The Best Tips for Busch Gardens Williamsburg – A Complete Guide
Do you need some tips for Busch Gardens Williamsburg? Whether it is your first time or it’s been a while this guide will help you plan the ultimate trip to Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Busch Gardens sponsored our trip and we are excited to share with you all that we learned and tips for Busch Gardens that you might not think of.
In this post, we will go over the most important things such as tickets, hours, and the best time to go. But we will also give you a great Busch Gardens Williamsburg map and an overview of the park so you know which areas you have to visit first.
Let’s explore the best tips for visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg!
If you want to save this information for later be sure to pin this to Pinterest.
This post may contain affiliate links (Including Amazon) that will give me a commission at no additional charge to you.
1. Why you Should Visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg
There are many reasons why you should visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I’m excited to share with you my favorites.
Beautiful Park
Busch Gardens Williamsburg has been voted the most beautiful amusement park in the country for the last 34 years!
I have to say it is beautiful! There was one point when I was on top of a roller coaster where I looked out and saw the beautiful landscape from above that I totally forgot I was about to drop hundreds of feet going 73 miles an hour.
Very Clean
One thing I love about Busch Gardens is that it is very clean. The gardens are in impeccable shape and the grounds are well-kept. Busch Gardens is really well cared for.
Roller Coasters
Roller Coasters are the main reason my kids want to visit Busch Gardens. There are some amazing coasters! I have been to many amusement parks and Busch Gardens has some fantastic and I would say quality coasters.
Shows
The shows at Busch Gardens are phenomenal. The performers are talented and the productions are outstanding.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a legit park. You will love it!
2. Getting to Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is located about 14 -17 minutes from downtown Williamsburg. If you are staying in a hotel in Williamsburg you probably should plan at least a 14-minute drive.
Traveling From Norfolk Virginia
Norfolk is located one hour away from Busch Gardens. There is an International Airport in Norfolk. It is a great place to fly in if you want to visit all the amazing sites in Williamsburg.
Traveling From Richmond Virginia
Richmond is just under an hour to Busch Gardens. It is another option if you are looking to fly into the area. RIC is an international airport not too far away from Williamsburg.
Traveling From Washington DC
We actually drove from DC. We lived in DC, so I know that it will not always be the 2.5 hours that Google maps says it should take. Depending on traffic it can take longer. I would plan 3 to 3.5 hours to get to Busch Gardens Williamsburg from Washington DC.
3. What is the Best Time to Visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
Busch Gardens in Williamsburg is open year round. You can guarantee it will be open every weekend throughout the year. During late fall, winter, and early spring and on some weekdays the park will be closed. The park is open during holiday weeks and every day in the summer.
What is the Best Time To Go?
The most popular months are October, December, and April. Shorter lines will be found in January, June, and August. We went in July and walked on to every ride!!!
Hot Tips for Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Days of the week matter. If you want shorter lines Tuesday and Wednesday are the days to pick.
If you want more entertainment options the weekends are awesome. There are a lot more shows on the weekends but the crowds will be larger and the lines will be longer.
Weather in Williamsburg
December through March temperatures are between 49 – 60 degrees. April – November the temps range from 60 – 89 on average. When we went in July the temperature was 94. It was hot!!!
4. Hours at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens’ hours vary depending on what time of year it is. Typically the park opens at 10:00 am. Closing times vary. During Halloween, the park stays open later. During off-peak times, the park will close as early as 6:00 pm
Hot Tip for Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Arrive at the park early! (30 minutes or so) You will be able to scan your ticket and walk into the park. The closer you can get to the rope drop area the better.
5. Parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
There are three levels of parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. All of them can be purchased online before you go. General parking can be purchased as you arrive at Busch Gardens.
Busch Garden Williamsburg Parking Prices
1- Day General is $30
1- Day Preferred Parking is $35
1- Day VIP Reserved Parking is $40
Hot Tip for Busch Gardens Williamsburg Parking
If you go on a slow day general parking is really close to the front entrance. We were shocked at how close general parking was. This is one of the Busch Gardens tips we are excited to share!
We actually thought we took a wrong turn and accidentally ended up in preferred. We left the park for a break and came back later and still had a close and fantastic spot available.
One amazing thing about Busch Gardens is the awesome promotions and deals on tickets. These are the Busch Garden tips and tricks you want to know more about!
