A Day That Defied Reality: Our Elite VIP Tour at Busch Gardens Williamsburg The Beginning: Already Impressed Before We Even Entered Let me start by saying this: I've been to theme parks countless times throughout my life. I thought I knew what to expect. I was wrong. Wonderfully, spectacularly wrong. Our day began at 10:15 AM when we arrived at Busch Gardens Williamsburg for our 11:30 AM Elite VIP Tour. Meeting Tyler: The Man, The Myth, The Legend I can confidently say that Tyler alone would have made this experience worth every penny. His energy, knowledge, and genuine enthusiasm set the tone for what would become one of the most memorable days our family has ever shared. The First Hour: Three Hours Saved. Yes, You Read That Right. Within the first hour, our group of four had ridden the top four roller coasters at Busch Gardens. Let that sink in. Four coasters. Sixty minutes. For context, on a typical busy day at the park, the wait times for these attractions can easily exceed 45-90 minutes each. Based on the posted wait times we saw at each ride, Tyler saved us approximately three hours of standing in lines - just in that first hour alone. This wasn't just VIP treatment; this was time-travel. The "Snacks" Revelation: A Glorious Understatement Tyler explained that "snacks" meant anything any of us wanted, anytime, all day long. Waters? Check. Energy drinks? Check. Icees, churros, soft pretzels? All of it. Throughout our eight-hour tour, our group sampled pretty much every food option the park had to offer. The funnel cakes with ice cream and toppings were a particular favorite. The various cakes, cupcakes, cheesecake, cookies - I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Tyler took care of everything with a simple tap of his card, never once making us feel like we were imposing or asking for too much. The Moment Everything Changed "This tour lets you ride any ride, without waiting, in any seat you want, as many times as you want." This wasn't just a theme park visit. This was a day where the normal rules didn't apply. A day where "I don't want to wait 90 minutes for that ride" simply wasn't in our vocabulary. Rides, Rides, and More Rides We rode everything. The coaster behind-the-scenes experience gave us an incredible up-close look at the inner workings of these engineering marvels. Feeding the Beast: Two Meals, Zero Complaints Our VIP tour included two full meals, and Tyler made sure we experienced the best the park had to offer. Lunch was at Das Festhaus, and at 6:30 PM took us to Trapper's Smokehouse, where the aroma of smoked meats had been tempting us all day. It did not disappoint. The Verdict: Eight Hours of Perfection Here's what truly made this experience exceptional: Tyler. Yes, the VIP perks are incredible. Yes, skipping lines changes everything. Yes, the all-inclusive food and drinks feel almost too good to be true. But a VIP tour is only as good as the guide who leads it, and Tyler was nothing short of outstanding. His knowledge of the park, his ability to read our group and adjust on the fly, his genuine care that we were having the best possible time - that's what transformed this from a great day into an unforgettable one. This tour was planned as part of a grand send-off for Ben and Jakub, who will be returning to Europe in June after their time with us. They came to America expecting a typical theme park experience. Instead, they got a day where magic was real, lines didn't exist, and every wish was granted before they even knew they had it. Would I Do It Again? In a heartbeat. Without hesitation. This wasn't just a theme park visit. This was an experience that redefined what a family day out can be. For anyone considering the Elite VIP Tour at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, here's my advice: Do it. Not "think about it." Not "maybe someday." Just do it. The Numbers Don't Lie Time saved in lines: Likely 6+ hours over the course of the day Rides experienced: Every operational coaster and major attraction Meals enjoyed: 2 full sit-down meals plus unlimited snacks and drinks Special experiences: 2 (Coaster behind-the-scenes + Animal Encounter) Professional photos: 33 captured memories included Memories made: Priceless Final Thoughts Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Elite VIP Tour is, quite simply, the gold standard for theme park experiences. From the moment we parked 100 feet from the entrance to the moment we left after eight hours of pure joy, everything was handled. Every need anticipated. Every wish granted. To Kate and the VIP Tours team who handled our booking and answered our questions with patience and professionalism - thank you. To Tyler - you're the real MVP. You took what could have been a fun day and turned it into something our family will talk about for years. Your passion for what you do shows, and we're grateful we got to experience it. And to anyone reading this review, wondering if the Elite VIP Tour is worth it: It's worth it. Every single penny. read more

