Christmas Town 10th Anniversary at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW) has the distinction of being America's Most Beautiful Theme Park in the world for some 28 consecutive years and has deserved that title each and every year.  This year for the 10th time, Busch Gardens will transform (from the spooky Howl O Scream) to a living Christmas card, called Christmas Town. BGW will be boasting the largest light display in North American with more than 10 million lights this year. Christmas Town comes to town with such enthusiasm and magic, it’s a tradition for many who love Busch Gardens Williamsburg, whether they are local or travel.

It should be noted not all rides are operating due to the weather mostly. Ticket prices are also reflective of this. However The Mach Tower, Verbolten, InvadR and about 20 more -most flat and kid rides are open. as well as the Train and Skyride.  Most people come to Christmas Town for the lights, food, entertainment and overall cheer as opposed to the rides this time of year. So having any operating is a bonus. Ticket prices are about half the cost (from $90 during the season) to as low as $30, but average around $40 depending on the day visiting and when you purchase. (earlier the better)

Go Big or Go Home

The motto for decorating is just that, go big or go home so the park is adorned not just with lights, but 20,000 ornaments and 1500 trees.  There are also wreaths, and other decorations sparkling and shining in the park. Which is decorated by 200 people over 10,000 hours.  But it’s not just what you see with your eyes at Christmas Town that makes it a "Christmas town", it’s this beautifully orchestrated symphony of sounds, smells and good feeling. When it’s all combined you can’t be there and not feel like you just walked into Christmas.

New Magic at Christmas Town This Year.

The Christmas Town Express, which is taking advantage of the existing train, will be fuller of lights and festive fun this year with 2 million of those 10 million lights. Guest will board and be able to carol along the 15 minute ride and enjoy the lights and themed holiday lighted displays specifically decorated for this attraction.

The Wilkommenhaus building in Germany was updated this summer with projection mapping and the lighted delights will continue for Christmas Town.  A lighted show featuring Gingerbread men and a Gingerbread House will come to life every 15 minutes. This building is home to the New Cookies and Cocoa shop where you can select from different flavor freshly made by the pound cookies. Some flavors include; Double Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Lemon, Red Velvet, and Snickerdoodle. You will also be able to decorate a Gingerbread man.

As far as cocoa you will find flavors including Peanut Butter, Mint and the park's signature. There are new mugs this year for the refillable Cocoa. These will fit more easily in your car cup holder (or stroller) and are easier to carry as they don’t have the handles. (which are good when the cups were empty to attach to a back pack). There are also Over-sized Smores shown below, which is actually a light version as i asked them to go easy on the toppings and whipped cream.

You may bring your older cups for refills as well. Its $2.19 refills on Hot cocoa and cider.  ($2.39 for the Ghirardelli) If you don’t have one, then you may want to buy one for $7.  If you purchase your mug at the Ghiradelli location in France it is $8.


SANTA!!!! I Know Him.

Santa’s Workshop moved to Dark Castle (now known as New Castle) in Oktoberfest last year to make for a more spacious environment. But the same old Santa (the really real one ofcourse) is back! The queue begins outside the same as if you are riding Dark Castle. However for those with a mobility pass you use the same quick queue area. If the park isn’t crowded you shouldn’t have to worry about the outdoor queue. The indoor queue is beautiful and makes the wait more fun and exciting.

We did feel it was a long wait, but it was an enjoyable wait. Because you were looking and walking through a lot of magic, so the “wait” was truly part of the experience.  You travel through several rooms full of Christmas cheer, gifts being packaged and more Christmas trees.

Much like they say, it’s not the destination, but the journey. You can also take your own pictures or purchase pictures either with your Photokey membership, or as an individual picture (same as ride photos) which have their borders.

New Sesame St. Show Elmo's Christmas Wish

Over in the Forest of Fun Elmo will take the stage with Rosita, Grover, Zoe and cookie monster in a holiday themed show called Elmo’s Christmas Wish. The 20 minute show is full of  these dancing favorite characters and songs. Guests can also meet and take pictures with Elmo and Cookie Monster at special labeled locations in the Forest of Fun.

The Lights!

One of the main reasons to come is to see the lights of course. Each year they add some more and this year it's up to 10 million. You will notice pictures throughout this review. 

Dining

Dining at Busch Gardens is part of the fun for many park goers because the food here isn’t your typical theme park food. For the holiday season there are special treats available for a short while. Besides what has already been mentioned there will also be different desserts like Black forest cheesecake, cherry cobbler, pumpkin pie crepes, Freak Shakes and more. There are also heated outdoor areas near the outdoor restaurants in England, and New France.

In Fest Haus the roasted Sirloin Sandwich on a sourdough roll with onion strings is back plus you can buy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.  New this year is the Christmas Town Club which is a turkey, ham and bacon sandwich on cranberry apple and raisin bread $10.99 (also available at Trappers) and at Trappers turkey and pork sliders.

