Not worth the trip

Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Busch Gardens Williamsburgh needs revamping badly. It's very out of date! Some of the rides and shows are downrights laughable!

I am a theme park junkie. I have been to almost every other major theme park at themepark insider. I have been to IOA dozens of times. I got to both Florida and CA Universal and Disney parks. I love Six Flags and even Knotts Berry Farm.
I love Busch Gardens Tampa and have always wanted to go Busch Gardens Williamsburgh. When DarkKastle opened, our market was inundated with ads for the park and I decided to finally trek out to VA for four days.
Boy, was I disappointed.
I was very excited to see "The World's Most Beautiful Amusement Park." I guess I will start there. I don't see what is so beautiful about it. Do people claim that it's beautiful because there are so many trees? I just don't get it. Is it more beautiful than Epcot? I have read reviews about how clean and well-themed it is and I'm just baffled. To me, it looked dingy and old, and not in a themed rustic way. I found it grossly underthemed. Many rides like Roman Rapids didn't even seem to have a theme at all and the European villages were nothing compared to Epcot.
Herein, lies my problem with the park. While I am sure it is fine if you live in VA, I do not think anyone should plan a trip across the country to visit it, especially not if you are a theme park junkie. None of the rides are up to date, and some are just ridiculous (like the battering ram and the other rides in the Italy section that are on a lower level than any local carnival).
There are three decent rides, but if you've been to other amusement parks, you've been on better. Darkkastle is cool but it is nowhere near as good as Spiderman at IOA. IT's the sound. Something appears to be wrong with the audio and it's hard to tell what the characters are saying. It is very similar to Spiderman and if you've been on that, there is no need to go to BGW for Darkkastle.
There are only 2 other rides that are decent: Appollo's Chariot and Alpengeist. Alpengeist is a cutting edge and may be better than most suspended roller coasters. It's better than the Batman rides at Six Flags and a better ride than Dueling Dragons, although not as nicely themed.
Apollo's chariot is a fun ride, but it's not exactly a cutting edge steel coaster and every Six Flags park has a better one.
But I know that I was not supposed to go to BGW just for the rides. IT's the atmosphere, but I just didn't get it. It seemed grossly underthemed to me. There were a couple of giftshops in each area and sometimes a show, but what I looked at most for four days were trees, trees and more trees. I could have gone to a forest. There was little to photograph and I think I took one roll of film.
A lot of the rides were really dated. I doubt anyone is afraid of the Big Bad Wolf or the Lochness Monster. However, it's the smaller rides like the Battering Ram that are really just embarassing. Even a ride like Escape from Pompeii has been done so much better at Seaworld Orlando with the Atlantis ride or even Jurassic Park for that matter at Universal.
While I wish that I hadn't wasted the money and had gone to one of my favorite theme parks instead, I did have fun at BGW. It's just that I would never suggest anyone fly all that way for three rides, some horrible shows (American Jukebox?) laughably bad attractions (Haunted Lighthouse?) and a strange mix of junk at gift shops.
I know that a lot of you on here love the park and to be honest, theme park insider was what influenced me to make the trip. I am not blaming anyone but I do want to put out an alternative opinon for people to consider before spending a bundle on airfare, hotels like I did.
There is not much to do there that is enjoyable. I went on the three decent/recent rides dozens and dozens of times. I endured the shows and even went on the dated rides, but most of the time, I was bored and wishing I was at a Six Flags. Sure it might not be as clean and there might not be 200 trees every acre, but at least there are enjoyable things to do!!

I don't know whether to laugh at this article or to be shocked and appauled...

First of all, the park has won "Most Beautiful Park" because it is well, beautiful. It has way more flowers and shrubbery than Epcot, and the votes prove it (excluding the Epcot flower and garden festival). How could you say the theming was bad? They even have underwear hanging out to dry from the windows!! How much more detailed can you expect. Sure IOA is better, but remember that BGW doesn't have as much popularity as IOA. The shows have won awards as well, though i will admit that this year's American Jukebox has primarily new entertainers and isn't very good. Did you see Irish Thunder or Holiday in Roma? I'd like to see that in a Sux Flags. Big Bad Wolf actually has longer lines almost everyday than both Alpengeist and Apollo's Chariot because its a family coaster. The merchandise in the gift shops actually comes from the different countries that the areas are themed to, like waterford crystal and ornamnets, irish linens and china, capodimonte floral sculpters, german steins and figurines, english soaps and linens, and scottish wool items.

Six Flags is in no way a better park than BGW.

Rick, what's remarkable about BGW's landscaping is not that it is simply "full of trees," but that it uses the existing landscape so well. Instead of cutting every tree down, flattening every hill, and filling in every gully, Busch used those features to their best advantage. This is particularly noticeable in the rather eccentric layouts of the Loch Ness Monster and the Big Bad Wolf. Alpengeist was also designed to fit the landscape.

While you may not be scared of the Big Bad Wolf or Loch Ness Monster, I can tell you who is - my eight year old, and all the other kids who are too young for the Alpengeist-type roller coasters but are learning to be roller coaster fanatics. These two are great family coasters, and are thrilling in their own way, especially to those who are working their way up the roller coaster ladder. If all roller coasters were extreme, what a boring experience theme parks would become. A good theme park has a variety of rides that can appeal to all ages, and BGW does just that.