This is the greatest adventures in the United States and unlike many other amusement parks is that it is safe and clean. The food is tasty and comes out rather quickly. Lines move and the entertainment is family friendly. Finally, there are rides for all ages! read more

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Outside of the folks in costume, everyone seemed to hate their jobs and did not give a single care about being there. The good: The decorations related to the Winter Wonderland were lovely. The elves and people working the Santa line were amazing. Also, top tier Santa! He had a real beard and everything. We loved the folks taking our pictures too, even if I felt kind of rushed. The bad: They are charging Disneyland prices and not even close to being Disneyland caliber. When we walked up to purchase popcorn (which mind you they had some 10+ flavors on the menu) the guy told me none of the ones I wanted was available "because he hadn't gotten around to making it" with no offer of if or when it could be available. I finally asked him what he had available, and he said 2 things. So ok, I bought one of those. Same thing with another one of the workers in line when we were grabbing pizza. Blank looks, no actual service, confused or dazed, or all of the above. Your employees probably need help. read more

7 self service machines and 4 out of service Waited 30 minutes to get my ticket. Get a maintenance guy. So unprofessional!. read more

Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Amusement Parks Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

Visited for the food and wine festival and was having a superb time. The Thai employees are so friendly and welcoming, great addition and they represent you amazingly well! Please work to instill this level of customer service throughout the company. read more

Busch Gardens is a beautiful park with lots to see and to for all ages. Spring is a wonderful time to visit before the heat and humidity of summer arrives. read more

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I remember going to Busch Gardens as a teenager with friends after a day of high school. We'd all pile in one vehicle and head there for the afternoon. A time when parking wasn't the 35 dollars it is now, and when the only food we bought was a waffle cone of vanilla ice cream with real strawberries on top (now the building is a Rita's Italian Ice). Bummer. One thing that has stayed the same is the parks cleanliness, maybe not the bathrooms so much, but the landscaping is beautiful. Howl-O-Scream is a great time if you dig spooks. This is an event they have during Halloween. Although I haven't been in years, I remember their employees dressing like clowns and following so close behind me I could feel them breathing. And where masked employees near the Smokehouse had chainsaws they started up to cause multiple screams. I'm not sure if it's still at this intense level, but it was great. I attended my first Christmas Town in 2025, yet I wouldn't do it again. To make if worth your while you must dig Christmas shows and I don't. The lights were meh minus the tree picture I included. But is one tree worth my 1.2 hour drive? Nope. Especially when only a handful of rides are open during this time (and only two of those are roller coasters). If you want to see Christmas lights go to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens instead. When the park is fully operational definitely check out Apollo's Chariot. In my humble opinion, it's the best ride in the park. read more

Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Lit tree outside the Battering Ram ride. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

We weren't sure if we could spend a whole day here but we absolutely did! We came for the Christmas Town on a Saturday, so we got here right when it opened at noon and left when it closed at 10 pm and we still missed some things to do. Tickets were reasonable (we paid around $215 for 2 people including all-day-dining) and parking was an additional fee and it was WELL worth it. We did 2 roller coasters, 3-4 shows, got 3 full meals each, the train, a game or two, and all in all had a great time. We were really impressed with the caliber of the shows, the ice skaters definitely seem like they're professionals. The Christmas decorations were absolutely beautiful and put us in the Christmas spirit. I don't know why this is the first time we've been here since we've lived in the DC area for around 7 years but we absolutely will be back! read more

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Christmas Town 2025! Boy is Christmas the greatest time of year or what! This place was absolutely beautiful and obviously riding rides in the dark with lights around is a special experience. So on the terms of beauty of the scenery and the fun of the attractions this place excels. Now food and drinks are always expensive so can't knock it too much but it always seems to get pricier so that does stop this place from being more than 4 stars. Lastly the staff were mostly super helpful and kind but there were some occasions of those on rides hassling us about what we had on making us remove neckwarmers on one occasion even though no other ride had made us and not helping when it was stolen after just one ride. So overall service was good because on most occasions we had no issues. Overall it was a fun trip and would come again, just hope prices don't keep rising forever :) and would like more consistency in service amongst attractions read more

