Busch Gardens Williamsburg About This Page:

[cubfancolleen]

I am looking for people who've been to BG Williamsburg, and can tell me what they think. We aren't going anyplace for Spring Break this year, and thought about taking the kids to BG. But DH and I just went on the website and we were looking at the dining options and were completely underwhelmed. We kept saying - oh, that's trying to be like ___ at Disney World. Same thing with the rides.
So, are we ruined for all other parks?! Those of you who've been to BG, were you able to get past the comparisons to WDW?
They have a deal right now for Virginia residents, buy 1 get 1 free, so we could all go for the day for $128. Is it worth it? (We'd have a 4 hour drive each way to get through).

Thanks for any feedback!!!

[MelissaSue]

We've been to BG Williamsburg. It was on a family vacation--both of my parents, my brother, my three sisters, my brother-in-law, my brother's girlfriend and my husband. We were a BIG group. But we had lots of fun!

I loved the rides. I appreciated the thrill rides, especially. But the whole park was large, not overly crowded and very relaxing. And it was really special to spend the day with my whole family.

We had lunch at Das Festhaus. I didn't love the food, but the entertainment was cheesy enough to enjoy. I wouldn't compare it to Biergarten, though it's similar.

In fact, I didn't compare the experience to Disney at all. If I had, I would have been disappointed, for sure. If you go into it with an open mind, you'll enjoy it! You can absolutely make memories there.

[cubfancolleen]

Thanks for the feedback! Yes, I know I'll really need to work not to compare everything to Disney! My DH & I both said last night that we are clearly Disney snobs!!

[Straitlover]

I love BGW! The grounds are really pretty, and it always seems pretty clean to me. I like Das Festaus because I can see the show w/o having to pay $40+ like at Epcot. I usually just get the reuben w/o kraut (in other words, a corned beef sandwich ) in there. I remember getting a decent meal in Italy last time (it was not Tutto Italia though, but it was definitely cheaper). No, the food's not up to Disney standards, but I don;t go there for the food. I'm there for the atmosphere, shows and rides.

I like the Ireland section. The show there (Emerald Beat or soemthing like that) was enjoyable. It's just long enough for me. I could never see a 2-hr Lord of the Dance tye show - would drive me nuts and kill my head. The Curse of DarKastle is cool! Some of their big coasters I've not been able to ride because the lines were too long the last couple of times I went. My sister doesn't ride them, so I hate to wait more than 30 minutes alone.

For a 4-hr drive one way, I would plan on spending the night before heading home. I'm usually exhausted by the end of the day there. We got the Hampton Inn on Old Richmond Rd on Priceline for really cheap last trip.

[Griffin]

We went last year and really enjoyed it! Overall, I would say it is as much fun as DHS or AK for us. So not too shabby at all I can't remember where we ate, but it was right by the BBQ place. I would like to go back someday if we are ever in VA again...

[scrappyjae]

BGW is one of the few parks close to where I live (close as in 3 hrs away) and I just love it. The grounds are very pretty and there is a lot to do. You can't compare it to WDW, it is just not the same, but it is alot of fun.

[disney]

I will say the resident price is great deal !! i have been there a few times and first i will say VA is major better then Tampa all the way . and if you stay the night we stayed at the holiday inn it was about 20 min away and was nice and clean . all i can say my fav ride is the Big Bad Wolf and do not forget to howelll

[jimmymac]

The rides at BG are far superior to anything at WDW. Not as well themed, but a lot more grown up fun. Historic Williamsburg is very cool (and educational)

[cubfancolleen]

Originally Posted by MelissaSue

In fact, I didn't compare the experience to Disney at all. If I had, I would have been disappointed, for sure. If you go into it with an open mind, you'll enjoy it! You can absolutely make memories there.

I think that's what I need to work on - the open mind!

Originally Posted by Straitlover

I love BGW! The grounds are really pretty, and it always seems pretty clean to me.
I like the Ireland section. The show there (Emerald Beat or soemthing like that) was enjoyable. It's just long enough for me. I could never see a 2-hr Lord of the Dance tye show - would drive me nuts and kill my head.
For a 4-hr drive one way, I would plan on spending the night before heading home. I'm usually exhausted by the end of the day there.

Everything I read talks about how beautiful the grounds are. My other East Coast part experience was the Six Flags outside of Washington DC. We actually left less than an hour after arriving, as it was FILTHY! I had never seen someplace so covered in litter (including used diapers! ) You rarely see even a speck of trash at Disney, so I am glad to hear this one is clean!

Originally Posted by Griffin

We went last year and really enjoyed it! Overall, I would say it is as much fun as DHS or AK for us. So not too shabby at all

You're right, not to shabby at all if you think it's as much fun as DHS or AK!

Originally Posted by jimmymac

The rides at BG are far superior to anything at WDW. Not as well themed, but a lot more grown up fun. Historic Williamsburg is very cool (and educational)

We've been to Williamsburg several times (we've lived in DC for the past 18 years), and it is cool! Both our kids have done school fieldtrips there as well. They both liked Jamestown even better than Williamsburg.