Santa’s Fireside feast

If you prefer to dine with Santa and Mrs. Claus you can also do so!  Santa’s Fireside feast includes a buffet meal, cookies for dessert and the big guy will read you a story. There is also a photo opportunity. Santa’s Fireside Feast (Castle O Sullivan in Ireland) is a holiday buffet and interactive show with Santa. You can meet Santa, tell him what you would like for Christmas and get a picture. This is set up as an interactive show, including Elves. Ms. Claus will bring cookies out for dessert. It was a real delight and a must for kids. You can book this for lunch or dinner; bring your appetite the buffet includes a carving station of turkey or ham, Swedish meatballs, homemade mac-n-cheese, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and Trapper’s Smokehouse Chili. Plus there is plenty of food for kids plus a salad bar and more.

Other dining options

The Tastes of Christmas Town a buffet where you will also get reserved seating for Deck the Halls. (which if you go there on a busy day at the wrong time you certainly need). Both buffets have holiday themed food including roast turkey and ham, Chicken Alfredo and much more.

In New France in front of Trappers Smoke House is the Show Grill, where they are grilling up large hot dogs and sausage sandwiches with toppings which include cheese, sauerkraut, chili, onions and peppers.They also have an option of a hot dog or sausage served with a cup of potato soup or chili.  Trappers is also serving Sliders BBQ Turkey and Pork with coleslaw and fries, and they are pretty delicious, filling and $12.49.

For Dessert lovers

A new Beignet Sundae is being added to Josephine’s Creamery De Chocolate. A hot New Orleans’s styled doughnut with hand dipped ice cream and your favorite toppings. Also for Christmas Town there is a new Peppermint Freak Shake. Which is a Peppermint Chocolate milkshake, topped with crushed peppermint candy, chocolate drizzle and oversized Mint Chocolate chip cookie. It's $14 and meant to be shared.

Wine tastings are still happening in France and Germany and there is Mulled Wine added this year. Which is a warm spiced wine with apple cider and orange in 3 locations; England Cobblestone Bar, The France Village store, and Vin Brule in Italy

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Rudolph Movie Experience

2016 brought in Rudolph experience with Clarisse, Bumble, the lovable Yeti and most of the other Rudolph friends. Holiday Hills is an indoor opportunity to meet Rudolph and friends. The queue is mostly indoors, but on very busy days you will still have a line outside. As you walk through the queue you can enjoy scenes from the Rudolph movie and eventually get to meet Rudolph, Clarice, Bumble and Yukon.  Even the floor is sparkly.

 Out across from this is a shortened 12 minute version of the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer classic TV show.  Running continuously throughout the day. It will also include some special effects, delicious scents and of course lights.

Holiday Shopping

Shopping at Christmas Town can be part of the fun, and there is plenty of it around. The normal stores will be open selling Busch Gardens merchandise as well as holiday decorations and gifts. In Oktoberfest there is an outdoor market of items (Mistletoe Marketplace) from local artisans, winery and ornaments. With all of the holly jolly around it makes a good time to pick up some special items, or get pictures done for your holiday gift giving, regardless of what you celebrate. Cashless wristbands are offered and can be purchased once you enter the park to make your day a bit easier. You can prepay a set amount or link to a credit card depending on your preference and needs. If you pay up front with cash and don’t use it all, it is refunded to you at the end of your night. You can use the wristbands for all purchases including dining.

Entertainment

There is plenty of entertainment decking the halls of Christmas Town. There are 6 shows you can enjoy throughout the park besides character meet and greets and carolers over in England.  Scrooge No More in England, an adaptation of the Charles Dickens Classic A Christmas Carol, takes full advantage of the technological enhancement done on the Globe in 2014.

 At Fest Haus there is a musical holiday review show about different traditions called Deck the Halls. In Italy at the San Marco Theater is an acappella musical show called “Gift of Harmony” full of Christmas music both new and old. For Christian traditionalists you can enjoy Gloria, a classic retelling of the Christian “first Christmas” at the Abby Stone theater in Ireland.  

But the true crowning gem is T’was the Night, an ice skating show over in France in the Royal Palace Theater based on the story T’was the Night before Christmas. 

For additional entertainment you will also find Carolers in England and outside of the Festhaus is a 50 foot tree that will light up nightly to a musical score, properly named O’Tannenbaum.  Video here

Final Details

You can visit Christmas Town  at BGW while it’s busting with holiday cheer from November 16 (member night only) through January 5. They aren’t open every day so be sure to check the calendar, but it does mean there are 35 chances to visit. The park is open from 12 or 2pm depending on the day and is open until 10pm Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in November and first week of December. Then its open daily except for Christmas Day through January 1st. And also open the following  weekend Friday and Saturday January 4, 5 from 2-9 as a bonus this year.

The gates typically open an hour before operating times. (Rides and experiences open when stated) the Skyride sometimes is not available until 4pm. You have the option to purchase a ticket at the park or online. If you think you will attend more than once you should consider the Fun Card or a membership. 

More on memberships in this post here.

Single tickets are $30 online and $54 at the gate. Funcards are $54 .Parking for pass members is complimentary and $20-25 for non-season pass holders.

2017 Review