There are a few options for Busch Garden Williamsburg Tickets:
- Date Specific Ticket
- 2- Day Ticket
- 3- Day Ticket
- Season Pass
If you are looking for the best deals on Busch Gardens Tickets be sure to reach out to me through my Facebook Group. I can help you get the best price available.
Hot Tip for Busch Gardens Williamsburg
If you are going to go to the park for 3 days and you live somewhat close a season pass might be a good option for you.
Also, purchasing your tickets online ahead of time is your best option. But don’t worry if you didn’t have time there are kiosks available to buy tickets once you arrive at the park. (Ticket purchases are all done digitally.)
7. How Many Days Should I Spend at Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
Most people tend to plan weekend trips to Busch Garden Williamsburg. Keep that in mind when planning!
There are two parks Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA located next door to each other. If you are planning on going to both parks on a weekday 2-days will be perfect.
If you are going on a weekend you may want a 3-day pass because crowds are larger and you may not be able to ride everything in one day.
Hot Tip for Busch Gardens Williamsburg
We went on a Tuesday and it was not crowded. It was awesome. I had little kid duty and we did every little kid ride in the park by 3:00 pm (There are a lot of little kid rides too!) We arrived at the park opening.
The rest of my family was able to ride all the major roller coasters 4 and 5 times each! They played hard the entire day until closing!
1 day was enough time for us to do Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
8. Visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Accommodations
Busch Gardens does not have hotels located on-site. The closest hotel to Busch Gardens Williamsburg is the Double Tree. It is a 7-minute drive to the park.
Hot Tip for Busch Gardens Williamsburg
There are so many amazing places to stay in Williamsburg. We stayed at Marriott’s Manor Club at Ford Colony. It was amazing! There are 3 pools and activities such as a movie theater room, kids game room, bike rentals, and outdoor games. We loved it!
Another place I would stay if I had younger kids is Great Wolf Lodge. Great Wolf has an indoor water park and activities your kids will absolutely love.
There are lots of fun places to stay in the area.
9. Hot Tip for Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Arrive Early or Stay Late
My biggest tip for visiting Busch Gardens is to arrive early and stay late. When you arrive head straight to Pantheon if you are into roller coasters.
Hot Tip for Busch Gardens Williamsburg
This is one of the best tips for Busch Gardens….The last hour of the park is the best time to ride the popular rides. You can usually walk on and ride 4-5 rides in the last hour. (On a normal day, not a holiday.)
Let's Plan a Trip to Busch Gardens Williamsburg
In this next section, we are going to help you map out your plan of attack. Busch Gardens is laid out so well! It is easy to get around and find what you are looking for.
In this Busch Garden Map, we will start in Italy and work our way around the park. I will highlight the rides and shows in each area so you know what to do in each section.
Theming of Busch Gardens
There is a Europe theme at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Many countries and cultures are represented. The rides, the food, and the shows are all inspired by the countries they are located in.
Countries at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Italy
- Scotland
- England
- Ireland
- France
- New France
- Germany
- Oktober Fest
England does not have any ride, it is basically the park entrance.
10. Italy and Festa Italia at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Italy is a great place to start your day at Busch Gardens. The newest roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is located in this area. (Pantheon) If this coaster is on your list you will want to race to get in line when the park opens!
We are going to go over the different rides, shows, food, and fun that are located in Italy.
Rides
There are 5 major rides located in this area. We will give you some coaster tips for visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg Italy!
Coasters at Busch Garden Williamsburg Italy
- Pantheon
- Tempesto
- Apollos Chariot
- Escape from Pompeii
- Roman Rapids
Pantheon
Height Requirement: 52″
Maximum Height Requirement: 76″
Pantheon is the newest coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It opened in March 2022. It is awesome! One of the best rides in the entire park!
Tips for Visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg – Pantheon
- Make this your first ride of the day.
- Get in line right when the park opens!
- You will wait longer for the front row.
- Ride more than once. You will like it even better the second time.
Tempesto
Height Requirement: 54″
Tempesto is a fun coaster. You will shoot forwards and backward.
Tips for Visiting Busch Gardens Tempesto
- Sit on the front row
Apollo’s Chariot
Height Requirement: 52″
I loved Apollo’s Chariot. It is a classic. It has been around for a while but still offers a fun ride. One thing I noticed about it was the length of the coaster was 2 minutes. That was much longer than other coasters.
Visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg Apollo’s Chariot
- Don’t ride this one if you get sick on coasters
- This coaster is fast.
- Don’t bring loose articles on this ride.
Escape From Pompeii
Height Requirement: 42″
This is a water ride with great theming. You actually feel like you are near Mt. Vesuvius as it erupted in 79 AD! There is legit fire on the ride! It is hot too!
Tips for Visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg Escape From Pompeii
- You will get soaked.
- If you don’t want to get soaked wear a poncho.
- It is hot inside the ride, you will feel the fire.
- This ride is short.
Roman Rapids
Height Requirements: 42″
Unfortunately, Roman Rapids was closed when we went. It is themed like a canal race through Roman ruins.
Smaller Fun Rides in Italy
- Turkish Delight (Tea Cups)
- Flying Machine
- The Battering Ram
- The Little Balloons
Shows
There is a big stage in Italy that showcases musicians, and singers that perform Italian favorites. This show was a nice place to take a break. The performers can play multiple instruments and sing. It is worth taking the time and watching,
11. Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Germany
Germany has something for everyone, there is a great coaster, and also play areas for younger kids.
- Alpengeist
- Germany Sky Ride
- The Land of the Dragons
- Kinder Karussel
- Rhine River Cruise
Alpengeist
Height Requirement: 54″
Alpengiest is a fun roller coaster. It makes you feel like you are flying because your feet are hanging in the air!
Germany Sky Ride
The sky ride is a lift from Germany to England (which is at the front of the park) and then continues to France.
The Land of the Dragons
The Land of the Dragons was my 7-year-olds favorite place. There is a large tree house area, a splash pad, a rope net structure, and three rides.
Little Kid Rides Include:
- Ladybugs
- Boats
- Flying Dragons
Hot Tip for Busch Gardens Williamsburg
This area is so much fun. There is a splash pad. Bring a swimsuit for your little ones so they can get wet and cool off.
Kinder Karussel
Kinder Karussel is a classic ride that is great for all ages, especially kids! There are 36 ponies and 2 chariot chairs.
I rode on a chariot chair, it is a great place to take a break from all the walking!
Rhine River Cruise
The River Rhine Cruise is a great way to rest your feet and relax for a minute. The boats travel along the beautiful river that runs in the park.
This ride does not open when the park does. Hours are from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm. The ride is 10 minutes long.
Be on the lookout for wildlife along the trees.
12. Oktober Fest at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Oktoberfest is a fun area of Busch Gardens. My favorite roller coaster (Verbolten) is located in the area.
- Verbolten
- Mach Tower
- Der Wirbelwind
- Der Autobahn
Verbolten
Height Requirement: 48″
Verbolten was awesome! I am a huge dark coaster fan. This ride takes you through the forbidden forest and has some fun surprises. This coaster is fast and fun!
Mach Tower
Der Wirbelwind
Height Requirement: 40″
Der Wirbelwind is a swing ride. It is great for the theme of Oktoberfest! It is a beautiful carousel of swings.
Der Autobahn and Der Autobahn Jr.
Height Requirement: 42″ and 36″ for Jr. Autobahn
Bumper cars are the best! I love the theme of the Autobahn it is awesome! If you are not quite tall enough for the main ride, right next to it is the Jr. version. This is awesome if you have little kids that want to ride.
My 7-year-old loves this ride but this was the first time that he was actually able to go in a car alone and drive by himself. He had a little trouble but got it the second time he went.
13. Scotland at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Scotland is a smaller area with a big coaster! There are also animal encounters with Clyde horses.
- Highland Stables
- Loch Ness Monster
- Lil Clyde
Loch Ness Monster
Height Requirement: 48″
The Loch Ness Monster Coaster is a fun ride with twists, turns, and loops. It is a little older so the ride is bumpy.
Clyde Horses
There are a few beautiful Clyde horses that live in Scotland at Busch Gardens. They are beautiful animals. You can visit the stables and check out the horses. You can also pet them and love them.
Lil Clydes
Lil Clydes is a great ride for toddlers at Busch Gardens! It is fun after you see the horses to go on a “horsey ride”
14. Ireland at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Let’s take a trek to Ireland. Ireland at Busch Gardens has one major ride and one kid ride, an amazing show, and some great up-close animal experiences.
