Compare the beauty between Busch Gardens Williamsburg and WDW

[Walt Disney1955]

Just wondering. I don't think I can afford to go to Williamsburg but I think my wife and mother might enjoy a trip like that (I'd have to stay home with the kids and I would just treat it as a birthday gift for the two of them, they deserve it).

Anyway, my mom is in her 60s, doesn't ride the rollercoasters like she used to but I heard the park is beautiful and is rated as the most beautiful park every year. Is it more beautiful than WDW or individually Magic Kingdom and Epcot? Is seemed like it is themed well. It looks like even if you don't go on the rollercoasters that there are plenty of shows to see and some leisurely rides.

Anyway, is it more beautiful than anything at WDW? And is it suited for all ages? Always heard it was far superior to Busch Gardens Tampa.

 

[njDizFan]

Just wondering. I don't think I can afford to go to Williamsburg but I think my wife and mother might enjoy a trip like that (I'd have to stay home with the kids and I would just treat it as a birthday gift for the two of them, they deserve it).

Anyway, my mom is in her 60s, doesn't ride the rollercoasters like she used to but I heard the park is beautiful and is rated as the most beautiful park every year. Is it more beautiful than WDW or individually Magic Kingdom and Epcot? Is seemed like it is themed well. It looks like even if you don't go on the rollercoasters that there are plenty of shows to see and some leisurely rides.

Anyway, is it more beautiful than anything at WDW? And is it suited for all ages? Always heard it was far superior to Busch Gardens Tampa.

It's a nice little park. I have been there 3 of the last 5 years. The one thing they certainly have going for it is the price. I don't remember the exact amount but it was close to $100/pp for the whole week including Water Country USA and Colonial Williamsburg. I think it's called the bounce pass.

Edit here is the link
https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/plan/tickets/summer-bounce-ticket/

I really enjoyed Colonial Williamsburg it's a nice time if you haven't been there often and don't mind walking quite a bit in the heat(not much air conditioning in the 1700's). I'd say after 3-4 trips it gets a little tired. You can see all the merchants make their wares in traditional fashion(cobbler, weaver, cooper etc.). And some "colonial style" dining experiences which are prety good.

As far as Busch Gardens goes...it does not exactly have theming on par with Disney but it's close..sort of

They have indivudal countries like the world showcase, and each country has rides and dining themed to that country. There is no real table service ding of note but the quick service is pretty good. I am a fan of the German pavillions Das Festaus, where they do a song and dance number on stage while you eat in long row benches.

It has has a designated kids area that is themed to Sesame Street. And another area for younger children with tons of flat rides and such.

The main draw are the 3-4 big steel coasters and they have a Soarin like attraction and a Screen based attraction called Curse of DarKastle. So you don't have a huge lineup of attractions in the middle, just a bunch of flat rides and 6-8 rides for adults(most pretty intense). Although now as I remember they do have 2 small water flume type rides, a huge drop ride, the battering ram rocker ride,river cruise, railway and skyride. Out of the 35 or so attractions listed about half are for the under 7 crowd.

Overall there is enough to do their for a few days, especially if you want to see the half a dozen shows, fireworks etc. Adding Colonail Williamsburg and the water park you can definatley make it a week there. Just temper your enthusiasm...it's a really nice regional park but not quite WDW. But definatley more to do than say the 3 parks that aren't called the Magic Kingdom if you incorporate all the rides and shows.

Don't forget Virginia beach is only like 45 minutes away as well.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Thanks............yeah they probably won't go to Water Country USA. Maybe Virginia Beach though and I have thought of that. Yes I knew about Colonial Williamsburg as well and that would be a key thing for them to do. They could definitely make a good 3-4 days of it. Anyway, it is just an idea right now so we'll see.

But you figure there is more to do at Busch Gardens Williamsburg than the other 3 non-Magic Kingdom parks? That's good to know. It really looks beautiful. I don't know, reminds me a bit from what I have seen of Dollywood perhaps.

Is Busch Williamsburg superior to Tampa? We've always liked that one too.

 

[Runnin'Gator]

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is an incredibly beautiful park. The setting in the wooded hills and on the river is far different from anything you'll find at Disney World. It is themed just as well or nearly as well as what you'll find in WDW.

It is more beautiful than the Tampa park, but not as big in terms of acreage because it doesn't have the wildlife that Tampa has. It has a similar line-up of rides to the Tampa park, but I'd say with the additions in the past couple of years Tampa has more to do.

Aside from Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown are just down the road, and Richmond is a great city. King's Dominion is just north of Richmond.