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Came to Busch Gardens, the day after Christmas, the Christmas decorations and lighting were so beautiful. The log ride was lit up with music and lighting. Christmas village was decorated with Santa chatting with children. Had spiced wine and German beer in Germany, they have wine tasting in Italy, foods from each country were well represented here. Most of the roller coasters were closed, but all of the kids rides were open. Park is clean, great guest services from food, ride operators, vendors. Nice array of shops from crafted artisan, Sesame Street novelties and to Nutcrackers and German Steins. Park was not so crowded but some of the rides had a 60 minute wait, which isn't too bad. read more

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I love theme parks, so I had to check out Busch Gardens here in Williamsburg, VA. Every time we come to Virginia, this is a must-visit for us. I like that it's never too crowded and offers plenty of rides for everyone--from little kids to adults. There are also shows if you want a break from the thrills, and the train ride around the park is always a relaxing favorite of ours. Overall, it's a great theme park for all ages, and if you visit in the summer, the water park is open too. read more

Loved getting to go to Christmas town. The entrance was a little too much and so chaotic and challenging. It took us 45 minutes just to get through the gate . Once inside it was great though. read more

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I was visit a friend in Norfolk and I have a Platinum pass for Seaworld so we grab a free military ticket for him a couple of discounted all-day dining passes. The location is awesome. There are so many trees that it kept the park comfortable all day for us. ** Dining ** ** Coasters ** ** Staff ** ** Fireworks ** It was so easy to get in and out of the parking area. We will be coming back in the future to spend a couple of leisurely days. read more

Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Smokehouse Sampler at the Trapper's in New France - Amusement Parks Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

Busch Gardens is such a beautiful park year-round, but there's something extra special about visiting during Howl-O-Scream! I've always loved the park's layout, and how each section represents a different country. It reminds me of Epcot. We came for Howl-O-Scream on a Friday evening and were surprised by how smooth everything went. We got to the park around 5 PM with little to no traffic getting in, which was honestly shocking considering it's spooky season? Parking is $35, but they do offer memberships that include free parking and other perks. Definitely worth looking into if you plan to visit more than once because it pays off in two visits. At 6 PM, the whole park transformed into a haunted playground. It was such a cool transition to witness. The fog, the music, the decor, incredible. Throughout the night, scare actors walked the paths, popping out from behind corners and keeping everyone on edge. For someone who doesn't get very scared, I sure did jump a ton. There were several haunted walkthroughs scattered throughout the park, each with its own theme. We did the "Bloodshot"that's located inside Pompeii (so cool), and "Werewolves: The Wolf's Revenge", which was tucked away in the trees. So much fun. We saw the "Monster Stomp" show as well. This was hands down my favorite part of the evening. The talent was unreal. Ride lines were surprisingly short. I finally got to ride Pantheon for the first time and absolutely loved it. Easily one of the best coasters in Virginia. Apollo's Chariot still holds up as a close second for me. Between rides and scares, we stopped by the Festhaus in Germany, which is always a great spot for food, drinks, and live entertainment. One of the coolest discoveries of the night was a hidden speakeasy tucked away inside the park, but I won't tell you where! They served themed cocktails and beer. It was the perfect quiet escape from all the chaos outside. The park was clean, the staff were friendly, and the overall experience was fantastic. Can't wait to come back. Whether it's for the next festival, a summer visit, or another round of Halloween fun! read more

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Busch Gardens is a family favorite that always makes for a wonderful day. I am thankful that it now stays open mostly year round as it's the perfect place to spend our weekends as a local. The membership passes are the way to go for us. You get your moneys worth and then some! read more

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Service has definitely gone down. Pre purchased my parking but the bar code did not work so I had to pay again when I came in. Then there was no way to get to the disabled parking area. I brought my dad with me and we had a parking placard but the parking lot attendant directed us to general parking. Then when we got to the entrance and only 2 of the then self check out kiosks were operating. No real life people so I had to go to guest services. Line there was long so it took forever just to get in. Very frustrating. Once in the park it was ok but they really need to improve the entry procedures. read more

