Busch Gardens Williamsburg Amusement Park

Busch Gardens® Williamsburg offers adventures for the entire family. Attractions at the European-themed park range from world-class coasters to scenic river cruises. ©2016 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Busch Gardens Williamsburg:

Any traveler would love Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It's a European-themed park, allowing you to travel through several European countries in just one day! ;-) You won't even need your passport this time!

There are over 50 rides/attractions, awesome coasters, beautiful landscaping, live stage shows, a kids area with Sesame Street theme, and food from around the world! 

At DaVinci's Garden of Inventions at Busch Gardens® Williamsburg, guests find thrill rides that pay tribute to the genius of the 15th-century Italian artist and inventor Leonardo Da Vinci. ©2016 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Tickets & Entry:

There are a number of options forentry into Busch Gardens Williamsburg. 2 in our party were guests of Busch Gardens (thanks so much guys!!) The rest of our party had caught a great promo on Groupon for 7 day tickets with unlimited entry to Busch Gardens Williamsburg as well as Water Country USA. 

​You can also purchase tickets online or at the gate. 

Here are the official 2017 rates at the park:
​
 Adult (10 and up) $90
Children (3 - 9) $80
Children (2 and under) FREE
1 Park, One Year Pass: enjoy 12 months of unlimited fun, parking and discounts for $12 per month on EZpay or a one-time $144 payment.
2 Park, One Year Pass: enjoy 12 months of unlimited fun at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA, parking and discounts for $16 per month on EZpay or a one-time $192 payment.
Platinum One Year Pass: enjoy 12 months of unlimited fun at 11 amazing parks, parking and discounts for $19 per month on EZpay or a one-time $228 payment.
Free 2-Park Preschool Pass: children ages 3-5 can enjoy unlimited admission to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA all summer for free through Sept. 10. This offer must be redeemed in-park by May 31.
Busch Gardens Fun Card: pay for a day and visit as much as you want through Sept. 4 for the price of a single-day ticket.
Busch Gardens and Water Country USA 2-Park Fun Card: for only $25 more than a Busch Gardens Fun Card, add unlimited visits to Water Country USA all summer.

Rides:

Busch Gardens has a lot of great rides for the whole family. We're really into the coasters and there are some great ones! I don't think I rode any coaster that I thought "I would never ride that again!" That happened to me at Cedar Point. Some rides jolt you around so much you end up with a bad neck ache or even smash your head on the "protective" parts of the ride and kind of ruin the mood. Anyway, I didn't experience that at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. 

Here are some great action shots from some of the coasters (and at the classic swings *wink*)

If you want an official list of rides and attractions in each area of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, scroll to the bottom and click "read more" under the heading "Ride List" 

Alpengiest® at Busch Gardens® Williamsburg sends riders 195 feet in the air hurling through six staggering inversions at speeds up to 67 mph. ©2016 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Apollo's Chariot® at Busch Gardens® Williamsburg takes guests on a pulse-quickening journey, plummeting passengers a total of 825 feet over nine camelback humps. ©2016 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Der Wirbelwind offers a sky-high view of Busch Gardens®. Enjoy thrilling roller coasters and rides, animal encounters and great dining amidst a backdrop of charming European villages at Busch Gardens, the world’s most beautiful theme park. ©2016 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Griffon®, the world's tallest, floorless dive coaster carries riders 205 feet up, then hurtles them 90 degrees straight down at more than 75 mph before passing through a water brake finale, making the dive coaster fun for onlookers as well as riders. ©2016 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The legendary Loch Ness Monster®, a double-looping serpentine roller coaster, looms over Busch Gardens® Williamsburg. Reaching 13 stories in height, this creature offers a spine-tingling ride at speeds approaching 60 mph. Loch Ness Monster® celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2008. ©2016 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Guests daring enough to take on Tempesto™ will race into unbelievably tight turns at 63 miles per hour and defy gravity as they roll through a complete inversion 154 feet in the air. This Busch Gardens® thrill coaster features three launch experiences and Tempesto’s signature loop-the-loop. ©2016 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Verbolten®, Busch Gardens’ thrilling multi-launch roller coaster, features a daring “wrong-way bridge” that leads riders to an 88-foot drop toward the Rhine River. Verbolten’s passengers experience a multi-sensory dash through the Black Forest with multiple launches, environmental-theme elements, sound and light effects and high-speed turns that must be experienced to believe. ©2016 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Entertainment:

Entertainment varies annually and throughout the season. 

