Williamsburg VA budget trip!

[mombrontrent]

We are going to Williamsburg Memorial Day weekend and the week following. Does anyone know if shcool will still be in then? I am hoping it is so we can avoid the long lines that summer brings. Thanks! We are going to buy the 7 day pass for Colonial Williamsburg, Water Country and Busch Gardens. I know Memorial Day Weekend will be swamped but I am hoping the week after will be reasonable

 

[bas71873]

We are going to Williamsburg Memorial Day weekend and the week following. Does anyone know if shcool will still be in then? I am hoping it is so we can avoid the long lines that summer brings. Thanks! We are going to buy the 7 day pass for Colonial Williamsburg, Water Country and Busch Gardens. I know Memorial Day Weekend will be swamped but I am hoping the week after will be reasonable

Yep. All the school districts in the surrounding area will still be in school....til mid-June . Memorial Weekend and that Monday may be crowded, but the weekdays should be great!

 

[NemoMOm]

We did this trip a couple of years ago, and we are just itching to do it again. We had a BLAST! Best vacation outside of WDW. We bought the Entertainment book for the area and saved a bundle on things from admissions to aquarium to eating out.

Don't forget to visit the Yankee Candle Flagship Store, seems strange but both my eyes asked to go back 3 times! Its amazing. It even snows in the Christmas room.

Also eat at one of the historic taverns in Williamsburg, one of my favorites. It was yummy and sooooo much cheaper than we thought it would be!

Enjoy!

 

[disneybirds]

After reading the comments on this thread, I am going to do the Bounce pass for $103 and then add Jamestown/Yorktown for $20. Does anyone know why it is $180 ($60 more) to buy the flex ticket that includes CW, BG, Jamestown/Yorktown?

 

[bas71873]

After reading the comments on this thread, I am going to do the Bounce pass for $103 and then add Jamestown/Yorktown for $20. Does anyone know why it is $180 ($60 more) to buy the flex ticket that includes CW, BG, Jamestown/Yorktown?

It's early, but quickley looking (and I'd suggest you really read all about these tickets), the Flex gets you everything the Bounce does, PLUS, the 4 "things" at Jamestown/Yorktown - the J'town settlement, the J'town Historic site, the Y'town battlefield and the Y'town visitor's center. That $20 add on ticket does NOT include the J'town historic site nor the Y'town battlefields. There does appear to be a $30 (adult ticket) add on that includes the four the Flex pass does.


Here is what I was reading. I'm not sure WHY the Flex is so much more unless those 4 additional sites require a parking fee and the Flex covers that? YOu may want to call and ask someone before making a decision:

Jamestown and Yorktown Four-Site Value Ticket & Package
$30 adults (15+), $20 (ages 13-15), $10 youth (ages 6-12). Children under 6 are free.
This ticket is valid for seven consecutive days of unlimited admission to Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown Battlefield and the Yorktown Victory Center. Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center living-history museums feature extensive galleries, films and historical interpretation in re-creations of a re-created 1610-14 fort, three 1607 ships and a Powhatan Indian village, and re-created Continental Army encampment and 1780s farm. Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown Battlefield, administered by the National Park Service, feature a 17th-century church tower, archaeological site of the 1607 fort, The Nathalie P. and Alan M. Voorhees Archaearium, visitor centers and Revolutionary War battlefield. The Jamestown Settlement special exhibition “The 17th Century: Gateway to the Modern World” on display through August 15, 2012. Museum stores, free parking. Buy Ticket


History, Shopping and Fun! Ticket & Package
Adults (13+) $20, Youth (6-12) $10. Children under 6 are free.
This ticket is valid for seven consecutive days of unlimited admission to Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center living-history museums, where daily offerings are enhanced with the Jamestown Settlement special exhibition “The 17th Century: Gateway to the Modern World.” Shop for special gifts at the museum stores. A ticket includes free parking and a voucher for a VIP Shopping Coupon Book for Williamsburg Premium Outlets,* where you’ll enjoy significant savings at more than 135 top designer and brand-name outlet stores, and the Historic Yorktown Rewards Card,* good for shopping and dining discounts in historic Yorktown.*Pick up your voucher for the Premium Outlets Coupon Book and Historic Yorktown Rewards Card at Jamestown Settlement or Yorktown Victory Center visitor services. Buy Ticket



