, french fries, apple slices and a drink) was around $6.50. Most adult meals average around $10.

I will agree that the weekdays are definitely better than that weekend and I have learned to avoid either park before 3pm on Labor Day. I think the fact that I know I can go home and back in 10 minutes makes me less tolerant of crowds. If it's too crowded we'll just come back later.

For the food - we don't usually eat at the park either for cost reasons, but there are ways to bring that down. When I *know* we'll be having a meal in the park I buy the meal passes from the website. If it's just me and my 3 girls then I'll get 2 of the platinum meal vouchers. They're $15 each for non pass holders I think and you get an entree, 2 sides and a drink. Then we go somewhere that has entrees big enough to be split and for less than $30, all 4 of us are well fed and usually stuffed. You can also save around $2 on the kids meals but asking then to NOT put it in the little plastics "souvenir" lunch boxes.

 

[bas71873]

I will agree that the weekdays are definitely better than that weekend and I have learned to avoid either park before 3pm on Labor Day. I think the fact that I know I can go home and back in 10 minutes makes me less tolerant of crowds. If it's too crowded we'll just come back later.

For the food - we don't usually eat at the park either for cost reasons, but there are ways to bring that down. When I *know* we'll be having a meal in the park I buy the meal passes from the website. If it's just me and my 3 girls then I'll get 2 of the platinum meal vouchers. They're $15 each for non pass holders I think and you get an entree, 2 sides and a drink. Then we go somewhere that has entrees big enough to be split and for less than $30, all 4 of us are well fed and usually stuffed. You can also save around $2 on the kids meals but asking then to NOT put it in the little plastics "souvenir" lunch boxes.

Completely agree with the Labor Day thing . Funny you mention the souvenier lunch box. I don't think they are doing those anymore or at least they weren't on Saturday when we were there because I always so "no thanks" and when we ate at the Smokehouse on Saturday and I told her just a regular plate for the hot dog and she looked at me kind of puzzled. I didn't notice ANY souvenier boxes at all and there were lots of people in line and lots of kids meals. Maybe they've wised up and have done away with them

 

[irishsharon]

WOW thank you for the great info We will be staying at Wyndham Patriot Place so I'm hoping that it will be easy to get to BG so we can go mon-fri for a few hours.The refillable drink cup, is that good for the week or only the day you purchase it?The price of the kids meal isn't terrible, is milk a choice for a drink?My kids are not coaster fans,which is fine with me We love the swings and bumper cars so I was wondering if these kind of things have less wait.Would it be better to go when the park opens or after lunch?So as for as the heat goes is the park shady?The bounce pass seems to be the way to go and a great deal!I read that you can not bring food but can bring in water bottles(great tip on the lemonade packets)We will be bringing some food from home but we will need to buy perishable things,what grocery store would you recomend.Any other tips or advice?

 

[TIAMOMMA]

For a reasonably priced meal (and very good also) try "Food for Thought" for a sit down dinner. There are tons of choices for restaurants on Bypass Road also.

 

[princesspwrhr]

WOW thank you for the great info We will be staying at Wyndham Patriot Place so I'm hoping that it will be easy to get to BG so we can go mon-fri for a few hours.The refillable drink cup, is that good for the week or only the day you purchase it?The price of the kids meal isn't terrible, is milk a choice for a drink?My kids are not coaster fans,which is fine with me We love the swings and bumper cars so I was wondering if these kind of things have less wait.Would it be better to go when the park opens or after lunch?So as for as the heat goes is the park shady?The bounce pass seems to be the way to go and a great deal!I read that you can not bring food but can bring in water bottles(great tip on the lemonade packets)We will be bringing some food from home but we will need to buy perishable things,what grocery store would you recomend.Any other tips or advice?

I think I've seen milk as an option for drink, but don't quote me, because we've never gotten it. I wouldn't normally suggest it in the heat & humidity of summer, but my kids aren't big milk drinkers. - the only indoor eating place is Das Festhaus in Germany, everything else is outside, most of it is covered.

The refillable cup is good all season. I want to say it's 64 oz? Again, we don't get it, we don't drink soda. I bring in our camel-pak with water and we'll get the free ice water.

If you get there in the mornings, you won't have much of a wait for the bumper cars or swings. Later on towards the mid afternoon and up to about dinner the wait will be around an hour. After dinner when the park starts emptying out the wait will go back down.

