The Theme Park Mama

Is Hersheypark the ‘Sweetest Place on Earth’? Taking on the World of Chocolate with Toddlers…

August 1st, 2024

Hersheypark is one of the largest independent theme parks in the United States. That being said, there is a lot to do and see here, especially if you have young kids and thrillseekers. We happen to have both kinds of people in our group, including a miniature thrillseeker.

I would recommend purchasing parking in advance before heading to Hersheypark, as the parking online is actually a few dollars cheaper than at the gate, and it’ll save you some time.

As always, I recommend purchasing tickets/passes, etc. online before your visit – typically you can get a better deal online than you can in person.

Full disclosure: we were generously given tickets by Hersheypark in exchange for content on my social media channels and on my blog.

We got to the park a little after park opening and realized that a bunch of local camps had made a beeline to the park that day. We decided that Fast Track (Hersheypark’s Skip the Line service) was worth it, especially in the July heat with two kids under 2.

Since we had the Fast Track wristbands (which by the way, allow you to load your dining plan and skip the line onto one scannable wristband), we did Candymonium first, which had a 45 minute wait. If we did NOT have the Fast Track wristbands, we would have headed to Fahrenheit and Wildcat’s Revenge, which had much shorter lines. Candymonium tends to get longer lines earlier in the day due to its proximity to Hersheypark’s front gate.

Waiting for Daddy to pass by.

After Candymonium. we headed to Skyrush. I was a bit underwhelmed by Skyrush – I know most Coaster Enthusiasts rave about it (and my husband loved it), but I think Great Bear, Storm Runner, and Wildcat’s Revenge are much better rides. We did Sooper Dooper Looper and Comet – honestly, I was surprised by how fun Comet was!

Our two kids (7 months and 2.5 years old) fell asleep while I was riding Skyrush and my husband was their stroller chauffeur. My husband and I typically switch off and the Fast Track wristbands definitely helped speed that along. One thing (possibly my only critique) was that my husband and I noticed was that on a Thursday in July, operations seemed a bit slower than we are used to. Trains would take between 3-10 minutes, sometimes longer, to depart the station and restraint checks seemed to take a very long time, along with unloading trains.

Great Bear blew me away – it was so glossy smooth it made me not even miss Alpengeist at my home park, Busch Gardens Williamsburg. We ate some fries near Great Bear out of a literal bucket, which was a new experience – they were loaded with bacon, cheese, and ranch.

Just walking around, we noticed that the park was super clean, well-maintained, and beautiful to look at.

My oldest wanted to ride some rides (now that he was awake) and decided to go on the Sunoco Antique Cars/Raceway, located near Great Bear. For my Tristate area friends, this ride has a freaking EZ Pass lane for kids to drive under – how cool is that?

We grabbed some BBQ Brisket and Mac and Cheese at Springcreek Smokehouse – and the platter we got for $26 came with two sides, cornbread, and a drink. My husband and I split this and agreed it was a good value for two people to share. The restrooms near Springcreek Smokehouse were some of the cleanest amusement park restrooms I have ever seen – I changed both of my boys’ diapers and was blown away by how well-maintained this restroom was!

We rode Storm Runner and my oldest rode the Convoy Truck ride – the trucks were a huge hit with my 2-year old! In my opinion, I think Storm Runner is the sleeper hit of the entire park – my husband even preferred it to his rides on the original Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point (R.I.P.).

Fahrenheit and Jolly Rancher Remix pack a punch and at this point in the park, I started to wonder, “How many top notch coasters ARE there in this park?” And Hersheypark said, “But wait, there’s more!”

Fahrenheit is an inversion machine!

Wildcat’s Revenge is truly insane – I’ve rode Steel Vengeance, Iron Gwazi, and Twisted Timbers…and WR blew me away. Between Storm Runner and Wildcat’s Revenge, Hersheypark has an insane top 2 (in my own opinion).

Big fan of RMC – Rocky Mountain Construction.

