Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA

Visiting Williamsburg is magical.  We’ve found that it is one our family’s happy places. The slower pace of going back in time in the colonial town speaks to us.  After we visit the colonial area, we always make time for Busch Gardens.

Ten tips for visiting Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA.  “Where Christmas shines brightest”.  I’d have to say this is true with its 8 million lights!

When we travel to Williamsburg during the holiday season, Christmas Town is a highlight of our trip.   Busch Gardens is laid out as European countries, and they have Christmas themes for each country.  At Christmas they have carolers in England, a 50 foot Christmas Tree in Germany, Santa at the North Pole and real penguins in France.  There is Christmas music everywhere.  It’s loud and wonderful.

Tips for your Visit:

1.  Know before you go – Christmas Town is heavier on the shows and less on the rides.

2.  Check on the dates you wish to travel.  If you can, give yourself an option of days to visit incase the weather is poor.  Most days the park opens at 2:00 and closes at 10:00 pm, it is subject to change.

3.  Purchase your tickets.  We enjoy getting the “Bounce Pass” which allows us to go to Williamsburg and Busch Gardens for 3 days, bouncing between the 2 places.  You do have to also pay for parking.

4.  Check the weather, if there are freezing temperatures many of the rides shutdown.  Arrive early for the best parking and access to the rides.

5.  Height matters – your children will be tagged according to which rides they can go on.  Check ahead of time to see if they are tall enough to go on the rides they want to go on.

6.  Shows – Christmas Town has 4 popular shows.  That is wonderful if you love shows, but if you have someone who only wants to go on rides, they might not enjoy themselves.  A schedule is given out with the map.  Many people start lining up for shows 30 minutes in advance.  Scrooge No More was new in 2014, excellent!

7.  Food and Drink – It’s pretty typical amusement park food; however, it’s themed by country.  Look up your choices online before you go to see if there is food you might like in a particular country.  Drinks – there is a refillable cup you can purchase or bring your own empty water bottle to refill at water fountains.  Snacks from outside the park are allowed (we brought snacks, but ate a meal in the park).

8.  The Skyride is the slowest line in the park.  If you wish to do it, go early!!  The most popular place to enter is in England.  Try to wait and get on in France or Germany where the lines can be shorter.  Your best bet would be to ride it as soon as it gets dark rather than waiting until the end of the night.  The train is another wait to just enjoy the park, the lights, and the hundreds of Christmas trees brought in for the season.

9.  Dress for the weather… almost everything is outdoor.  A few shows and the German Festhaus are indoors, otherwise it can be cold!!  Keep an eye out for warming stations and dress in layers.

10.  Santa is at the North Pole and has a wonderful workshop.  He’s even there after Christmas.  It’s a paid photo opportunity, but his workshop is beautiful.  We wish we’d taken more time, we felt rushed and didn’t take off our jackets or backpacks.  As soon as you step into the building, you are in the workshop.  Enjoy it!

Visit our other posts on Wiliiamsburg, VA:

History Alive: Colonial Williamsburg with Kids

Jamestown

Where to stay:

We’ve had a lot of success renting time shares via Kayak.com.  Places we’ve stayed:

Wyndham Kingsgate (our favorite) is 2 bedroom, full kitchen, indoor pool, and putt-putt. Close to Williamsburg and 20 minutes from Busch Gardens.  Perfect for our family.

Wyndham Patriots Place (1 bedroom, small kitchen, no amenities, very close to Colonial Williamsburg).

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*This is not a sponsored post, I was not compensated at all.  We just love Christmas Town and how it helps us get into the holiday spirit.