I couldnt disagree more with the poster of this trip report!!
This is a beautiful park with excellant food, ,some vey good rides and shows and excellant atmosphere. You combine it all together and you have a top-notch theme park experience.
While it may not have as many coasters/thrill rides as a SF park, it more than makes up for it in every other dept. (Of course i guess some perfer a park that has alot of line cutting/profane teenagers running amok when the park is used as a babysitter, or is often dirty)
And then combine this with the nearby historic sites and you have a great palce to spend a week or more of vacation.
PS-if he neds to up his thrill rides he can easily visit SF America or Paramounts Kings Dominion which is nearby.

Tell him to be sure to bring some mace if he ventures to PKD or SFA.

PKD is not a BAD park sure the family idea stinks but I mean they look better than most SFs

I don't think PKD is quite that bad, Cameron. But they did require guests to enter through a metal detector years before 9/11. It is a rougher crowd than Busch, as a general rule.

I don't think its bad, i go there every so often and have a pass, I just meant that if he thought it was bad at BGW, then he needs to look around some other theme parks (cough cough SF).

Okay guys, I will admit that the food was great, better than other themeparks, but I stand by my original post. I was so disappointed. Sure, if you have kids, it might be an okay park, but that was not the intention of my post. I wanted to put out the opinion that this park does not have enough to do for an adult theme park junkie.
I still do not get the "beauty" part. I do not like trees. If you do, that's fine, but I go to an amusement park as much for the over the top camp atmosphere as the rides. I find IOA beautiful. I even find Knotts Berry Farms' theme beautiful. Busch Gardens looked old and outdated to me. I did see Irish Thunder and part of the Holiday in Roma shows, as well as the one at Octoberfest, but I found them boring to be honest and walked away from the two that were easy to leave. I like a little more excitement and drama in a show at a theme park. Give me explosions like Indiana Jones or Sinbad or even give me a pseudo-broadway show like Disney does so well.
I had an okay time but I regret having chosen BGW over any other park and I would have had more fun at Six Flags because there is more to do. Sure, Alpengeist and Darkastle and Appolo's chariot are great rides, and I went on them all dozens of times but those three rides can not fill a 4 day vacation.
There was a lot more that was bad there than was good and the "bad" was more surprising thant the good. Haunted Lighthouse? The Battering Ram? Roman Rapids? I was shocked, shocked at how bad they were. I found myself waiting in line for a ride like Davinci's Cradle that I would never even deign to go on at another park simply because I was bored and there was nothing else to do.
I think Epcot does much better with the countries themeing. Everything in Epcot is shiny and bright and beautiful. I just didn't "get" the theme of BGW. I hate trees! If I cared about nature, or wanted to see them, I would visit a forest not an amusement park. I love amusement parks because I love fantasy and thrills and I found BGW to be lacking in both.

Maybe that was your problem. I will agree visiting BGW four days in a row will tend to get a little boring by the end of the trip. Their 4-day pass is designed to split between the waterpark, Water Country USA and BGW. To be perfectly honest, I don't think there's a theme park in the world I could visit four days in a row, and not be bored in at some point during my visit. I can assure you that you would have been just as bored going to Six Flags.

If you're going to visit Williamsburg for any more than a couple of days, use those extra days to see seomthing else like Water Country USA, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, or Virginia Beach. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing!

Rick, come on!!
You want one themepark to fill a 4 day trip. Thats not going to happen. Also you have said amusment park a few times. Keep in mind BGW is a Themepark, not an amusment park, and there is a big difference. You kinda remind me of debbie downer. How can you like BGT and not like BGW. I find BGW even better than BGT? Also you seem to love IOA and its much smaller and has less rides than BGW, how does that make sense? Next time your in Virginia try the White House tour, mabye that will be more exciting.

Really? Is Busch Gardens is not worth the trip? Then why all of the people vote this park as one of the best theme park? We always know that some of the rides wouldn't as good as Disney's or Universal, but the roller coasters and maybe some rides are giving more thrill than the Orlando parks. If you don't like it how about Tivoli Gardens in Scotland? I don't where exactly this park is, but I heard that the park is so nice especially at the Christmas time.

Rick, Rick Rick. Maybe you didn't do your homework before going but BGW is advertised as THE OLD COUNTRY, Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The theming is dead on and the park is very clean. The park painstakingly recreates the feeling of being in the OLD COUNTRY! That is the charm and THEME of the park, not lets see if we can build the tallest, fastest roller coaster in the world. There were also a lot of other attractions in the area that would have filled out your 4 day trip. I think this "junkie " has been on TTD one too many times.