My kiddos and my husband and I all rode the little train located next to Lightning Racer – and that was a hit all around. There are a lot of family friendly rides mixed in all around the park, but especially so tucked away in that little corner.

Our day was made complete by enjoying our meal at The Chocolatier – Hersheypark’s front gate sit-down restaurant.

We ordered a basic kid’s meal for my 2 year old, but my husband and I shared the Chicken & Waffles and Filet Mignon – you don’t need a park ticket to eat here but reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

The desserts at the Chocolatier are to DIE for – we split the Chocolatier Cake – and even my littlest guy had a taste of the chocolate.

This dessert was pure heaven.

We had a wonderful time at Hersheypark and can’t wait to go back! My takeaways and tips for this park, especially with young kids:

1.) Bring 1-2 reusable water bottles – for you and your kids. Water is free throughout the park and you can stay hydrated without using flimsy paper cups this way. Just stow them on your stroller!

2.) Get parking and tickets in advance to save a little cash.

3.) Gauge park crowds before purchasing a Fast Track band. It may or may not be worth it depending on how crowded it is. On summer weekends, it will probably be worth it.

4.) Make a reservation for the Chocolatier restaurant if you’d like to dine there in the air conditioning. They reserve some patio seating but it gets hot in the summer and I can’t eat when I’m hot.

5.) If you don’t get a Fast Track band, start at Wildcat’s Revenge and Fahrenheit. If you do get a Fast Track band, feel free to take on Candymonium.

6.) Springcreek Smokehouse is excellent for lunch, and you’ll get some great views of Storm Runner from the patio area nearby.

7.) Love cute Christmas ornaments? There’s a super cute Christmas boutique located between Candymonium and Skyrush! We got a cute ornament for our tree this year and they have tons of cute ones.

8.) Skip the bucket of fries – not that great.

9.) Do the antique car ride! So much fun and severely underrated.

10.) Bring snacks into the park for your kids – any park is going to have expensive snacks – I always pack some applesauce, puffs, crackers, clementines, fruit snacks, etc. in a bag for my kids and it saves us lots of money. Most parks will let you bring in snacks for your kids! My favorite puffs (my kids will eat through 2 bags in a park trip) are the Mission Mighty Me Organic Peanut Butter Puffs – if you use my code “THETHEMEPARKMAMA”, you’ll get 15% off of your order!

Hersheypark is one of the best parks I’ve taken my kids to – clean, fun, and lots and lots to do. Your kids will probably love it too!

-TPM
Essentially Epcot: The cheat sheet for a sophisticated park that packs a punch for kids

March 3rd, 2024

Disney World has no shortage of people who blog about, post about, and make videos about visiting its parks. I feel like Magic Kingdom gets a lot of hype, and so does Hollywood Studios (sorry, but it’ll always be MGM to me…). Animal Kingdom probably gets the least amount of love, but Epcot has been historically relegated to the realm of adult paradise. That may be true, but Epcot offers a lot for kids as well.

“Top of the EPCOT ball” by Marcus Burnette/ CC0 1.0

Epcot has stepped up her game in terms of rides and entertainment offerings for little ones and adults alike.

While Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has been a hit with the older kid-adult set, Moana: Journey of Water has hit it out of the park with little ones (tip: bring a change of clothes for this one if you have little ones). Disney has invested a lot of capital into getting families into Epcot for a full-day experience. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After easily get the longest lines at this park. Experiences like the boat ride in Mexico, Figment, and Spaceship Earth are amazing, but dated – meaning that young kids may not take to these experiences and may not experience the same whimsy and joy they feel when they see Elsa, Anna, or Mickey. Disney has taken that feedback in the last ten-fifteen years and crafted newer rides based on Disney’s newer, fresher IPs like Remy and Olaf.

If you have young kids, my best tip to you for a stress-free Epcot day would be to rope-drop (getting to the park way before it even opens, usually 1-1.5 hours before for resort guests) Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure…but ONLY if you are a Skyliner resort guest. Here’s why: the Disney Skyliner will drop off guests at the International Gateway (back door) of Epcot as opposed to the front gate where the buses and monorail drop off their guests. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is much closer to the International Gateway than the front entrance of Epcot, so you can get on and off that ride close to rope drop without using a Genie+ Lightning Lane selection.

