Busch Gardens Williamsburg About This Page:

[DebbieV76]

We're headed down to Williamsburg for Memorial Day weekend. Has anyone gone to Busch Gardens there? We would appreciate any tips, hints or favorite not-to-be-missed things. It's not Disney, but we're looking forward to it just the same. Thanks so much!

[katspjs]

Hi Deb,

We've been down to Busch Gardens Williamsburg a couple of times, the last being July 2003.

They have lots of roller coasters, but we don't do those. Things that we've enjoyed... Roman Rapids (similar to Kali River Rapids), teacups, there's a 3-D movie that's very good, there's a area for younger kids, there are bumper cars for kids (which DS rode about 100 times in a row!) and larger bumper cars.

You'll have a great time! Our favorite place to eat is Italy - the food is awesome!

Are you going to WaterCountry USA? We Hubba Hubba Highway!

Have a great time and tell us all about it!

[HiddenMickey]

I visited last August. I really like the park. It's very pretty. They do have a lot of coasters but I've only done Loch Ness (like it), Big Bad Wolf (gives me a headache). The others are more of a thrill than my kids were ready for (and maybe me too ). They've got a great Skyway system, so be sure to try it out. We also liked the Roman Rapids and the Pompeii rides (get you wet). The 3-D movie last year was a Haunted House thing...quite fun. They have a lot of entertainment areas, so take advantage of them. Also, my kids loved the DaVinci's Cradle ride.

Get there early and do the big things first if you can. Save the shows for later as they can hold a lot of people.

Have a great time!

-HiddenMickey

[BabieeMelly]

I love Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. The coasters are all great and really thrilling, and the 3D show is always a lot of fun (it was the Haunted House when we went, also). There's also a ride called Quest Star... it was the first simulator my brother and I went on but we didn't know it was a simulator at the time, my parents thought it was just a 3D movie... so that was quite an experience... we love thrill rides now, but bac then we were SCREAMING lmao! It was definitely a fun park, though, and one of the most beautiful, if not THE most beautiful, amusement park in the country

[Straitlover]

BGW is very beautiful! Can't give you any advise on most of the coasters as on my last few visits, the limes were outrageous, like 2 hrs, and I refuse to wait that long! I have ridden Loch Ness Monster and Big Bad Wolf (last time was probably 7-8 years ago, though), and those are great. Although I don't know if my heart can take LNM now!

Here are some must sees for me:
Clydesdale horses (so pretty!)
Secrets of Castle O'Sullivan show
This is Oktoberfest show
Roman Rapids
Eagle Ridge
Steam train
Skyway


There are some things on their website that sould neat that have opened since my next to last visit (my last visit was a complete bust!!!), so I can't specifically recommend (like Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve, etc). I would have recommended the Le Scoot de Flume in Frnace, but I don't see it listed so they must have closed it. It was just a log ride, but it was fun and I liked the name .

Be sure to take some time to just look around and enjoy the scenery and shops, just like WDW. It's not just a bunch of rides throun together like Kings Dominion, etc. I'm hoping to go back this summer to redeem my last visit. That was right after 9/11 and the Iraq invasion, so they had a free military/police/fire day, and of course Norfolk Naval Base si right down the road. It was a zoo!!! Took 4 (10 AM -2PM) hours from getting in line to even get to the parking lot until the time we walked through the metal detectors and bag check. Then I think we got to ride one ride and see 2 shows, that's it! The lines were ridiculous. The wet rides were closed because it was cold (this was in October). We ended up leaving right after seeing the special Halloween rock & roll street thing they do in Ireland right when it got dark. So I need to go back to get that good feeling about the place back .

You will have fun!

[Sunrayherosgirl]

I havn't been there in a couple of years but it is a beautiful park with great rides. I know you will love it. Go early though because It will be very crowded on a holiday weekend! They have some great coasters....If you are a coaster person please let me know how the new ride is. It's called Curse of DarKastle and it looks amazing. I'm always looking for great thrills! My fav. coaster was Apollo's Chariot. If you are interested in the water park make sure you check out the bounce options especially if you are going to be there more then one day. Sometimes you can even buy them at your hotel. Please let me know how you like Jack Hanna's exhibit. I'm a huge fan of his!

[TiggerTails]

Don't miss Ireland..........the dancing is fab!

[LisaJ]

Yeah, don't miss the Ireland dance show. We loved it!!! Also, the 4-D Irish ride is so cool - you just won't believe how you feel like you are part of the entire event. I won't give anymore away, but I thought it was AWESOME!

The food in Italy is the best. The only other place we eat is at the BBQ restaurant, I think it's in France or Canada, can't remember now.

There is also a place in that same country where you can paint your own ceramics and have your work fired and then mailed to your house. Go early enough that you can sit down and enjoy some "down time" while the others in your party (if they are not interested) find something else to do.

The Wolf exhibit and show is wonderful as well. Those animals are gorgeous and precious all wrapped up in one!

Don't miss the bald eagles - you can walk right by and not even see them hiding in their own habitat.

Get up close and personal with the Clydesdale Horses. These guys are HUGE!!! Well, you know what I mean... , they are TALL folks, TALL!!

Busch Gardens always gets voted the most beautiful theme park in America. I think it is very pretty, but I think WDW is just as beautiful if not more so.

Pay the extra for the up close parking. You won't regret it. Also, you can get your hand stamped and go back out to your car if you want, it will be that close. It's not inconvenient at all. Some people even pack there own food and go back out to the car to eat.

The 3-D shows are wonderful as well. Also, take a boat ride for a change of pace, too. You should be able to do everything in one day, if you pace yourself and time things just right.

Don't forget to bring a change of clothes if you ride any of the "wet" rides - I was glad I remembered to bring a change of clothes because I got drenched - totally.

Sometimes there are artisans who come over from other countries and create their works of art while you watch. I got a beautiful small painted mask from a woman from Italy. She was very talented.

We usually stay at the Busch Gardens Marriott right at the entrance of the park. It's a full service hotel.

Hope this helps.

[Straitlover]

Re hotels, stay far, far away form the Days Inn on Water Country Drive/Parkway/wahtever. Unless it has undergone some major rehab since my last visit, I would never stay there again. I stayed there right after it opened, adn it was pretty nice basic accomodations, so that's why I went back. Last visit, it was very, very rundown and just not very clean. The bed was awful, too. Personally, I think there are just too many other places in the same price range nearby to take the chance on it again.

[barries5199]

I'm getting homesick reading these posts! I used to have a season's pass back in '88 and went almost every weekend. Since I moved from VA in '91, I've only been back to Busch Gardens once. We rode the Apollo's Chariot roller coaster and my sister had an asthma attack. It's pretty intense. Busch Gardens, like WDW, is a place you want to take your time to notice what's around you. There are so many wonderful sights to take in.

Have you checked out their website yet? Here's the link: Busch Gardens Williamsburg