The Playful Parent

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is one of my favorite theme parks for many reasons. The biggest reason is that Busch Gardens is the most family friendly park on the east coast; there are so many awesome rides that families can go on all together whether young or old. I also love how beautiful the park is; every time we visit, I always comment on how gorgeous the flowers are and how well kept and clean the park is. Another great thing about Busch Gardens is that even on busy days the park doesn’t feel crowded. It is a huge recommendation of mine to come to this park at least twice a year… once in the summer and then again in the winter to visit during Christmas Town.  We have been visiting Busch Gardens for years. In fact it was the very first theme park I ever went too; so it is an honor and a joy to share all about Busch Gardens. I was just accept into the Blog Ambassador program for Busch Gardens this year and I was given season passes and will visit the park frequently to offer information about upcoming events, share our experience and offer tips for visiting the park.  If you are planning a visit this spring/summer here are a few tips to make your trip easier:

SAVE MONEY

• If you have wee ones you will definitely want to get a Preschool Pass. The Preschool Pass is a FREEannual pass for kids 5 and under, good for both Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA.
• The best way to save money if you plan on visiting the park more than once is to get an Annual Pass or a Flex Pass. Flex Passes are great, for just $10 more than the price of a Busch Gardens Single-Day ticket, enjoy unlimited admission to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA for up to seven consecutive calendar days from the date of first use. The pass can be used any time May 19-Sept. 10.
• Another great program is Waves of Honor; a FREEsingle day admission for active duty member and up to 3 dependents.
• Check out the local libraries in Williamsburg- The library has had coupons in the past around April – May time frame which are good for 25% off a single day pass.
• A few places to check in advanced: Parks and Recreation or if you are military, getting passes on base is super cheap!

BEST TIME TO VISIT

• Week days tend to be less crowded than weekends especially (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.)
• If you go on a weekend try going on a Sunday earlier in the morning.
• Arrive 15-30 minutes before the park opens. The gates open early so you can get through the bag check and check-in and are ready for attractions when they open.

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS 

One of my favorite features about Busch Gardens are all the family rides that everyone can go on together. No matter your height or age you can on all three of these rides: Aeronaut Skyride, Rhine River Cruise and Busch Gardens Railway.

• Aeronaut Skyride allows you to see beautiful Busch Gardens through a birds-eye view. This is a fun ride and also can work as transportation around the park so you don’t get tired from lots of walking.
• Rhine River Cruise is an actual river cruise on a boat where you can enjoy the remarkable landscape and other wonderful sites on a relaxing and scenic cruise that showcases the beauty of the Busch Gardens.
• Busch Gardens Railway offers a great tour of the park on a stunningly scenic twenty-minute train ride. This ride is my boy’s favorite ride in the whole park because they are obsessed with trains and the park uses real working steam locomotives. There are three engines Red, Blue and Green. My son gets most excited when the green engine is in operation because it has a caboose! There are three stops throughout the park, so you can use this as a fun ride or for easy transportation around the park.
• Catch a show! The shows are entertaining and also a great way to cool off since the in door theaters have air conditioning!

AWESEOME ATRACTIONS FOR YOUNG KIDS

• One of the first things you need to do as you enter the park is check how tall your little one is. Right as you enter the park in England look for the red phone booths on the right after Guest Services. A park attendant will measure your child and given them a color coded wristband along with a list of rides they can go on.  This will help you plan out which rides are suited for them.

• My boys who are ages two and four love Sesame Street Forest of Fun. My oldest is tall enough to ride his favorite ride in the Forest of Fun called Grover’s Alpine Express (a kiddie-sized roller coaster.) We always ride Grover’s Alpine Express together; it’s so much fun to see him put his hands in the air and scream as we wipe around bends sore over hills. My youngest son’s favorite Sesame ride is Prince Elmo’s Spire; a mini drop tower ride that gives you the best wooly loops! My boys also love the rubber padded play ground; they run around and get a lot of energy out. There are other great rides in this section and even a sing and dance along show that runs throughout the day called Sunny Celebrations. The best part about Sesame Street Forest of Fun and is that there is a splash pad with lots of water features, making this ideal for hot days! I also want to point out that there is a comfortable nursing station right next to the bathrooms. If you forget an essential like diapers, wipes, swim diaper or sun screen you can get those necessities in the gift shop.

• Don’t forget about Germany, where you will find the Carousel, The Red Baron and The Land of the Dragons!!! The land of the Dragons is a really awesome giant tree house which they can climb and slide down slides. There is even a small splash pad. This activity is great for toddlers and young kids, parents are able to accompany their little’s easy through the tree house. There are also a bunch of rides to go in Land of the Dragon. Located towards the entrance of to the left is where you will find the family bathroom, first aid station and nursing room.
• Italy is another idea spot for little ones! Both my two year old and four year old enjoy riding on the Hot Air Balloon and Glider together.