At 7:00 am, if you are a Disney resort hotel guest, (and if you are using my tip above), you can select your first Genie+ Lighting Lane if you have purchased Genie+ access. I would NOT advise selecting Remy’s – that is a do-able rope-drop ride. I would instead advise you to select Frozen Ever After for the earliest return time you can get, and then purchase an ILL (Individual paid Lightning Lane) for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Here’s my rationale: You’ll rope drop Remy’s and avoid waiting in a sometimes 1-2 hour line, then return sometime in the morning for Frozen Ever After without waiting in a usually-2 hour long line. I would grab a pastry from France and a coffee to kick off your morning stroll through the World Showcase. I would do the 3 Caballeros boat ride in the Mexico pavilion, along with The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Spaceship Earth, Mission: Space, and Living with the Land around lunchtime, as those lines will more than likely be walk-ons. After riding Guardians and walking around Epcot’s exhibits (check out all the sodas and drinks at Club Cool!), you can settle into dinner at either Space 220 or Le Cellier – but both will require advance dining reservations and can be pricey. Space 220 does not accept the Disney Dining Plan and Le Cellier will take up two of your table service credits per person. Enjoying the nighttime Horizons show and snacking on some caramel popcorn from the Germany pavilion is a great way to end your day at Epcot.

Depending on your ILL selection time, you’ll ride Guardians, also without waiting in line or wondering if you’ll get into the Virtual Queue (and sometimes still have to wait 45-60 minutes when your boarding group is called).

If you have small children, utilize Child Swap for Guardians. Here’s how it works with ILL: Parent #1 scans into the ride and notifies the attendant that they’d like to do rider swap while Parent #2 waits with kid(s). Parent #1 rides. Parent #1 watches the kid(s), and Parent #2 scans in and rides. If you have a child that is tall enough and mature enough to ride Guardians (or Tron, Space Mountain, etc.), the child can go twice (one with each parent) so that the parent isn’t riding alone.

Pro Tip: If you also are interested in riding TestTrack, use the Single Rider line, as it’ll be quicker than making a Genie+ selection and you can get on and your buddy or spouse can hop in the Single Rider line as soon as you get off.

There are a lot of play areas for kids throughout Epcot – it truly is a very child-friendly park. The new Moana: Journey of Water experience isn’t a ride, won’t have a line, and is very little-kid oriented. Just, like I said, bring a change of clothes/shoes for when they get soaked inevitably.

Overall, Epcot is an underrated park. Kids may feel underwhelmed going to Epcot after a Magic Kingdom day, so I suggest doing Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios, and going back to any park that has things you missed or absolutely loved during the second part of your Animal Kingdom day if you have Park Hopper access.

-TTPM.
Busch Gardens Tampa: It’s a ‘Jungala’ Out There

February 5th, 2024

Busch Gardens Tampa is one of Florida’s many theme parks. However, without big names like Disney or Universal attached to it, it can often go overlooked by vacationers looking to visit the main Mouse or Harry Potter. In my three visits to this park, I would actually like to suggest that it is a valuable addition to a Florida vacation, much like adding on a day at SeaWorld Orlando (in my opinion, only better).

My first visit to this park was before having kids, and my second visit was three weeks postpartum with a newborn. This park is vibrant, warm (literally), fun, and has something for everyone. It’s also remarkably clean and not nearly as crowded as the other Florida theme parks.

I would suggest going on a weekday, preferably a Thursday, or even a Friday during the school year. This way, the crowds are lessened, and you can ride pretty much whatever you want, at your own pace, without having to purchase a Quick Queue (a skip-the-line service that can be pricey, depending on when you go).

The park is divided into several lands: Morocco, Stanleyville, Jungala (hence the title of this post), Sesame Street: Safari of Fun, Bird Gardens, Congo, Pantopia, the Serengeti Plain, Nairobi, Egypt, and the Edge of Africa. There are a myriad of different rides, sights, and animal experiences throughout the park. And rest assured, you WILL get your steps in here.