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My family and I decided to play hooky in May, the week before school got out. That's mainly relevant because apparently a lot of their staff will be high school kids, so while they are still in school, they generally only have 2 people max working in places... Like in the food places, one person rings up while one dishes food. It tragically makes the line go really slow, which sucks when you are waiting for things like Rita's shaved ice on a hot day. Or there will be one person working two carnival games, so you have to stand around waiting for him to come back if your kiddo wants to play a game before you leave. Some of the food is good, and some is super disappointing and not at all worth the price. The kids opted for bacon cheese fries for lunch and it was literally room temperature fries from a warming tray, and cold shredded cheese. No melting was involved, so it was just sort of bland and weird. They also don't have lids for anything, so if you leave your husband and kids outside while you grab food, it is really difficult to carry your $6 fountain soda without spilling if you have more than one, or food too. They really want you to purchase the specialty cups with lids apparently. They also only have about three water bottle filling stations, but the alternative is wait in a huge line to get a drink that they pour. We didn't see any self-serve drink dispensers like they have at SeaWorld. They do have a really great program if you have disabilities, like if your kiddos are on the spectrum like mine. There is no way they can stand for 50 minutes, crushed in by people on all sides waiting in the line, so they sign off on this paper you carry around and you get to come back in 50 minutes. They never would have been able to ride any of the more popular rides without it, so it was really great that they got to go sit down in the shade and eat shaved ice while waiting their turn. The app is somewhat helpful, but it isn't super convenient to walk around with your phone up all day, so I do wish the rides themselves were a little more helpful. Like some of the rides list the MINIMUM height, but not the maximum height if it is a kiddie right. Seems like something that would be posted on the sign before you wait in the line? And maybe list a little bit more of what the ride consists for of before you get on. Does it contain upside downtime, sideways riding, etc. It seems that they just kind of take for granted that people already know what each coaster and stuff consists of, which can be pretty nerve wracking if it is your first time visiting. The parking is a bit on the expensive side, and the handicapped parking was unmarked how to get there. Overall, I'm not sure if this place merits a return trip. It was okay, but rather expensive and underwhelming in my opinion. read more

Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Bacon cheese fries - Amusement Parks Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

Busch gardens is so much fun! I felt like a kid again. I went as a guest with some friends. Since it's spooky season howl-of-screams was happening which added a festive touch. I rode roller coasters for the first time in years and had a blast. The funnel cake was delicious and I had some refreshing Rita's. Can't wait to go back again. read more

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This was a very disappointing day in April 2026. I cannot, for the life of me, understand why you would open the park at 10 AM when the rides and food locations are still closed. If you are hoping to grab a quick snack and then hop on a on a ride at 10AM, this park is not for you. If you say you are open at 10AM, everything should be ready for guests at that time. I love visiting theme parks, and I have never had so much trouble trying to find food options. Most parks have food carts throughout the park where you can grab a snack, on the go, along with a myriad of food locations to choose from. This park had a surprising lack of food options available, further complicated by our party's dietary restrictions, which made it hard to enjoy the day. If you want Dip 'n Dots or sweets you're covered but if you actually need to eat, especially for medical reasons, I would pack your own food! As for the rides, I was floored by the lack of employees on the platforms. Most parks I have visited have attendants directing the lines on the platforms like a well-oiled machine. Each ride at this park was like a "cattle call" which just made the wait times longer and left several empty seats on each run. I grew up going to Cedar Point so, comparably, the coasters at this park are not worth all of this hassle when other parks have gotten the basics figured out. read more

I had a blast after visiting since childhood. I enjoyed each ride. I also enjoyed the shaded areas. I was also excited to enjoy Rita's Italian Ice. The wait times were not extensive, and I picked a slow day to visit. I was not happy that a few rides were closed due to maintenance. However, I recommended this park. It was clean, friendly, and fun. There was ample parking available for all vehicles. However, the bathrooms need to be remodeled. I would have also liked a different variety of shows and restaurants. Overall, I will return again. The highlight of my trip was riding the Pantheon, Apollos, Tempesto, and Griffon Rollercoasters. I was lit for sure! read more