Brian,
IOA has less rides than BGW? maybe in sheer number but if you compare the quality of the rides: Bluto's rapid ride to the lame Roman Rapids or Dudley Doorights Ripsaw Falls to Le Scoot, you will see what I mean. IOA has the best I have ever seen of a river rapids ride and a flume ride and BGW has the worst, the absolute worst version of these two rides I have ever seen. I have been to IOA 5 days straight and never been bored for the last three years and never been bored.
I love Busch Gardens Tampa! I have been there dozens of times. I think it's a much better amusement park. I love the animals and the coasters and I prefer the theming. Compare the animals at Busch Gardens Tampa to the animals at BGW and again, I was surprised that when they said they had an animal reserve, they meant they had a couple of eagles and wolves?! I mean compare the Pirate ship ride at BGT to the one at BGW and that about sums up why I was so dissapointed.
I did research the park, but the commercials we see in my area are really constructing it as a type of IOA park. Even the design of the map on the website which I studies represents the park as more campy and "amusement-park" themed than I found it to be.
I do not mean to slam the park. I just want to put out a different opinion about it. It is a very DIFFERENT kind of amusement park, and I do not think it will appeal to a certain kind of person.
I am puzzled as to why it ranks so high here. I would claims that IOA, all the Disney parks, Universal CA, Knotts, Cedar Point and Seaworld Orlando and BGT are much better parks.
I would even claim that Six Flags Great Adventure is a much better park.
Different people are going to like different things. I do not like to see waterford crystal or irish sweaters in gift shops. Give me huge plastic replicas of Ludwig turning into a wolf-man. That about sums up why I don't love the park like you guys do. My friend was disappointed too. Look, if I lived near this park, I would be thrilled and I would go all the time. It has three great rides. I am not trying to be a downer. I do insist that the park is not for everyone. I did not care for the shows or the theme, and I think that many of the rides are sub-par which surprised me.
They obviously spent a lot of money of Darkastle to attract new crowds, and I'm baffled by the juxtaposition of that cutting edge mult-million dollar ride amidst so many other rides that are just awful. I'm sure it's a great park for families because it has something for everyone. Teens can go on the three great rides while parents can enjoy the shows and smaller children can have plenty of rides to go on. I think the park is a great place to take kids because there are a lot of rides that are great for them.
For me, it ranks on the lower end of my amusement parks, and I still don't "get" the appeal or the beauty. I thought Darkastle was beautiful as a structure with its gothic interior and gargoyle wolves, but that was the only thing that impressed me.
Sure, six flags parks are dirtier, I'll give you that, but they have an atmosphere I prefer. Personally, I prefer the tackiness of Six Flags parks over the natural beauty of BGW. I prefer Looney Tunes characters over trees and waterfalls. I prefer rides packed together instead of having to hike from one attraction to the next.
Please know that I am not trying to "slam" the park. It may not seem like it, but I had a lot of fun. Do I wish I went to Six Flags Great Adventure instead? Sure, I do, and that's all I want to point out, that some people will prefer other amusement parks over BGW. It is unlike any other amusement park I have ever seen in a lot of ways. A lot of people love that fact, but not me.

Let's compare IOA head on with BGW.

Dueling Dragons/Alpengeist

While there are two of them, neither of them is as good as Alpengeist.
Advantage: BGW

Hulk/Apollo's Chariot

This is pretty even, so I would leave it up to your preference. Hulk's first half is definitely great, but the second half drags and is not very interesting. Apollo's Chariot is pretty strong throughout with a little lull in the middle for the less than spectacular wide helix.
Advantage: Push

Spiderman/DarKastle

It's been a couple of years since I've ridden Spiderman, but I will be able to give a great comparison in November when I will ride DarKastle on Sunday, October 30 and Spiderman on Friday, November 4. For now though, I think it's a dead heat.
Advantage: Push

Dudley Do Right/Le Scoot

No comparison here as IOA's log flume is quite possibly the best water ride in the world. Le Scoot is pretty good as log flumes go, but Dudley Do Right takes the log flume to a completely different level.
Adventage: IOA

Pluto's Bilge Barges/Roman Rapids

Not much comparison here either, especially when it come to getting a thorough soaking. However Roman Rapids is one of the more beautifully landscaped river rafting rides, and is far superior to Kali River Rapids at DAK.
Advantage: IOA

Jurrasic Park/Escape from Pompeii

This one is pretty close, but IOA's chute the chutes is better because it's longer and gives passengers something to do on the long arduous trek up the lift hill.
Advantage: IOA

Flying Unicorn and Pteradon Flyers/Big Bad Wolf and Loch Ness Monster

Among the second tier coasters, BGW has no problem topping IOA. This is the main flaw of IOA, and BGW, because of its age, actually has a set of world-class coasters standing behind their "headliners."
Advantage: BGW

Cat in the Hat/Haunted Lighthouse

As far as the young kids attractions go, IOA's got a great dark ride, while BGW has a 4-D movie that is not that good. BGW does have a great little kids section (Land of the Dragons), but the kids in between don't have much to choose from, and a Sally Dark ride would be a great addition to BGW.
Advantage: IOA

Poseidon's Fury/Corkscrew Hill

Corkscrew Hill is probably one of the more re-rideable motion similators. The 3-D animation is really good, and the other effects round out a great ride. I was a little disappointed with Poseidon's Fury, and felt it was much like something you could see in Vegas, not in a theme park.
Advantage: BGW

Stormforce Acceletron, Dr. Doom's Fearfall and One Fish Two Fish.../Battering Ram, Davinci's Cradle, Flying Machine, Tradewind, Das Katapult, Der Autobahn, and Turkish Delight