Some recent additions at this park include Iron Gwazi – a high-thrill roller coaster that packs a punch, the re-introduction of the famed Skyride, and Serengeti Flyer, an S&S Screamin’ Swing. A new family roller coaster, Phoenix Rising, is also coming to the park this year (2024). Keep these popular additions in mind – I highly suggest riding Iron Gwazi at park opening or close to park close. You can try to get to the park a little prior to the posted opening time and book it to Iron Gwazi. You may get lucky and even get a couple of rides in before the crowds come in. Thankfully, Iron Gwazi is very close to the front gate of the park.

Speaking of beginning your time at BGT, I would highly encourage you to purchase your tickets and parking online. Make sure your tickets say “Busch Gardens Tampa Bay” – not “Busch Gardens Williamsburg” – it’s a very common mistake, and I have seen people at both parks inadvertently buy tickets for the other park.

Check the weather prior to heading to the park – some of the animals may not be out if the weather is poor, and some attractions may even be down.

Check the park’s online events schedule – days with concerts, Howl-O-Scream, or other special events may be unexpectedly crowded for some parkgoers.

Look at a local thrift store for re-usable BGT or SeaWorld cups – you can usually bring these into the park and get refills for $1.00 or $2.00, as opposed to paying way more for a new cup or drinks throughout the day.

Apply sunscreen frequently and utilize shady spots (like by the bumper cars or SheiKra), especially if you have little ones. The Zagora Cafe located in Morocco, is a great air conditioned spot to take a break with your littles, and enjoy great views of the animals.

So those are just some general tips. Like I said earlier, start your day with Iron Gwazi. You’re beating some of the crowds here, and starting your day on a high note. If Iron Gwazi is down, or maybe you’d like to work your way up to it, start (and book it!) to Cheetah Hunt, located to the right side of the park. Book your safari excursion at guest services, grab some coffee at the new Coaster Coffee Company, and head to Cheetah Hunt. Cheetah Hunt easily gets some of the longest lines, so riding it early may help you to avoid the crowds here. I would also suggest riding the Skyride, since it’s located right next to Cheetah Hunt.

Montu and Cobra’s Curse are also very fun, well-themed rides, located in that general area – if their lines aren’t bad, I would suggest these rides next, followed by walking through the nearby animal exhibits. Depending on your safari time, you can do the bumper cars, Kumba, and Congo River Rapids before that. Make sure to re-apply sunscreen before your safari.

Riding the train at this park from the Nairobi station to the Stanleyville stations is VERY cool – you get some awesome views of the animals and hear some cool background info about the park from a team member.

Perhaps after your Safari, and after taking the train back from Stanleyville, you will want to ride Phoenix Rising. Depending on how the line looks, you may want to come back later that afternoon around dinner time. Same with Serengeti Flyer located nearby.

I would encourage you to do SheiKra, Tigris, and the Stanleyville Log Flume, along with Sesame Street: Safari of Fun (only if you have kids – if you do, it’s awesome!) in the early afternoon around lunch.

In terms of food, most of what BGT has to offer (outside of Food & Wine Festival and Mardi Gras) is generic theme park food. Zambia Smokehouse is probably the tastiest in my own opinion – the Smokehouse Sampler is particularly tasty. They do have a Chick-fil-A on property, but its offerings are limited and its hours are funky. If you are going during a food festival, a sampler may be worth your while. Buying a 10 or 13 item sampler during Mardi Gras in 2022 was enough for my husband and I to eat all day.

The rides at this park are super well-themed. Cheetah Hunt, Cobra’s Curse, and Iron Gwazi are my top 3 here. You will have fun, especially if you come on a less crowded day during the week, taking in all the animals, any shows playing, and riding things at a leisurely pace.

Tampa is more of a metropolitan area. That being said, when you park your car, lock it and do not leave any valuables inside. I have never had anything stolen from my vehicles here, but don’t be a target.

