Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Thrills and Beauty in One Theme Park

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Entrance of the Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Photo credit: Candi Hurst

Williamsburg, Virginia, offers family vacationers history galore, great accommodations, themed dining and, perched at the top of the list of my family’s favorite things to do in Williamsburg: Bursch Gardens, a beautiful European-themed amusement park.

We’ve been to Busch Gardens Williamsburg several times. There are enough rides and shows to keep us busy for a full day or more. But if you’re short on time, even a half day at Busch Gardens is well worth the trip.

The park leans a bit toward older kids, teens and thrill-ride-loving adults. But, animal encounters, shows, and a few areas for young children ensure there’s a little something for all ages.

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Map kiosks to help you navigate the Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Instead of paper maps, guests can use a few map kiosks located throughout the park as well as the app to find their way around. Photo credit: Candi Hurst

Location

The location of the amusement park is one of the big draws for my family because the area boasts so much to do. It’s easy to spend a long weekend or even a week in and around Williamsburg. Busch Gardens is situated between Richmond to the northwest and Norfolk to the southeast, both of which are about an hour’s drive.

When we need more thrills, Water Country USA, Virginia’s largest water park, is 10 minutes from Busch Gardens (if you want to do both, buy the bundled ticket to save a few bucks!) and Kings Dominion, another popular Virginia theme park, is about an hour and 15 minutes away.

When we need a beach day, the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia Beach along with Yorktown and Jamestown beaches, are all an easy day trip away.

Read More: Where to Find the Best Family Resorts in Virginia

Unique Italian themed land marks in the Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Unique spots like this one in the Italian-themed land make for a gorgeous park. Photo credit: Candi Hurst

Theming and layout of the Park

One of my favorite things about Busch Gardens is the theming. The design was influenced by some of Europe’s most beautiful countries.

Closest to the entrance is a small-ish area themed after England, followed by areas themed for Scotland and Germany, Italy, France and Ireland.

It adds up to a truly pretty theme park.

It also adds up to winding paths that make it easy to get lost. But don’t fret if you do. It just means you might stumble upon an area of the park that feels like a French village or another that exudes an Italian Renaissance vibe. Plus, lots of mature trees provide shade while cozy nooks offer places to recharge while exploring the park.

A roller coaster at the Busch Gardens Williamsburg for you and your kids.
The Griffon roller coaster has 2 loops, 2 vertical drops, a floorless train, and splashes through water as it makes its run. Photo credit: Candi Hurst

Rides and attractions

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has more than 50 attractions spread out over 100 acres, including 36 rides:

Roller Coasters and High Thrill Rides

There are 10 coasters and thrill rides scattered throughout the park.

One of the most popular, the Loch Ness Monster, the world’s first interlocking loop coaster, just reopened in 2024 to new theming that added to its storyline of encountering the mythical creature in the Scottish highlands.

Also high on any adrenaline junkie’s list is the 67-mile-per-hour inverted roller coaster known as the Alpengeist. With 6 inversions, it’s one of the tallest coasters in the world.

Apollo’s Chariot is even faster at 73 miles an hour and features elevated seats, while Griffon’s 205-foot drop is done from a floorless vehicle. Yet, they’re not to be outdone by Tempesto, which has a full loop-the-loop.

Nothing quite beats the 95-degree drop of the Pantheon though, which also has two inversions and multiple air-time hills.

InvadR, Darkoaster, Verbolten, and Finnegan’s Flyer are only ever so slightly less intense, with my kids voting Darkmaster the “easiest”. It was still much loved by my crew because of the snowmobile-like, straddle seat and the dark (though not pitch black) inside setting.

Family-Friendly and Medium Thrill Rides

Some rides in the park are not as thrilling as coasters, yet still too intense for the littles. These rides are less themed, relatively short, and some are kind of souped up versions of carnival rides, though still fun.

One of my kids’ favorites was Battering Ram, a swinging boat style ride that goes plenty high enough for a “medium” thrill.

Der Wirbelwind is the park’s version of high swings, while Turkish Delight is its spinning teacup ride. The Flying Machine is a twisting ride in the air and Der Autobahn is the park’s bumper car ride.

