Last Updated on August 3, 2026
If you’re planning a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia, Busch Gardens Williamsburg should be at the top of your to-do list. The European-themed adventure park is considered one of the most beautiful theme parks in the country. There are dozens of rides, themed villages, live entertainment, and animal exhibits, so planning your visit can make a big difference.
We recently spent a full day at the park, and I was surprised by how much we were able to squeeze in. We rode roller coasters and family rides, and we had time to cool off on the Busch Gardens Railway.
If you’re visiting Busch Gardens for the first time or just making plans to make the most of a one-day visit, this ultimate guide to one day at Busch Gardens Williamsburg provides tips that will help you do it successfully.
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My Busch Gardens Experience Has Changed Over the Years
One of the things I love about Busch Gardens is how this park grows with you and your family.
I’ve visited the park three times, at three completely different stages in my life. My very first visit was when I was a young, single woman with no responsibilities. So, I spent my first day hopscotching across the park, hopping from thrill ride to thrill ride without a thought.
Aubrey with Big Bird in 2016
Years later, I returned as a mom when my son, Aubrey, was a toddler. We spent the entire visit in the kiddie section of the park, Sesame Street Forest of Fun. We watched a live show and stood in line to meet and take pics with Big Bird. Our primary focus for that trip was to ensure that Aubrey had a good time and that he met his favorite character, Elmo.
Skip ahead nearly a decade, and this visit looks totally different from the last one.
This time, I had a much older Aubrey, his little sister, my teenage niece, and my mom with me. I worried that with four generations in tow, it would be difficult to make sure everyone had a good time. But Busch Gardens Williamsburg surprised me.
My two children, teen niece, and I
My kids found plenty of rides they loved. My daughter was tall enough to ride her first real coaster (Loch Ness Monster). And my mom, even with some back issues, was able to enjoy some low-impact rides. We loved Loch Ness Monster, laughed as we twirled our way through the river rapids, and rode De Wirbelwind- the swing, not once but twice.
Quick Facts About Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Map Courtesy of Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Here are a few things you should know before you visit.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is located in James City County, Virginia. It’s been around since 1975 and has consistently been voted the “Most Beautiful Theme Park” by the National Amusement Park Historical Association.
The park is divided into villages inspired by countries including England, Italy, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, and France. Each section has its own attractions, restaurants, and architecture designed to highlight the region’s food and culture, making visitors feel like they’re traveling across Europe as they meander through the park.
The park is located within a little more than 130 acres. While it’s large enough to fill an entire day, it’s still compact enough, so you won’t have to spend all day walking between attractions. Most of the park is on hilly terrain, though, so some of the areas are very steep. During our visit, we covered quite a bit of ground by hopping on the Busch Gardens Railway, which proved to be a wonderful way to cool off during the hottest part of the day.
Getting to Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Road Trip
Since we live only three hours away, getting to Busch Gardens Williamsburg was an easy family road trip for us. Busch Gardens is accessible whether you’re driving or flying.
If you’re flying, Richmond International Airport is the closest airport. But Washington, DC, and Norfolk, Virginia are also convenient options depending on your plans.
Once you arrive, standard parking is available near the park entrance. You can either walk to the entrance or hop on a tram to your front gate.
Where to Stay:
Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown are collectively known as the Historic Triangle, and it’s a huge draw for tourists to the area. There is no shortage of lodging options. For this trip, we stayed at the Hampton Inn, which was about a 15-minute drive from the park.
My Best Tips for One Day at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Start Your Day Early
Car Entrance at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
If you’re only spending one day at Busch Gardens, then every minute counts. On our visit, the park opened at 10 a.m. We arrived right around opening time but didn’t make it through the gates until nearly 10:40. I wish we’d arrived at least 30 minutes earlier.
Starting your park day early means shorter security lines, easier parking, and a chance to hop on rides before the park gets crowded. Here’s a link to the park’s hours.
Download the Busch Gardens App
Before you leave home, download the Busch Gardens app. This is the one thing I wish we had done that we didn’t.
With the app, you can check ride wait times, navigate the park, and purchase park add-ons.
Make a Game Plan Ahead of Time
Before arriving, spend some time looking over the park map and decide which rides are your family’s highest priorities. We were itching to get on Verbolten, so that was our top priority when we arrived. We stopped to get on the Loch Ness Monster roller coaster when we saw there were no lines as we were on our way to Verbolten.
Save Quick Queue for the Afternoon
We had Quick Queue, but honestly, we didn’t use it much first thing in the morning because the lines were already short.
Instead, we saved it until later in the day when the park started to get crowded.
