Early Summer Visit to BGE....Need The Experts To Answer A Few Questions
Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Just a few questions about an upcoming vacation to Williamsburg..including BGE.
From James Rao
Posted February 19, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Taking the family to Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens this June for a vacation. I am considering the 7 day Bounce pass to visit BGE, Water Country, and Colonial Williamsburg (will probably hit Jamestown as well - but it is not part of the pass).
Questions:
1) Is the Bounce pass the best way to go?
2) How many days will it take to truly experience BGE?
3) Other than the kiddie rides....what CAN be skipped at BGE if necessary?
Thanks in advance for the help!
I think two full days at BGE would enable you to hit all the rides you want, plus a couple of shows, and still not feel you are moving at breakneck speed. I think one day would be ample for WCUSA, unless you are big water park fans.
Last year, I was waiting in line for Griffon behind some folks from New England, a father and son (the wife and daughter weren't riding). We talked during the wait. They had been to the park one or two days early in the week, then hit WC and Col. W'Burg, then came back to BGE to ride their favorites again. I don't know what kind of package they had, but it was probably some kind of Bounce ticket deal.
I really don't know much about the package ticket prices, but BGE, WCUSA, and Col. W'burg are the biggest attractions of the area.
There are also Jamestown/Yorktown package deals. Be aware, if you aren't already, that Jamestown has two main "attractions," if you will -- Historic Jamestowne, run primarily by the National Park Service, the actual location of the colony. Then there's the equally compelling, interactive Jamestown Settlement, with re-creations of the fort, the ships, a Powhatan village, indoor galleries, etc. Both are worth a visit. Similarly, Yorktown has the actual Battlefield site, plus the Yorktown Victory Center. If you like history, plan to visit all 4 sites, or at least both for Jamestown or both for Yorktown, to get a really fleshed-out picture of each.
From James Rao
Posted February 20, 2008 at 5:14 PM
I think we are looking at Monday/Friday - Colonial Williamsburgh, Tues/Thurs - BGE, Wednesday - WCUSA, Saturday - Pack, revist anything, recuperate, etc. Not sure if we are going to be able to fit in Jamestown/Yorktown, but we will try. The Bounce Pass I found on the BGE website does not include JT or YT, so it would be a separate ticket. We might drop WCUSA if it is not warm enough (we are going the first week of June), but we'll see.
I appreciate the feedback and will be sure to let you know how things work out.
From Tyler W.
Posted February 20, 2008 at 5:48 PM
It will be warm enough for WC.
From James Rao
Posted February 21, 2008 at 5:14 AM
Speaking of WCUSA, does anyone have a suggested touring plan for the park? Which areas get busy early and should be visited first, etc? Anything that can or should be avoided? Anything that should not be missed?
It always makes the day a bit better when you have a plan of attack!! =)
It sounds like you have a very good plan for your week. Because you will be visiting Busch Gardens and Water Country on weekdays, you should be able to experience all of the attractions during the time you have allowed. Two days for BGE and one for WC should give you plenty of time.
My favorite attraction at Water Country USA is Hubba Hubba highway. If you get a little tired mid-day, put on a life vest, lean back in the water, and just relax! I could stay there for hours! It is a little out of the way from the rest of the rides, but worth the walk!
Your best bet is the Williamsburg Flex Package, sometimes called the Revolutionary Fun Pass which includes 7 days unlimited admission to Busch Gardens, Water Country USA, Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown Victory Center, Yorktown Battlefield. You can come and go as you please and it includes free parking at Busch and Water Country (no parking fees at the other places). Visit www.gowilliamsburg.com for more info or visit this direct link: http://www.gowilliamsburg.com/vacationpackages/index.php?id=278
7-4-1 Flex Ticket Adult is $151.95. 7-4-1 Flex Ticket Child (age 6-17) is $117.70. Children under 6 are FREE! It really is a great bargain for all you get!
Have fun
From James Rao
Posted February 21, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Excellent info. Thanks to all of you. I will look into the Flex package as it does seem to be the best way to go. For the price (free for my 5 year old daughter!) it can't be beat.
Sometime toward the middle of June I will post and let you all know how the trip went. I am looking forward to my vacation this year with great anticipation!
