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Busch Gardens Souvenir cup ?

Busch Gardens Williamsburg: For refills on soda?

From Tom ONeil
Posted July 24, 2006 at 10:05 AM
I recently read in a review of Busch Gardens Europe that they have a Souvenir cup that you can purchase and get $1 refills of soda. They didn't mention much more than that. The question I had is does anyone know how much those cups are and are they good for just one day?


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From robert olson
Posted July 24, 2006 at 12:44 PM
I just pulled my receipt for the one I purchased on our June visit. We got the regular one which was $6.99 + $.63 tax for a total of $7.62. I believe that they're good for the season, but they don't really say. I would say that it would be inappropriate to use the cup again next year (we buy a new one each year). They had a more 'jazzed-up' bottle which had a lanyard and was a little more elaborate which I think costs around $8.99 (don't quote me on that). The nice thing about the cups is that you get free ice water refills anywhere in the park. We thought the park water tasted just fine. VERY nice ;) Two 'regular' sodas at the Smokehouse set us back $2.49/each in June. The souvenir cup quickly pays for itself. It holds about 30 oz. We usually order sodas without ice since you get much more soda (as long as the soda is cold to begin with and you're not carrying it around in the heat).

robert olson

From Sean Rust
Posted July 24, 2006 at 1:40 PM
There are a melange of options:

With Pass:
5.99-6.99. Free refills on the day of purchase with receipt, soda refills for .99 plus tax (1.08 or 1.20 depending on the stand/restaurant.) 10% off on refills and the original purchase. Frozen lemonade/cherry refills for 1.99 plus tax + 10% discount.

Without pass:
6.99-9.99. Free refills on the day of purchase with receipt, soda refills for 1.89 plus tax. (2.00+) Frozen lemonade/cherry for 2.99 plus tax.

Water is free in the cups, or free in a small cup if you just ask for ice water (VA law requires they give free water to prevent heat stroke in guests.)

I believe you can use certain ones year after year. I have a season pass mug that I bought last year that they told me I had to use to get the 1.00 refills, but they only have it at some restaurants now. Some mugs have been used for years. I'm not sure if they'll refuse a mug or not.

From robert olson
Posted July 24, 2006 at 2:20 PM
Thanks for the clarification, Sean. Looking at my receipts, I see that they didn't give me a passport discount on the cup and a couple of other things we bought. It's hard to remember to whip out the season pass for the 10%-off all the time, though, so it might've been my fault. I'll be double-checking all my receipts in August! I didn't know that about the water. I think it's a good law. BTW, what's the reason for the signs that say you can't take a beer past 'X' point?? I've always wondered that. Does Busch span 2 counties or something?

robert olson

From Tom ONeil
Posted July 24, 2006 at 4:52 PM
Thanks for the quick replies. From what you said it appears that the cups are good just for the day purchased. Is that correct?

We are going the last week in August and will be in the area Monday to Friday. Any tips on best days to go to Busch Gardens and Water Country? We will have two kids ages 9 & 7. Probably the only coaster we will get them on will be the Big Bad Wolf so we will avoid the biggest attractions. Any info on how to best enjoy the parks and minimize the wait time in line would be appreciated.

Thanks.

From Sean Rust
Posted July 24, 2006 at 8:24 PM
A little clarification:

The refills should be FREE (if you show the receipt) the day of purchase, and cost 1.00 or 1.99 (pass or no) any other day.

About the beer: Originally, when beer was not sold at stands and canoes throughout the park, the signs kept beer in and around a certain restaurant, and away from bathrooms and bridges. Then Ireland opened, and they let people travel all through Ireland with beer b/c ya know, it's Ireland. Now I think they're mainly to keep people drinking them fast so they can buy more. It also seems that the signs are always right beside bridges, which makes me think VA law prohibits them from being over bodies of water, which would go along with the ban on alcohol beside pools.

From Chris Walton
Posted July 24, 2006 at 8:45 PM
Side question...

I've been to BGT many times, but I've only been to BGW once and I don't recall there being a Hospitality House for free beer samples at BGW. Is there anywhere at BGW to obtain free beer samples without attending a "beer school"? I'm just curious because I plan on revisiting BGW in a few weeks and free beer would be a great addition to my trip.

From Jason Jackson
Posted July 24, 2006 at 9:37 PM
No the old Hospitality Center at BGW/E use to sit by the brewery and a complimentary monorail went from the park to the Hospitality Center. Alas, due to brewery expansion, the old Hospitality Center (which really was a neat building even with the Monorail running through it) has been gone for several years. The only free beer is at the Brewmaster's Clubs in Ireland and at the Festhaus.

From Sean Rust
Posted July 25, 2006 at 1:14 PM
The Brewmaster's club is not really a class, so in a way, you can get free beer without tending a class. There are several flights that you choose from, or you can pick up to 5 beers of your choice. You can take as little or as much time at the tasting as you want. They also give you cheeses, fruit, crackers, and chocolate to replicate a wine-tasting environment. The dumb video on "the beer mashing process" is gone.

From Chris Walton
Posted July 25, 2006 at 3:44 PM
Thank you Jason and Sean for the info. Is there a particular time or specific process for attending the Brewmaster's Club that I should know about in advance?

From Sean Rust
Posted July 25, 2006 at 4:19 PM
You can reserve any time between 12 and 7. Be sure to stop by either location (Grogan's Pub or Festhaus) in the morning to make a reservation, or call the number on the park map (there's a section about the club on the back).

From Chris Walton
Posted July 25, 2006 at 4:47 PM
Thanks Sean

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