I would also AirTag any strollers or diaper bags – I do this at any theme park, again, just as a precaution. Keep a fanny pack with your ID, keys, credit cards, phone, etc. on you at all times. BGT is cashless, so be prepared for that as well.

You can bring snacks and waters into the park, especially if you have kids, and this will save you both time and money. I typically freeze a bunch of water bottles and throw them into the stroller. They’ll melt and be nice and cool to drink around mid-day. Snacks like pretzels, chips, fruit snacks, fruit, etc. are great to have on hand to not have to stop and wait in a line for an overpriced treat.

Busch Gardens Tampa is a spectacular park, and though Disney is the main Mouse in the state, I prefer BGT to Animal Kingdom. There is more to see, it’s a bit more affordable, and there are way more rides (and less crowds).

Enjoy these tips on your next visit to BGT!

-TTPM
Navigating Winterfest at Carowinds: Bring The Jacket

January 11th, 2024

Carowinds is a park that has only gained popularity since Cedar Fair acquired it a number of years ago. Now considering the merger between Six Flags and Cedar Fair, it’s set to become one of the mega-chain’s main flagship parks. Carowinds is a clean, fairly family-friendly park, with some great dining options and a ton of rides. Winterfest, the Cedar Fair chain’s holiday and winter festival at parks where it’s reasonably warm enough to operate, typically offers some holiday shows, special food offerings, and limited rides.

My first recommendations would be to check out the park’s Winterfest event on New Years’ Eve, get your tickets early (prior to getting to the park), and arrive a half hour prior to the posted opening time on Carowinds’ website. The fireworks and atmosphere are so fun and lively, and the park generally is not terribly crowded. We’ve checked out Carowinds on New Years’ for the past few years, and the lines typically aren’t too bad, save for Nighthawk (if it happens to be open). If you’re into the coasters like me, you’ll want to head to either Nighthawk or Copperhead Strike first, as they have the longest lines at Winterfest, seconded by Fury 325. You normally won’t need a Fast Lane (Cedar Fair’s skip-the-line system) during Winterfest. Something I really like about most Cedar Fair parks is that you can purchase an individual Fast Lane for a specific ride if a line happens to be way too long. This NYE, my husband and I purchased a one-time Fast Lane for Copperhead Strike for around $5 each; this saved us around an hour of standing in a very cold line.

Get the hot cocoa mug! You can purchase a refillable hot cocoa mug for $13.99, which is good for free hot cocoa refills the entire time you are at Winterfest (and $1 refills on return visits). We purchased one and shared it – on a very cold night, it’s great to have something hot to drink, which brings me to my next point…

AVOID THE STARBUCKS AT ALL COSTS.

There is a Starbucks location at the front of the park, near the giant Christmas tree. The line snakes through the store and sometimes out the door! Don’t be hopeful. Once, I waited in this line during Winterfest for over an hour for a caramel brûlée latte. If you need a coffee fix, head to the Cinnabon (literally right across the pavement from Starbs) and you’ll likely be in and out in five minutes.

If you are into rides, something to keep in mind is that a lot of roller coasters or other high thrill rides that are outdoors will NOT operate below 40 degrees or in high winds. Be sure to check the local weather prior to entering the park to adjust your expectations accordingly.

I highly recommend packing gloves, a jacket, and a heavy sweatshirt – this year in particular, it was quite cold. Case in point, the park sells sweatshirts that say, “I’m Freaking Cold…Carowinds”…I may have purchased one.

If you are bringing your kiddos to Winterfest, make sure they take naps either in the car or prior to leaving your home or hotel (I know, easier said than done). Bring lots of warm blankets, layers, a warm hat, and snacks! There are a lot of lights, music, and things to see for small eyes, and the downside of this is that it can be over-stimulating to some. Consider bringing a double stroller if you have multiple kids. Carowinds is a large park, and especially as the night drags on, even older kids might need to bundle up, take a break, or snooze.