This is another glaring problem with IOA. The park really lacks flat rides. While BGW doesn't have the greatest flat rides in the world and are lacking the mega flat rides that have grown popular over the past 10 years, they're kept in tip top condition, and at least they have some. IOA has three (3), oh they have a caroussel too, but every park should have a caroussel.
Advantage: BGW

Shows

BGW does have some dorky shows, but there's a huge variety to choose from with singing/dancing to kids shows to animal shows. IOA has ONE (1) show, and while it's pretty decent, one silly, but good, stunt show is not better than what BGW offers.
Advantage: BGW

Overall theming

I'm going to surprise a lot of people and go with IOA. BGW has a great concept, but Rick is correct in pointing out that the park uses trees a lot as transition between the different themed lands. IOA uses huge setpieces, and somehow they are able to make the lands work together as you walk around the park. The Seuss section by itself is just pure genious, except for the fact they probably have to dump tens of thousands of dollars every year for paint.
Advantage: IOA

Final Score:
IOA-5
BGW-5

Looks like a dead heat to me. And believe me, if you were bored by the fourth day at BGW, you will definitely be bored by the fourth day at IOA, and most other theme parks. IOA does have one distinct advantage though, another theme park right next door, and five others a short drive away. It's really easy to not get bored at IOA, because you can just walk over to USF if you want to try something different. BGW has to rely on a waterpark and people's interest in history to fill a week's vacation. However, looking at parks on a one visit one-on-one basis, I think you're being a little harsh on BGW. You also have to consider the lines. If you've been to IOA during peak times, you will spend quite a bit of time in line for the 15 attractions that they do have. Even on peak days, BGW doesn't have quite the problem that IOA has with lines, and you can still usually get to all of the big attractions by the end of the day, and can easily ride everything in the park on a slow day. IOA doesn't have quite as many slow days, but because they have fewer attractions, the guests are condensed into fewer lines causing longer waits, and making it more difficult to get to everything in a single day. Try going to IOA on four slow days in a row and BGW on four busy days in a row and you'll see that you'll get just as bored at IOA by the end of the trip.

Don't even think about comparing a Six Flags park to a Disney, Busch, or Universal park, because there is no comparison. I've seen better maintained and better themed attractions at the state fair. As far as atmosphere, if you considering gang bangers, smokers, and obnoxious line-cutting teenagers atmosphere, then yes Six Flags has it. Six Flags wouldn't know atmosphere if it hit them smack in the face, and their idea of theming is naming a ride after a DC comic hero and putting up a sign with his/her picture. They cannot even get the carnival or seaside amusement park style right. Six Flags Great Adventure has tried something new with Kingda Ka and the Golden Kingdom, but it looks like they will be back to their old tricks with their new rides next year. Every Six Flags Park, with the exception of maybe Marine World and Fiesta Texas, belong on a WORST park list, not being compared to some of the best theme parks in the world.

Great post Russell, you are dead on.
Lets not forget that IOA hasn't opened a new ride in years. IOA is an amazing park, mabye my favorite but how can you spend 5 days there? Its sooo small and while the themeing is great the lines get crazy long. I agree with Russell its a tie merely becasue IOA has done nothing new in so long.

Russell,
I LOVE your comparison and even agree with most of it.
However, I would never say it was a "dead heat." At times, when you give the point to BGW, it's a very close call. I prefer Duelling Dragons overall because of the theme and the fact that there are two rides to Alpengeist which is a better ride as a single experience. However, the comparison is close! At other times in your comparison, by your own admission, there is no comparison when you give the point to IOA (as in the water rides).
You're absolutely right that Corkscrew Hill is so much better than Poseidon's Fury.
I don't think you give Doctor Doom's Freefall a fair treatment though. It is not really comprable to any ride at BGW, but if you lump it with other "lesser rides," I think the point would need to go to IOA since while it may not be everyone's favorite ride, Dr. Doom's Freefall is thrilling, well-themed and very enjoable, something I can not say about any of the lesser non-coaster rides at BGW.
The other point I strongly disagree with is that Darkastle and Spiderman are a push. We rode Darkastle 12 times and I have ridden spiderman about 50, but the "fall" on Spiderman is amazing while the "fall" on Darkastle is not thrilling at all (unless of course, you do not have the comparison). More importantly, at least while we were there, the audio on Darkastle was strange. I kept hearing people say "I couldn't understand a thing." It might have been a technical problem, and on some trips it was worse than others, but it took me several times to even hear the jokes like "You were never sane my son" or other bits of the show. Spiderman involves the rider more in the action than Darkastle does. It's more accessible. You do not have to be a comic book fan to understand what happens when the giant ice monster splashes water on you, but I still don't get why I am wet at the end of Darkastle when Ludwig's mother saves us from him. I am not 100% sure after 12 rides that I understand the concept of the story in terms of how riders are saved. That's fine. It's a smart ride and a great one with better graphics than Spiderman but nowhere near as good, as many of your readers seem to agree.
I also think you downplay the caroussel at IOA a little too much. It is amazingly themed with the Seuss characters and a spectacle in itself. I do not ride any of the rides in Seuss landing, but as I walk through it, I am in awe of its beauty. Seuss Landing is so beautifully themed, it is transcendent. I can say that about all the lands in IOA. I am a really grumpy guy and I am always smiling at IOA. To me the cartoonish carnivalesque nature of IOA is beautiful. I don't appreciate landscaping or nature. Another thing that bears comparison is the characters. In every land, IOA has fun, silly characters walking around. BGW has none. While I understand its historical theme might preclude it having any furry mascots, I expected there to be some historical characters walking around and interacting with guests. I am a big Renaissance Faire fan and that kind of costumed character is what I expected. While you get a touch of it at Octoberfest with the dances, BGW could do more with it.
Finally, you're right that IOA admission usually comes with Universal admission and when I visit for five days straight every year, I visit both parks every day. My comparison inevitably lumps the two parks into one so while Poseidon's Fury pales to Corkscrew Hill, I prefer Jimmy Neutron and even Back to the Future to it. Sure IOA only have one show, but the myriad shows at Universal are always available and of course, I prefer them to the BGW shows that were far too hegemonic: teens singing and dancing while dressed in European garb. If you love that kind of show, you'll love BGW, but if you find that kind of show boring as I do, you might not be crazy about a lot of the shows because they did seem similar to me in their type: Holiday in Roma, Octoberfest, Irish Thunder. Imaginique had closed for the season when we went there.
We visited BGW for Labor day weekend and the lines were not bad at all. I only ever go to IOA in early May when it's dead, but you're
right that one would need to consider that factor although when I was at BGW, people were crying because the line at Darkastle was over an hour for the entire day. IOA also has a fast pass system too which makes a big difference.
What's up with BGW having no wait times listed? Everytime I went on Alpengeist, I asked the attendant "how long is the wait?" and he said "40 minutes." Sometimes, it was 10, sometimes it was 30 but he obviously had no idea.
Anyway, I've rambled enough. Have a great time on your trip. Let us all know about the Darkastle/Spiderman debate when you return.
And THANK YOU for maintaining one of the best websites out there!