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Beautiful park--clean, beautifully decorated, and almost Halloween-ready! The coasters are incredible--smooth, fast, and full of thrilling drops (even the wooden one was smooth!). The dark rides kept us on our toes with awesome surprises. We grabbed the all-day dining pass, which was such a win--good food every 90 minutes! Plenty of parking, short lines (never more than 30 mins!), and nonstop fun. A fantastic park for thrill-seekers and families alike! read more

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It never fails. I arrive at the front of the line for Verbolten, one of many high speed roller coasters in the park, and i start to get anxious and wonder why the hell do I do this to myself. Then after an approximate one minute ride of hills, turns, and unexpected drops, I find myself wanting to get in line again! BG has 7 major roller coasters as well as several other thrill rides that do not ddisappoint. There are other rides as well to fit everyone's preference from the train to a kid friendly section in Sesame's Forest of Fun. I grew up in Virginia and went to college nearby. I even worked at Busch Gardens my junior year but this review is NOT biased at all!! I took this beautiful, exciting and entertaining park for granted all those years! After visiting the Busch Gardens Tampa several times, it is not nearly as great as this one. It's no wonder why this park has been voted America's most beautiful theme park. It is well decorated with colorful flowers and trees creating good shade for those hot summer visits. It represents 5 countries of Europe and does not diappoint with the food representations of Germany, France, Italy, New France, England, and Germany. My favorite is the beef cannelloni in Italy and the Irish stew in Ireland; not your typical pizza, burgers, and hot dogs found in other theme parks. And of course, the beer! Prost! Other than the rides, the entertainment is fantastic. You can see shows varying from Celtic dancers to a celebratory audience involved song and dance in Germany's festhaust. There is something for everyone. My only complaint is the longggg line and tram ride to the parking lot which seems to be located in Mongolia. I hope to be back for the return of the beloved Big Bad Wolf in 2025!! read more

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We went back after 2 years and nothing much has changed much, but had a fun time and went for 2 full days and wanted to do more. We did finally do the boat tour which is a 15 minute boat tour of the lake where they take you 7.5 minutes and then head back. Then, they had a new ride the big bad wolf which is a fun family ride, but hidden in the back of Festhaus. We did not watch much entertainment either. If you want to ride all of the rides, best day to go is a Friday as it was not too busy as the most we waited was for 45 minutes that is for the Darkoaster which I have a blast riding on. Some rides do require you to have no phones in the pocket even there is a zipper so they make you put it in the small cage which is not too bad, like Panthereon. Panthereon is my favorite ride, but this ride does break down quite a bit. I remember I got a VIP ride on this and it then broke down after I rode it. I do like Le Scot too and Roman Rapids, but the water rides do open at 11am to 8pm. I do like Roman Rapids and got to ride this finally, you do get soaked as there are mini water falls at the end. This park has a lot of different variety of rides for the family, thrill and water rides which I enjoy. My wife and I did the all you can eat pass for $52 dollars for 2 days and we were trying to get as much meals as we can, so we were eating every 90 minutes and were stuffed and in pain just so we can get our money's worth. We tried all the food that was available in the pass except for the burgers in London. But the all you can eat dining pass comes with a drink and a snack as well. Definitely worth the price to get especially if each meals costs $30 dollars if bought individually. I would recommend getting the BBQ at the Canada. The only thing I do not like about United Parks is when you meet the mascots the employees won't take a picture on your camera, but only take pictures if you get a photo key. read more

Do not buy your tickets in advance especially if traveling out of state. Today March 13,2026myself and many other families showed up at 10am because that is what their website said prior to them changing it to 3pm-9pm at some point. When google, and Trip Advisor who I purchased my tickets in advance stated that hours would be 10-9. There was no weather conditions to have changed park hours that day. Now not only myself, but many other families were deceived in paying a full day and only getting to attend 3-9pm. So, in that do not buy in advance or you may get ripped off like I did! read more

