Early-season advice for BGW

After having such a great time at Busch Garden's Tampa, my wife and I decided to make the 12.5 hour drive to check out Busch Garden's Williamsburg. We're considering going on Easter Weekend (March 26).

We know that by going early, we'll miss out on a few things (like DarKastle and most shows), but hopefully make up for it with cheaper hotels and shorter lines. We're coaster nuts, but we also appreciate theming. (If BGW feels a bit like EPCOT's World Showcase, that's not a bad thing.)

Do you have any advice for early season visits? What about the theming and landscaping -- is it worth waiting a few months for a better experience?

[spelling] *** Edited 3/11/2005 3:26:34 PM UTC by greatwhitenorth***

I've only been to BGW once, but I would recommend going earlien it the season, rather than in the middle of the summer.

I went in early July '03, and it was packed. We managed to ride all the coasters with almost no lines in the afternoos, because the park emptied as people went to the waterpark.

Although I had heard about all of the great shows, I didn't really want to see any of them, because I paid admission to ride rides-not shows. plus, watching plays isn't what amusement parks are for.

I would bet the scenery would still be great, and it would not be 95+ degrees like it was in July

Hope this summary means something to you ;-)

I think that BGW is better than Epcot. The themeing is about the same, but then you get to add a few awesome coasters and thrill rides on top. Oh, and the shows :)

Have fun, and Williamsburg looks to be warming up now, it's getting up into the 50s and 60s :)

I went to BGW the week after Memorial Day 2 years ago and hit a lot of the rides. Some shows were closed but overall it was a blow away experience for me (a coaster person) and my parents (non coaster people). Theming and everything was superb. I look forward to a May visit this season.

My girlfriend and I, as well as two other friends...are going to BGW on Memorial Day weekend...I can only imagine the lines.........oh boy

BGW is my favorite park. The land this park is built into is the most beautiful of any I've been to. The rides are nothing less than new-age classics, the shows are very entertaining, and the themeing is one of the few to turn the heads of Orlando, Fl.

I would advice you to go in the late spring to enjoy the water rides and Curse of Darkastle. I'd go on a weekday if possible. And I would stay till it gets dark to ride the coasters at night, especially Big Bad Wolf and Alpengeist. Have fun. *** Edited 3/11/2005 8:15:05 PM UTC by bowtobusch***

For the last several seasons my family has made that our first trip of the season. We go to BGW on Saturday, and then go to PKD on Sunday on their opening weekend. I enjoy BGW. My only complaint about the park is they don't have a lot of flat rides. They do have 4 good coasters. I love Big Bad Wolf especially.

You will have a good time. The crowds are usually light. A nice place to stay is the comfort inn.

http://www2.choicehotels.com/ires/en-us/html/HotelInfo?sid=LXrRg.9C3X2g5Qd.2&hotel=VA223&sarea=21235&sname=Williamsburg&sstate=VA&scountry=US&sradius=40.22&slat=37.27313232421875&slon=-76.69656372070312&schain=A&exp=&scity=Williamsburg&sort=&month=3&day=26&depart_month=3&depart_day=28&srp=S3A

Its $69 a night, and worth it. They have a good free breakfast, and a nice indoor pool, and whirlpool. If you want to stay cheaper I'd recommend the Econolodge.

http://www2.choicehotels.com/ires/en-us/html/HotelInfo?sid=LXrRg.9C3X2g5Qd.2&hotel=VA225

It is as low as $45 a night, and the rooms are nice enough, but the hotel has no pool.

Have a good trip! We'll see you there. ;)

*** Edited 3/11/2005 10:28:28 PM UTC by Coasterfantom2***

Spring is an awesome time visit.

Local Wendy's are offering $5.00 off coupons for single day admission valid through May 31rst.

Other special offers are availible at buschgardens.com/va by selecting the special offers section and entering the promo code WENDYSBG or by calling 1-800-772-8886

Enjoy your visit!

We went early April last year and had a great time. Everything was pretty much walk ones by the end of the day, although it was pretty cold by then. We had reservations about going next weekend for opening because it looked like it was going to be a little too cool but now temps are looking like they are going to warm up some (high 50s).

I can't imagine going to BGW and missing the awesome shows, so I would suggest delaying your visit until summer. Yeah, it's hot, and yeah, there are crowds, but they haven't detracted from my experience. We usually buy a three or four day tickets and take our time exploring the park, seeing all the shows, and visiting attractions multiple times as we desire.

The shows are among the best of any theme park anywhere, and they are an integral part of the experience for my family. I wouldn't let long lines for coasters scare me away from a summer visit. At most we've waited twenty to thirty minutes for coasters, but most often the lines have been substantially shorter than that (especially in the evening). The longest lines we've waited in have been for the water flume and raft rides (one hour during mid day). Maybe we've been lucky with lines, but for the most part, they haven't been a problem for us on summer visits. I just wouldn't pass up the opportunity to see some of the shows.