History is Fun! Ticket & Vacation Package
Adults (13+) $20, Youth (6-12) $10. Children under 6 are free.
A combination ticket to Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Victory Center provides unlimited admission for seven consecutive days when purchased online. Save 20% on individual museum admission. Free parking, museum shops and Jamestown Settlement Café. Buy Ticket

Package tickets with your choice of lodging (budget, mid-range to deluxe) in the Williamsburg area: 3 Days/2 Nights/2 Adults from $199;* 3 Days/2 Nights/2 Adults/2 Youth from $219;* 3 Days/2Nights from $98* per night based on double occupancy. *Package prices vary with lodging selection, dates/length of stay and number of guests. Additional Tickets can be purchased separately. Fees and taxes are not included. Buy Package


Williamsburg Flex Ticket & Vacation Package
Adults (18+) $178.20, Youth (6-17) $138.70. Children under 6 are free. Seasonal, valid March through October.
Take a family getaway with a whole lot of fun and flexibility. Experience all the adventure Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle have to offer: three living- history museums, two national park sites, and one amusement park. The Williamsburg Flex Ticket is valid for seven consecutive days of unlimited admission to Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area and Art Museums, Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown Battlefield, Yorktown Victory Center and Busch Gardens (confirm operating schedule). Shopping at all locations, parking is included. Buy Ticket

 

[McKelly]

After reading the comments on this thread, I am going to do the Bounce pass for $103 and then add Jamestown/Yorktown for $20. Does anyone know why it is $180 ($60 more) to buy the flex ticket that includes CW, BG, Jamestown/Yorktown?

I was wondering the same thing. It's cheaper to buy it separate, which sounds like your plan too.

 

[princesspwrhr]

After reading the comments on this thread, I am going to do the Bounce pass for $103 and then add Jamestown/Yorktown for $20. Does anyone know why it is $180 ($60 more) to buy the flex ticket that includes CW, BG, Jamestown/Yorktown?

From the visit Williamsburg website...

Flex pass

Take a summer escape with a whole lot of fun and a lot of flexibility. This popular summer pass features one convenient ticket with unlimited admission for seven consecutive days and free parking to Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestowne, Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area and Museums, Yorktown Victory Center, Yorktown Battlefield, Busch Gardens.

Bounce Pass

The Williamsburg Bounce pass offers fun for everyone! Explore Europe and then discover America. Experience the fun European flair of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, then travel back in time to early America with a visit to Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area and Museums. The Bounce pass gives you up to seven consecutive days of unlimited access to history and roller coasters.


The biggest difference I see here besides the inclusion of Yorktown Victory Center/Jamestowne Settlement and Yorktown Battlefield/Jamestown Island is the parking. A regular price 7 day pass to Yorktown Victory/Jamestowne Settlement is $20 per adult. (www.historyisfun.org) A 7 day pass to Yorktown Battlefield/Jamestown Island which are National Parks is $10 per adult (http://www.nps.gov/york/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm) So that's $30 of your difference. Parking is free at those 4 locations and Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, but parking is $15 a day at Busch Gardens. The Flex pass says it includes parking.

 

[mombrontrent]

Actually I just looked at the "details" of the Bounce Pass and it says it includes parking at Busch Gardens and Water Country. I think I am going to buy the Bounce Pass online and then when I am there I will buy the Yorktown/Jamestown if we want to go. There is no online discount for this that I can see so I will play it out when we are there.

 

[irishsharon]

Still can't find the VIP seating for the concerts,looked under BG dining Thanks for the help

 

[bas71873]

Still can't find the VIP seating for the concerts,looked under BG dining Thanks for the help

I've been looking too and I don't think they are available just yet.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I am so glad to see this thread. We are also staying at Wyndham Patriot's Place in a free-to-us unit, and like a couple of other people who have posted, we're going the week of Memorial Day. I've been feeling a little blind planning this trip, since there just aren't details out there like there are for Disney!

We are planning a packed week between the historical stuff, Busch Gardens, and a quick trip to D.C. while we are "only" 3 hours away.

 

[irishsharon]

I am so glad to see this thread. We are also staying at Wyndham Patriot's Place in a free-to-us unit, and like a couple of other people who have posted, we're going the week of Memorial Day. I've been feeling a little blind planning this trip, since there just aren't details out there like there are for Disney!