I would also agree about the drops on DarKastle vs Spiderman. The DarKastle drop has never been tuned quite right. I think they're still fine tuning DarKastle as something changes every time I go down to the park. The sound is a little dicey, and a number of people have mentioned it. The vehicle speakers do not work very well in concert with the speakers in each room to provide a "stereo" experience. You see in stereo, but the sound does falter from time to time. The speed through each room also lends to confusion, which I think is partially deliberate to make you want to ride again. Also DarKastle has been toned down from its first month of operation because some people did not like the violent spinning that used to happen at the end, or some of the other spinning in the middle. BGW is trying to make the attraction accessible to the whole family, and I think in the process has made it less thrilling for thrill seekers. Spiderman is not devoid of its own technical gliches, and I know some people have ridden it a number of times who have not had all of the effects work on a single time through the ride.

I also agree that BGW has never been great at line management. However, it's rare that lines become a problem at the park. I've always taken it for granted, because I can look at a line at BGW and know exactly how long it will take to get through it based on where it starts and how many trains are running. I also tend to avoid peak days, so lines are never a problem. BGW did try a virtual queue system a few years ago called "Quick Queue," but it was only used when lines exceeded an hour, a rare occurrance. Posting wait times for attractions would definitely be something that BGW could improve. However, Disney didn't used to do it, and now I think they catch more flack by posting innaccurate wait times than not posting at all.

It would be awesome if there was another park right next to BGW. Sadly there's not, but does that make it any less of a park? BGW is one of the few parks in the country that tries to satisfy every single member of the family, and succeeds at it better than just about every theme park in the country. You have a couple of thrill rides and coasters for the teens and young adults, you have the shows, landscaping, and artisans for the older folks and parents, and you have Land of the Dragons, Haunted Lighthouse, and Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve for the little ones. If you look at any one single theme park, there are very few who can tout being able to please a larger number of guests. Magic Kingdom is for kids, EPCOT is for adults, and Cedar Point is for teens. BGW may not be the best thrill park, the best show park, or the best kids park, but it is one of the best parks for the whole family. BGT is also another great park for the whole family, and would put it on the same level as BGW, MGM, IOA, USF, and DL.

There are always people who are looking for different things in their theme parks, and it's unfortunate that this website steered you towards something that was not up your alley. There are people who really like Six Flags, and while there are some good qualities to their parks (lots of big coasters), when it comes to a family experience that a majority of people are looking for in a vacation, most Six Flags parks do not offer that. You probably would have really enjoyed a trip up to Paramount's Kings Dominion (about an hour away from BGW), and is part of a park chain that has started to improve their image as a "theme" park.

^^When BGW was subtitled "The Olde Country" there were tons of "themed people" walking around, and where the birds are between France and Ireland, there were Renaissance Fair type games and it was very much the same atmosphere as at a Fair. In New France, there was even a man who would "make it rain." When they dropped "The Olde Country," those people disappeared.

another thing you have to remember rick, is that BGW's flats are older. so is there log flume and rapids ride and you're comparing them to IOA's and that only been around for 6 years. le scoot opened in 1975 and the one at IOA in 1999 so i think the newer one will e better but that dosent mean the old one sucks. Rides like the battering ram are all over the country so i dont know why you said it sucked when its just your typical boat swing ride. i think you just didnt take in everything the park offered and didnt think of it as a family park. i am very surprised you didnt like it.

um...aren't old flat rides one of the only things offered at Six Flags?