So I think we've decided to give Busch Gardens a try next week. It turns out it is just under 3 hours away (depending on traffic, of course!) so we are just going for the day. It's open 10-8 next week, so we'll leave our house between 6:30 & 7, and hope to be home around 11. Less expensive than planning to stay overnight, and DH & I will only need 1 day of vacation. I'll report back after we return!

[Straitlover]

Originally Posted by disney

all i can say my fav ride is the Big Bad Wolf and do not forget to howelll

Sadly, the Big Bad Wolf is no more. My last trip was not too long before they closed it. It was great for someone who likes coasters but not the huge hills. It was fun!!!


EDIT: I looked it up. BBW closed in Sept 2009, so my trip was Memorial Day weekend 2009. They built soem kind of drop tower ride where BBW was. It's called Mach Tower, and is supposed to open this Memoral Day weekend.

[cubfancolleen]

Originally Posted by Straitlover

They built soem kind of drop tower ride where BBW was. It's called Mach Tower, and is supposed to open this Memoral Day weekend.

I saw that Mach Tower on the website, but didn't realize it wasn't open yet. I was thinking it was something DD & I would like riding. Oh well, we'll just have to play the whole trip by ear, and enjoy whatever we find!

[scrappyjae]

If you like thrill coasters...Apollo's Chariot in the front. That is one big hill. There is also the new one The Gryphon, I haven't been on it yet though.

[disney]

Originally Posted by Straitlover

Sadly, the Big Bad Wolf is no more. My last trip was not too long before they closed it. It was great for someone who likes coasters but not the huge hills. It was fun!!!


EDIT: I looked it up. BBW closed in Sept 2009, so my trip was Memorial Day weekend 2009. They built soem kind of drop tower ride where BBW was. It's called Mach Tower, and is supposed to open this Memoral Day weekend.

thats sad i loved it

[ardenandjacksmommy]

I went to college in Williamsburg and live about an hour from the park (just moved back from the Seattle area after four years away) and was so excited get our annual passes just last Sunday! I don't know if your kids are out next week (18-22nd) but the park will be open every day between the 15-25th so if you can make it a weekday I would try that for lesser crowds than the weekends (also Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday look to have pretty nice weather outlooks!)

I am also a Disney-holic, and while I too must fight the temptation to compare all parks to Disney, I find the 'vibe' at BG to be very friendly and the overall atmosphere/theming of the park's European countries--England, Ireland, France, New France (Canada), Germany and Italy are very well done. In fact, the park just won again for World's 'Most Beautiful' Theme Park--it boasts lovely landscaping, and the park is well-integrated into the surrounding woods, rather than most other non-Disney parks (like King's Dominion) where every bit of flora and fauna was bulldozed in order to pour the heavy layer of concrete that makes those parks 10 degrees warmer on a hot day in August!

If you are a VA resident and have a child aged 3-5, look on their website for a 'preschool pass' form (which you fill out and print to bring with you to the park)--bring it with you (I think this promo goes until Memorial Weekend) it gets your preschooler in for FREE until Sept. 5.

Also, I just saw a postcard that said that if VA residents buy their annual passes online they'll save $10 off the $109 cost. One other nice thing about having an annual pass is that you get FREE general parking (saves $13/day), cheaper preferred parking ($8 I think--the perk is that you park close enough to skip the tram ride), discounts on food/drink and souvenirs (10% but it does add up) and if you buy a refillable cup (the tall cups with lid and straw for $7.99) passholders get free refills for the rest of April (otherwise refills are 99 cents each for the season). Plus, passholders get discounts on tickets for Christmas Town in December. If you think that you'll spend more than a day, a smart option might be to get at least one member of your party a pass (then you get the free parking, food discounts etc).

I have two children, so much of our time is spent at the children's attractions (the new Sesame Street area called 'Forest of Fun' and the Land of the Dragons). Other must-dos for the young ones are the train and skyride, as well as the Carousel. Each 'country' also has at least one or two rides that kids can ride (small swings and mini-bumper cars, etc) My sister is our family's coaster-fiend so she rode Gryphon and gave it a big thumb's up as well as Apollo's Chariot. Alpengeist is another must-do for coaster lovers.

If you like shows, I recommend the Celtic Fyre in Ireland and the Pet Shenanigans shows. And while I'm thinking of animals, BG's conservation efforts have made them home not just to the rescued pets from Pet Shenanigans, but also to injured and disabled Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks and also Wolves. The Clydesdales are also a fave with my kiddos, and last week there was a new foal on display!

In my opinion, food is not BG's strongest suit, I wasn't impressed with the pasta in Italy, and although the Festhaus food is OK, for my money the barbeque in New France is the best dining. Recently they have begun offering 'character dining' with Elmo and Friends and a 'Celtic Dyne' buffet (can't rate the buffets, as we haven't tried them yet). However one place they do have Disney beat is in the Caffeination department--as they now brew STARBUCKS in three locations in the park (and even have Frappucinos!)

Hope you'll make it down!

[cubfancolleen]

Thanks for that comprehensive review, and welcome to the boards! I do think we are heading to BG next Wednesday as the weather looks great and yes, our kids are on break. We are taking advantage of the buy one get one free online offer for Virginia residents. I don't think we'd get there enough to justify season passes - both kids are in sleep away camp much of the summer and then we are cruising on the Dream. But I am starting to get excited about going to BG!