The musical, circular ride Trade Wind is the attraction you see at every carnival. And Le Catapult is the ride that usually sits next to that ride at said carnival.

Aeronaut Skyride doesn’t have any drops, twists, or speed so it belongs more in the “family friendly” category and not so much in the “thrill” category. It does go high in the sky though to catch a glimpse of all the rides in the park. Likewise, the Rhine River Cruise showcases the park, albeit from the water as opposed to the air. And the Busch Gardens Railway is the ground transportation that aims to accomplish the same goal.

Finally, a few water rides provide a chance to get a bit wet. A raft built for nine guests takes riders down waterfalls and along currents in Roman Rapids. Escape From Pompeii is a flume ride experience through the ancient city. Le Soot is also a flume ride, but it ends with a 50-foot vertical plunge.

Kiddie Rides

The littlest visitors to Busch Gardens have about 10 rides made just for them. Because Flutter Sputter, Bug-A-Dug, and Chug-A-Tug are all located in the adorable Land of the Dragons. They give the littles a chance to ride on the back of a dragon, in the belly of a bug, and at the helm of a boat.

Der Autobahn Jr and Der Rote Baron, located near the Black Forest Picnic area, are the small one’s version of bumper cars and flying planes. Nearby Kinderkarussell is a classic antique carousel. Li’l Clydes is also a carousel ride, this time located in the Scotland section. And Le Catapult, a scrambler-type ride, can be found in the France area of the park.

All of the above only require children to be old enough to walk and have no minimum height requirement. A few require an accompanying rider over the age of 14 for children under certain heights.

The same is true In Sesame Street Forest of Fun, where kids will find Oscar’s Whirly Worms and Prince Elmo’s Spire. The kiddie coaster Alpine Express is also located here, although children must be at least 38 inches tall to ride it.

Animal Encounters

A variety of animals call Busch Gardens home and guests have a chance to see them in person.

We saw Clydesdale horses being groomed and we stopped by Lorikeet Glen to see the birds in their habitat.

The Scottish part of the park features black face sheep, Highland cattle, owls, and border collies. And the Ireland area houses Eagle Ridge and Wolf Alley where the animals they were named after can be viewed.

Families interested in learning more about the animals there might enjoy an animal tour. And definitely catch one of the animal presentations offered in the park.

Shows

Several shows are offered daily at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Sounds of San Marco is performed at the open air theater near Marco Polo’s Marketplace. It’s a great way to catch some of the park’s entertainment while you grab a bite to eat.

Celtic Fyre is the park’s take on traditional Irish dancing. The performance tells a story through intricate footwork and precision steps.

The Globe Theater, located near the entrance to the park, also hosts a changing lineup of shows. During the summer, for instance, American Jukebox: Summer Remix was playing.

And Elmo and his pals perform for the little ones. It’s a singing, dancing, game-playing activity that Sesame Street fans will love.

Throughout the year, the park hosts additional events like concerts and art exhibits. Summer 2024 saw the Summer of Wonder concert series, with performances by artists like Breland Locash, and Switchfoot.

A variety of drinks and food are available for you to order at various food stands in the Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg has a variety of food and drink options, including stands like this one, as well as cafeteria and grab and go style restaurants. Photo credit: Candi Hurst

Food and drinks

All restaurants at the park are theme park casual, served grab-and-go or cafeteria style.

For meals, Squire’s Grill in the England section has burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, and kid’s meals. Trapper’s Smokehouse has slow-cooked meats and some fresh fruit like watermelon, as well as a berry-topped salad, to make this mom happy. Das Festhaus features things like German sampler platters and pizza served in a Biergarten-esque building.

Marco Polo Marketplace has what is probably the largest menu selection, which includes things like Mongolian beef, spaghetti, and salads.

The rest of the food options at Busch Gardens Williamsburg fall into the snack, drink, or dessert category.

