Williamsburg, VA About This Page:

[maryssasmom]

We have to take DFIL to his college reunion in April in Williamsburg, VA. We think it would be a nice place to visit - Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Water Country, etc. Has anyone been? Can you recommend a place to stay? Any discounts available for parks or anything? Your help is much appreciated!

[flechette]

If any of your group are in or have been in the military, Busch Gardens lets the military member in for free + spouse, and can purchase up to 4 adult tickets at a good discount.

If anyone works for Tyco- ADT specifically- have them check their bonus/incentive program-- they can get giftcards good for Marriott hotels.

Colonial Williamsburg is a blast and the weather should be about perfect. Same for Busch Gardens tho I've never done the Water Country part. We'll be going to Busch Gardens over Easter weekend and I'll be glad to post a report after that.

As to where to stay - I'd avoid the lower end hotels - so far I haven't had a good experience there. So I don't have much to suggest on that --- tho depending on your budget I think Col. Will now offers a triad? package that includes Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown tours + hotel. It may be a good deal for you [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[LisaJ]

I've been to all three - Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, and it's been some time, WaterCountry. They are all FUN.

Colonial Williamsburg is my happy place. I haven't been in some time, though, and the ticket situation is different than when I went, so you are on your own there. Check out their website - they offer pretty good discounts with tickets I believe. Eat at an authentic tavern if you have the chance. There are about 3 or 4, and if they take reservations, I suggest you make them! My daughter and I sometimes just go to Williamsburg without tickets and just stroll the grounds. There are many places at Col. Wmsbrg that you can go into without a ticket.

Busch Gardens - again, check out their website for ticket discounts, etc. Also, If you are a AAA member, the tickets are discounted as well. Our favorite place to eat here is the restaurant/cafeteria in Italy. It's the one place where you can get a, more or less, healthy meal. And there are many good food options. The other place we eat at is the BBQ restaurant in Canada (I think it's in Canada). It's pretty good.

As for Water Country - it's been a while, but I remember having a GREAT time. I about fell off a diamond slide one time - the thing goes so fast! Woo!

Williamsburg's official site - there are some web specials on there
http://www.history.org

I would consider the Williamsburg Lodge (new guest rooms) or where we stay, Marriott Busch Gardens. I'm not one for staying in el-cheapo hotels if I can swing it otherwise. The Marriott is right next door to Busch Gardens. You will have to drive over to the park, though. And I suggest getting the preferred parking at Busch Gardens, it's worth it. If you want to run back to your car for anything, you are literally right at the front door to the park. We do this sometimes in order to get a change of clothes (in case we get wet from a ride) or you can even pack a picnic lunch and eat it out in the car. The weather should be wonderful in April.

Have a wonderful time.

[Nicole0128]

We stayed at one of the Colonial Williamsburg Hotels, I think it was called Woodlands it was nice. It was clean and close to colonial williamsburg. You take a bus from the parking lot a short distance to the historic area. We really enjoyed a long weekend but that was the right amount of time for us. A week would have been too long for us. I know you can buy several different packs of tickets one is all of the historic stuff Williamsburg, Yorktown and that kind of thing. I think another one includes williamsburg, busch gardens and wter country. Have fun

[iamgrumpy]

I went to Williamsburg VA when i was younger we drove down and stayed in our trailer. I had a blast i love history so the Colonial Williamsburg was fun for me and we did Busch Gardens it was beautiful the grounds were well kept the rides were awesome! There is a place called the Pottery its all little shops and had great buys.

I think we went to the water park but I can't remember but I know Williamsburg is on my list of places we would like to see again!

[fairestofthemall]

We went to Williamsburg about 4 years ago (I can't believe it has been that long) and we loved it! We are going again next year for the Jamestown 400th Anniversary! We were there for a week and stayed at a Fairfield resort (we own points with them). We also visited Jamestown and Yorktown. We bought a pass there for the week. My dh and I love history so we were content to explore over several days. I, too, highly recommend making a reservation at a tavern, we ate at the King's Arms Tavern, while we there at the Tavern there was a meeting going on with "townspeople" in a seperate room. The were discussing some town issues, very neat! Also, we really enjoyed listening to the different speakers during the day, like Thomas Jefferson, we went to church there, watched an auction at the courthouse it was so neat all the characters stayed in character and interacted with us like we were all there during that period of time.

I am sure it will be beautiful there in April. There are many gardens in Williamsburg, hopefully they will be in full bloom.

Good luck with all the planning!
Danielle

[HiddenMickey]

The Williamsburg Hospitalitiy House is in walking distance of Colonial Williamsburg. It has underground parking for hotel guests. We really liked it when we were there about 6 years ago.

[BabieeMelly]

We loved Busch Gardens! There's a ton to do there. Each "land" is themedlike a different country, and the rides correlate to the theme. It's a great place [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

I love history, but I wasn't a big fan of colonial Williamsburg. The whole town shut down at around 6:00, and there was nothing else to do in Williamsburg. We hd to eat at our hotel's restaurant every night because everything else was closed. It was fun, but not for me. I like staying out late, and it wasn't really possible here.

[katspjs]

We [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] Williamsburg. There's a Days Inn that's very nice right across from Water Country.

Water Country has the best lazy river ride - it's called Hubba Hubba Highway. You just put on a life jacket and float around. I suggest you get there right at opening time, by around noon it gets pretty packed.

We're not big coaster riders, but we love Busch Gardens. I agree with Lisa, Italy is our favorite place to eat there. They have really good eggplant parm. They also have a ride similar to Kali River Rapids - it's called Roman Rapids and you get absolutely soaked!

[Lumieregirl]

We go there several times a year. If you can, staying at a Bed & Breakfast really adds to the feel of the area. Some are the same or cheaper than a regular hotel. I can personally recommend The Williamsburg Sampler - a darling place!

[Lumieregirl]

Also, if you are a wine drinker, The Williamsburg Winery is lovely.

As for Colonial Wmsburg, not sure how into history you are, but not everyone realizes ... you are free to explore Colonial Williamsburg without buying a ticket. You can walk around the shops & buildings & such. You just don't get the talks inside the different buildings. You still get the atmosphere. It just depends on how much detail you want. I went without a ticket once & this nice man gave me a tour of the church because he was bored [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Straitlover]

[ QUOTE ]
We [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] Williamsburg. There's a Days Inn that's very nice right across from Water Country.

[/ QUOTE ]

Have they remodeled? The last time I was there (Oct 2002), it was very run down and not very clean. I was very dissapointed, because I had stayed there before not too long after they opened, and it was very nice; that's why I went back (that and the location is great for going to Busch Gardens).