Its kinda hard to compare for me ive been to both parks If IVe ridden IOAs coasters I could really compare but one thing HOW CAN YOU COMPARE HULK TO APOLLOS CHARIOT?????? THEY ARE NOTHING ALIKE!!!!!! Theming goes to IOA but I like BGWs feel IOA felt like a desert witht he heatand not too many trees BGW is nice and dark and relaxing.

I haven't had the enjoyment of going to the Disney or Universal parks or Six Flags but my kids have and they found the Orlando experience for example very exciting. However, they love BGW, even though they both think BGT is better. I guess comparing theme parks can be like comparing apples and oranges. BGW is not designed to be a multi coaster park like Cedar Point or a major massive theme parks experience like Orlando. It's like maybe Kennywood or Dollywood or Hershey Park. It's very good at what it does but I don't think you can compare it to the larger more famous parks. I like it and I like PKD and hope to soon get to some of the more big name parks. I think the point about where it is, is important. If you live in Virginia or Maryland, West Virginia, N. Carolina or Tennessee, your nearby parks are BGW, PKD, Carrowinds, Hershey Park, Dollywood, Kennywood, Hershey Park and Six Flags America or whatever it is in Largo, Maryland which I have been told is pretty awful. Maybe the Six Flags park in New Jersey, but that's a little far. There are lot of people who can't really afford to fly all the way to some of the "famous" parks on a regular basis so we need some more modest parks in the Middle Atlantic we can visit.

On a more serious note, in view of current events, I would like to see some of the parks offer a free day at the park sometime in the future for some of those poor folks who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. It won't make up for it, of course, but it would be a nice gesture to bring a little joy into their sad, sad lives!!! (I know that's off topic but I just had to put that in thinking about things that are so heavy one everyone's mind right now)

actually BGW is known as one of those big famous parks like disney, universal, and cedar point. it is by no means not a mjor park. its one of the most famous parks in the country.

One of the interesting things about BGW is that its seasons pass base is the highest of all the Busch Parks. So something is bringing them back. I have a season pass and sometimes I just want to go and walk around, looking at the beautiful landscaping, the flowers, etc. There are small touches that people do not sometimes see. How about the skier crashed head first into the Alpengeist Snack Stand? The laundry on the clothes line in France? The themeing in Ireland? Wow, I could go on and on. Busch looks good for 30 years old and this is after losing 10,000 trees to Hurricane Isabel a couple of years ago. Busch attracts a more upper class crowd, which pays the bill (Did you see the $40,000 Waterford A&Eagle in the Waterford Shop in Ireland (How many themeparks even have a Waterford shop?)) Maybe I just have love the environment...

I guess its just disapointing to see such a negative review...

I worked for both BGW and WCUSA for about ten years, and while I have moved on (and far, far away) I still consider Williamsburg, and by extension, BGW my home.

I my opinion, its one of the best, well balanced parks that I have ever been to. Some parks have more Coasters (PKD right up the road), some parks have more and more elaborate shows (Disney comes to mind here), and some have more elaborate theming (For my money, I love IOA's theming, but I'm a sucker for themed entertainment that I already know).

But, I don't think that anyone can beat BGW for its balance (Maybe Disney... Maybe).

Ride Package:
BGW's got two Top Ten Coasters in Apollo's and Alpy. Nessie is a Classic, and the Wolf... Well, I never really liked the Wolf (and just to play devil's advocate, wait times are bad there not because is so popular (and I'm not saying its not), but because the capacity on it is not at the same level with the other rides in the park.

I didn't think I was going to like DarKastle. By the time I rode Spiderman for the first time, it had been hyped up so much by my friends that it was impossible to meet my expecations (Rode the Mummy later that day, and was awestruck). DarKastle, however, suprised me. The Audio is a problem... I actually like the drop on DarKastle more than Spidey (I'm kicking myself for not having riden Spidey twice that day, I just wasn't in the mood to wait).

The flat ride package is the weak link, but really, the flat ride package is the weak link at most parks. PKD doesn't have that much (While their Ram that goes updside down definately trumps BGW). DaVinci's Cradle and the Flying Machine are pretty good.

Show Package:
I love the show package at BGW. I know American Jukebox was mentioned by the poster as a weak link, but I dare anyone to find a better show in the country than Jukebox '04. The chemistry and talent of that cast was amazing. This year, IMHO, BGW's Entertainment best group were their strolling performers. Trio Voilla (sp) came back for a second season, and continued to improve on an amazing show; the Irish Musicans, Dublin Over, were incredible this year.. So much so that they were given a mainstage to perform on during the day at Howl-O-Scream time; the Pirates at the front of the park were great; Carmine and Charise in the French Village were hilarious; and the Boogie Band and Rythmn Chefs were awesome as usual.

Oh yeah, and the best season of Imaginique to date.

(I'm sad that living seven states away, I'll miss the HOS product this year)

Theming/Park Environment:
I don't think you'll find a cleaner park in the country than BGW. Add to that the well deserved "Most Beautiful Park" awards, and you've got a great combo. The theming is pretty damn good, too (Though, you'll never sell me on "New France" being part of a European themed park).