- Finnegan’s Flyer
- Celtic Fyre at the Abbey Stone Theatre
- Lorikeet Glen
- Wolf Haven
- Eagle Ridge
Finnegan’s Flyer
Height Requirement: 48″
This was a favorite of a lot of members of our group. It is a huge swing! It received a must-ride recommendation from the teenagers.
Animal Encounters
If you love animals Ireland is where you will need to head at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
One of my favorite experiences is the Lorikeet Glen. This is an area where you can walk through and see beautiful tropical birds. If you purchase nectar the birds will land on you and drink from your nectar cup. It is pretty cool.
You can also see eagles and wolves in Ireland.
Celtic Show
The Celtic Fyre Show was incredible! The Irish dancers in this show are unbelievable. The quality of this show is top-notch. It is so impressive how fast their feet move!. There are plenty of dance-offs. It’s the kind of entertainment the entire family will love.
15. France and New France
France and New France have some fantastic rides. One of my favorite rides – Griffon is located in this area.
- Griffon
- Le Scoot
- Invadr
- Le Catapult
- Royal Palace Theatre
Griffon
Height Requirement: 54″
Griffon is an amazing coaster but you HAVE TO sit on the front row. It makes all the difference! It is an incredible experience! It is fun and fast! Plus, you get an incredible view of the beautiful park!
Le Scoot
Height Requirement: 36″
Le Scoot is a classic log ride. It is a great way to get wet and cool off. We went when it was 95 degrees outside and this ride is exactly what you need when it is hot outside! Be prepared to get wet!
Invadr
Height Requirement: 46″
Invadr is a wooden roller coaster. It is amazing! It is not bumpy like some wooden coasters. This is a perfect ride for all the teenagers at Busch Gardens in our group.
Le Catapult
Height Requirement: 36″
This is a fun kid ride at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It spins and catapults you from one direction to the other.
Royal Palace Theatre
This is an arena where different shows are performed. During the summer the concert series is held here.
16. Sesame Street Forest of Fun
Sesame Place is perfect for little kids and toddlers at Busch Gardens. There is a mini coaster that is perfect for little kids.
- Grover’s Alpine Express
- Prince Elmo’s Spire
- Oscars Yucky Forest
- Oscars Whirly Worms
- Splash Pad
Grover’s Alpine Express
This is the perfect first roller coaster! It is short and sweet but has some good ups and downs! My 7-year-old who does not like coasters yet, really enjoyed this one. It is a good one to build up confidence.
Prince Elmo’s Spire
Prince Elmo’s Spire is a fun ride! Honestly, I am so impressed with how many little kid rides are at Busch Gardens. The kids will love this one!
Oscars Whirly Worms and Yucky Forest
Oscars Whirly Worms is a fun ride. One thing that is nice about this ride is that adults can ride with their little kids!
The Yucky Forest is located next to the ride and is a play area for little kids. There is also a splash pad in Sesame Place.
Hot Tip for Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Bring a swimsuit for your little kids! The splash pad is the perfect place to get wet and have fun.
17. Busch Garden Williamsburg Train
The train at Busch Gardens has a track that has a path outside of the villages. It is a great place to relax and take in the beautiful view of the area. It is not a great place to check out the different areas of the park. You really can’t see what is going on inside the park.
The train ride is 20 minutes long.
Train Stops
- New France
- Scotland
- Italy
Hot Tip for Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Timing is everything. Sometimes it can be a 20-minute wait to board the train.
18. Helpful Tips for Visiting Busch Gardens
Let’s go over some helpful tips for Busch Gardens. These are some of the questions I had when visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Busch Garden Tips – Front of the Line Pass
Quick que is an option at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. We did not need it the day we went. However, if you go on a holiday weekend you might want to consider getting it. It is not fun waiting in line.
Quick Que Options
- Quick Que
- Quick Que Unlimited
- Quick Que Unlimited Plus Pantheon
The prices are about $70 – $100 depending on which option you would like. This is on top of your park ticket cost. You can also go to an upgrade center while in the park to add on a quick que pass the day of your visit.
Is There a Water Park at Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
No, Water Country USA is located next door but is not accessible from Busch Gardens. You will have to buy a separate ticket to enter Water Country.
Do I Need a Swimsuit at Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
Adults do not need a swimsuit at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. However, if you have little kids there are two splash pads your kids can play at. One is in Sesame Street and the other is in the Land of the Dragons.
