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BUSCH GARDENS WILLIAMSBURG FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL~Anyone Been to it?

Egret1986

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We haven't been to Busch Gardens in many years.

I noticed a TV ad for the Food and Wine Festival at Busch Gardens and looked it up online. It was definitely of interest.

Virginia Food Festival

Our niece just got into Virginia Beach for a few days and said that she would really like to go to this. Great! I needed a reason to make time and go!

Side note:

Busch Gardens is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Loch Ness Monster. This nostalgic roller coaster has thrilled more than 58 million riders since 1978.

Wow! Has it really been that long ago??? 40 years???

Cool! I just saw that tickets can be purchased at $50 off/each through 6/10 to celebrate! That just saved us a ton!!!!!
 

RLS50

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Egret, we went to the Food & Wine festival at Busch Gardens in 2015 and had a blast. It was fun walking around to the different villages and trying the various food samples (based on the themed village) and the beverages / wines.

That year we stayed at King's Creek Plantation in the cottages, which the family really enjoyed as well.
 

Egret1986

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Egret, we went to the Food & Wine festival at Busch Gardens in 2015 and had a blast. It was fun walking around to the different villages and trying the various food samples (based on the themed village) and the beverages / wines.

That year we stayed at King's Creek Plantation in the cottages, which the family really enjoyed as well.

Thanks for your input!

I haven't had an interest in Busch Gardens for years. Now, I'm a bit giddy with excitement. Tasty food, adult beverages and roller coasters!

I heard this recently on our local news. Impressive!

WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia (May 29, 2018) – Busch Gardens Williamsburg retains the prestigious title as the “World’s Most Beautiful Park” for the 28th consecutive year. Results from the latest National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) survey shows Busch Gardens extends an impressive streak dating back to 1990.
 

Big Matt

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I rode the Lock Ness Monster on a preview ride before it was open to the public. At the time it was a great ride. Still holds its own
 

chalee94

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As a Disney nerd, I don't consider it to be up to Epcot's standards, but it was fun when I went a few years ago.
 

Egret1986

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As a Disney nerd, I don't consider it to be up to Epcot's standards, but it was fun when I went a few years ago.

I have to admit that I find it interesting that each year (28), it receives this accolade. I haven't been to Disney in years either, but I'm surprised that it wasn't a Disney Park with all that "magic" going on. The times that I went to Disney; I always thought that Epcot was really cool (my favorite of the parks).
 

RLS50

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Thanks for your input!

I haven't had an interest in Busch Gardens for years. Now, I'm a bit giddy with excitement. Tasty food, adult beverages and roller coasters!
Well, we obviously liked some of the offerings in certain villages over others, but overall the whole experience was fun. Although it might have been the cumulative effect of the wine at each stop. :thumbup:
 

chalee94

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I have to admit that I find it interesting that each year (28), it receives this accolade (“World’s Most Beautiful Park”). I haven't been to Disney in years either, but I'm surprised that it wasn't a Disney Park with all that "magic" going on. The times that I went to Disney; I always thought that Epcot was really cool (my favorite of the parks).

Yeah, I'm a little suspicious of that award. ;) Give Disney a shot during late Nov or early December with all the holiday decorations - or check out Epcot during the Flower and Garden festival next year (usually March to May).

But with that said, BG is a beautiful park and the food at the food and wine festival was good and they had some interesting choices. The prices for BG tickets were much more reasonable and the rollercoasters were better. So I'm not knocking it overall, just hard not to compare... :)
 

Egret1986

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We went. It was supposed to be a meet up at the park with DH's niece. We found out the hard way two days in a row that the niece offers up plans but then doesn't show up for hours after her planned meet up times. That was very frustrating for us. Now we know. They were going to get to the park at opening. We decided not to be "drawn in" and decided to get to the park when it was convenient. We got there just after Noon.

It was hot and humid on Saturday. Being unfamiliar with the sizes of the food, wine, and beer samples, we were unsure what size of add-on to get. My DH and I opted for 15 items each :doh:. Wow, way too many items. We tried to put a dent in the 30 items, but it wasn't doable. We used up about 1/2 and were overstuffed (too much beer).

We were able to give the remaining items to the niece that arrived as we were leaving the park that evening. :wall:

It was a great Saturday to be there, as far as crowds. The local schools don't let out for Summer until this week. The offerings and sizes of the samples for the festival were good sized. I would recommend buying the discounted add-on. However, I would recommend no more than 15 items for a couple. They state that the add-on is a 45% discount. A good deal to me (unless you overbuy).

Busch Gardens is a nice park. However, I believe my adventure park days are over. :)
 
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