 

[bethymouse]

Bush Gardens Williamsburg is my favorite park next to Disney. There is just as much walking too, but not on flat ground! It's also a "destination food park" like Dollywood. Expensive, but quite a good selection ( you can eat in Italy and see a show). There is also a Germany area that has good German food, and a great performance! It is especially clean, and there are many animal encounters throughout the park. Still, there is something so magical about Disney. There are only Sesame Street characters at Bush Gardens Williamsburg in the "kiddie" section. But, I would still say it is a park for all ages ( even though Bush Gardens has more "thrill" rides of course).

 

[surfsupdon]

The flowers and gardens at Busch Gardens are on par with Epcot during the Flower and Garden Festival.

The park is simply stunning. It's natural location over a few hills and lakes add to its beautiful landscaping.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

It's definitely a beautiful park. For me, it's hard to compare it to Disney or anything else as its its own entity. But it really is a beautiful place and a really fun park/area there.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Williamsburg is a very beautiful park and they would enjoy it, but there still is a lot they could do together at Disney even with skipping the coasters. If they really enjoy Disney and would find a lot to enjoy there together, you should give them the choice. I know a lot of people who go to Disney and do very few rides because they enjoy more of the other things that are available. Disney can be just as thrilling to an older non riding guest as it is to a coaster loving thrill seeker.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I would say Busch Gardens Williams (AKA The Old Country) has a Great Thematic for it's park and it works well incorporating a storyline to it's attractions albeit more thrilling.....

Now if this was More about Busch Gardens Tampa (AKA The Dark Continent) and compared it to Disney's Animal Kingdom..Then it's a different situation while both parks feature Animals it varies on what your looking for.

 

[WondersOfLife]

Apples and oranges as far as beauty in a park goes.... Now if you were comparing other parks by the same name, like Busch Gardens Tamps, then that'd be a different story since it's the same company. But Disney and Busch Gardens make a very very different approach from each other.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Williamsburg is a very beautiful park and they would enjoy it, but there still is a lot they could do together at Disney even with skipping the coasters. If they really enjoy Disney and would find a lot to enjoy there together, you should give them the choice. I know a lot of people who go to Disney and do very few rides because they enjoy more of the other things that are available. Disney can be just as thrilling to an older non riding guest as it is to a coaster loving thrill seeker.

I hear what you are saying. Right now the way I look at it is that funds are a little tight right now. There is no Disney trip in 2016. Even if we would say to each other, "Look, only one of us can afford to go" type of thing, it wouldn't be Disney. Williamsburg is at least something they can drive to in a day. No flight either, they won't be gone a week but just a few days. So it is less expensive but it is at least a nice place I can send my wife right now because the truth is it has been a while. There is no one that needs to babysit either since that would be me. It would all work out perfectly. My mom and her will love it I am sure but I was just wondering how the park would be if they DIDN'T go on any rollercoaster or big thrill rides because they may not and I just wanted to ensure it was still a great day for them either way.

 

[JIMINYCR]

I hear what you are saying. Right now the way I look at it is that funds are a little tight right now. There is no Disney trip in 2016. Even if we would say to each other, "Look, only one of us can afford to go" type of thing, it wouldn't be Disney. Williamsburg is at least something they can drive to in a day. No flight either, they won't be gone a week but just a few days. So it is less expensive but it is at least a nice place I can send my wife right now because the truth is it has been a while. There is no one that needs to babysit either since that would be me. It would all work out perfectly. My mom and her will love it I am sure but I was just wondering how the park would be if they DIDN'T go on any rollercoaster or big thrill rides because they may not and I just wanted to ensure it was still a great day for them either way.

Oh yeah, it will be worth going to and they can make a full day out of it. They have attractions, events and concerts similar ( but in my opinion not as well done ) to Disney. I thought you were asking a choice between Disney & Bush Gardens... if funds keep you away from Disney then Bush Gardens would be an excellent second option.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Oh yeah, it will be worth going to and they can make a full day out of it. They have attractions, events and concerts similar ( but in my opinion not as well done ) to Disney. I thought you were asking a choice between Disney & Bush Gardens... if funds keep you away from Disney then Bush Gardens would be an excellent second option.

haha, no. Disney all the way for sure. I am familiar with Busch Gardens Tampa and I wouldn't compare it to Disney nor pick it over Disney. However, Williamsburg I have heard is much better than Tampa even and it is more feasible if anything. As a family we have to wait until at least 2017 for the next Disney trip.