Busch Gardens Williamsburg April 2025

On our spring break trip, we went to Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. The kids were excited to ride rides, my wife wanted to watch shows, and Grandpa wanted to take it easy. The entrance has an old-world field that fits the European theme of the park.

Is this Busch Gardens or Historic Williamsburg?

Walking through the obligatory sales area

Grandpa, Mom, and our youngest went off to try the tamer rides that he wanted to go on. That left my daughter with me as her ride companion. We went on the more serious rides. Our first was Finnegan's Flyer. The line was short (the park had just opened) and we got right on before I saw what the ride does. 

Finnegan's Flyer

The riders swing back and forth, eventually reaching heights where riders pass a ninety-degree angle with the ground below. It doesn't loop but there is some hang time at the top of each swing. And passengers are on the front and the back of each swing, so one group is looking up into the sky while another is looking down at the ground. It was a bit terrifying.

Meanwhile the other group was riding Prince Elmo's Spire, a ride that lifts passengers maybe a story and a half high before gentle returning to the ground. They also rode the Worms ride, a gentle coaster in the Sesame Street section.

Elmo's ride

Stolen from my wife's phone

My daughter and I found a more terrifying ride than Finnegan's Flyer. The Griffon is a steel coaster that whips around in all sorts of directions. We got in the front row (again the lines were very short), which turned out to be more intense than we thought it would be. At the first drop (a ninety-degree descent), the car hangs at the edge, leaving the front row facing down for three seconds that felt like thirty minutes. 

Walking to the coaster

Later view of the hang time

We walked over to the Invadr, part of the border between the French area and the German area. The Viking-themed ride is a wooden rollercoaster that was fun and thrilling. And not really terrifying.

Invadr entrance

We walked over to Alpengeist, one of the best coasters, but it was closed for annual maintenance. 

No luck in riding here

Another unlucky guy on the roof

We went next to Darkoaster, where the other group had gone after the Elmo rides. They were in line about an hour ahead of us (the park wasn't that empty), so we waited and exchanged cell phone photos.

Darkoaster entrance

By some thematic decor

More decor

Getting on the ride

Trying to copy my son's photo

We planned to meet up for lunch. While my daughter and I still waited in line, the others went on the bumper cars (called "Der Autobahn"). 

Happy to bump into you

They had extra time, so they visited some of the nearby shops before heading to Das Festhaus to meet us for lunch when we were finally done with Darkoaster.

Patron saint!

Clock shop

Grandpa in his element

I think this was in the Germany part?

Festhaus!

The show was not running at the Festhaus (too early in the year) and the food selection was not to everyone's liking, so we went over to Italy (only a short walk!) for lunch.

A lot of room at the Festhaus

With a full meal, we stuck together for a while riding some nearby rides. 

Okay for after eating

Escape from Pompeii, a water ride, not open in sub-70 degree weather

The park has some wildlife exhibits. We saw some bald eagles near the France/New France (i.e. Canada) area. 

Bald eagles

New French food

It started raining while we were in line for Le Catapult. The kids and I stayed in line while Mom and Grandpa sought shelter (and hot coffee).

Le Catapult

Mom was close enough to get this picture

Daughter on her own

He re-rode it later

For a relaxing change, we took the train around to the Italy section. The sky riders were closed because of windy conditions (which came with the rain). 

The mildest coaster ever!

A nice family shot (almost)

My daughter and I broke off and rode Tempesto, a thrill coaster that has a short run and a long line. It was worth the wait.

Tempesto entrance

Tempesto tracks

We tried to ride Apollo's Chariot, but the line was shut down for high winds just as we got to the front. After waiting a while, my daughter checked a weather app and saw the winds wouldn't die down for another hour or two. We went to join the rest of our crew at the Celtic Fyre, the Irish dance show.

No chariot for us

Stage at Celtic Fyre

Some of the dancing

Our last coaster was Loch Ness Monster, which was a lot of fun.

Thematic stuff to look at on line

The final ride was the swings. My daughter and I managed to ride Nessie fast enough that she replaced Mom as a rider on the swings.

Final go around, not the merry-go-round

Just to be clear, Busch Gardens does in fact have gardens in it!

The flowers that bloom in the spring, tra la!

We had a fun visit. The Summer-long pass was only five dollars more expensive, so we bought it. Hopefully when we come back, rides like Alpengeist, Verbolten, and the water rides will be open!