From the press release:
For the first time in the park's 34 year history, visitors will experience all-new attractions, shows and shopping that will fill them with holiday spirit. Guests can look forward to an immersive experience amid more than a million twinkling lights while they explore the best holiday traditions from around the world. Santa Claus will visit the park each evening to hear Christmas wishes from the young and young at heart.Christmas Town opens at Busch Gardens on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4 - 9 p.m. beginning Nov. 27, 2009. The park will open each evening Dec. 18-27, 2009, excluding Christmas Day. Some sections of the park will remain closed for the season. Some rides and attractions are weather dependent.
Christmas Town admission tickets will be available for $19.95 beginning January 2009. Guests with active one-year and two-year Busch Gardens' passes save 50 percent on Christmas Town tickets as well as free parking and in-park discounts.
Thoughts?
Busch Gardens may have a hit with this event. The theming of the Williamsburg park lends itself perfectly to a Christmas style celebration, and I could only dream of 40 degree winter days in Ohio.
They don't get a lot of snow there either, because of their proximity to the coast (although two springs ago it actually snowed during opening week, and it was too cold for Alpengeist at opening because it won't run below 40 degrees.
Williamsburg itself is a Christmas destination for it's "historical" christmas themes, and I would guess this will be a great tie-in to help both organizations.
It would be nice to get in on the "year passes", but they'll probably have no trouble getting lots of people to come to the park even with the half-price admission for season pass holders. And they are trying to make money.
I'm glad they haven't charged for Halloween like some places do.
I'm looking forward to doing this next year. I'm doing Dollywood this year.
However, having just been to BGE over the summer (I have a trip report out there somewhere from my June visit), I am sure no matter what the weather, BGE will be immaculately decorated and beautifully prepared.
My guess though, is that most of the time, you'll want to bundle up in some heavy winter garb.
And, if you happen to go on one of those 40 degree days, I am pretty sure you will freeze to death if Apollo's Chariot is running and you are lucky enough sit in the front row! ;)
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Dear Mr. Petzold:
Thank you for your interest in Busch Gardens Williamsburg. We hope to have our Christmastown Celebration tickets available for purchase on our Internet within the next two weeks. Once you purchase a ticket, it will be valid for any day during this event - you do not have to specify which date you would like to visit. Also, there is a $10.00 charge for general parking, but if you have a passport, general parking will be free.
Thanks again for visiting our website. Should you require additional information, please contact our Customer Service & Information Center at 1-800-343-7946. I hope you can visit with us during our upcoming 2009 Christmastown Celebration!
Sincerely,
Teena
Guest Correspondence Team