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• Don't go in May

  billgatremax,2026年5月20日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  2.00

  Park was clean and not very crowded but literally 1/2 of the rides and restaurants were closed. We were very disappointed.

• A very disappointing day.

  alexandrarR9903HF,2026年5月12日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  2.00

  This was a very disappointing day. 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.

• Family fun day

  BryahnaBar,2026年5月12日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Great day at the parks, I wish all the food and rides stayed open till the actual park closed though.

• A Day That Defied Reality: Our Elite VIP Tour at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

  dons613,2026年4月11日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Date: April 10, 2026 Guide: Tyler Party of 4 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. Following the detailed parking instructions we'd received, we found the employee entrance, checked in with security, and were directed to VIP parking. Here's the first sign that this day would be different: our parking spot was less than 100 feet from the main entrance. No hiking across a massive parking lot. No tram wait. Just steps from where we'd start our adventure. Meeting Tyler: The Man, The Myth, The Legend Inside the park, we found the Education & Tours office located just past the Height Check station, exactly as described. That's where we met Tyler – our VIP guide for the day. 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 Before our tour, the confirmation email mentioned that "complimentary snacks and beverages" were included. I assumed this meant maybe a bottled water and a small bag of chips. Maybe a discount at a snack stand. I could not have been more mistaken. 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 The true magic of this tour hit when I finally explained to our two exchange students – Ben from Germany and Jakub from Poland – exactly what this VIP experience meant. Their eyes went wide when I told them: "This tour lets you ride any ride, without waiting, in any seat you want, as many times as you want." The look on their faces? Priceless. 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 – with one exception. Verbolten was undergoing refurbishment during our visit, which was a minor disappointment, but honestly? With everything else we experienced, it barely registered. The coaster behind-the-scenes experience gave us an incredible up-close look at the inner workings of these engineering marvels. Seeing the maintenance bays and learning how these massive machines operate added a whole new layer of appreciation for what Busch Gardens has created. 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, the iconic German-themed restaurant with its massive dining hall and festive atmosphere. The food was hearty, plentiful, and exactly what we needed to refuel for the afternoon ahead. Dinner 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. Celtic Fyre: A Show Worth Seeing Tyler recommended the Celtic Fyre show, and I'm so glad he did. The energy, the talent, the pure entertainment value – it was the perfect way to take a break from the coasters while still being thoroughly entertained. VIP reserved seating meant we had the best view in the house. No scrambling for seats, no arriving 30 minutes early to stake out a spot. We walked in, sat down in prime location, and enjoyed the show. Clydes & Collies: Getting Up Close and Personal Our special animal encounter took us behind the scenes with some of Busch Gardens' most beloved residents. The Clydes & Collies tour gave us an up-close experience with these magnificent animals that regular park guests simply don't get. For our exchange students, who had never experienced anything like this before, it was a moment of pure wonder. The Verdict: Eight Hours of Perfection Over the course of our eight-hour tour, Tyler ensured we missed absolutely nothing. Every coaster (except the one under refurbishment). Every must-see attraction. Two incredible meals. More snacks than I can remember. A world-class show. Exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences. VIP parking. Front-of-line access. Reserved seating. But 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. For Our Exchange Students: A Farewell They'll Never Forget 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. Ben, being from Germany, had a special connection to the German-themed sections of Busch Gardens. Watching him experience Oktoberfest and Das Festhaus with the added context of his heritage – while being treated like royalty – was a moment I'll cherish. 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 time saved alone makes it worthwhile. The front-of-line access to every attraction transforms a day that could be spent waiting into a day spent living. The all-inclusive food and drinks remove every friction point from the experience. And a guide like Tyler? That's the difference between a good day and an absolutely legendary one. 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. The Photos: Memories Captured Forever As part of the VIP experience, we received a photo key capturing all our unforgettable moments from the day. 33 professional photos documenting every thrill, every smile, every memory. From the boys' excitement on the coasters to candid moments throughout the park, these weren't just snapshots – they were professionally captured memories that we'll cherish forever. When Ben and Jakub look back on their American adventure years from now, these photos will transport them right back to that magical Friday in April. Review submitted by Don Sawyer Party of 4: Ages 57, 52, 17, 17 April 10, 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars – Would Give 6 If I Could

  

  

  

• Great for Rollercoasters! Not so great on Charges

  R M,2026年4月5日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  Many & exciting well run rollercoasters!! Carnival games of chance pricey. Well laid out with nice gift shops. Interesting “Lands,” e.g., Scotland, France, Germany, etc. Plenty of & variety of eateries. Well organized parking & transportation within park. Overpriced “demand” based parking! Don’t be surprised it is not included in entrance ticket. German food we tried was very expensive but good, but service was needlessly slow. For example, folks ordering pizza held up entire line waiting for pizzas to be cooked! Recommend taking whatever cold drinks you can get in, I.e., technically one per person. It can make for a fun, but expensive & exhausting day for the adults. Kids loved it.