Granted, mine's a biased opinion. Furthermore, I haven't visited Disney since before I started working in the industry, and don't remember the details that well.

Still... Busch is a pretty darned good park. I made my 'every-other-year' up to PKD to see their new rides, and even applied to work both there and at SFA in Maryland when I left BGW, but I'm glad I didn't, as in my mind, they'd never live up to the stardards that BGW/WCUSA set and live by each day.

Last year's Jukebox was amazing, this years could quite possibly be the worst ever, with them having an almost completely new cast. Haven't seen the Gold season cast with a few regulars that cam back yet. Hope to see it on Sunday.

Jason,
You ask "Did you see the $40,000 Waterford A&Eagle in the Waterford Shop in Ireland (How many themeparks even have a Waterford shop?"

I think that statement about sums up why I do not love BGW and you do.

I don't even know or care to know what Waterford Crystal is! I am puzzled as to why anyone would go to a theme park to see waterford crystal.

I do not like flowers. I don't appreciate landscaping. Some people have said Roman Rapids is the nicest landscaped raft ride. It's lost on me. To me, the ride just looks empty. They lost a lot of trees in hurricane Isabel? Well, gosh they still have a lot more. Too many if you ask me. I have no interest in trees from an aesthetic point of view. Looking at them does not give me pleasure although I know some people like to do it.

Your reminder that there are a lot of "small touches" at BGW is another reason you love the park's atmosphere and I don't. I don't go to theme parks for subtlety or small touches or class. I go because I am a fan of tacky, campy carnivalesque atmosphers and that's why I do not care for BGW's theme at all. It is not designed for people like me who want the theme to be over-the-top. It is designed with a subtle class and "beauty" that is lost on me.

I had my photos developed from BGW. What I noticed first off was how DARK they are. Aside from a few photos in the kids' dragon area, all the photos have dark backgrounds. When I put them in the album next to photos from the Disney parks, IOA, USF, Knotts, Seaworld, they look odd. There are no cutesy panoramas. There are no photos of me with characters. There are no vibrant billboards. If I wanted photographs next to statues or architecture, I would go to a museum.
For me the photos are boring.
To others, the architecture and art might be thrilling.
So I am not disagreeing with any of you.
Yes, there is a lot of nature here. There is a lot of subtlety. There is a lot of class. There is a 40,000 dollar waterford crystal something or other to gape at.
If you apprecite classy subtlety, you will undoubtedly love the theme.
I hate the theme because I love giant furry mascots grabbing me. I love the bright colors and neon lights more than the monochromatic pine green.
I don't like shows that represent real people from real countries singing and dancing.
I love fantasy and enchantment. I love fireworks and special effects and character parades. If I wanted to look at waterford crystal and other high end trinkets, I would go to an upscale mall
I know there are a lot of people who would prefer the subtle classy elegant natural beauty of BGW over the campy, fantastic, tacky, silly theme of a lot of other amusement parks, but if you do love the latter, you might not like BGW. I am not knocking anyone who appreciates landscaping, natural beauty or fine linens and crystal, I just don't get it and I would think that other people might be misled by the television advertisements and their experience with other theme parks and be quite surprised and disappointed by BGW as I was.

You have got your point. We all have our likes and dislikes...Whatever floats our boats (just make mine a very nice landscaped area!) :-)

Rick,
In looking over your comments regarding individual rides and attractions, it seems as though you liked everything about BGW except the park.

Chuck,
While the "theme" of the park is what I found most disappointing, I give scathing reviews to some specific aspects like the water rides, flat rides, animals, shows, etc.
I do give them top scores for Apollo's Chariot and Alpengeist (probably 9 or 10)and the food and even a Corkscrew Hill - underrated as Russell says and an amazing simulator
Listen, the park has some wonderful aspects but it's all about expectations.
When I went to the Adventuredome at Circus Circus, I didn't complain that it was awful because I was not expecting much and I was pleasantly surprised that it was okay.
When I went to BGW, I was expecting one of the best theme parks in the world. I mean, people rave about this Williamsburg much more than Tampa so I thought, gosh it has to be that much better, so my rants are more about me having my expectations disappointed.
I expected it to be different and bigger and better than I found it.
I did research the park extensively before I made my choice, but there are some things that are just misleading. For example,I love animals and was excited to see Jack Hanna's animal reserve. From what I can tell the "reserve" consists of two eagles and two wolves and some parrots. Now, if I saw two eagles and two wolves and some parrots at a local carnival, I would be thrilled. However, when you are expecting a "reserve," you feel dejected. When I called BGW, and I called them about 10 times before booking my trip, I expressed some wariness about the fact that there were not that many rides and wondered whether I would be able to fill four days, the attendants always reassured me that there was too much to do in just two days and told me that "some rides were not shown on the park map, only the major ones." What an understatement that was!
I asked them to compare it to Busch Gardens Tampa, and I was told it was bigger with more to do. I love Busch Gardens Tampa and so I was expecting something better when I got there, I found something nowhere near as good. I am going to Cedar Point in October and BGT in December and I am sure I will appreciate those parks more after my visit to BGW, at least I know what to expect.
The reason a site like ThemeParkInsider is so amazing is that is helps all of us know what to expect when we visit a theme park and that's why I made sure to give rave reviews to the good parts of the park as well as criticize what I found to be unpleasurable.

