Busch Garden and Water Country ,VA

[Don]

Spencermama: WOW Nice idea about Water country and might reconsider going to Jamestown now as my boys would love to do exactly what you've described!!!!

and a visit to Norfolk.... oh... so many things to do!!!

You could also add the Naval Shipyard Museum in Portsmouth. It has displays that date back to Colonial times and depicts the navy's history in the area through to the present.

 

[spencersmama]

The park stayed open until 8 last week. I think it stays open until 8 most of the summer.

I got a lanyard from the front and put out tix, drivers license and debit card it in. Then I strung the lanyard straps through the key ring. I put the lanyard up during the wave pool, but kept them on for the other activities. (I didn't do the ride with the floor that drops out though! I walked up and watched my daughter do it. Let's just say, I wasn't the only one that walked down the stairs.) They didn't ask to see my driver's license. I thought they might ask for ID since I bought my tix online. They just confirmed the name and address.

Also, don't miss Wild Thang and Rampage. There was no line for wither of those. I think because they are tucked in a corner. I really like Wild Thang. It's a two person tube slide. The ride is a little fast and splashy, but not too bad. Just enough adrenaline for me, but not too much to give me a heart attack!

 

[spencersmama]

I also wanted to let you know that New Town Regal Cinema in Williamsburg has a discount movie night ($7.50 per adult), plus $2 popcorn on Tuesdays. I happened by that accidentally, but enjoyed the savings. The New Town area was a nice area to have dinner and walk around.

 

[jesuis1837]

I'm taking notes... The floor that drops... For sure we will try this one! Just hope my 7 years old boy is enough tall!

 

[LAR]

Sorry to barge in but our family of 5 will be at the Williamsburg Plantation and so this string has been of great interest to me. We are there so that my boys can participate in a football camp so the notion of going to a park late in the day for 2 hours is perfect for us. We might make a run to CW to check it out but that would be a one time visit. So....

Question: I'm trying to compare the two 7-day passes - The Bounce vs. The Discovery (this doesnt include entry to CW), what does an entry ticket to Colonial Williamsburg get you?

Do you need an entry ticket or going without one prevents you from specific sites? If you can, please clarify.

thanks!
LAR

 

[jesuis1837]

Lar, i will check for you as i dont have answers to those questions if you go there after me.

 

[Thinking]

We were there July 4th week and I can tell you getting to both parks first thing in the morning is a good plan also.

For both parks we arrived a little before the 10am opening.

For Water Country -- we parked at H2O area because our youngest is 4 and that area is perfect for kids up to 5-6. Close to food options, bathrooms and not too far from Hubba Highway. Older kids were able to jump right on the popular rides with no wait. Crowds were fine up until noon -- so at that point we gave up the slides and jumped into Hubba Highway which is great. We were very pleased with this park. Usually left the park at 3-4pm.

Busch Gardens -- also got there before 10am, and all major rides were open except those in Germany (they dont open until 11am). We did all of the big rides with zero line -- in fact, were able to jump off and jump back on very easily. Again, by noon the crowds really start arriving. So we focused on smaller rides (skyway, train, etc) and left park around 3-4pm. Watch out as some areas of the park dont open at 10am (example - kids water area in kiddie dinosour land didnt turn on until noon for some reason).

For the fireworks at Busch Gardens we found the bridge in Italy near the pirate ship that swings backward and forward gave us a fantastic view of the fireworks show. In that case, we came to the park around 8pm and caught the fireworks at 930pm and then headed back to the rooms.

 

[Sloane S]

Sorry to barge in but our family of 5 will be at the Williamsburg Plantation and so this string has been of great interest to me. We are there so that my boys can participate in a football camp so the notion of going to a park late in the day for 2 hours is perfect for us. We might make a run to CW to check it out but that would be a one time visit. So....

Question: I'm trying to compare the two 7-day passes - The Bounce vs. The Discovery (this doesnt include entry to CW), what does an entry ticket to Colonial Williamsburg get you?

Do you need an entry ticket or going without one prevents you from specific sites? If you can, please clarify.

thanks!
LAR

You need an entry ticket to go into any buildings or do any activities at CW. You can walk the grounds without one.

 

[nightnurse613]

Additionally, for $2 you can ride the CW bus which makes about about 8 stops around the outside of the park. One approach is to go to the Visitor's Center (nice displays, movies and AC!!); then you can go downstairs to the bus (or take the bridge to the property - maybe a short 5 minute walk). As was pointed out, there is no entry fee unless you want to go inside the buildings or see some of the living exhibits. Some of the buildings are operating shops (food or gifts) for which there are no entry fees. As you wander around you will see people dressed in colonial style. There is a carriage ride available ($20/20 minutes). A couple of the exhibits are very interesting (governor's palace, the magazine) but you'll have to decide if they are worth the price of admission.