It would be really fun on a hot day to let your kids run and play in their swimsuits on the splash pad.
19. Is Busch Gardens Good For Little Kids?
Yes, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is great for little kids. In each country, there are fun rides for younger kids or kids that are not into the big roller coasters.
The shows are also really fun to take the kids to. Our little one had a blast, especially in the Land of the Dragons.
20. Food at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
In this section, let’s talk about food and the questions you might have.
Can you Bring Outside Food into the Park?
No, the only thing you can bring into the park is water.
Should I Get the All-Day Dining Plan?
The dining plan at Busch Gardens allows you to get a full meal and drink every 90 minutes. That is about six meals if you time it right. If you buy the dining plan when purchasing your ticket it is significantly lower in price than purchasing it later.
If you are planning on being at the park from open to close you know you will have to eat at some point. Depending on the promotions that are being offered it might make sense to get it.
Hot Tip for Busch Gardens Williamsburg
One meal at Trappers Smoke House was over $20 this could really add up if you are planning on eating a few meals in the park. I bought the all-day dining plan when we went to SeaWorld San Diego and loved it. The food was great and we thought it was awesome. (Busch Gardens is owned by SeaWorld)
This time my sister bought the plan and it was still a good deal when you considered how much each meal cost, however, we thought the quality of food was not that great. Some of the food was cold. Not being able to bring in food does limit you.
21. Does Busch Gardens Have an App?
Yes, Busch Gardens has an App! The app is really nice and easy to navigate.
You can sign in to the app and attach your ticket for convenience. The app will give you a map so you can navigate around the park. It also has all the show times listed and which shows are available the day you visit.
Restaurants and shops are also featured on the app so you will know your options for food and shopping.
Are you Ready to Plan a Trip to Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
Hopefully, this gives you a good overview of what is in each area of Busch Gardens Williamsburg. We want to make it easy for you to plan a trip to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. You are going to have so much fun!
I hope you enjoy all the tips for Busch Gardens Williamsburg!
If you have any more questions be sure to ask in the Facebook Group!
Facebook Community
If you have any questions be sure to join my Facebook Travel Community This great community can help answer any questions you may have about your upcoming trips. Plus, I try to add any great deals or promotions that companies send me!
This is so cool, I had no idea there was a Busch Gardens in Williamsburg! I’d love to stay in that Double Tree.
Yes, it is beautiful and so much fun!
What a fun post! I visited this park about 30 years ago!!! Looks like it’s still a great destination for families.
It is amazing, so clean and some awesome rides!
Busch Gardens Williamsburg sounds wonderful! What a great place to explore and experience a family adventure!
It was a fun family adventure for us!
Busch Gardens Williamsburg looks like a great place to spend some time! Thanks for sharing these tips.
It is so fun!
I’d love a long weekend in Williamsburg and Busch Gardens! So cool that it’s European themed with rides in each section
It has awesome theming!
I’d love to visit this park someday! We’ve been to Colonial Williamsburg, but we didn’t do Busch Gardens. It’s such a beautiful park!
Williamsburg is a great vacation area….it really has it all!
This is an epic guide to Busch Gardens Williamsburg! I’ve never been to this amusement park -I love roller coasters especially so would love this experience.
This area ( Williamsburg) is such a fun vacation area.
I haven’t been to Busch Gardens Williamsburg in like 15 years! Great tips for whenever we can make it back.
It is a fun area to visit!
I had no idea Busch Gardens is so huge! It looks like so much fun! These are great tips for making the most out of a visit to Busch Gardens.
It was really fun! Now I have to go to the one in Tampa!
I think I’ve been here when I was younger! It looks like a lot of fun to spend a day at – thanks for sharing!
It is a great place to spend a day!
This was a very comprehensive and informative post. I enjoyed all the pictures to complement the descriptions.
Thanks!
Busch Garden looks epic, thanks for sharing all this info. I would definitely be going on the rollercoaster 🎢
The coasters are legit. Really awesome!
Amusement Parks like Busch Gardens are the perfect activity for the whole family. I used to love visiting them when I was a kid – the games, the rides and the entire entertainment factor. Perfect summer holiday destination spot!
My family loves going to amusement parks. This one was really cool!
We love your guide and tips for Busch Gardens Williamsburg. This park is on our list for some incredible family adventures. Thank you for sharing.
It is a great park!