I've always been underwhelmed by the Game Reserve, too, but it does get a bit better each year. A little backstory: BGW used to have a petting zoo called the Royal Game Preserve (with goats, rabbits, and even some bears and seals) behind the sky-ride in Banbury Cross. But the foot-and-mouth scare a few years back put an end to that (currently, the old petting-zoo space is used for the Sea Dog Cemetery walkthrough during Howl-o-Scream). Some of those critters ended up in the Game Reserve, and Jack Hanna usually puts on a show twice a season, showcasing different animals. You can get your picture taken with a python, too. The bald eagles used to have all the space where the gray wolves run today.

I also appreciate this site for the wide range of views it features, Rick. Bear in mind that BGW is very much a seasonal, regional park--part of a visit to the Historic Triangle (and Virginia Beach, if you're so inclined).

Plus BGW isn't blessed with the tropical weather like BGT is, so the animals in the reserve need to be able to withstand a little chilly weather, especcailly during HoS.

BGW is a wonderful family park. We live 3 hours away and have passports we go so often. they have something for eveyone. the scenery is beautiful- the park has been incorporated into the landscape instead of being dropped on a concrete slab like kings dominion. Everything is always clean and well cared for. land of the dragons is perfect for my youngest child, my middle child loves the teacups and ballon rides- the irish thunder dancers are her favorite- the set is beautiful, the music is great, and best of all is the look on my daughters face... Irish Thunder will be sorely missed by our family. My oldest son loves the arcades and the roller coasters. My husband and i enjoy the shows, the scenery, and the food. Three is something there to suit everyones taste from BBQ, Italian, German, Irish, and wonderful ice cream parlors and sweet shops. BGW is the perfect place for a family vacation, you have the theme park, water country, colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, and all of the shopping outlets. In fact we love it there so much we purchased a campground membership and a travel trailer that we leave there on a permenant basis. We can travel up there on weekends and spend quality time with our children.

Was that comment really necessary Mr. Saunders? Come on, just because YOU like to ride Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster every day of the week does not mean everyone else does. To some people, taking a leisurely stroll around a beautifully themed and landscaped theme park with their family is their idea of a wonderful day. Some people find enjoying time with their family and friends much more valuable than a ride on a roller coaster.

I think Rick has done a great job validating his opinion, and I can see many of the points he has made about Busch Gardens. Perhaps if Mr. Saunders articulated his opinions in a more eloquent and intelligent fashion, he would have just a wee bit more credibility.

But its so hard the counter the old, "Nanny Nanny Boo Boo" Tactic... :)

touche

hey wat can i say, if i wanna c flowers i'll look at my front yard, if i wanna ride sweet coasters ill pay money 2 go 2 cedar point. enuff said i think

Busch has "sweet coasters" too ya know...

BUT ALAS!! It's not the sacred, wonderful, godly Milennium Force...

I just wish the guy could spell...

u downt need 2 no how 2 spell 2 post. How rood... haha...

trust me i know how 2 spell, i just dont have time 2 b perfect, sorry, get over it playa! o n busch coasters r decent but not special 2 me. 1 lol means bye haha

I would say that comparing BGW to the Orlando Parks or most Six Flags parks or even PGTampa is like comparing apples to oranges. I don't think the aim of BGW is to be a big extreme thriller ride type of park. I haven't made it to Orlando or BGT yet but my daughters have and feel that Apollo's Chariot and the Alpengeist can hold their own with some of the big thriller coasters at other parks.

I agree with the person that said the beauty is partially because they have worked with the landscape. It certainly is much more of a beautiful atmosphere than PKD, which I do like for all the coasters. There are less roughneck people at BGW than at PKD, and as for the Six Flags park in Largo, Maryland, I wanted to go to it but was advised that it was full of gang bangers and not a pleasant experience at all, which is too bad because I understand it has some great rides.

I would agree that going all the way across the country just to visit the park would probably not be the thing, I would combine it with some other stuff, like Water Country, colonial Williamsburg and Va Beach/Norfolk, there is lots of touristy stuff there. Also coming from a long way, would make time for PKD.

I do think some of the shows could be updated but I'm not much of a show person. I think the different country themeing actually is pretty well done if a little hokey.

I think that expecting any one theme park to be all things to all people is not really realistic, though I guess perhaps the whole Disney and Universal Studios complex in Orlando probably comes the closest to this.

Rick, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is better than any Six Flags park there is. Six Flags are nasty, dirty, and boring. They throw in a few Goliaths and Batman the Rides. Everything at Six Flags is a clone. BGW is different. Evertyhing there is unique. Maybe they haven't updated for a while, but that doesn't mean they dont spend time on the park. And I think you can't compare IOA to BGW because IOA is a HUGE tourist destination that spends millions and millions of dollars on new rides and attractions. BGW is a local park and is mostly for families. Please don't ever say you would want to go to a Six Flags park instead. I absoulutley HATE the Six Flags Chain and i'm glad Busch Gardens will never end up like a discusting park like Six Flags. :D

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