Christmas Town 2019 Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW) has the distinction of being Americas Most Beautiful Theme Park in the world for some 29 consecutive years and it has deserved that title each and every year.  This year they also will have the additional title of having the largest lighted display in all of North America. 

In 2019 for the 11th time, Busch Gardens will transform its park to a living Christmas card, called Christmas Town for 38 magical days in 2019 (and into the beginning of 2020) Christmas Town comes to town with such enthusiasm and magic, it’s a tradition for many who love BGW whether or not you ride. Just walking through looking at beautiful lights and displays, listening to music and smelling pine trees is a lovely way to get some exercise and holiday spirit.

New Magic at Christmas Town This Year.

This year for the first time there will be a Christmas tree maze that guests will enjoy strolling through 500 fresh cut trees and enjoying Christmas traditions around the world. The maze will contain craft stations for kids, and music for a fully immersive experience. This is located to the right of Fest Haus.  We did the new maze and think it would be more immersive done after the sun is down. But for young kids who will enjoy crafts, any time will be good! They also have a snack stand upon entering that sells, soup, turkey legs and few other small items plus drinks.

Over at the San Marco Theater, there is a solo pianist playing favorite Christmas music in a show called Believe.

The rest of the fun from the past 2 years is back including the Rudolph meet & Greet; Christmas Town Express train ride, Christmas Shows including Ice Skating show T'was the Night and of course Santa's Workshop. Below are more details for those who haven't been yet, or want a refresher on what to expect.

Fun Activities at Christmas Town

The park does not operate all of the rides, mostly due to weather. However there are still plenty of rides available to enjoy on top of the included activities mentioned below. The Mach Tower, Verbolten, InvadR and about 20 more -most flat and kid rides are open.  The Skyride will operate as long as temps are above 32 and are decorated also with additional lights. All of the rides are given fun Christmasy names on the park map.

 Christmas town is decorated by 200 people totaling over 10,000 hours. They decorate with more than 20,000 ornaments and 1500 trees for starters.  Plus wreaths, lighting displays and other decorations.The whole job makes you feel like you just walked into Christmas.

Polar Pathway - The walkway as you pass by Pompeii heading into Italy is fully illuminated all around you, and of course the Pompeii ride itself.

The Christmas Town Express, which is taking advantage of the existing train, will be fully decked out with lights and festive fun this year with 1.5 million of those 10 million lights. Guest will board and be able to carol along the 15 minute ride and enjoy themed holiday lighted displays specifically decorated for this attraction. Lot's of lights blinking and stuff.

The Wilkommenhaus building in Germany will continue the projection mapping and lighted delights for Christmas Town.  A lighted show featuring Gingerbread men will come to life every 15 minutes. This building also is the newer home to the Cookies and Cocoa Shop where you can select from different flavors freshly made by the pound. Some flavors include; Double Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Lemon, Red Velvet, and Snickerdoodle. You will also be able to decorate a Gingerbread man. This is also an indoor place to eat.

As far as cocoa you will find flavors including Peanut Butter, Mint and the 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) You may bring your older cups for refills as well. Its $2.39 refills on Hot cocoa and cider.  ($2.59 for the Ghirardelli) If you don’t have one, then you may want to buy one for $6. .  

Santa’s Workshop moved to Dark Castle (now known as New Castle) in Oktoberfest last year to make for a more spacious environment. 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 (in Noah terms), 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. Much like they say, it’s not the destination, but the journey.  Santa is back this year and he is just as excited to see all of us.  You can also take your own pictures or purchase pictures with your Photokey membership, or as an individual picture (same as ride photos) which have their borders.

New Sesame Street Show.  Over in the forest of fun Elmo will take the stage with Rosita, Grover, and Zoe and cookie monster in a holiday themed show called Elmo’s Christmas Wish.

Guests can also meet and take pictures with Elmo and Cookie Monster in the Forest of Fun.

Rudolph Meet & Greet Experience

2016 brought in Rudolph experience with Clarisse, Bumble and the loveable Yeti, plus a few more 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.

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.

In Fest Haus Roasted Sirloin Sandwich on a sourdough roll with onion strings.  The meat is delicious and is paired with homemade mashed potatoes and super tasty green/wax beans and carrots. Personally I didn't like the roll, the second time I had this I just took the good stuff off of it. You can also have a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.  There is also a Christmas Town Club which is a turkey, ham and bacon sandwich on cranberry apple and raisin bread. (also available at Trappers)

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 from Mrs. Claus 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. He also will read everyone a story, there is a small show with this including elves but you are part of the show. 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.

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 hotdogs and sausage sandwiches with toppings. They also have an option to serve potato soup and chili. Most other kiosk locations are cookie and dessert related.

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.

For Christmas Town, there was a new Freak Shake added. Peppermint Chocolate milkshake, topped with crushed peppermint candy, chocolate drizzle and oversized Mint Chocolate chip cookie. There is also a spiced cake added to most dining locations.  For drinks (besides hot cocoa) there is Mulled Wine, a warm spiced wine with apple cider and orange in 3 locations; England Cobblestone Bar, The France Village store, and Vin Brule in Italy. Pumpkin Pie crepes are also still available at Crepes and Coffee in France. 

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Holiday Shopping

Shopping at Christmas Town can be part of the fun, 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 pre-pay 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 these 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 a new solo pianist called "Believe” 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 Pallidum based on the story T’was the Night before Christmas. For additional entertainment you will also at Fest Haus a 50 foot tree that will light up nightly to a musical score, properly named O’Tannenbaum.  Video here

Final Details

There are heated areas through out the park if you need a break from the chill, plus a few open fire pits. Weather in Virginia in November and December is typically in the 50's and 60's but gets into the 40's after the sun goes down. (and can occasionally get cooler than that) but is overall pretty mild.

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 38 chances to visit. The park is open from 12 or 2pm depending on the day and is open until 10pm. This year the park is open Friday and Saturday January 4, 5 from 2-9. The gates typically open before 1:30 pm.  Rides and experiences open at 2pm, and the Skyride at 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. (rates begin at $11 a month). If this is something you aren't able to do this year, mark you calendar now for next year, tickets are always on sale in early November at a huge discount (close to half price). Parking for pass members is complimentary and $20 for non-season pass holders. We generally visit at least 3 times. If you are thinking about going, make your plans the time is going to fly by.