The park has a staggered opening, so look at the map when you get there to see what times things open. (ex- Roman Rapids usually doesn't open till 11 even though the park opens at 10)

There are a lot of shaded areas in the park. It's consistently named the "most beautiful theme park" because they have left as many of the trees as possible in the landscape and added more as well. That also means it's quite hilly! lol

For grocery stores, I shop at Trader Joe's (off Monticello) and Target. We don't have Super Targets, but our Targets have an expanded food section - the one near Water Country more so than the one off Monticello. Both have reasonable prices and quality. There's a Harris Teeter on 199 just before the turn for Busch - if you hit sales the prices aren't bad, but without sales it's expensive. There's a Martins (used to be Ukrops) off Monticello, haven't been since before the name change so no personal experience. Farm Fresh is another option - no loyalty cards needed there, but I've gotten so used to Target & Trader Joe's prices that when I walk into a regular grocery store my wallet has a panic attack!

Every Saturday morning there's a Farmers Market in Colonial Williamsburg from 9-12. You can check the website to see which vendors will be there.

If you just want somewhere for the kids to run off some energy or have a picnic Mid County Park (aka Kidsburg) is a popular option. It's a large park with intricate wooden play structures that look like boats and forts.

When you go to Colonial Williamsburg - look into RevQuest. We participated in the pilot of this program and it was a fun way to get kids involved in CW. You sign up and get instructions sent to your email on how to activate it. You then receive clues via text message on helping the patriot movement via acting like a spy. I think your boys would enjoy it. Stop by Charlton's coffee house while you're touring. After you take the tour, you get a free bit of coffee, tea or chocolate drink. It's not hot chocolate like we have today! lol

The best part of Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestowne Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center are the interpreters. Talk to them freely - ask lots of questions, they're amazingly knowledgeable and will veer from "script" to answer questions. It makes it more interesting than just "walking through a bunch of dumb old houses listening to people talk"

There are a couple of beaches around, up this way they're river beaches, but they're generally not crowded and clean. There's one off the Colonial Historic Parkway (you have to park on one side and walk across the parkway) Yorktown Beach gets a little crowded, but the week you'll be here it will likely be empty. Buckroe Beach is way down in Hampton and you have to drive through some rougher parts to get to it, but it's a nice beach. There's another one in Newport News whose name is escaping me. All of these beaches have free parking. You can drive a little over an hour to Virginia Beach - it's actually on the ocean. You will have to pay for parking here though. Prices are higher between Memorial Day & Labor Day. Parking beachfront will be anywhere between $10 & $30 (I've only seen the $30 on 4th of July weekend - beach front average is $20) the price drops $5ish each block away from the beach you go. Whichever beach you go to bring a little container with some baking soda. Jellyfish are hit or miss, but they will ruin a beach day quick. If you get stung, mix the baking soda with a bit of water to make a paste and rub it on the area.

 

[bas71873]

WOW thank you for the great info We will be staying at Wyndham Patriot Place so I'm hoping that it will be easy to get to BG so we can go mon-fri for a few hours.The refillable drink cup, is that good for the week or only the day you purchase it?The price of the kids meal isn't terrible, is milk a choice for a drink?My kids are not coaster fans,which is fine with me We love the swings and bumper cars so I was wondering if these kind of things have less wait.Would it be better to go when the park opens or after lunch?So as for as the heat goes is the park shady?The bounce pass seems to be the way to go and a great deal!I read that you can not bring food but can bring in water bottles(great tip on the lemonade packets)We will be bringing some food from home but we will need to buy perishable things,what grocery store would you recomend.Any other tips or advice?

Oh yeah, you are going to be right in the heart of W'burg so getting to BG, WC and Colonial W'burg (and Jamestown) will be easy. You'll also be right off route 60 which is the main drag there in W'burg. TONS of shopping and restaurants.

The refillable mug will be good the whole time. I even use mine from last year, so you'll be good to go there. OH, the mug will be good at WC too!!!! I forgot about that.


Yes, I noticed that they did have milk (white & chocolate) as options for the kids meals.

We usually like to go right when they open, but that time of year during the week, honestly, the crowds will be very manageable and wait times won't be bad at all. I especially find that WC is best to go early. We usually get there before they open and leave by 2:00 or so when it starts to get busy. You could always do that and then head to BG in the evening.

