The “Please read my trip report about our day trip to Busch Gardens Williamsburg” Trip Report - UPDATED 5/30 About This Page:

[Colexis Mom]

Great update! Congrats on figuring out the picture

[emtpej]

I think you are doing great to see this trip as both fun and a learning experience / shakedown cruise for WDW! With practice (and diversions) my family has gotten MUCH better at traveling...
It's a wonder ANY child survives the terrible twos, no matter how long it lasts.

We will have to put Busch Gardens on our list of things to do while at Williamsburg.
I wonder when they changed it from 'The Old Country' to Europe?

[chezp]

Great picture. Sorry about the demon side appearing...

[JaimeandChad]

Great update!! And Three year old girls can be very um interesting.

[TheThomasFam]

Okay, so I got the one picture to work, now I can't get the others to work. I'm working on it, I promise.

Anyway, here's more of the Trip Report.

Our afternoon of firsts . . .

After our lunch, we decided that we would take the train around BG and then stop at Italy so Jackson and I could ride on Roman Rapids (The first big kid ride) and my mom and dad could take Kerry to some of the kiddie rides. The kids wanted to ride the kiddie rides at the LOTD and the carousel, so we walked back over and let the kids ride those rides which were a boat ride, a bee ride (we can’t escape the bees), the dragon ride, a kiddie flume ride, and a dinosaur egg ride. After riding those, we boarded the skyride back to Scotland.

Once we were let off of the skyride, we waited only a few minutes for the train to pull into the station. We loaded and were off. I do enjoy riding the train at BG. During the fall, they have this thing called “Spooktacular” where everything is decorated for Halloween and they have special events.

So we rode the train all the way around the park once and then got off at the Italy train station. We walked around this part of the park – I had forgotten that this part was even here. We didn’t walk long because it was time for the big kid ride.

We got to the Roman Rapids entrance where I had to explain to Kerry that she wasn’t tall enough to ride it with Jackson and me so she would have to stay with Poppy and Grammy. She was not happy at all. I told her that they would take her to ride some rides while Jackson and I rode this one. It didn’t work. So Jackson and I went off to get in line while Kerry stood with my parents and watched us stand in line.

While we were in line, I was trying to give him a pep talk. I was so excited that my “baby” was riding a big ride. The line moved pretty quickly so we were boarded in no time. We sat with a group of ladies (very talky, talky) They tried to talk to Jackson but he was pretty quiet, I think trying to take it all in. I told them that this was his first “big kid” ride. They were very excited for him. They asked me if we were from Virginia and I told them that originally we were but we lived in North Carolina. They said that they lived in Wilmington, NC. So I told them that we lived in Youngsville, NC right outside of Wake Forest, NC. So one of the ladies says “Oh I have a friend who’s daughter is going to the University in the fall.” Good lord, not again!!

A side note: I get this all the time and I will explain which I proceeded to explain to the lady. WakeForestUniversity is in Winston-Salem, NC not Wake Forest, NC. The Southeastern Seminary is in WakeForest which back in the day was WakeForestCollege. I remember one night I was at Target loading my car and this car came up to me and asked me where WakeForest was. I told him that he was in WakeForest. He said no that he was looking for the school because there was a basketball game that night. I quietly said to myself “Southeastern doesn’t have a basketball team” but then 2+2 =4 and I told him that WakeForestUniversity was in Winston-Salem not WakeForest which was about 3 hours away. He shook his head and said “You mean I have to drive back?” I asked him where he was from and he said “Charlotte”. OMG man, buy a map, look it up!!

So anywho, Jackson and I were lovin the ride. He was so excited to be riding a big ride. We even got somewhat wet. So we got off and found our way back to my parents and Kerry. They hadn’t moved to take Kerry to other rides as she didn’t want to leave. So we went and rode some other rides like the teacups. They loved the teacups – so much that we rode it twice. I now see why the teacups are not my favorite ride. The next ride was the Elephant Run. This ride was the kiddie version of a bigger ride in BG. The kids got into these cars and went around in a circle. They both loved it cause it went fast.

After those rides, everyone wanted a snack so we found an ice cream shop and got soft serve ice creams with sprinkles for the kids, a lemonade for my mom, and a orange smoothie for my dad. What did I get you may ask? I got an extra spoon so I could help Kerry and Jackson eat their ice creams. The ice cream was very refreshing.

After we refueled it was off in search of more rides. We walked around Italy some more and found the other rides, the balloon ride and the kite ride.

I think they enjoyed them but they were rather slower compared to the teacups and the elephant rides. A quick note about the kite ride. The TM who was running this ride was sooooo slooooow. She was not an older lady but rather someone in their 30s. So when I went to get the kids off the ride, she looks at me and says in a whining tone, “Look, you guys get to go home.” Well lady, nobody’s twisting your arm to be here!

Up next -
The ultimate big kid ride for my 5 year old and I think we figured out the bumper cars . . . (And maybe I'll figure out the pictures!!)

[WDWfan]

Kim - Just got caught up with your TR. You sure have done a lot so far! I'm goad the demon has disappeared. I haven't been to a BG in over 15 years. It sounds like I should try to visit one again soon.

[NanaTink]

Just catching up! Great job! I haven't been to Busch Gardens since 1999, I drive past several times going to Hampton to visit DS/DDiL/DGD...
I will have to go again soon!
Can't wait to hear more!

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update!! Too funny about the man and the Wake Forest story

[DDuff]

Enjoying your TR. We did BGW a couple if summers ago. We call it the best amusement park trip ever. Mostly because this is where or 2 kids became big coaster lovers. We owe it all to Apollo's Chariot. DS had always been a timid rider. The rest of the family liked it so much we bribed him to ride it (he is my money lover) and guess what he liked it! We never looked back and were able to ride all coasters together for a period of 2 years until DH back gave it. AAHHH! The golden years.

[emtpej]

Originally Posted by TheThomasFam

I told him that WakeForestUniversity was in Winston-Salem not WakeForest which was about 3 hours away. He shook his head and said “You mean I have to drive back?” I asked him where he was from and he said “Charlotte”. OMG man, buy a map, look it up!!

That reminds me of the times I was on duty for the fireworks on the National Mall...
People would come to me and ask me 'Where's the Smithsonian?' and I would have to tell them that ALL the buildings are the Smithsonian (except the Capitol, of course)!
Aside from that, directions in DC can be pretty confusing...

Originally Posted by TheThomasFam

After those rides, everyone wanted a snack so we found an ice cream shop and got soft serve ice creams with sprinkles for the kids, a lemonade for my mom, and a orange smoothie for my dad. What did I get you may ask? I got an extra spoon so I could help Kerry and Jackson eat their ice creams. The ice cream was very refreshing.

Smart mom! That's what I try and do, too!

[nursemacair]

Sounds like you had a great time. We make the treck to BG at least once during the summer, and then again for Hall-o-scream. Just wait until your DS can ride the Griffin !!! It won't take long ! Can't wait for the rest of the report !

[clio]

It sounds like you're having a great time. I haven't been there in years. The 4d pirate movie sounds like the one that was at SeaWorld of Ohio when my DD lori worked there. We didn't like the bees either.
Liz

[chezp]

Another great update!