I attended an event on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Busch Gardens. I received free admission to the park as a thank-you for participating.
My daughter has been to Busch Gardens before, but she doesn’t remember it because she was a fetus. She says it doesn’t count, but I say it totally counts because she kept me off the roller coasters.
To make it up to her, I accepted an invitation to an event sponsored by Mom Central at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia. It’s so close to where we live it’s practically criminal I haven’t taken my kids there before. Please don’t turn me in to the Fun Police.
We had a wonderful day and I’d like to tell you about what I learned. Even though I’d been to Busch Gardens before, I didn’t know half of what there is to do there. The park’s focus is on world-class roller coasters and family fun in a natural environment.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is located on three-hundred-plus acres in a gorgeous part of Virginia. It’s wonderfully green and shaded. An employee told us the park conforms to the natural landscape. The paths and even the rides follow the natural line of the hills and streams.
I felt like I was on a stroll through Europe as we walked through the different areas patterned after Germany, France, Italy, and the British Isles. Rides and attractions are nestled next to wonderful places to eat and shop. My girls loved the magic shop in Ireland.
Busch Gardens offers tons of full rides and events for kids. They have a huge focus on wildlife with sections dedicated to barnyard animals like sheep and horses, and also raptors and wolves.
My family won a giveaway for the special add-on experience called Birds of Prey Up-Close, where trained birds will fly to your gloved hand. Sadly, we had to leave before the event, but heard great things about it from another family who did it. Definitely on my must-do list for next time.
My girls are young teens and I didn’t know if a theme park with the Sesame Street Forest of Fun would also have stuff for them. I felt sill for worrying once I saw the roller coasters.
Busch Gardens has spectacular coasters and rides! In fact, some of them were too much for me. Maybe next time I’ll work up my nerve for the Griffon. It has “ a 205-foot, 90-degree, 75 mph free fall”. Just watching the riders hang for long seconds suspended over the drop was enough to make my heart pound.
I had an amazing day at Busch Gardens with my girls. When we got home I told my husband we need to get season passes. I’m a huge fan now and can’t wait to go back. My dad and step-mom are coming to Williamsburg this fall and I’d love to take them for a visit.
There’s something for all ages at Busch Gardens. My daughter made me promise it wouldn’t be another 15 years before we went back!
It has been nearly fifteen years since I went to Busch Gardens, too. Or maybe thirteen. I can’t remember. It’s been a long time. I do remember my sons loving all the roller coasters, and having to take dramamine for them myself.
Someone told me recently that our inner ears are less able to take the discombobulation as we :cough: age.
I’ve always been one to get motion sick easily, but it’s getting. I still go on roller coasters though.