The lines for the rides weren't as long as I expected. Unsurprisingly, prices are high inside. Food is certainly edible but nothing to write home about. The reusable cups for fountain drinks don't make sense for people who don't drink soda, so I bought an over-priced disposable bottle of water and refilled it at water fountains throughout the park and just told myself the microplastics add to the mouthfeel of the water. Docked a star for some rides being not functional and the insanely long lines at the smokehouse restaurant. read more

Our first time visiting Williamsburg and we had to go to Busch gardens. Truly a beautiful park with endless things to eat, see, and do! We enjoyed bites in Ireland, Poland, France, and Germany, we saw wolves, eagles, and other birds in an aviary enclosure, we met Dakota the beautiful Clydesdale, and we rode the most exciting rides. We went in the morning on a Friday and the line to get in was VERY big. When we left later in the afternoon around 2pm there was no line, so definitely consider coming later if you don't want to deal with the initial crowd. However, inside the park it doesn't feel "crowded." The lines for some rides are longer, which is understandable. We're low thrill people so we chose the calmer rides which did not have a long wait - maybe 5-10 minutes max! The staff are super friendly and the park facilities are very clean. 100/10 will definitely come back! read more

Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Amusement Parks Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

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Busch Gardens is super clean, with great theming (except for Pantheon), and a great lineup of top class (exciting and original coasters). Food is expensive, but every park is, however portions were decent and in most cases we could split a meal. It was $35 to park, which is a lot, but again you are in a theme park. I really enjoyed Pantheon, Apollo's Chariot, Griffin, and Verbolton. Hoping to get on Alpengeist next time around. read more

Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Amusement Parks Near Me - Williamsburg, Virginia

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Busch gardens is always a great time for the holidays, especially when they are doing their Christmas town. The shows were amazing and they had such great talented staff. I knocked off a star for some mishaps that could easily be avoided. We were directed to the wrong parking area compared to what we paid for, but luckily we noticed ourselves and told the attendant and he re-directed us correctly. We also couldn't get hot cocoa because despite the shop being open they said they weren't actually ready upon opening. Some food places also opened later than their advertised time. This is disappointing considering we time when to get food/drinks around the show schedules. Despite this, the park is still enjoyable to get into the holiday spirit. read more

Waste of money, great rides bad people working. Workers have no idea what's going throughout the park. If you've come for the German experience I hope you like Marzen Spaten bc that's the only German thing in the building read more

Whether or not you enjoy riding coasters (note: I do not), Busch Gardens is a lovely amusement park full of options for fun. I enjoy visiting for their special events, and I've attended both Howl-o-Scream and Christmastown. I'd say Halloween is the best time of year to visit as the temperatures aren't insane one extreme or another generally and the park is lively and exciting. I love their performances and haunted houses, especially. And you can't miss a ride on the teacups! (Yes, that is my thrill limit.) read more

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A virginia institution! And its age is showing ! Love the idea of Christmas town! The entertainment was excellent ! Security good ! Parking is disastrous ! We parked in Germany 24 ! My wife has serious issues walking! It became so what dangerous on the way back ! The tram was trying to make light of the situation ! They closed that tram station down because of the bridge ! Still it's an issue! I certainly didn't feel helped. ! I noticed that this place has lost some of its glamour ! The bbq was good! The staff serving the food was rude! The check out was good! read more

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THE BEST THEME PARK EVER!! The rides are fun and thrilling and plus animals to see and lots of fun and so many kinds of food to eat and plus you get unlimited free drinks when you buy an bush gardens cup and the rides are super awesome and they have best themes for all holidays and i appreciate all hard work the staff does at bush gardens I been coming here for years absolutely remarkable place and theme park and so awesome. The food is very expensive and definitely become a member you can get discounts and etc and staff and the train is so much fun and plus the different countries are so cool and wonderful definitely come extremely early to get good parking and etc and make sure you go home early if you have kiddos or toddlers or babies parents and keep close eye on all ur kids and teenagers. Give the staff extra tips and credit for all their hard work they work externally hard 7 days week from early morning until they close and be patient and respectful and smile and say thank you to all of them and the staff decorates all park all holidays it is OUTSTANDING GORGEOUS!!! I love coming here so much I wish they would add more rides and more new items of food etc plus water parks at their water park every few years. HAPPY FALL EVERYONE!! From Lauren read more

