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Busch Gardens Virginia has admission prices comparable to most other big-name theme parks.
But if you're looking for a cheap Virginia Beach family vacation getaway, you have to work hard to get the best discounts and maximize your dollar..especially in these tough economic times. Luckily, I've found some fantastic deals for you!
If you're just going for the day, the admission facts are fairly simple.
2010 Busch Gardens Virginia Single-Day Admission Rates
Adult admission (ages 10+): $61.95. Child admission (ages 3 to 9): $51.95. Children 2 and under are free.
The bad news? Single-day ticket prices for adults have jumped $2 this year (that's $5 total in the last two years!). The good news? We've found many ways to get you in on the cheap!
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| You'll flip for Alpengeist! |
But if you're looking to pay less on single-day tickets? Here are our discount ticket secrets!
Up until the last two years (when just about everything in the world has skyrocketed) Busch Gardens has been pretty good about trying to minimize price increases over the years. Here's where they've been making up for it: parking.
Daily parking is not included in ANY single-day Busch Gardens Virginia tickets. The real bummer is that I used to be able to give you a link to save you $2 on a daily parking pass.
Unfortunately, penny pinching at the park has eliminated even that deal, so you have to pay the full $12 per visit now.
THE Cheapest Way to Buy a Virginia Fun Card!
We've found it: The cheapest way to buy a Fun Card for Virginia residents! First, let me explain how the Fun Card works.
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| The Carousel across from Land of the Dragons. |
BUT, if you're like me, and you want to find everything the cheapest way possible, there IS a way to get the Fun Card for about $10 less! The trick is, you'll have to go to Virginia Beach to get it.
Here's what you do: Go to Virginia Beach and stop in one of the three Vacation Market locations along Atlantic Avenue (the strip one block in from the beachfront). Buy a one-day single admission ticket there. It'll cost you $55 instead of $61.95...PLUS you won't have to pay tax. So you'll save about $10 per ticket.
Then, when you go to Busch Gardens, go to the Guest Services counter (to the right just after you enter) and upgrade your card to a Fun Card for free! So you'll pay $55 and be able to visit again and again all season long.
Vacation Market is open 7 days a week, and has three Atlantic Avenue locations: 16th, 25th, and 31st Streets. They also offer discounts to other local attractions and restaurants.
And remember, whenever you decide to visit, be sure to check our Busch Gardens Virginia Hours & Operating Schedule page to find out whether the park is open that day (it's only open daily the end of May through the beginning of September) and what time it closes that night.
FREE Preschool Pass & "Buy an Adult Ticket, Get a Kid's Ticket Free" Deal!
Check out this new promotion: If you're a Virginia resident, and you have a child under age 5, you can get them in the park for FREE by getting a "Preschool Pass."
The Preschool Pass gives unlimited admission to Busch Gardens Virginia from May 20 through September 6. You have to register in advance starting May 20 by clicking here.
Once you've registered, just bring in the registration confirmation and valid ID (like a birth certificate or a passport) to the ticket window.
And if your kids are age 9 or younger, check out the new "Buy an Adult Ticket, Get a Kid's Ticket Free" deal. Now through August 22, Virginia residents can buy an adult single-day ticket online, and get a free kid's ticket absolutely free! Note that you MUST buy your ticket in advance online. Here's the link.
Planning on staying at Busch Gardens Virginia more than one day?
Keep reading to see how to save on Parking!
Multi-Day Tickets
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Spring Discovery Ticket - $61.95
Looking for unlimited fun and the best value during your Spring Williamsburg getaway? The Discovery Ticket gets you unlimited admission for 7 consecutive days March 26 through May 17, 2010. Daily parking is NOT included.
Basically, they're cutting you a great deal if you're willing to make your visits before the summer season. It's perfect for people who don't have kids in school...and you'll definitely be able to visit the cool spring weather.
Busch Gardens and Water Country USA Discovery Ticket - $69.95
This actually WENT DOWN in price for 2010 as long as you buy it online (if not, it's $10 higher). This is your best value if you want unlimited fun and the flexibility of going back and forth between BG and Water Country USA, BG's nearby waterpark. Good May 22-Sept. 6.