Check the schedule on the map when you get to Busch Gardens for the entertainment schedule. We caught:


BritmaniaTM
One of two new shows at Busch Gardens for 2017, BritmaniaTM is a musical revue featuring British hits from the 1960s to today. Music from an assortment of genres, including pop, rock-and-roll and funk, will be performed by live singers and dancers on stage. The show debuts June 30 and will be performed throughout the day in the Globe Theatre.

[I wasn't overly impressed with this one. For a family park and show, I found some of the costumes to be on the distasteful side. Still, it was a nice break for walking around and the theater is air-conditioned.]


OktoberZest
This new show, performed in Das Festhaus® in the Oktoberfest village, features German music and dances with a modern and new approach. Guests can enjoy a German meal in the large dining hall while being entertained by cultural singers, dancers and musicians. 

[We missed most of this show and I was so sad. The food line took much longer than expected. Still, the last five minutes or so that we saw I really, really loved. I would make a point on a future visit to get to this early and see the whole show!]

Dining Options:

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is currently offering 3 options under their Dining Plans 

1. Drink All Day Souvenir Cup - 28 ounce cup with handle gives you free fountain drink and icee refills all day on the day of purchase and discounted refills on subsequent visits. ($13.99)
2. Busch Gardens Williamsburg Dining Plan - 1 entree, 1 snack, and 2 beverages.
   (adults: $23.59 children: $15.39 save up to 35%)
3. Busch Gardens Williamsburg Deluxe Dining Plan - 2 entrees, 1 side or dessert, 1 snack, 1 unlimited refill souvenir cup. (adults: $33.59 children $25.39 save up to 45%) 

[We went for option three for a one day visit to the park. I think this is a great option. It's a comfort to know you're not going to starve all day because you don't want to spend park prices on food. You're still paying for it, obviously, but the discount makes it much more bearable! Also, on scorching days like when we went, you will really value the unlimited refills to keep your fluids and electrolytes up! No one wants a hospital visit for dehydration to be their last stop for the day after the amusement park. No amusement there....  The entrees must be spaced 1 hour apart. So you can't get 2 entrees at the same time. No problem, you're there all day! 

I did find it confusing that there is no real listing of where you can use these or what meal items are included. At Cedar Point, not every item at every restaurant was included in their meal plan, for instance. 

So here's what we learned.

• Each time you use it you can get a receipt which shows what you have used from your dining plan and what remains. 
• We were able to get any entree at the places we went to. 
• ​In England I got a Surf N Turf Burger (Burger, with Battered & Fried Fish on top) came with fries. I think the regular price of that was around $12
• In Germany I got a platter of sausage, ribs, sauerkraut, potatoes and I think it was priced at around $15-16. As a side I grabbed pretzels there
• For the "snack" I tried a funnel cake topped with apples and Carmel and ice cream. I didn't like the apples. They were thick and syrupy. The Carmel and ice cream were good and the funnel cake was delightful as always.
• "Desserts" seemed to be slices of cake or jello cups etc that you could get in the restaurants. Some of them looked really good! 
• I think the best value with or without the meal plan is to eat in Germany. The food is incredibly good and super hearty/filling. The environment is really fun also. When I return I may eat in Germany twice ;-)
  
  

​I hope this is helpful. I couldn't find much info online about this before I went so I wanted to try to provide some insight as to what is included in the Busch Gardens Williamsburg meal plans. Let me know if you have any other questions and If I happen to know the answer I will certainly help! 

Busch Gardens Williamsburg Deluxe Meal Plan - The receipt lets you know which entitlements you have already used, and which remain.

Summary:

I loved my visit to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It's a great amusement park with a lot of variety and of course I love the design based on different countries and cultures. It has something to offer for everyone in your family in terms of rides and entertainment. And it's not too overwhelming to visit. Although it was scorching when I went, it was a perfect day because lines were short to nonexistent!!! We rode several coasters multiple times which on an average day would probably have had waits of 30 minutes or more whereas we walked right on or only had to wait 5 minutes! Total score! I can't wait to come back!!! 

Ride List:

Below is a list of rides and attractions in each area of Busch Gardens Williamsburg and a description. The rides in Green are rides I rode and highly recommend. Yellow = it was just okay to me. Red = I don't recommend. Fortunately, I have no red ones! 

Anything else I did not ride or experience first hand on this visit. 

THRILL RIDES
InvadR TM: Hold on to your Viking helmet and feel the wind in your beard on the park’s first-ever wooden coaster. Blaze through the tunnels and let the world hear your battle cry as you race through the high- banked turns. Grab your family and run for the hills aboard InvadR.

