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Busch Gardens Insider Tour

Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Busch Gardens Insider Tour - Now available at 2pm, and recommended.

From Jol Silversmith
Posted May 17, 2010 at 3:02 PM
I took the "insider" tour this past weekend, and endorse it highly. The tour used to be offered only in the early morning, but it is also now available at 2pm. Indeed, my group was apparently the very first 2pm tour, so there were a few moments of confusion as to where we were supposed to meet, etc., but that all got sorted out. Our guides, Bill and Rachael, were knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

The tour agenda included:

A visit to the workshop under and a back-doored ride on the Loch Ness Monster.
A visit to the control booths over and a back-doored ride on Escape from Pompeii.
A visit to the garden and kitchens in Italy.
A visit to the park bakery in the Festhaus.
A visit to the workshop and control booth at and a back-doored ride on DarKastle.
A back-doored ride on Europe in the Air.
Table seating at Celtic Fyre.

The tour is $49.95 per person, so it’s a bit steep at first blush– but given that it includes half of the QuickQueue rides, plus an upgrade to preferred parking the day of the tour, it’s actually not a bad deal, even apart from the background information along the way (i.e., all of the park’s bread/cakes are baked at the Festhaus – nothing’s trucked in). And it’s a lot more feasible at 2pm than at 8am for those that aren’t local, or aren’t early risers.


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From Donna Tolliver
Posted May 18, 2010 at 7:45 AM
So far, we've done the Behind the Screams Roller Coaster Tour (I think it's just listed as Behind the Scenes this year but I thought Behind the Screams was cute and catchy), the Animals Up Close, & the Wolf Training Spotlight. All were excellent and not to be missed! Next on our list is probably the Behind the Steams train tour but then we will get the overall insider tour you described. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the "backstage" tours! Thanks for the report!

From Mark Migliaccio
Posted May 19, 2010 at 10:12 AM
I did the Roller coaster insider tour this past weekend. It's a little more pricey than the tour you described. But that's only if you want to go to the top of the Griffon. I'm sure that is for insurance reasons as well. But let me tell you. It was totally worth it. Not a lot of people get that view up there, especially since the train is facing a certain way. hmmm, maybe i'll go write a trip report up. Anyways, I had a great time and was trying to figure out how I can get in to those BGW kitchens next time. Now I know.

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