Summer time in 2018 at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Summer Nights at Busch Gardens

Not going to lie, summer in Virginia like most of the east coast (except perhaps New England) is hot! Generally though, the humidity here in Virginia is more often lower than a lot of other places. (Most specifically where we lived in NJ just outside of Philly which was like a tropical rainforest). We do get muggy days of course, but overall, if you can find shade, water and a breeze it’s nice. Well except for the 100 degree days, but there aren’t too many of those. Busch Gardens this year is adding a bit more cool down for your summer. Besides their water park (Water Country USA) the park has 3 water rides,  misters and air conditioned stores and venues. But this year they are adding a few more ways to cool off and few more exciting surprises to make summer sizzle and shine a bit more, in the good way.

                                          Minus 321 in back of Ireland Wild life Reserve

This Summer is going to sizzle and shine highlights.

• ·    Giant Mister fans (so far found this one above in France)
•     Spritzer Squad walking the pathways to spray down willing guests.

• ·         Dance party in France with a DJ, located where Demon DJ plays during HowlOScream.
•        Spark, out door lazer show with music and a party with the DJ before hand.

• ·         Fireworks Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday July 6-Sept 2(plus July 3-5 for the holiday) 9:30
• ·         Projection Mapping in Germany on Wilkommenhaus House in Germany (the big clock in front of the fountain) it will change the landscape of the area. July 6-Aug 12. Busch Gardens lights up in a beautiful way at night most summers, this is a new feature.

• ·         The Coca Cola ice cream place Minus 321 will be open for nitrogen coca cola infused ice cream teats. (in the back of Ireland's Wild life reserve, right before the entrance to France).The park is also having special summertime treats such as Splatter cake, super shakes and Tied dyed crepes. Crepes will be at crepes and coffee, and Splatter cake is at all the restaurants. Super Shakes are found at the Ice Cream location in France. They are huge from what we understand, but the line was very slow (as in not moving for 5-10 minutes and still a long way to go) So we had to skip it, but it was opening weekend so perhaps that will be better any day but Saturday. Because they sure look awesome.

• Retro drink cup special in honor of the Lock Ness monster turning 40 continues now through August 12. Enjoy 40 cent beers (7oz sized) in a special line in Fest Haus 2 per customer.
• Additional fun treats include Pork Tacos, Bacon on a stick, Acai Berry bowls, Spark Cocktails and fried twinkies. These are also found in France, where the Cuba kioski was (next to the ice cream place).

                         Splatter cake can be found through out the park where meals are sold

A Whole New park After Dark

After Dark many areas for the park are lit up with beautiful colorful lighting, so its a whole new experience in the evening.

·          

New Shows

Spark – will open and run from July 6- Aug 12. The high energy show features a party area dance floor, complete with bubbles that are made with some kind of smoke inside them. You can also opt to just sit and view if you're not up for dancing. Both are fun! The soundtrack is older and newer dance music. The show will also feature laser lights and some pyrotechnics. Spark is a good time, there is a 9pm showing every day in France's outdoor Royal Palace theater.

                                                                        Light Balance

Light Balance in the Abbey Stone (where Celtic Fyre normally performs). From July 6-8  and again on Friday, Saturday and Sundays July 27-August  12 you can enjoy a limited engagement popularized by America’s Got Talent. These dancers with lighted costumes take to the blackened stage and light up the darkness. They are often described as a Neon dance troupe. Light Balance will perform 5 shows nightly during the limited engagement.

Be prepared to stand in line and get a ticket to get in. Its no additional charge, and only one person from your family has to stay in the line the entire time, but it was a very popular event opening weekend. We got in line just after 6:30 (not expecting a line honestly) for the 6:45 show, but was able to see the 7:45 show. We were seated around 7:20 and it was well worth the wait, the show was absolutely amazing!

                                                                          Pompeii

Summertime can be very hot, but it is more tolerable at Busch Gardens than many other parks that don’t have as much natural shade. The 3 water rides, include a long flume (le Scoot in France), Escape from Pompeii which is a big drop flume (near the front of the park Italy); and Roman Rapids (Fiesta Italy) a rapid adventure sure to get you soaked. Also for those who don’t ride, if you want to get soaked you can stand at the walk out at the bottom of Pompeii and get pretty drenched as flumes come down. There are plenty of air-conditioned stores and misters in a few spots. Fest Haus, (Oktoberfest) the largest restaurant and only indoor one is large enough to hold a lot of people on a hot (or very cold) day.