•   Opening spring of 2017
•   Reaches speeds of 48 mph
•   Featuring a 74-foot drop and nine airtime hills
•   Situated near the trapper’s village in New France
•   Height requirement of 46 inches
  
  

Tempesto®: In the rich tradition of the classic Italian daredevils, no single man wowed the crowds like Tempesto®. Busch Gardens’ daring roller coaster, Tempesto, lets riders take center stage and recreate his signature stunt. The same hills and thrills that made the people cheer “Tempesto!” are waiting for guests at Busch Gardens.

•   Multi-launch coaster with a high-speed station experience and a 154-foot inversion.
•   Reaches speeds of 63 mph.
•   Height requirement of 54 inches
• ​  Situated in Festa Italia, opened April 2015 

​Verbolten®: Busch Gardens’ multi-launch, indoor/outdoor roller coaster will send guests on a fun and mystifying family adventure through the Black Forest. Situated in the park’s Oktoberfest village, a German tourist center serves as the ride entrance and as the launching point for an autobahn touring experience that will keep the whole family on the edge of their seats.

•   Multi-launch coaster with environmental theme elements, sounds and light effects, high speed turns and an 88-foot final drop to the water
•   Reaches speeds of 53 mph
•   Height requirement of 48 inches
•   Situated in Oktoberfest, Verbolten® opened May 2012

Mäch Tower®: As guests enter Busch Gardens’ Oktoberfest, they will see the massive spire known as Mäch Tower®. This thrill ride takes guests on the ride of their lives. The tallest attraction in the park, Mäch Tower lifts up to 30 riders nearly 240 feet above Oktoberfest. After rotating at the top of the tower and getting a few seconds to take in the view, riders drop at breathtaking speed. State-of-the-art special effects including enhanced audio and other surprises elevate Mäch Tower to new heights in ride design and engineering.

•   Drop Tower attraction that raises riders up to a height of 240 feet, then drops them into a 60 mph free-fall
•   Other elements include: rotating carousel, on-board audio and seat vibrations
•   Height requirement of 48 inches
•   Situated in Oktoberfest, Mäch Tower opened Aug. 2011

Griffon®: Busch Gardens® defines a whole new generation of roller coasters with the addition of Griffon®, one of the world’s tallest and first floorless dive coasters. The park’s steel marvel plunges thrill- seekers 205 feet at 75 miles per hour. Named for a mythical beast that is part eagle and part lion, Griffon is an adrenaline-pumping adventure that’s unlike any coaster experience in the world.

•   A 205-foot initial dive, 90 degrees straight down
•   A second drop of 130-feet
•   Water feature
•   Height requirement of 54 inches
•   Situated in France, Griffon opened May 2007
• 
  

Curse of DarKastle: The Ride: Deep in the snow-drift hills of Bavaria sits a grand castle frozen in time. Riders can journey to the other side during this bone-chilling chase packed with dizzying simulated drops, fog, shattering ice and pyrotechnic special effects. Curse of DarKastle: The Ride generates a multi- sensory experience unlike anything else. The pulse-pounding ride’s integrated theme elements, 3-D visuals and special effects push the envelope of theme park technology.

•   Following a nearly two-minute pre-show that hints at a mysterious legend, guests board golden sleighs for a mesmerizing three-and-a-half-minute journey.
•   Height requirement of 42 inches
•   Situated in Germany, Curse of DarKastle opened May 2005

Apollo’s Chariot®: Hold on to your seats when you ride this amazing hypercoaster. Apollo’s Chariot® plummets guests a combined 825 feet over several scream-inducing hills.

•   Reaches speeds of 73 mph
•   Carries 36 passengers per train more than 4,882 feet of track in two minutes
•   Initial drop plunges guests more than 210 feet
•   Guests sit in elevated seats, creating a “free-flight” sensation
•   Situated in Italy, the high-speed coaster opened March 1999

Alpengeist®: A snow monster notorious for once stalking the French and German Alps, Alpengeist® is rumored to be lurking in the shadows of Busch Gardens’ Germany. Marks of its mischief are evident as the ski-lift-style roller coaster careens uncontrollably, propelling riders on a dynamic, high-speed journey.

•   Hurtles riders down 3,828 feet of track
•   Riders experience six inversions at speeds up to 67 mph
•   Highest point is 195 feet
•   Inversion elements include the Immelmann, 106-foot vertical loop, cobra roll, zero-G roll, flat
• spin, and high-speed spiral
•   Situated in Germany, Alpengeist opened April 1997

Loch Ness Monster®: Continually rated a favorite by park guests, this classic interlocking, double- looping roller coaster gives guests a peek at Scotland’s most infamous serpent. “Nessie” hurls its passengers along 3,240 feet of steel track into the air, over water, and through a dark cave.