Since you’ll probably be hungry at some point, consider skipping Holiday Hall’s (Harmony Hall during the normal operating season) food – it’s generic chicken fingers, fries, and pizza, and it’s not that great. Plus, it tends to get crowded and the drink machines tend to run empty. We were very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food at Dasher’s Diner (a.k.a. Blue Ridge Country Kitchen during the normal operating season). My husband got the seafood étouffée - which was served in a bread bowl, piping hot. I got the maple bourbon chicken thighs – which were out of this world amazing. These entrees were restaurant quality, let alone theme park quality. Plus, it wasn’t super crowded, so we were able to find a warm booth to sit in, indoors, to eat our dinner. We also checked out Terminal A, a more upscale bar-and-bites location located in Aeronautica Landing, the park’s brand-new themed land. Terminal A is a great spot to take a quick break, and enjoy some high-quality bar snacks and appetizers.

During Winterfest, Carowinds also offers some special activities and add-ons, like ice skating, cookie decorating, or even renting an igloo. Honestly, I would avoid all of these – the cookie decorating is very overpriced, the igloo rental borders on $100 (!), and the ice skating ‘rink’ is very bumpy, overcrowded, and was not overly enjoyable when we did it two years ago.

Bringing a fanny pack is always my go-to when attempting to conquer any theme park. Carowinds is no exception, and I was able to bring it on all the rides, no exceptions, as long as it was secured around my waist.

Carowinds’ app is also helpful in estimating wait times for rides (although they will make you create an account with them to access that information), and getting directions around the park (and finding food – the important stuff).

Around midnight (really around 11:30pm) on New Year’s Eve, you’ll start to see a crowd near the park entrance and the aforementioned giant tree. We got our last refill of hot cocoa at 11:20, and headed to the front gate, so that we could enjoy the countdown and fireworks, but beat most of the crowds to our car to leave.

Carowinds at Winterfest is a blast – as one of the lone warmer weather Cedar Fair parks, they really go all out to make this event a fun one! – TTPM.
The Often-Sunburnt and Overly-Caffeinated Mom’s Guide to Busch Gardens Williamsburg

January 3rd, 2024

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is one of my favorite parks to visit, with or without my kids. It’s where my husband and I went on one of our first dates, where I won season passes during COVID, and where I discovered my love of cheese fries smothered in bacon, green onions, and sour cream (Hello, Les Frites).

PRICE OUT THE COST OF DAILY TICKETS VS. MEMBERSHIP FOR YOUR GROUP…AND PURCHASE ONLINE.

If you’re planning a first-time visit, and/or are planning to attempt most of the big-deal attractions, this is for you. Depending on how many people are in your group, consider a season pass or membership. Definitely price out parking costs ($30-$50 per car) and daily tickets for all attendees over 3 for the day you’ll be attending, vs. having a membership where parking is included, and some tiers include free guest tickets, decent discounts (nothing fabulous, but food is expensive – every dollar counts), and some perks, like a free Quick Queue (Busch’s skip-the-line service), free sampler during a special event, or free special seating. Sometimes it ends up saving you money to have the membership, especially if your trip is a multi-day affair. For the youngest members of your group, anyone under 3 is free, and those over 3 to 5 years old may qualify for a free Preschool Pass. You can store all passes/tickets/memberships in the Busch Gardens app – this makes scanning into the park, and getting discounts (for members) at shops and restaurants much easier. Also, I know it sounds stupid, but make sure you are buying tickets or passes for BUSCH GARDENS WILLIAMSBURG, not BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY. I have seen it happen. Don’t be that person.

GET THERE EARLY.

I know. It’s not Disneyland. It’s not Black Friday. But if you’re planning to do Busch in the summer and/or on a weekend, getting to the park a half hour to an hour early to get through the park gate can make a big difference. Once in the park, head to the Oktoberfest section of the park to ride Verbolten and DarKoaster, if roller coasters are your thing – these two rides easily get two of the longest, if not THE longest, lines in the park. Park hours and showtimes can be found here: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/park-info/theme-park-hours/

BRING A FANNY PACK.

