Williamsburg Day Five ~ Busch Gardens

Hey Scrap Fans! Day five of our Williamsburg trip was a day at Busch Gardens. We all got up early and got ready to leave for the park at 9:30 so we could be there when it opened at 10. Since we all had on hats, my mom thought we should take a picture so I could scrapbook it and and call it "Hats." 

We arrived at the park and waited anxiously so we could pay $15 to park. I personally think that is a huge rip off, but hey, you gotta park.

After we were parked and in the gate, we picked up a map to plan out our day. We were there last year and didn't ride everything, so we wanted to focus on hitting the stuff we didn't get to before.  Last year I brought my DSLR and took lots of pictures so I didn't really get to ride much because I held the camera and everyone's stuff. This year I decided I wanted to have fun and not be satteled with my camera, so I packed very light and just shot with my iPhone. 

We started out in London, where we discovered the London Rocks multi media show was playing at 12:30, so we decided to come back for that and then have lunch after. We headed to Italy to ride the Battering Ram.

On our way through Italy, we discovered Escape from Pompei was closed for maintence. I was a little bummed since that was one of the rides I wanted to go on. We rode the Battering Ram, and since there was no line, rode it again. 

Libby rode these gliders, which I'm pretty sure she thought was lame. 

We all headed over to Germany because I wanted my parents to experience the DarKastle. They don't really ride, but I thought they would enjoy the 4D experience.  When we got to Germany, we came up on the Verbolten.  Last year, Libby rode all the roller coasters, starting with the Lochness Monster and loved them.  But she didn't love the Verbolten. It looks innocent enough. A row of what looks like European race cars in bright primary colors, it starts out nice and slow...

Then it stops at the entrance to a tunnel and then shoots into it. I remember last year watching it go into the tunnel and thinking, "gee that was kind of fast, I hope Libby isn't scared." What I didn't know was, inside the tunnel it is completely dark and and you are traveling at near break-neck speeds. Then it starts to thunder and strobe lights simulate lightening and wolves are coming at you. Then it stops. And then the entire car drops 15 feet straight down and then you shoot back out of the tunnel to a near vertical drop. It is absolutely terrifying. Or totally awesome. Depends on how you look at it. So last year when Libby and Andy rode it, she said "Daddy I'm scared, I don't want to ride this anymore." Of course that was when they stopped in the tunnel and by that time it was much too late. So she finished out the ride and survived, but she said she didn't want to ride it again.  All year she talked about how scary it was and how it was on all these lists of the scariest roller coasters. 

So we come upon it when we get into Germany and what does she say? "I wanna ride the Verbolten." What!!?? Are you kidding me? She was serious. She grabbed Andy and headed for the entrance. So I'm thinking, well, I did decide I wanted to have fun this year, and if my seven-year-old, then six-year-old could survive it, how bad can it be, right? 

Oh. My. God. 

I'm pretty sure I prayed the whole time. I seriously had one of those moments of "why the hell did I put myself in this situation?" and I'm pretty sure my body physically went into shock for about 30 seconds, and I'm pretty sure the guy in front of me enjoyed my commentary more than the ride. When it was over I was just so happy to still be conscious. 

It was scary. And it was awesome. Would I ride it again? 

Probably. 

I didn't take any pics this year, but I found this one online. I don't think you could ever truly capture the experience in photos though. 

So after we had a good laugh watching the video playback and I readjusted myself to life on solid ground, we headed to the DarKastle. It was still early enough in the day that we got right on. My mom really enjoyed it, but my dad got a little nauseous. He said no one warned him that it twisted around. I may have forgotten to mention that....

Since it was close to noon, we decided to ride the sky carts back over to London and wait for the show. 

Selfie in the sky...

My parents in the car behind...

Waiting for the show

We got in the theater a half hour early to get good seats and rest and enjoy the air conditioning. 

The show was called London Rocks and was the story of a young couple in London and how music effected them throughout the fifties, sixties, seventies and eighties.

It was entertaining and the music and effects were cool. 

After the show, we headed back to Italy to find the Cucina, which was an all-you-can eat pizza, pasta and salad buffet. At only $12.99 per adult and $7.99 per kid, drink included, I'm pretty sure it was the best deal in the park. (Especially since a bottle of water is $3). 

Before we ate, Libby and Andy rode Apollo's Chariot real quick, since there was no line. It was another one of the coasters she didn't get to last year. I took a pic but it wasn't a very good one. 

After we ate, we decided to separate and meet up with my parents and Abby later. The restaurant was right next to the Roman Rapids, so went right to it. It was probably the longest line we had to wait in all day, but it was fun. 

It's hard to tell from these pictures, but we were all pretty soaked. I think I got it the worst, as I was directly under both waterfalls when we passed them. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon riding as many rides as we could.  We hit up the a Battering Ram again (my favorite). Here's Lib and Andy on the Trade Winds. 

Waiting for the swings to get loaded. 

Another trip in the sky cart.

Chillin on some kiddie rides. 

The flying machine. 

Grover's Alpine Ride... It only lasted about 10 seconds, but as Libby put it was "pretty intense for little kids." 

Around 5:00 we met my parents back in London and headed back to the room to get cleaned up for dinner. We headed out to Lone Star Steakhouse. 

Here's Abby with the huge burger she didn't eat. 

Andy and I ordered the porterhouse for two with table side steak sauce. I wish I would have taken a picture of it, it was sooooo good. Here is Andy eating the meat off the bone. I told him to go for it cause no one there knew him. Then I took a picture of him and put it on the internet. ;) 

After dinner we went back to the room for a good night's sleep. It was another great day on our Williamsburg vacation. I'm grateful for the time we were able to spend together as a family and I'm grateful I didn't die on the Verbolten. I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into our day and until next time, Happy Scrappin'!!