•   World’s first, and currently only, interlocking, double-looping, steel roller coaster
•   Coaster takes riders 13 stories up before racing down a 114-foot drop
•   Reaching a speed of 60 mph, “Nessie” carries 1,700 passengers per hour
•   Situated in Scotland, the Loch Ness Monster opened in 1978
•   Since its debut, more than 50 million guests have challenged the interlocking, double-looping roller coaster
  
  
  

ADDITIONAL THRILL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS


ENGLAND
The Aeronaut Skyride [Great way to see the park from above and rest your feet!]
This sky-high mode of transportation provides guests with a scenic tour of the “World’s Most Beautiful Amusement Park.” Passengers enjoy views of all six European countries while relaxing 80 feet in the air. The skyride stops in England, France, and Germany.

Sesame Street® Forest of FunTM at Busch Gardens®
Elmo, Cookie Monster and many of their Sesame Street® friends have come to Busch Gardens® and are here to stay. At Sesame Street Forest of Fun, every day is cause for a Sunny Day Celebration.

 Elmo's Castle - Interactive stage and wet play area  Prince Elmo's Spire - shot-n-drop ride

 Grover's Alpine Express - roller coaster

 Bert and Ernie's Loch Adventure - flume ride

 Oscar's Whirly Worms - rock-n-tug ride

 Oscar's Yucky Forest - dry play area
​
 1-2-3 Smile with Me! - character and guest photograph experience


SCOTLAND
Tweedside Train Station
All aboard! Busch Gardens’ three steam-powered locomotives whisk guests through 100 acres of lush landscaping with stops in Scotland, Italy, and France for a breathtaking tour of the park.

Li’l Clydes
For young riders, horsing around has never been this fun. A classic ride for younger guests.


FRANCE
Le Scoot Log Flume
In a rustic French village, guests looking to cool off on a warm day head to Le Scoot log flume where a refreshing 50-foot vertical plunge through an old saw mill awaits. Le Scoot celebrated its 40th anniversary in spring 2015.

Le Catapult
Undulating far and wide, guests are propelled on Busch Gardens’ catapult.


GERMANY
Der Autobahn, Der Autobahn Jr.
A Busch Gardens’ classic, Der Autobahn provides the whole family with bumper car fun. Adjacent to Der Autobahn, Der Autobahn Jr. is child-friendly and perfect for younger drivers.

Rhine River Cruise
A relaxing cruise on the Rhine River showcases the beauty of the 134-acre park.

Der Wirbelwind, Wirbelwindchen
Der Wirbelwind classic swings propel guests to harrowing heights. Wirbelwindchen, the child-friendly version of Der Wirbelwind, is perfect for the park’s younger guests.

Land of the Dragons®
Land of the Dragons® is a magical play area designed especially for kids. Featuring a three-story treehouse, a Ferris wheel, and children’s show, this entertaining area offers tons of fun for little ones. Land of the Dragons celebrated its 20th anniversary in spring 2014.

Kinder Karussel
Restored to its original condition, this antique Herschell Carousel features 36 hand-carved ponies and two double-bench chariots. It’s perfect for the entire family.

Roto Baron
Children get a taste of freedom while piloting these miniature red planes.


ITALY
Escape from Pompeii®
A seemingly serene boat ride through the ancient ruins of Pompeii turns explosive as Mt. Vesuvius begins erupting. Fiery effects end with a splash finish as the boat plunges riders into the lagoon pool below.

Da Vinci’s Cradle
Da Vinci’s Cradle offers passengers anything but a peaceful rocking experience. This cradle defies the laws of gravity as it plunges to the ground and soars to the skies.

Roman Rapids®
Visitors looking for a white-water adventure need look no further than Roman Rapids®. Ancient Roman ruins, erupting geysers and waterfalls create a thrilling family water ride.

Battering Ram
Renowned Italian inventor Leonardo Da Vinci would have been pleased with this creation. Guests brave enough to board the oversized gondola encounter a powerful pendulum swing.

Flying Machine
The Flying Machine is one twisted ride, situated in Da Vinci’s Garden of Inventions.

Turkish Delight
Tea parties were never this fun. Riders may take turns controlling the “spin-factor” of these life-sized teacups.

Trade Wind
A park classic, guests who board this music express are bound for adventure.

Little Gliders
Younger guests get a taste of flying on this uplifting adventure.

Little Balloons
Up, up, and away. Colorful balloons take children on a lofty ride.

Elephant Run
A child’s version of Trade Wind, the tame Elephant Run will have kids running back for more fun. 

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FYI: While some in our party were guests of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, all opinions in this post are exclusively mine! ;o)