I enjoyed our visit. Nice themed places to visit and food tasting. The rides were also fun. Definitely recommended when in Williamsburg. read more

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The park is absolutely beautiful. I could see why they say it's the most beautiful theme park since everything is so vibrant and beautifully decorated. It is similar to other parks with all its themes and such. There are plenty of rides and they really stress on the roller coasters. For a first time visitor, it can be truly overwhelming without having done some research and planning on how to tackle all the lands in the park. Everything in the park besides the rides and shows are extra $$$ and not cheap. To start, general parking starts at $32 with taking a tram to the park entrance while preferred is a short walk to the entrance and VIP must be much closer. The food also costs more than it's worth. Sad part is, you can't bring your own. You could if you have dietary sensitivities and even before then, the park must be contacted for approval prior to bringing anything in. You can go back to your vehicle to eat your food though. So this goes back to properly planning if you're really deep into the park around meal times. We arrived shortly before noon and stayed till 9p. Had we arrived at park opening, we may not have missed out on England. Though maybe had we planned better, we could have made do with 10 hours. There's some waiting periods though not too long. Unless I had a season pass and without little kids, I may have gone back again. It's a one time visit for me and I think that's enough. read more

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I went to Busch garden for the first time and it was a lot of fun. I am not a fan of roller coasters and big rides but I felt like it was shameful that I've lived in northern va/Richmond for 14 years and never been to Busch gardens so I had to go. It is a nice theme park with a lot of things to do. I enjoyed looking at the birds and visiting the different countries. I went on a Tuesday in July and it was really hot in the 90s. I was sweating until the sunset. I was there from 11am to 10pm, watched the fireworks for 4th of July before I left. I went on 2 rides. 1 ride, I waited 20 mins and the other one, waited 35 mins. This was a weekday so imagine weekends. The environment is clean, friends and families just hanging out having a good time. A lot of places to eat, snacks and drinks. I did the all day dinning deal, I paid $60. With this deal, you can eat at any of the cafeteria every 90 minutes. It wasn't a bad deal but I don't think it was worth it to me. The lines were long to get food and you only get an entree, 1 side and a drink. The person I went with was a little upset, 2 of the rides he really wanted to go on were down and other things he was hoping for were no longer there so kind of disappointing but still a lot of fun. Overall, it was a good experience. We got the season pass for about $140 to be able to go 6 different times in a year with a guest. I think that's a good deal and you get preferred parking. Also you can go to water country with this pass. I enjoyed the environment, I plan on going back during Halloween and Christmas times. read more

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Eveyone loves the rides and the train. The food is terrible. Upgrade food and prices. Parking so expensive. Put a restroom out there too.

We went to BG for Christmas town. It was cold so bundle up but it was very nice. Very nicely decorated. Lots of rides are still open (they will turn them off if below 42 degrees). They have a few restaurants (almost all the same food at each one). We got the meal plan which was great and it was nice not having to worry about buying food at the park. read more

Busch Gardens is a great place for family fun. Since the pandemic, the cleanliness of the bathrooms and food quality has been dismal and substandard. read more

Read fine print and prices very carefully, price says once thing and changes when you pick a date!! Ticket is NOT included and price is outrageous even when there are NO Park lines. It is a rip off! Will Never return to this park again, nor recommend it when they have no problem taking people's money for nothing. Shame on YOU Busch Gardens of Williamsburg!! Park Employees are NOT nice as well!!! read more

It's always fun returning to Busch Gardens year after year to see how the park expands and upgrades. My favorite time of the year to come is during Howl-o-Scream. I feel like the employees really get into character and the park invests a lot of time and detail into the decor. I enjoy all of the rides and mazes and think it's cool how they add new rides pretty often. My favorite part of the trip was seeing a show located in Ireland. It was very funny and had a lot of pop culture jokes. My least favorite part of the trip was not being able to tell where the "safe zones" were after dark. I thought an area lit in green meant there would be no scares and people in costume but that wasn't consistent throughout the park. I'm super grateful for the military tickets I got to use with my family. Overall I had a great time and can't wait to go back next year! read more

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