Williamsburg VA budget trip!

[leahjade]

and a movie theater

are they included with your $5 fee? Do you have any restaurants to recommend either in Williamsburg or Busch Gardens? Thanks for all your help!

 

[cheerky]

Check out Astronomical Pancake House... SO Good!

 

[leahjade]

Is there a site that has the menu prices for Busch Gardens? I'm so spoiled by Disney websites!

 

[lcasa]

We're going Aug 1 & 2nd -- driving down from Maryland where I'm visiting my in-laws. Haven't been to Williamsburg since I was about 8! I'm bringing my 16 year old son and his BFF, and my 9 year old granddaughter. My plan before all this reading was 1 day at CW, 1 at Busch G. - regular tickets for each ( although hoping to get the $12 off from Wendy's ) - but now I'm wondering if that makes sense. Would we see enough with 1 day at each? is 1 day at BG too much in the heat and I should get the $103 special to go to WC too? I really can't expand the time easily. The GD doesn't like coasters - and even WC sounds a bit wild for her.

 

[cheerky]

It can be very hot and humid in August! I suggest 1 day at BG and one day at WC. You can check out downtown CW in the evening when it cools off after WC. However, if the kids are really into history, then perhaps a whole day would be fun.

There are plenty of rides at BG for a non-rollercoaster rider, animals and shows. The park really is beautiful!

Have fun!

 

[kirstenb1]

Is there a site that has the menu prices for Busch Gardens? I'm so spoiled by Disney websites!

I don't know if the prices are listed anywhere, but a typical c/s meal will run $7-10. It's probably higher for something like a ribs combo plate. Also, if you either drink a lot of soda, or don't might sharing drinks with your family, the refillable soda cup runs about 9 bucks, and refills are 99 cents. Our family has season passes, so we always buy that cup, then just share it. It's really large, like about 40 oz.

The Festhaus is a great place to eat and cool down. All indoors. One line has primarily German foods, the other line has things like sandwiches/pizza. DH and I split off and order from each line, then just meet back at a table. The italian place has decent food too, and a covered place to eat, but not as cool as the Festhaus.

 

[leahjade]

The Festhaus is a great place to eat and cool down

We do like to eat inside when it's so hot. Is this where they have the beer tasting? Hubby would enjoy that!
Maybe I'm thinking we should buy 1 day tickets as well if we get Busch Gardens and Williamsburg done in a day, we may not want to go back and just relax at condo.

 

[kirstenb1]

I don't know if they have beer tastings there. I know they sell lots of yummy beers!!!

 

[Elmck]

The grocery store Farm Fresh has some kind of deal that if you buy two packs of soda you get a free pass to Colonial Williamsburg.

Also you are close to the Hampton Roads area as well. Lots of things to see and do. Virginia Air and Space Museum, Nauticus, Aquarium etc....

 

[leahjade]

Unfortunately, no Farm Fresh near us. I checked AAA discount, but it's only a few dollars off. For those who bought the bounce pass, do they mail it or do you pick it up at a ticket center?

 

[bdink921]

are they included with your $5 fee? Do you have any restaurants to recommend either in Williamsburg or Busch Gardens? Thanks for all your help!

Yes, all included with the $5/day fee -- totally worth it IMO. Our kids spent alot of time in the arcade. Movie rental are a few dollars though. Can't help too much with restaurants. We ate at Golden Corral one night (it was actually pretty good). Also got take out ribs from Pierce's BBQ with sides. Gets great reviews but was just ok. That was it for dinners. Saved a fortune cooking in the condo, really was a no-brainer with 8 of us. If it were just my family of 3, we would've eaten out more. We did eat at BG though. We had lunch Festhaus. We must have been there on a bad day because we all thought it was pretty gross. We also had lunch at Trapper's Smokehouse in ?France. That was really good (ribs, BBQ chicken), a little pricey though but worth it.

 

[McKelly]

Unfortunately, no Farm Fresh near us. I checked AAA discount, but it's only a few dollars off. For those who bought the bounce pass, do they mail it or do you pick it up at a ticket center?

You bring your on-line receipt/voucher to the visitor center and pick up your tickets.

 

[leahjade]

any discounts around for Jamestown? Checked AAA -nothing, and when you add it on to the bounce pass, it makes it way too expensive.

 

[McKelly]

any discounts around for Jamestown? Checked AAA -nothing, and when you add it on to the bounce pass, it makes it way too expensive.

Did you see this?

http://www.historyisfun.org/admission-rates.htm

It's a bunch of different ticket options for Jamestown. I agree when you add it on to the bounce it's more expensive. Better to purchase it separately.

 

[funhouse8]

The grocery store Farm Fresh has some kind of deal that if you buy two packs of soda you get a free pass to Colonial Williamsburg.

Is this always going on? Any special brand of soda? Is the pass a adult pass? Sorry for the questions we are going in August and would make a stop at the farm fresh if we could get passes. Thanks for posting this. Thanks

 

[leahjade]

http://www.nps.gov/colo/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm

Just found this - says tickets are $10. I wonder what is the difference between the two?

 

[irishsharon]

So excited about our trip the last week in Aug.

 

[leahjade]

After doing some online research, I find that there is Historic Jamestown that costs $10 and Jamestown Settlement that costs $15. For those of you who've been, which do you recommend and what's the difference?

 

[irishsharon]

 

[laurafergie]

After doing some online research, I find that there is Historic Jamestown that costs $10 and Jamestown Settlement that costs $15. For those of you who've been, which do you recommend and what's the difference?

Historic Jamestown is the actual archelogical site of Jamestown. Jamestown Settlement has a fabulous museum, reinacted fort, ships and indian village. Your kids will definately be more interested in Jamestown Settlement.