Summer fun begins in July at the conclusion of Food & Wine (May 25-July 2).

Video walk through to "Europe in the Air" of Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Le Scoot

Busch Gardens Food & Wine 2018

It’s that time of the year again when Busch Gardens gets more delicious for the 6th annual Food & Wine Festival. Food and Wine began in 2013 and has become a popular event, especially for foodies and anyone who appreciates the talents of the culinary team at the park. If you have been to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg Virginia, then you know the park is themed in the style of Europe, so you are already in a virtual paradise, now with more food. The landscape however is very beautiful this time of year, with flowers blooming.

You can enjoy the festival from May 25-July 1st. Every year there are typically 2 new kiosks to replace lesser performing ones. This year there wasn't necessarily a "lesser performing" kiosk, but there are simply so many types of food to try there will be 3 (and a half) new kiosks. The half, is a revamp of Asia. There will also be a few changes to some of the other kiosks.

Busch Gardens in Williamsburg is meant to have a food and wine event since the food here is a much higher caliber than you will find at the majority of theme parks. It has grown into a decent sized event to celebrate food, drink and culture. You can learn little tid bits about the countries represented.  As far as the food, the majority is made in house, all of their desserts and sauces are made on the premises, they smoke all of their own meats and sometimes special chefs join the team for Food & Wine (this year it was a sushi cook for the Japan kiosk!). Fish is always sustainable and the fruits and much of the vegetables are locally sourced.

I would consider the event a walking tour of Europe and the tastes of culinary dishes from around the world without the high price tag. It’s a beautiful escape for those who want to travel, but really can’t go too far. We have attended 4 of the past 5 years and the quality and product is consistent.

New Menu Items

Above is the brand new mac-N-cheese from Hawaii which of course has ham and pineapple in it, and is topped with a macademia nut crust. The drink is the wheat puff shake from Cuba. called Batido de Trigo. Just like sugar smack milk.

What's New in 2018

New Kiosks

•  Brazil replacing Canada (in same location) 3 items 1 cocktail, 1 specialty. The food items: Brazilian Sausage, Beef Chimichurri, and grilled pineapple with coconut caramel sauce.
• Cuba replacing France (in same location) 3 items, 1 dessert, 1 cocktail, 1 specialty; Food: Cuban Sandwich, Shredded beef over rice and beans, Fried plantains, Flan
• South Korea- In Fiesta near train station and Elephant Run- 3 items, 1 cocktail, 1 specialty. Food: Beef on a stick, Ribs, Kimchi Sampler.
• Revamped Kiosk- Japan replacing Asia- still has 2 of the items, with 3 brand new items. Green Tea ice cream, Sushi, Lettuce wrap, chicken dumplings and Soba noodle bowl.

 Vegan dishes are noted with a green leaf on the kiosk menus. This year there are 6 vegan options (American Southwest : Ghost Chili Guacamole; India : Samosas, Japan : Lettuce Wrap; Mediterranean : Falafel; South Korea :  Kimchi Sampler; Spain:  Gazpacho. There are also 38 vegetarian options (including vegan, and does include desserts, but does not include drinks)

The Gazpacho went vegan this year by omitting the shrimp

 As far as drinks, or the "wine part" of Food & Wine, there are Tequila tastings by the Fest Haus (where Argentina Wine was in 2017)

In Fest Haus you will find a Beer flight, plus the famous Pork Schnitzel slider (schnitzelwich) which has a lemon caper sauce.

There are  5 Wine tastings - French Wine tastings, Niagara Region, German,  Italian,  Ireland. And for those who don't prefer wine a Scotch tasting in Scotland.

Previous years have had different entertainment in the form of Chef demos, this is also set up for 2018. This year they will be making some of the food from the festival in kiosks about every hour to hour and half. You will also get to try bite size samples for free.

This year there will also be 3 concerts. Scott McCreery on June 9.  Hunter Hayes on June 16, and Andy Grammer on June 30.