I’m a basic Lululemon belt bag (read: fanny pack) mom. I throw my keys, phone, cash (tip: BGW IS cashless), and any other incidentals in my pack and loop it around either my waist or across my body for the day. Most rides allow this as long as it is around your waist, tight, when you board the rides. This is helpful to keep your phone and card handy for quick snack purchases, scanning at gift shops (because your kid wants an Elmo shirt), and taking pictures of your kids climbing on the carousel horse photo-op. The link to the bag I use is here: Lululemon Belt Bag.

KID-FRIENDLY AND MOM-FRIENDLY HACKS.

Make use of the breastfeeding area in the Festhaus (located inside the women’s restroom), and family bathroom in Sesame Street: Forest of Fun, if needed. On a hot day, the SS:FoF area has a splash pad for young kids. Most food and beverage stations will give you a free cup of water if you need a quick drink or to splash your child with something cool to prevent a literal meltdown.

TAG (YOU’RE IT)…YOUR STROLLER.

People sometime stink, and while I haven’t heard of it being a common thing, stroller theft can happen. I’d recommend Air Tags for or Tiles for your stroller, placed inn an inconspicuous spot like a zippered compartment, and NEVER leave anything valuable in your stroller (like a wallet, phone, keys, cash, medication, etc.). Take a low-maintenance looking diaper bag (like an old backpack) and if possible, attach it to your stroller, leave it with a non-rider when riding a ride, or take it with you on rides. If your children are more mobile, I tend to err on the side of caution and would consider AirTagging them in case of separation and having them wear a bright, easily spotted colored shirt. For safety, I’d go over a meeting place where your family can re-group if someone gets separated and discuss finding a park employee or other safe person in case of separation or emergency.

PLAN…AND PLAN AGAIN.

Make sure to check the park hours, event schedule, and weather, and bring appropriate gear (i.e., a blanket, umbrella, jacket, poncho, sunscreen, spare clothes for your kiddo, extra wipes, headphones (fireworks can be noisy for little ears or if there is a concert…), etc.). During the summer, it’s common for concerts or other special events to be taking place. If you want a lower crowd day, avoid concert days or Saturdays in the summer. Thursdays and Fridays in my experience are generally lower attended, with the exception of some school groups in May/June and camps in June-August.

THE RIDES

Like I said earlier, Verbolten and DarKoaster tend to get longer lines, so I would knock them out first, especially if your kids are big roller coaster fans. Then, I would head to Pantheon, which also can get longer lines, as it is one of the newer rides at the park. Most other rides’ lines aren’t too terrible. InvadR, Loch Ness Monster, Alpengeist, Griffon, Apollo’s Chariot, Finnegan’s Flyer, Escape from Pompeii, and Tempesto vary in terms of intensity, but the lines haven’t been nearly as bad as Verbolten, DarKoaster, and Pantheon, in my experience. Use your best judgment to determine what intensity is appropriate for your fam. As a warning, DarKoaster is dark (I know, surprising) and may be a little frightening for younger children. Same with Verbolten – parts of the ride can be very intense (even for adults) and in the dark.

There are also a variety of family rides, including the train, a log flume, SkyRide, swings, kiddie rides in Sesame Street: Forest of Fun, scrambler, and the classic teacups. These generally don’t get bad lines on most days, so sprinkle those in along with your high thrill rides at your discretion. The Land of the Dragons is also a kids’ play area that is great for a break for younger kids to run off some steam.

FOOD

If you’re looking for fine dining at a theme park, you won’t find it here. But there are some decent options. Les Frites is my go-to snack place…if it’s open. You can get fries with gravy, sour cream, onions, bacon, cheese, and other good stuff. If you’re in the park for a concert, have just rode Griffon, or are just walking around, Les Frites is the place to go. It’s located in the New France/Aquitane area of the park.

Near to Les Frites is Trapper’s Smokehouse. A quick service food location, it has decent BBQ and salad options to take with you, and find a spot to sit and eat nearby. This is my go-to meal location.