Three Rivers Snacks, Aquitaine Refreshments, Les Frites, Mama Stella’s and Brady’s Drink serve a small selection of snacks and small bites. Grogen’s Irish Pub and German Pretzels and Beer do as well, although they also serve, you guessed it – beer. And Island Freeze doesn’t serve food, but it does serve frozen cocktails.

Speaking of beer, ale fans won’t want to miss Brauhaus Craft Bier Room. They serve 30 varieties of the stuff and have tasting flights available.

One of the most unique drink experiences is at Burgermeister’s Hideaway. The speakeasy style bar might be a bit hard to find, but it’s worth the effort! This $50 per person experience requires a reservation though for all members of your party.

In traditional theme parks, tummy ache style, getting your sugar fix is definitely not a problem here. Indulge in donuts, fudge and other treats at England Sweet Shoppe. Eat funnel cakes at Das Edelweiss. Taste gelato at Gelato di Roma. Scarf down ice cream at Josephine’s Creamery de Chocolate. Splurge on Italian custard at Rita’s Italian Ice. Or if you can’t decide, head to Squires Sweets, which has a combo of treats.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has several playgrounds for children of different ages.
The Land of the Dragons has several kiddie rides as well as a climbing playground. Bigger kids will like the Loch Ness Monster, the yellow coaster that sits in the background. Photo credit: Candi Hurst

Ticket Pricing

The full price of a 1-day admission to Busch Gardens Williamsburg starts at $115, but discounts are often available.

At the time of our last visit in mid-summer 2024, 1-day admission tickets were up to 60% off. So, prices ranged from $50 to $65, with weekday prices being the lowest. Two-day tickets started at $60 and 3-day tickets started at $65 with the sale.

The park also offers something called “all day dining”. This deal allows you to choose an entrée and a drink every 90 minutes during your time there. Prices for that add-on start at $30 per day. Especially if you’re coming with hungry teens, it might be something to consider.

Another add-on you might want to consider, particularly if you’re visiting on a crowded day, is the quick queue option. However, prices for this are pretty steep.

The website advertises prices as low as $70. But, most weekdays are priced at $90 to $100 for one-time priority access on most rides. Prices on weekends go up to as much as $150 for one-time access. Unlimited quick queue access is advertised as starting at $100. However, I only found one day in the next three months priced that low. Pricing started at $130 every other day and went up to $200.

Additional add-ons include things like season passes, VIP seatings at shows and bundled tickets to Water Country USA. If you’re staying in the area for a few days, Water Country is a great thing to do in Williamsburg as well so you might want to consider that option.

Discounts for tickets are available through the Busch Garden website. Just be sure to click on any “sale” drop-down bars under the “buy tickets” button. And if you’re an active duty member of the U.S. military (thank-you for your service), you are eligible to receive one complimentary admission for yourself and up to three family members per year to the park.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has a lot of shade option throughout the park that offer great  spots to enjoy breaks
Lots of shade options throughout the park make good spots to enjoy a break. Photo credit: Candi Hurst

Tips

  • Don’t forget to check operating days and times before you plan your visit.
    Park hours vary depending on the season and the day of the week. The park generally opens earlier on weekends during the summer, for example. And it’s closed during the week as soon as Labor Day rolls around, until the Halloween festivities ramp up. So, you’ll want to check the website for opening and closing times before you plan your trip.  The website tends to show that information approximately 6 months ahead of time.
  • Wear comfortable shoes.
    Sure, Busch Gardens has some experiences like festivals and live music that might make you think you can go more for “cute” than “comfy”. At over 100 acres large, that’s not a great idea. Touring the park requires a lot of walking and comfortable shoes and clothing will be your friend while you do it.
  • Visit during the week if possible to avoid crowds.
    We were really pleased with the crowd level on the day we visited, a Monday in July. Before our trip, we researched the best day to go and many guests say the beginning or middle of the week garners fewer crowds, as expected. Low crowd levels also helped us avoid buying quick queue passes, which would have increased the cost of our visit.
  • Consider visiting during the Halloween or Christmas season.
    Gone are the days when amusement parks were just a summertime place to go. Busch Gardens Williamsburg also hosts events like Howl-O-Scream during the months of September, October and the first weekend of November. At Christmastime, the park transforms for its Christmas Town event, which includes a display of over 10 million twinkling lights.
  • Consider the kids’ ages.
    We’ve found this amusement park is great for older kids who love intense roller coasters and thrill rides. It’s also good for young children who enjoy kiddie rides or animal experiences. Even adults who don’t like rides but who do enjoy things like beer tastings or shows will find ample entertainment.

