Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s water park Water Country
is the most beautiful water park I have personally visited. And I have been to several water parks in NJ,
VA and Florida (but not the Disney water parks).
It is what you would expect after a visit to “The Old Country” as it used to be called, or what is known as “America’s Most Beautiful Theme Park” which has been won 29 years consecutively.
This is a large water park; you do have to be prepared to walk. Which on a nice day is a pleasant experience. Even at entry there is plenty of plants and even some fans if there is a line.
It is what you would expect after a visit to “The Old Country” as it used to be called, or what is known as “America’s Most Beautiful Theme Park” which has been won 29 years consecutively.
This is a large water park; you do have to be prepared to walk. Which on a nice day is a pleasant experience. Even at entry there is plenty of plants and even some fans if there is a line.
The park opened in 1984 and has lots of natural shade from
trees, and is landscaped with bushes, flowers and foliage plus a few palm
trees.
It was originally designed as a 50’s or 60's theme, which you can still see with attractions such as Rock and Roll Island and the 1500 ft. long Hubba Hubba Highway, the not so lazy river. Over the years there have been lots of updates and even the soundtrack to Hubba Hubba Highway plays more current tunes. (Yes there is music there!)
It was originally designed as a 50’s or 60's theme, which you can still see with attractions such as Rock and Roll Island and the 1500 ft. long Hubba Hubba Highway, the not so lazy river. Over the years there have been lots of updates and even the soundtrack to Hubba Hubba Highway plays more current tunes. (Yes there is music there!)
The
Hubba Hubba Highway is our most favorite attraction and it is at the back of
the park. This ride is a not so lazy river, where you cruise down 1500 feet (about
3 feet deep water) of fast moving water.
There are sprayers and small water features and even mini
rapids in one section. You can wear a life jacket, or at least lay on one, as it’s
more relaxing to do so. Otherwise it can be a bit of a work out.
Water Country features 17 attractions including body slides, raft and inner tube slides, water play areas, 2 lazy rivers and a wave pool. AS well as a few gift shops and plenty of eateries.
The slides have a variety of thrills. For the adrenaline junkie there is Vanish Point a 75 foot tall body slide, which has 2 versions the most intense takes the floor out from beneath you and sends you down a 300 foot slide.
Colossal Curl uses funnel technology, (this one called
Tornado 24 and Tornado 50, yes there are 2) and it’s terrifying. I had the pleasure of riding it once it opened back in 2014. Here is POV footage if you want to get an idea of what you are in for.
And also Rampage which is a toboggan style ride that skips
you across a 120 foot long shallow pool. I have not attempted this, and probably won’t.
Most other rides are family oriented, though I say those body slides at Rock N
Roll island are quite fast and I screamed “I don’t like it” the whole way down.
So for someone who likes that type of thrill, you will LOVE it.
Malibu Pipeline, Aquazoid, have a medium thrill level, as well as the new water coaster. Cutback Coaster sends riders down an 856 ft. waterway and can seat up to 4 in a raft through tunnels and wide open saucer space.
We have been visiting Water Country since 2011, and over the
past 8 years they have opened 3 new rides here and added more eateries and
seating. We also saw the diving show leave, and hope one day they will bring
something back.
They do offer a mobility program here as well, that we have only used once. (You can sign up for 3 rides that have lines and be escorted to the front) which may not sound like much, but it really is when there are options that require no waiting. Such as the wave pool, hubba hubba highway, rock and roll island and there also 3 other kids play areas. If you go at the right time the lines aren’t that bad. (which is before it gets super hot, and really that’s fine with us). You can also rent a cabana, but they aren't air conditioned. They do come with water however.
They do offer a mobility program here as well, that we have only used once. (You can sign up for 3 rides that have lines and be escorted to the front) which may not sound like much, but it really is when there are options that require no waiting. Such as the wave pool, hubba hubba highway, rock and roll island and there also 3 other kids play areas. If you go at the right time the lines aren’t that bad. (which is before it gets super hot, and really that’s fine with us). You can also rent a cabana, but they aren't air conditioned. They do come with water however.
Our other favorite attraction is the Wave Pool, Surfers Bay
which covers 23,000 square feet. It is zero entry and goes up to 8 feet deep all
the way in the back. Every 10 minutes
there are waves (for about 8 minutes) there is a clock that counts it down so
if you prefer no waves you can get out into the ankle deep area. It’s reported
to have 4 foot high waves.
Noah made it his job for several years to gather and line up
life vests.
Price have gone up so it now costs $62 a visit, however if you buy on line its cheaper than before at $45. They also run special sales at time. Best value if you are going more than once is to have a membership. All memberships give the option to add Water Country for $2 more a month. Parking is free with membership. The other option if you are going later in the season is the Funcard which in July (only good until Sept 8) is $54 for BOTH parks.