Not sure what grocery stores are close by, but there are plenty to choose from....Farm Fresh, Food Lion, there are some others that I can't think off at the moment.

Make sure you pick up one of those vacation brochures. I would guess your timeshare will have them when you check in. They are full of coupons for places to eat. Someone mentioned Pierce's BBQ. YUM!!! There are also tons of pancake places around that have yummy, reasonable breakfasts.


OH, if you can squeeze it in your budget, eating at a Tavern along Duke of Gloucester Street is a neat experience. Lunch will be cheaper than dinner and you can make reservations. You can google it for a list of the 3 or 4 Taverns that are there and they have menus, but it's a fun thing to do.

For a reasonably priced meal (and very good also) try "Food for Thought" for a sit down dinner. There are tons of choices for restaurants on Bypass Road also.

We just ate there a few weeks ago and my jerk chicken was delish.

 

[princesspwrhr]

For a reasonably priced meal (and very good also) try "Food for Thought" for a sit down dinner. There are tons of choices for restaurants on Bypass Road also.

LOVE Food For Thought.

 

[buckirj1]

I think traffic in Williamsburg can be horrendous. Fear not, the area has excellent public transportation if you want to save your nerves:
http://www.williamsburgtransport.com/

 

[bas71873]

I think traffic in Williamsburg can be horrendous. Fear not, the area has excellent public transportation if you want to save your nerves:
http://www.williamsburgtransport.com/

Really? Not something I've ever experienced. I travel around there a lot because I'm 45 minutes away and my in-laws live there. Summer traffic on the Interstate can be backed up on occassion (mostly Friday afternoons and weekends) and the stop lights along Rt. 60 make things naturally slow, but I wouldn't call it horrendous. And I didn't even know they had public transportation around there and it's where I grew up??

 

[irishsharon]

Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone,can't wait to try some of those restaurants The mid county park sounds great might be a great first stop after the long drive.I found the website for the farmers market so I'm hoping we can go because it sounds amazing Just thought of something any ideas if it rains Thanks everyone you guys are the best

 

[princesspwrhr]

If it rains there are a number of indoor places - not all of them are budget, but discounts can be found.

In Williamsburg there's a Ripley's museum and an AMF bowling alley. There's also 2 movie theatres, one is a Regal Cinemas (New Town) so standard movie costs apply. The other is Movie Tavern - all shows before 6pm are $6 per person. There's also a bounce zone in Williamsburg - don't know the real name (it could be bounce zone! lol) it's up 60/Richmond Rd just before the outlet mall.

Jamestown Settlement also has a fabulous museum, so if you missed the museum on the day you toured there, a rainy day would be a good day to check it out.

Down in Newport News there is the Virginia Living Museum. Actually, we have a TON of museums around here depending on how far you want to drive. There's a Childrens museum in Portsmouth and in Richmond. The one in Richmond is pretty cool, the one in Portsmouth was just remodeled and across the street from it is the VA Sports Hall of Fame Museum (has lots of hands on stuff) There's a mostly hands on science museum in Richmond. Nauticus, the VA Aquarium, Mariners Museum, the War Museum, Watermans Museum (kinda small), VA Air & Space museum

Unfortunately this program has been discontinued, but the first few years we lived in VA, I used it to get out and explore. http://www.timetravelers.org/ The resources are all still there, so you can find names, phone #s and websites for area museums.

 

[buckirj1]

Really? Not something I've ever experienced. I travel around there a lot because I'm 45 minutes away and my in-laws live there. Summer traffic on the Interstate can be backed up on occassion (mostly Friday afternoons and weekends) and the stop lights along Rt. 60 make things naturally slow, but I wouldn't call it horrendous. And I didn't even know they had public transportation around there and it's where I grew up??

Wellllll...when you're not used to driving, any kind of traffic freaks you out. I've never understood why folks would go to the trouble of driving while on vacation when there are convenient alternatives, but to each their own. Amtrak, Williamsburg's bus service and my feet have always gotten me where I wanted to go whenever I've visited. Your mileage (!) obviously varies

 

[irishsharon]

We will be driving and making good use of our new GPS Anyone know of any coupon books that would be good for the area?