    Kids who are in between kiddie rides and the kinds of rides that leave you with your stomach upside down may be the square peg in the round hole here. While this is not unlike many amusement parks, it isn’t similar to places like Disney World for example, where there are themed rides with less intensity. The majority of Busch Gardens rides are extreme thrill rides. And most of those that aren’t are geared toward the preschool set.
  • Download the app.
    The Busch Gardens Williamsburg app is the best way to navigate around the park. The app also has wait times for some rides and information on attractions, shows, and food and drink options.
  • Hold off on buying quick queue access if it’s not a crowded day.
    If you’re like me, waiting in long lines is not your idea of a great time. Purchasing priority access to the attractions is tempting to avoid wasting much of the day waiting for rides. However, the cost of this add-on is hefty.

    We were happy to find out that it wasn’t something we needed on our last visit to the park. The longest we waited for a ride without priority was 45 minutes. We boarded all the other rides in a much shorter period of time.

    We found we were able to do all that we wanted to without paying for this feature. And we saved at least $600 for our party of 6 by not buying it.
  • Consider buying quick queue access if visiting on a peak day.
    So now for the flip side of the coin. Because with busy work, school and sports schedules, sometimes planning for middle of the week trips just isn’t possible. A little research on the skip-the-line passes available at the park will quickly show you that many guests recommend them on high traffic days. While they’re a big extra expense, the passes may be worth it if you want to see and do all the park has to offer on these days.
  • Make a reservation for Burgermeister’s Hideaway if you want to experience this speakeasy style bar.
    In case you missed it above, this is the one spot that requires a reservation. It’s one of the newest additions to the park, so it can book up. If it’s on your “must do” list, don’t forget to make a reservation.
  • Know that a few rides are closed during the week, outside of the summer season, or during thunderstorms.
    If you have your heart set on a specific attraction, you may want to double check operating times prior to your visit. For example, some of the kiddie rides are closed during the week, even in the middle of the high season. Other attractions, like water rides, close as the weather turns cool.

    The same rule applies for thunderstorms. Check the weather prior to going to avoid visiting when thunderstorms are likely if you hope to ride a lot of outdoor attractions.

    One note about inclement weather though. Busch Gardens has a policy they call Weather or Not Assurance. If your trip is significantly impacted by thunder, extreme heat, or another weather condition you will be eligible for a complementary return trip.
  • Contact the park if you need special accommodation due to physical mobility.
    Theme parks can be challenging for kids or adults who require special assistance and we don’t want anyone to miss out on the fun. If you have questions about accessibility, you can email  BGW-AccessibilityService@BuschGardens.com or call (757) 229-4386. Guest services can also help when you’re at the park.
I believe travel is one of life’s great educators. I use it to inspire my kids and myself to learn. In between shuffling kids to sports’ practices and homeschooling 2 of my children, I love to get away on family trips, couple’s retreats, and girls’ getaways. With 2 boys and 2 girls and 10 years between my oldest and youngest child, I know traveling can also be challenging. It requires a great plan. So, once the house is quiet, you’ll often find me with iPad in lap, researching my family’s next great adventure. I’ve found some travel gems, made lots of memories, and had my share of travel flops. I believe knowledge isn’t to be owned, but rather to be shared. So sharing what I’ve learned makes me (almost) as happy as getting the window seat on a plane. What really makes me happiest is writing about how we can use travel to make the world better than we found it. (What can I say? You can take the girl out of social work but you can’t take the social worker out of the girl.) You’ll also find a huge smile on my face when I’m writing about my first love (Disney), my newest love (traveling with teens), or my never ending love (practically anyplace I haven’t been before).
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