Busch Gardens / Williamsburg, Va Suggestions This is the first time that our family is going to Busch Gardens. Does someone have any suggestions for us like what to see while we are there. We are planning on going to Busch Gardens, Water Country USA, and, Colonial Williamsburg, and Jamestown. Maybe even a suggestions on how to beat the lines at the rides. Is it worth going to Yorktown while we are there? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Just got back about a month ago from Bush Gardens! We had a good time, but bring your cash and lots of it! Also make sure you buy tickets ahead of time and print them off if you can, it is much easier to scan your own ticket at the self check in than it is to wait in line to buy the tickects and go back to the same self check line to scan it anyway! I say you should pay the extra $5.00 to park in the premium parking also! It was $15.00 for standard parking or $20.00 for premium! The extra $5.00 was so worth being closer to the gate to us! I can not really help too much with the long line situation since our daughter is 4 and we did the "little" rides, however they seemed to move at a steady pace for the most part! Bring your patience though! LOL We ate here (link below) one night and I have to say it was pretty good and the prices were not too bad either! (the spicy shrimp as an appetizer was great) The pasta was not the best in the world nor was it bad, however that was my fault for ordering pasta at a steak and seafood place! LOL The only negative thing is the place is really dark inside, but I was still able to see my food which is the important part! My husbands steak with tempura shrimp was great! http://www.whalingcompany.com/index.htm Last thing I would not recommend the presidents park near water country. TOO EXPENSIVE to just see 15 feet tall bust of all our presidents heads! LOL
We've been going to Busch Gardens since our kids were very young, started out in Tampa with the "Dark Continent" and have been just about every other year to Williamsburg "The Old Country". Great place for every age group. Doesn't matter where you go this time of the year, every theme park is absolutely, completely crowded. We always made an effort to be there when the gates open and leave between 5:00-6:00, this park seems to reach it's peak after lunch. Also, they have lockers for you to rent and unless you don't mind having to walk around with wet cloths I'd highly recommend using it for a change of clothes etc.. I always froze water or at the very least carried some bottled water with us in a small backpack, think they'll still let you take it in but might want to check the contents at the gate. Have a great time, makes me want to go this weekend. In October they have a special thing going on for Halloween, so does Carowinds "ScaroWinds", my kids want to go then.
One other thing, it is probably one of the cleanest parks I've ever been to and has won several beautification awards, considered one of the most beautiful amusement parks in the U.S.A
I went there yesterday with a friend and found several changes from the past. First, it would be a good idea to have a non-rider with you on the thrill rides because Busch Gardens has removed all of the cubbies found at the exits of the rides and now has a strict "no loose articles" policy on those rides. To help with this new rule they have installed lockers at each roller coaster in order for you to pay a $1.00 to store your bag to ride the coaster. Otherwise, if you can manage without a bag I would recommend that. Also to the parking, as of yesterday the difference between regular and premium parking was $10 dollars at $10 for regular and $20 for premium. I would go for the regular as there is free tram service provides to and from. If you like Celtic music or culture the show Emerald Beat is really nice. They have changed some parts of the show this year and the vocals in the show are really good. I would bring in water bottles. They do have free water cups available at all restaurants but with the "thorough" inspection of bags at the security checkpoint getting them in shouldn't be a problem. I brought in a whole lunch, sandwich and all. For the most popular rides, aka the new Griffon, get there at opening and go straight there. The line is not that bad and moves rather quickly. Other than that, the mid-afternoon lull as people who got there at opening leave (4-5pm) is also a good time for the lines. Also, smaller groups, especially pairs, tend to move through the lines quicker as larger groups who are waiting for the next train can send you forward to fill empty seats in a row. Food is good everywhere, but extremely pricey. My favorites are the Smokehouse in New France and the Festhaus in Oktoberfest. If you catch the Festhaus at the right time and you can have a show with your lunch or dinner. The park is my favorite in the country and has great things for all ages. I hope you have a wonderful time!
If you can, skip Water Country USA and spend one night at the Great Wolf Lodge. It's water park far outshines WC USA!
http://www.buschgardens.com/bgw/park_info_home.aspx Parking $10 Campers & Preferred Parking $15 Tour buses are eligible for free parking. *Prices subject to change Sorry I said $15 and $20 .... meant $10 and $15 opps! LOL
Food is rather expensive, would recommend Italy where we've always found the food aplenty and share a plate.:-D
Busch Gardens...FYI here is a link if anyone is interested....military personnel and up to three of their direct dependents can get into Busch Gardens for free.... http://www.herosalute.com/cavatx/overview.html
Grew up in VA and have been to all three many times. If you have little ones, they will probably be bored in Williamsburg but Jamestown is better - i have pictures of me and my sister when we were kids from Jamestown and we had a blast. Williamsburg is great as an adult due to the shops and realism the workers there go through - you will really think you are back in those times. Yorktown never really made a big impression on me as a kid but don't know what it would be like from an adult's point of view. Have a great time.
Yes, we went to Colonial Williamsburg. It is nice, just pricey and most of the places are like boutiques! There are a few cute gift shops and so on, but to me a lot of the things were pricey! The haunted tour - well it was basically an older man and/or woman walking around telling stroies and it was not the most thrilling! There is a outlet mall in Williamsburg! Oh and they even have a Coach Oulet! :mrgreen:
It is still there! Every now and then they have the items that are already discounted with a save an aditional 20% on top! Then 2 days later they are on ebay!!! (at the full retail sale price) (sorry I know that this is not Williamsburg related)
Marriott Kingsmill Rd!! Only 1/2 a mile or so from the park, and the hotel was very nice! (although you can get lost inside if you take a wrong turn like I did TWO times!!!) They have 2 restaurants inside, not far from all the other restaurants in the area either!! Also an indoor/outdoor pool! http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/phfcw-williamsburg-marriott/