Use the Park Transportation
To conserve energy, use the park’s transportation to get around.
By early afternoon, the Virginia heat was starting to wear us down. So, we hopped aboard the Busch Gardens Railway in New France for a relaxing ride around the park. The 20-minute ride gave everyone a chance to sit down (with our portable fans) to cool off and enjoy the scenery.
You can also use the Aeronaut Skyride (like a ski gondola) to traverse different sections of the park while giving your feet a break.
Stay Hydrated
Austen and I taking a break to cool off.
We visited the park in the summer. Summer temps in Virginia can get high, so don’t underestimate the importance of taking breaks.
We strategically saved water rides for the hottest part of the afternoon, which turned out to be a great way to cool off before heading back for more rides.
You’ll also find complimentary cups of ice water at quick-service spots throughout the park. You can get icees at these locations, which we indulged in a couple of times.
The Best Rides at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Best Roller Coasters
If you’re a thrill seeker, there are quite a few coasters to choose from. Here’s a list of the roller coasters along with the theme park area where they can be found:
Verbolten: Forbidden Turn
Verbolten: Forbidden Turn
Best for families with older kids and first-time coaster riders.
This was our family’s favorite coaster of the day. There was a surprise that had us talking and giggling about how scared we were all day.
Loch Ness Monster
Our Official Loch Ness Monster Photo
Best for Classic roller coaster lovers.
This is one of Busch Gardens’ most iconic rides. We walked right onto the ride and even scored front row seats. This was the only coaster my mom joined us on.
Panteon
Best for Serious thrill seekers. The Panteon is one of the park’s fastest and most intense roller coasters.
Griffon
The Griffon
Best for the bravest of thrill seekers. The Griffon is a floorless (yes, your legs will dangle freely on this ride) roller coaster with a 200+ foot drop. I was way too chicken to get on this ride. But we watched from a platform as riders screamed and zipped by.
Other Roller Coasters
· DarKoaster
· Alpengeist
· Apollo’s Chariot
· The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge
· InvadR
· Tempesto
Best Water Rides
We intentionally saved these water rides for the hottest part of the afternoon. It was a great way to get soaked and cool off. Thankfully, there are drying stations nearby (for a fee) if you don’t want to stay wet.
Escape from Pompeii
Best for those who want to get wet and have a bit of a thrill ride.
Roman Rapids
My family on the Roman Rapids water ride
Best for bigger families who want to experience a water ride together. This ride is a floating circular raft that seats approximately 8 people. It has a steering wheel at the center, which lets you twirl it as it bounces across the water.
Le Scoot
Best for old-school water ride lovers. This water ride/coaster is fashioned after waterlogs and seats about three people. We didn’t have a chance to try this one out, but it’s high on my list for our next visit.
Best Family Rides
Der Wirlbewind
This is our top choice for best family ride. Every member of our family enjoyed this ride. We loved it so much that we rode it twice and would’ve ridden it a third time if we hadn’t been racing to stay ahead of the crowds to ride Verbolten.
Other Rides
· Finnegan’s Flyer (an extreme swing ride)
· Der Autobahn (bumper cars)
· The Battering Ram (boat swing)
· Turkish Delight (teacups)
· The Trade Wind (classic fair, carnival ride that brought back memories), and more.
Animal Experiences
In addition to fun rides, Busch Gardens is also dedicated to wildlife conservation. It works closely with SeaWorld and the Busch Gardens Conservation Fund to support wildlife conservation efforts worldwide.
The park has more than 100 species of animals including:
· Clydesdale Horses
· Gray Wolves
· Scottish Highland Cows
· Grey wolves, and more
Rides for the littles
My son’s first visit to Busch Gardens nearly a decade ago.
The Sesame Street Forest of Fun is the entire section of the park dedicated to the youngest parkgoers. In this section, there are family-friendly rides, play areas, and a live show where kids can meet some of their favorite Sesame Street characters, who walk around to greet parkgoers. Since the park partners with Sesame Street (look up), many of the rides are themed after the characters on the iconic children’s show.
· Kinder Karussel
· Land of the Dragons
· Grover’s Alpine Express
· Prince Elmo’s Spire
· Oscar’s Whirly Worms
· Flutter Sputter
· Bug-a-Dug
· Der Autobahn Jr., and more.
Are you planning to do one day at Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
Visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg in one day can feel like a lot, but the key is to plan, prioritize your top 2-3 attractions in each section of the park, and enjoy the fun and memories you’ll make.
With these tips, your family will create wonderful memories that will leave you ready to plan your next Busch Gardens Williamsburg experience.
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