• Dishonest business

  Jennifer S,2026年3月13日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  I booked this on Wednesday prior to my Friday visit on 3-13-2026 and on website, Google and on TripAdvisor the hours of the park said 10-9. When arrived to the park at 10am not only myself, but other families some from out of state just like myself were told park hours was 3-9pm which many of us said that is not what was on their website and when was it changed? There was not a care from the park as to the inconvenience caused to all these families waiting to have fun nor the experience of full day spent and now getting half day at full day cost. The park should be ashamed of themselves!!! As for trip advisor you’re just as bad of an experience and I will never use you again either. I tried to explain to you the circumstance and you stated would see if could refund me but would take a few days to know. Yet, I explained to you if did not refund me and did not go to park then I was out my 200 dollars and you did not care! This entire experience was a nightmare and unfortunately I know I was not the only one affected by this from Busch Gardens. As for Trip Advisor I am done!

• Needs improvement

  H5152PVrobertd,2026年1月22日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  I spent the afternoon and evening at Busch Gardens Christmas Town, a modern holiday celebration with millions of lights. I have been coming here for many years and I was disappointed this year. Several of the shows I wanted to see were not performing on the day I visited. It would be helpful if the show schedule was available on the website when you purchase tickets in advance. And if you purchase your ticket from their website, you are now on their email list to receive multiple emails every single day! The Roman Rapids ride transforms into a "Polar Pathway" for Christmas Town. Every half hour there is a light show called "Spectacle of Lights". I had dinner at their Festhaus. Their "Christmas dinner" used to be turkey, but now it is chicken. They have a new show there this year, but unfortunately it was not performing on the day I visited. Outside the Festhaus is the large Tannenbaum. Every half hour, they have "Celebration of Lights at O'Tannenbaum". The last show I saw was "Gloria!", a more religious show. Busch Gardens is three miles from Colonial Williamsburg. I took a shuttle to and from the park.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Unclear cold weather policy

  Wanderer08185485526,2026年1月3日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  AFTER paying $40 for parking, we were told that some of the rides might be closed due to the weather (under 42 degrees, it was 39) - we then made it all the way into the park were an attendant rather rudely told us that none of the attractions were open and there was no chance of them opening later I have seen other reviews with similar complaints, and we heard lots of guests around us with similar frustrations over not knowing how much the weather would impact the experience We have been to other theme parks in the cold weather, where it’s usually just snow or ice that effects the rides, not it just being kind of cold (which of course it is in January)

• Christmas Eve visit

  LSNS2652,2026年1月3日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  My wife, daughter and I went to Christmas Towne on Christmas Eve. We arrived about 2:00, earlier than we had arrived for previous Christmas Eve visits. Attendance was very light. We went to 4 shows, finishing the night with the 8 PM ice show. All were very well done with excellent lighting, music and with very talented entertainers. The lights everywhere were beautiful. We went on several rides and the only lengthy wait was at the sky tram.

• Not what it used to be to be, sneaky sales tactics.

  ZL4,2026年1月2日

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  I had been here years ago. It was an amazing time. I went this time with my bf. We bought tickets way in advance when they had a big sale. Advertising “any day” in the summer. We bought skip the line tickets and an activity. When we got there wecwaited in line to be told our afmiasion ticket had expired. Went to Customer Service and literally hundreds of people were being yold the sane thing. The “any day in the sunmer” expired on July 1St. The manager who was overwhelmed and was telling people to buy new tickets then after getting off of a call said to refund everyone and put it towards today’s tickets. About 85 a person more. However, she then tried to recharge me for fast pass and the activity. When i asked why those were expired as they were day specific she apologized and said i was right. I don’t blame her. This wasn’t her fault. She was trying to handle the companies sneakiness that they through at her as best she could. I imagine this happened constantly but maybe it was her first tine having to deal with it. Once we got in the fast pass worked well except for one ride where they were letting fast pass people go then one ride only regular riders. It was fine as only once that happened. We only found one place open for food. But all the gift stores were open. Had to walk and look around for places to get a drink. Didn’t see any shows advertised. And a lot of the medium thrill rides were closed. We still had a good time because we chose too but it definitely was not worth the exuberant cost. The horse activity we did was great and the trainers are professional and fun. This was worth the cost and time. Unfortunately, this park has see much better days and is not up to par for what they offer and charge. The expiration days should be listed on advertisement instead of “any day”. Even if it is listed on small print elsewhere, which we couldn’t find or be shown when we asked to see it.

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