QUICK FACTS

• No additional Ticket, part of your admission. Buy what you want
• All normal attractions are running
• Food kiosks open at 11am and serve all day, or until they run out of food. In the case of lightening they do temporarily close
• Tastings range from $2-$4 for desserts and about $4-$6 for entrées, a few are more.
• To make your day a bit easier, you can purchase cashless wristbands.
• Wristbands are available in several areas of the park, 2 different spots before you even get to food (Booth before the turnstiles and guest relations after you enter), plus several other locations in the park.
• You can prepay with cash or link to a credit card for the cashless wristband. Then you just scan at the locations. This is a great choice when your hands are full and you need your stomach to be. If you don’t spend all of your cash, stop at Guest Relations in England when exiting and they will refund you any money not spent.
• You can eat and drink your way around the park, and even take a short cruise down the Rhine River, while delighting in some jazz music and savoring some fancy cheese and chocolate. 
• The Kombucha being sold at the Japan Kiosk is kept in a kegerator and does not contain alcohol, its by Coca Cola.
• The Kimchi is also not fermented so no fish used for those with an allergy and is vegan
• Sampler Cards cost $50 for 10 items, or $65 for 15 items.

·         The park goes all out for this event with additional decorations, country flags, lights and informational boards giving interesting tid bits from the countries represented. Truly a feast for the eyes as well. (no calories for that).

We visited on May 25, opening day

Kiosks of the Countries & regions represented

• ·        American Southwest (moved to Scotland near Loch Ness Monster)
• ·         Asia – Japan (NEW) -located in Italy walkway near big tree- between Pompeii and other rides in Italy at walkway to Fiesta
• ·         Brazil (NEW) - in New France, replaced Canada
• ·         Caribbean- Germany on the way to Oktoberfest.
• ·         Coffee & Crêpes (part of France all year, but with different options for F&W)
• ·         Cuba (NEW) - France-replaced France Kiosk near icecream and outside of Griffon
• ·         French Quarter- France
• ·         Germany - Oktoberfest near swings
• ·         Greece/ Mediterranean- in pizza cone/donut bite location by Pompeii
• ·         Hawaii- Ireland- in Wildlife reserve across from back of Abbystone theater-New Mac-N-Cheese
• ·         India (new in 2017)- Germany
• ·         Ireland- Ireland- near entrance after exiting bridge
• ·         Italy- Italy, usual location  all desserts- NEW Mini Cannoli Trio
• ·         Island Freeze Drinks (NEW in 2017) Back of Oktoberfest near Verbolten
• ·         Spain- Italy walkway passed stores and Marco Polo, before rides
• ·         South Korea (NEW) Fiesta near train station and Elephant Run
• ·         Virginia- Scotland in Scotland pigs in a kilt.

Our Favorites

Best Dish- Hawaii- Tuna Poke. So good, I could eat a dozen I am sure. The seaweed salad is delicious also. Both are very light and fresh.

Easiest to Eat while walking in the Park- Virginia- Bacon Hushpuppies and honey butter. I wish they would make this all year.

Best Dessert- America South West- Chocolate lava Cake. So gooey, and a very nice size. Its almost impossible to pick a best dessert, not only is this chocolate its the best value being the size of a cupcake.

Runner up -Cannoli Trio in Italy. You get 3 mini's but they are very close in size to the full sized in all three varieties the park sells in Marco Polo Italy. Ricotta, Strawberry and Nutella

Best  Speciality non-alcoholic Drink, Hawaii, Hibiscus Lemonade. 
RUNNER UP the Brazilian lemonade which is a frozen shake made with limes and sweetened condensed milk. Tastes like sherbet! Delicious and about the same size as this..

Best Soup, Virginia, She-Crab Soup. Very good, lots of crab.

Best New item from 2017 Mediterranean - Lamb Slider. Meaty, delicious not gamy

Best New item for 2018 TBA

Best Value- Virginia- Ham sampler; For $4 you get 3 kinds of Ham,- Country Ham, Carved Ham, and Ham pate, Plus as garnish- apple butter, honey mustard and whole grain mustard with a nice sized honey biscuit.

Carnivore’s Delight- Brazil- Sausage with grilled mushrooms, peppers and onions. perfect crisp sausage. delicious and a good portion.

Vegetarian Delight- Caribbean- Mojo Shrimp on Hearts of Palm Salad- Citrus marinated shrimp on bed of hearts of palm, black beans, corn relish, cilantro lime. Nice portion of shrimp! 

Sweet Tooth Lovers- Virginia- Pecan Bacon Chocolate bars.

Vegan Delight  - Lettuce Wrap - Japan. Marinated Tofu, veggies in chili sauce wrapped in butter lettuce. 

Food and Wine is fun overall. And if you have never been to the park, it may be a good time to check it out. Busch Gardens is more than just a theme park, it's not known for an excessive amount of thrill rides, but has thrilling rides. It is much more. You go here for a full experience, a nice day out in the fresh and sun, time with your loved ones and some delicious eats.

Don't miss this wonderful event!