We are planning a packed week between the historical stuff, Busch Gardens, and a quick trip to D.C. while we are "only" 3 hours away.

We are staying at the same place the last week in Aug.So I'm hoping you can let me know what you think and if they have bbq grills.Thanks

 

[irishsharon]

Anyone ever stay at Patriot Place?

 

[Happiest mommy]

bumping great thread we are planning on going to Williasburg mid May with our 2 DD's is 2 days enough at BG? they are 6 and 2 whats the best thing at the park for them? we have never been there and decided to drive from NY anyone done this drive how is it/hours? how will the weather be?thanks

 

[princesspwrhr]

At 2 & 6 two days is plenty.

Here's a link to the "Kidsiderate" attractions at Busch http://seaworldparks.com/buschgardens-williamsburg/Attractions/KIDsiderate Attractions The train and the sky buckets aren't on that list which is odd...Your 6 year old will be able to do more depending on height, but you will probably want to split up. There are some kid rides dispersed throughout the park, but for the most part they are concentrated in Sesame Street Forest of Fun, Dragonland and scattered in Italy/Festa Italia.

Either bring a change of clothes in a ziploc or have them wear a swimsuit and quick drying clothes - with water shoes or flip flops. There is an incredibly fun splash area in Sesame Street Forest of Fun for the shorter set.

You may want to have some band-aids/wet wipes with your bag. First aid is quite a distance from the kid areas and the park is extremely hilly. A scraped knee from a tumble is almost guaranteed.

There's a "tree" outside the toy shop in Ireland with a hollow opening at the bottom - if you climb inside it "talks" to you.

The Pirate show in England is in the dark, 3D and has 4D effects (water squirts at you and bubbles). I think the Sesame Street show that was there the previous two summers was better, but eh. It's a decent respite from the heat and the kids tend to think its funny. The pet show is a lot of fun for the kids. Entwined is new this year - it's in the Festhaus which means air conditioning and food. But I don't know what the effects will be like. We haven't made it there yet, hoping for this weekend or week.

Mid May I would say we average high 70s-mid 80s. We may have a couple of really hot days, and it's highly possible you'll need a sweatshirt in the evening. Sunscreen will be a must.

Strawberries will be in full season if you want to take a ferry ride across the river to Surry and pick your own at College Run Farms.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Still can't find the VIP seating for the concerts,looked under BG dining Thanks for the help

A friend of mine e-mailed a couple weeks ago asking if they were still going to be available or if they had discontinued the program, and she did get a response that they just weren't available yet.

 

[Happiest mommy]

princesspwrhr Thank you so much for the link and the wonderful info

 

[irishsharon]

So NY has great pizza! What should I try thats great in VA?

 

[irishsharon]

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Strawberries will be in full season if you want to take a ferry ride across the river to Surry and pick your own at College Run Farms.

I live in Virginia Beach and work in Williamsburg and we ALWAYS make the trip to College Run Farms to pick strawberries. They have the best homemade strawberry ice cream too!

I've had a season pass to BG since I was 4 (grew up in Yorktown) and I have to say the last 2-3 years is the busiest I have ever seen it. We went during the season pass holder preview at 1 p.m. (they closed at 7) and they were steadily parking cars in the overflow lot across the street. We just turned around and went home. We went Sunday, March 25th and it was less busy but it was also cloudy/rainy/cooler. It was so busy last Spring/Summer that we typically just came to walk around the park an hour or so before they closed and ride the train or boat.

Water Country tends to empty out about 2-3 hours before closing. We like to get there in the late afternoon and the lines have really died down.

If you're interested in going to a Tides baseball game, last year local Subways had a deal for four 6" subs, 4 bags of chips, 4 drinks, and 4 tickets to the baseball games for $20. I haven't seen that offer yet this year, but we took advantage of it a couple times last year. Great deal!

The main tip I would give anyone coming to this area is that if you're planning on going from the Williamsburg area to the Virginia Beach area, be patient! Traffic is heavy (especially around most of the tunnels) and it can take awhile to get anywhere (no matter the time of day, once tourist season hits [usually around this time of the year] even non work traffic times can be busy). It can take me two-three hours to just get home on Thursday and Friday afternoons during the Late Spring/Summer/Early Fall. Pack your patience and some drinks! Well, non-alcoholic ones until you get back to the room anyway .