Busch Gardens Coasters and Craft Brews
BGW is holding a limited reservation only event from August 5-23 on select days.
Due to the capacity restrictions they can only have 1000 patrons in the
park at any given time. This number is just patrons and not employees. And since this restriction for the park is not economically feasible to fully open the park employees came up with a rather brilliant compromise to open in some capacity. So guests will need to log onto the BGW website to reserve their tickets.
Coasters and Crafts will be a fun event for thrill seekers and beer lovers, and those who love Busch Gardens and need a small fix. And will take place through Scotland, Ireland, France and New France. (England, Germany, Oktoberfest, Italy, Fiesta are closed). In all fairness as it is such a limited amount of tickets, there are few things you should know especially if you have certain types of health issues (including mental health, which too me is the same/ Autism etc) and small children. Best to know before you go, so you don't waste your time or someone else's option to go trying to get through the reservation system.
The park is enforcing a face covering requirement the entire time, so this includes walking/exercise so those who are not capable are asked to not attend as you will not be admitted or have to leave if you can not comply. Children 2 and up will also have to follow this. Guests may remove their coverings while eating or drinking in designated areas, or in a relaxation zone which requires 6 feet distance at all times. Please keep this in mind for young children. There are limited (one) children's rides, and none of the children's zones like Forest of Fun or Land of the Dragons will be open.
The main demographic for this event will be Thrill seekers, beer lovers, and not necessarily families. (Coasters and Craft Brews). However you of course know yourself and your family and should do what you wish. The animals will be available, and there will be some shopping and the usual delicious eats! I only mention all of the facts based on the variety of concerns people have had about this recently and for transparency. BGW is a pretty good company who believes in people having fun, so they would not want their guests to have a terrible time. I won't force Noah to this event, as I know what he can handle when it comes to face coverings, and since this place gave us the miracle of being able to connect as a family, we won't tarnish it with a terrible time, its not why we go. Between his needs and my own physical limitations. (I attempted to walk with it on at the press briefing at the park recently and needless to say, it did not go well but that's a different article) But for those who want to go, perhaps renting a wheel chair for $25 if you have someone who can push you, or a motorized one, might be a good option, they are $50 for the day and you can get them at Guest Services before the turnstiles.
The main demographic for this event will be Thrill seekers, beer lovers, and not necessarily families. (Coasters and Craft Brews). However you of course know yourself and your family and should do what you wish. The animals will be available, and there will be some shopping and the usual delicious eats! I only mention all of the facts based on the variety of concerns people have had about this recently and for transparency. BGW is a pretty good company who believes in people having fun, so they would not want their guests to have a terrible time. I won't force Noah to this event, as I know what he can handle when it comes to face coverings, and since this place gave us the miracle of being able to connect as a family, we won't tarnish it with a terrible time, its not why we go. Between his needs and my own physical limitations. (I attempted to walk with it on at the press briefing at the park recently and needless to say, it did not go well but that's a different article) But for those who want to go, perhaps renting a wheel chair for $25 if you have someone who can push you, or a motorized one, might be a good option, they are $50 for the day and you can get them at Guest Services before the turnstiles.
So with that being explained the rest of this will give you all the details I have. A separate article will be posted here to answer some of the
many questions fans have had and concerns about the parks future.
The Wildlife Reserve will be open, minus the Pet Shenanigans show.
This event is free for passholders, Fun card holders and Members and is $45 for
tickets for everyone else. 5 thrill rides will be open and one for kids, Even though you have to wear a face covering, screaming is still allowed and encouraged.
Coasters and Craft Brews will have guests enter as usual, parking will be
done in the England parking lot, which is considered preferred parking, so this
will be a serendipitous situation. Pass holders will get the parking prices
based on their pass, so if they get free parking, then there is free parking.
For everyone else the price will be $10.
There will be a temperature screening at the turnstiles with a non contact thermometer. Guests who have a temp of 100.4 or more will have the option to go to a cool location and given a chance to cool down. This can be the case for those who are sensitive to the heat. Of course if you are sick, you know by now to stay home. BGW is already a very clean place but they will be cleaning the rides after a riders disembark with a peroxide based spray and paper towels. The process takes around 10 minutes and they are hoping to make it 5-7 minutes. Physical Segregation will also be suggested throughout the park and riders will be spaced out every other seat.
There will be a temperature screening at the turnstiles with a non contact thermometer. Guests who have a temp of 100.4 or more will have the option to go to a cool location and given a chance to cool down. This can be the case for those who are sensitive to the heat. Of course if you are sick, you know by now to stay home. BGW is already a very clean place but they will be cleaning the rides after a riders disembark with a peroxide based spray and paper towels. The process takes around 10 minutes and they are hoping to make it 5-7 minutes. Physical Segregation will also be suggested throughout the park and riders will be spaced out every other seat.
Guests will walk through England, however England will not be
open (with the exception of the Emporium) and make their way to Scotland or
Ireland. Scotland will have the rides
open which include Lil Clyde’s ride and The Loch Ness Monster. Scotland
is a train stop but the train will not be operating. The Clydesdales will also be available for a
visit, and the Tap Room will be open for snacks. Ireland will have 2 stores open as well as Finnegan’s Flyers, and 2 places for beverages or snacks. Then
guests can make their way through the Wildlife reserve and see their animal
friends. France and New France are the
other villages open, the shop in France as well as the General Store in New
France will be available for shopping, and 2 places for snacks and drinks. Rides will include Griffon, Invadr, and Le Catapult. The log flume which is more off the path, is
not opening. Trappers Smokehouse will also be open and serving the usual menu.
Relaxation areas where you can remove your face covering are located in Scotland by the Loch Ness Monster Rain Shelter ; An area in the Wildlife Reserve (not sure where, i was just told Wild Life Reserve Area, i doubt its the whole area); France just outside the Royal Palace Theater; New France in the wooded area in the back near Alpengiest.
As Far as Brews go...
Grogan's Pub will have a variety of about 20 different craft
beers from local Virginia Breweries. Brady's Drinks will also be open in
Ireland and Three Rivers Snacks in New France, Tap Room in Scotland will also
sell the usual beverages and snacks. No other places will be open, also you may
bring your refillable cup, but you will not use it as you have in the past.
Team members will hand you a paper cup instead.
“We want to thank our guests for their patience and are so
excited to be able to give them a taste of Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Stated
Park President Kevin Lempke
There will be about 18 dates for the Coasters and Craft
Brews. Guests and Members/Pass holders need to make a reservation. Regardless
of whether the event sells out online you will need the reservation so be sure
to get one online for when you wish to visit. You cannot go to the gate and get
in with out this. The dates and time slots to visit for this Event are listed
below
Member Preview Wednesday August 5th 5-9pm
Thursday August 6th
August 13th & August 20th 5-9
Friday August 7th 14th August 21st 11-3 and 5-9
Saturday August 8th 15th & August 22nd 11-3 and 5-9
Sunday August 9th 16th & August 23rd 11-3 and 5-9
Shops and Eateries
open
Ireland's Toys of the Leprecaun and Emerald Isle gifts (no
Pot of Gold)
Le Belle in France
The General Store in New France (pottery and Arcadia Traders
will be closed)
Eateries
The Tap Room Scotland
Bradys Drinks Ireland
Grogans Pub Ireland
Three Rivers Snacks New France
Trappers New France
In case you missed it here is a link to the top 10 questions about reopening and the temporary closure
This is a music video I made for Noah for his birthday to celebrate 10 years of going to Busch Gardens. Lots of pictures of the park and watching Noah grow up.
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