Rides for Big Kids and Adults

• There are so many great rides for the older kids too. Some of my favorites are in Italy; Escape from Pompeii and Roman Rapids.  In Ireland, you won’t want to miss Europe in the Air which is a 4-D show ride. In Germany my husband’s all time favorite ride is the Bumper Cars. Don’t forget about the six roller coasters spread out through the whole park.

WHAT’S NEW

• I think the biggest thing to highlight is the newest wooden roller coaster InvadR  that opens this spring! This family thrill ride will be the park’s first wooden coaster. Fly over InvadR’s nine air-time hills, including a 74-foot plunge that reaches speeds of almost 50 miles per hour. For more information visit: https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/pages/project2017/
• Kids concerts are back! Start spring on a high note with kid-friendly concert series that encourage kids to sing and dance along. The schedule includes Choo Choo Sole with Genieve May 6^th, Kidz Bop Kids May 13^th, Teen Stars Live May 20-21.
• Two new shows are set to debut this season. Don’t miss Britmania a new musical revue featuring British hits from the 1960s to today, debuts June 30, and will be performed throughout the day in the Globe Theatre. OktoberZest will feature German music and dances with a modern and new approach. It will debut March 31 in Das Festhaus  in the Oktoberfest village.
• Kid Friendly Halloween Event Celebrate is new this Fall which will feature a silly, not-too-spooky fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular on Saturdays and Sundays from October 7 – 29. Children can come dressed up to join in the costume parade and participate in other family-friendly activities during this daytime event.

MEALS

• My biggest suggestion to get a souvenir cup. We bought two souvenir cups and are so glad we did. You purchase the cup, the day you buy it you get to fill it up for FREE!!! Than everytime you return it only costs 99 cent to refill it anywhere throughout the park! You are also welcome to have it filled with ice or water for FREE.  Also if you are looking for a cold treat, for $1.99 you can use your souvenir cup to fill it with a Slurppe. The Slurpee station is found in Sesame Street Forest of Fun.
• One way to save money is to get a meal deal pass online before you go.
• Our two favorite places to eat are Trappers Smokehouse in New France and Das Fest Haus in Germany. The Fest Haus is great because it temperature controlled, has lots of food options and puts on a great show to watch while you eat. At Trappers Smokehouse you can smell the food cooking on the grill from miles away. The aroma of BBQ is mouth watering and the rotisserie chicken and BBQ ribs are heavenly.
• One thing I have learned is that portions are huge at the park. There is no need for everyone to get their own..So share! Getting a “personal” pizza and a fruit cup is enough for 2-3 people.
• Don’t forget that if you have a annual pass member card you receive discounts on purchases throughout the park including food!

WHAT TO PACK, WHAT NOT TO PACK THAT IS THE QUESTIONS AND OTHER TIPS

• If you don’t have room in the trunk for a stroller or even forgot to bring one. Use the park strollers! They are spacious and can fit two kids! They even have a cup holders and area for storage. They are available to rent at the main gate.
• Don’t worry about bringing a cell phone charger. If your battery drains head over to the Brauhaus Craft Bier Room.
• There are a lot of attractions where you get wet. I suggest bringing a towel, wearing a swim suit under your clothing or even brining an extra change of clothes. Also, be sure to bring a ziplock bag to keep wet clothing in.
• Don’t forget sunscreen. Even though there are a lot of shaded areas. The summer sun can be quite harsh in the summer.
• Don’t fear parking far away from the entrance, riding on the tram is half the fun!
• Take a picture of where you parked with your cell phone in case you forget.
• Also take a picture of your family before entering the park kept smiles while everyone is excited and to remember what your little one is wearing for if you get separated.
• Consider writing your name and cell phone number in the tag of your little ones shirts, should they get lost.
• If you need a quiet place to nurse or nap the baby don’t forget about the lovely nursing station and First Aid house located in Land of the Dragon. The picture below to the right is of the play area available for siblings waiting while mommy feeds the baby.
• Look for a family bathroom? There are few through out the park. My favorite is in New France; it is spacious and kept well maintained. See picture below and to the left.

I hope that these tips help with your planning so that you have a great time during your next Busch Gardens Williamsburg Visit!!! Thank you for reading…Play, Learn, Grow!

***The Playful Parent does not receive payment for featuring attractions. All opinions are my own; I like to share experiences and information so that parents have resources on fun family outings. Discounted or complimentary tickets are an advantage but not a requirement. The Playful Parent was selected as a ambassador blogger.***