The Festhaus has some ok options and some entertainment. Plus, it’s air conditioned, indoors, and has indoor bathrooms. They generally have pizza, sausage, some German options, chicken fingers, beer, and the infamous Black Forest cake. On a rainy or super hot day, the Festhaus can get crowded, but can be a good bet with small children to get a break in the AC.

If you’re visiting during the Food & Wine festival, check out some of the samples. Some of them aren’t great, and some portion sizes are rip-offs. However, getting a couple of 10-item samplers for a day at the park with kids can be a little cheaper than buying meals or snacks that day, and bringing bottled water in with you.

For coffee-drinkers, don’t wait to hop into Grogan’s or the Sweet Shoppe for your daily Starbies fix. There is a Starbucks location less than a mile from the park, and I would grab my coffee there first. The lines for coffee, especially on a busy day in the park, can be awful.

SHOWS

A good part of what makes Busch Gardens Williamsburg different from its nearby competitors like Kings Dominion and Carowinds is its shows. Celtic Fyre, located in the Abbey Stone Theatre in the Ireland section of the park is a must-see. The theatre is air-conditioned, and the show is popular, so I would recommend getting in line at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled show time (which you can find on the app or via the link I posted above). There is often a family-friendly show in the Festhaus, which can be a good breather during lunchtime, and kids are often invited to dance along with performers in German garb. Along with scheduled summer concerts with well-known artists, Busch also offers a completely different, top-notch show line-up during Howl-O-Scream (may not be family-friendly) and Christmas Town.

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR TODDLERS AND INFANTS

It’s fun to bring littles to theme parks…until it’s not. Making sure you have snacks, drinks, sunscreen, and even little toys that attach to your stroller or even a little fan can make a world of difference for you and your little ones. I usually pack some fresh fruit in Toddler Snack Containers, empty drink cups to fill with water throughout the day (it’s free), fruit snacks, granola bars, and applesauce pouches to have on hand. Having quick snack options can prevent a meltdown, and having easily accessible snacks makes clean-up fairly easy. I also usually bring my re-usable BGW drink cup that I’ve had for years for $1.99 refills for myself, and can pour out some juice into my toddler’s cup as needed for a treat.

For an infant, infant care areas are located in the Festhaus, Land of the Dragons, Italy, New France, and Sesame Street: Forest of Fun. These rooms are often air conditioned, private areas to change and/or nurse your baby. They have generally been very clean in my experience. Changing tables are also available in all men’s and women’s restrooms throughout the park. For formula-fed babies, I would recommend bringing pre-measured formula in a compact container, a filled hot water bottle, a bottle of cool water, and clean bottles for bottles on the go.

For thrill-seeking parents with little ones like me, make use of Busch Gardens’ child swap program. With Child Swap, one parent and any children that are able/want to ride will wait in the regular line. Before or after riding the ride, this parent will let the ride attendant know that they have a ‘child swap’. The remaining parent will enter the ride through the Quick Queue area or ride exit, and board the next available seat. NOTE: Some rides/attendants are not well-versed in child swap protocols and this looks a little different from ride-to-ride. Make sure to ask a park employee how it works for a specific ride at the ride’s entrance.

OVERALL…

Get there early. Get your tickets or passes prior to arriving at the park. Scout out the weather and any special events. Keep track of your strollers and valuables (and your kids). Get your coffee and caffeinate. Wear comfy shoes. And have a blast with your family! – TTPM

Note: The links contained in this post are commission-earning links via the Amazon Associate/Affiliate program. Any opinions of products are my own.
Welcome!

January 3rd, 2024

Theme parks have always been one of my passions. The USA has some of the best amusement parks worldwide, and it’s one of my goals to visit as many as I can throughout my life. There are things that work and things that don’t work when visiting a park with (or without) kids – I’ll attempt to share what has worked best for our family as we venture around the country and from park to park.

Some of our most visited parks include Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, SeaWorld Orlando, Knoebel’s, Carowinds and Dollywood.

Join me as I explore parenting, theme park gallivanting, and sharing our experiences to help YOU have a better time at your next theme park.