You asked about "can't misses" at WC -- they are all good water rides, pretty much. For a "group" ride, with multi persons per raft, one of the best is the Big Daddy Falls. The entrance can be hard to find, but don't miss it -- you go through a long, large tube section first, then you come to an open slow down area, then pass the falls.
The only ride I think is not that great is the one where you ride three in a row, like a sled. The line for it is ALWAYS long and slow-moving, and it is not that great a ride. Trying to think of the name, what is it? ... Meltdown. It's not terrible, but I'd put it last on the list and make sure you've ridden everything else first.
Random ride thoughts: Aquazoid is LONG and you'll know it as you climb the stairs (very high!), but a great ride; Malibu Pipeline is fun; Nitro Racer is like one of those old giant slides at fairs & such, with multiple lanes, which you slide down on a mat -- only this (Nitro) is water, of course, and much faster and fun, esp if you want to race other members in your party. Here's a preview of Nitro Racer, and you'll know what I mean when you get there and this inane refrain is running through your head: "Kneel down, lay down, GO!!!"
Most intense: Lemon Drop and Peppermint Twist on Adventure Isle. These are short but intense tubes that you ride w/o a raft. About the only rides with 6'+ catch pools, if that tells you anything.
Oh, and for good, old, basic waterslides, the Jet Scream can't be beat.
As far as route around the park, that's hard to say. It's quite spread out, and they are adding a new area this year, and I don't know exactly where that's going to be. It should be at least kinda big, though, since it includes a new lazy river. Not sure if this new lazy river is as big as Hubba Hubba Hwy, or is more like the one surrounding the "Adventure Isle" area, which is much smaller.
Regardless, I think you'll have time to explore it all; just be ready for a lot of walking! Consider well-made water shoes with at least a little arch support.
Have a great vacation! Good that you are planning early!
From James Rao
Posted February 22, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Thanks for the WCUSA info, it is exactly what I was looking for to help plan things. Now we just need to make sure the weather cooperates and we have a couple of nice, hot days in early June in Virginia!
From Tyler W.
Posted February 22, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Great review Donna but just one thing I want to add is Peppermint Twist and Lemon Drop are being removed this year. They are totally redoing the whole Adventure Isle section.
AAack!!! Is that where the "new" section is going? I had no idea they were replacing Adventure Isle with the "new" area -- calling it new, in that case, is debateable, more like remodeling than adding something. Looks like I should have read up on what's new for 2008 better. DH will be so disappointed; he loved Peppermint Twist and Lemon Drop.
Anyways, THANKS SO MUCH for catching my error, I would hate to steer anybody wrong.
Don't get your hopes up that Adventure Island will look "so" different.
There have been major changes to the Adventure Isle section at WCUSA and it has been rethemed to a jukebox. The lazy river is still there, but the main pool is being redone and new slides are coming in.
From James Rao
Posted February 26, 2008 at 8:15 AM
Do you all know if the changes will be complete by June?
I again will simply state do not get your hopes up about a "major" redesign of the area. You will be disappointed.
From Tyler W.
Posted February 26, 2008 at 4:29 PM
I think they plan on having it done by opening day.
I found off the web that Adventure Island at WC USA has been replaced with Rock and Roll Island. This is complete and ready for action.
Seems like a good family area, since I have kids not brave enough for the big slides here, but there is a smallish slide for them.
I am going this weekend, so I will try to give a trip report upon our return.
Good info here! We'll be in the Williamsburg area mid-June, but to get the best deals on airfare, we are arriving on mid-day on a Wednesday and leaving mid-day on Tuesday. Here is my logic for my itinerary plan...see if it holds water:
Wednesday: Check in, pick up passes, do the CW orientation, head to BGE for the evening to get the lay of the land.
Thursday: CW, ending with tavern dinner and ghost walk
Friday: BGE...if we get hot and tired, go to WC
Saturday: Jamestown...thinking that CW, BGE and WC will all be most crowded that day and Jamestown being off the beaten path may not be as bad
Sunday: CW...ending with an evening program and dinner at Christiana Campbell's
Monday: BGE and/or WC...whatever we think we haven't seen enough of...probably WC if I get my way!
Tuesday: pack up, check out, maybe a couple of last minute things at CW
Have I left enough time for everything?
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