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| Buy funky hats like this outside "The Big Bad Wolf." |
Also, the Williamsburg Bounce Ticket is back. This lets you "bounce" between Busch Gardens Europe and Colonial Williamsburg as many times as you want within a 7-day period for one price. Plus, when you visit between May 22 and Sept. 6, get into nearby Water Country USA at no additional charge. Buy this deal online, and it's a 20% over the regular price.
Adult admission (ages 18 and up): $98.80. Child admission (ages 6-17): $82.00. Children 6 and under are free
And if you really want to take advantage of the Historic Triangle area, try the 7-For-1 Williamsburg Flex Ticket.
This all-inclusive ticket is valid up to 7 consecutive days for admission to (get this): Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Water Country USA, Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown Victory Center, Historic Jamestown & Yorktown Battlefield. PLUS, it includes parking at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. Good May 22 through September 6, 2010. Must be purchased online.
Adult admission (ages 18 and up): $171.45. Child admission (ages 6-17): $131.95. Children 6 and under are free
If this season is anything like last year's, they'll start introducing new package deals and discounts around June, so check back with me often for the latest deals!
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Passes
1 Park Pass - Busch Gardens Virginia
--1 Year
Individual Passes: $99.95
--2 Years
Individual Passes: $149.95
2 Park Pass - Busch Gardens Virginia & Water Country USA
--1 Year
Individual Passes: $139.95
--2 Years
Individual Passes: $219.95
Platinum Passport - Busch Gardens Virginia & Water Country USA PLUS 9 other Anheuser-Busch parks nationwide
--2 Years (1 year pass not available)
Individual Passes: $299.95
Why go Platinum? If you're a truly serious park-lover who really gets around, this is your best bet. You'll also get free general parking, preferred parking at the Busch Gardens Virginia parks (if available), and a variety of other discounts, shop savings, etc.
To help ease the budget pain, they offer an EZ pay option, which allows you to be billed in monthly "EZ" installments (you can even spread the payments out over 2 years!). These range from just over $7.50 per month to $12.50 per month, depending on which pass you buy.
1-Pass, 2-Pass, & Platinum Benefits:
Here are the EXTRAS your passports provide--
- Free General Parking for 1 and 2 Pass, as well as discounted preferred parking; Platinum holders get free preferred parking at the Virginia parks, and free general parking at all other Anheuser-Busch parks
- 10% discount at Busch Gardens merchandise shops and restaurants (discount applies to all Anheuser-Busch parks for Platinum holders)
- Discounts on single-day tickets for friends and relatives at Busch Gardens Virginia and Water Country USA
- 10% savings on golf, dining, merchandise, tennis & the spa at the Kingsmill Resort
- Member Appreciation nights on Sunday nights during the Summer Concert Series
- Savings on stroller, wheelchair, motorized cart rentals, and Pet Kennel
- Pass Member "Advantage Pricing" on select products in restaurants and merchandise shops
TIP! If you buy a pass...Since you'll need to keep pulling out your passport to get discounts everytime you buy or eat something at Busch Gardens Virginia, I recommend that you get a plastic card holder. Ask for a free card holder at the Passport Sales window in the Guest Relations building just to the right after you enter the park. You won't lose it, and won't have to keep fumbling for your wallet! (It even helps keep your pass dry on wet rides like Roman Rapids...yep, I've tested it!)
Get a New Quick Queue Fast Pass!
Want to maximize your visit by hitting ALL the major rides? Hate to wait in line? It may be worth your while to spring for the new
To find out how Quick Queue works here, click here.
Parking
Yes, you have to pay for Busch Gardens Virginia parking (unless you have a 1 Park, 2 Park, or Platinum Passport ticket, in which case parking is free). |
| The gardens in Italy. |
Parking is $12 per day, which really adds up over time--so much so that I thought of upgrading my Fun Card to a 1 Park Pass just to get free parking. (Since my kids don't drive and will be coming with me, it wouldn't have made sense to upgrade them too).
As I noted above, they've eliminated the parking pass discount this year. Bummer!
Campers & Preferred Parking (which is located in the New France parking lot, closer to the entrance) is $15. If you're in reasonably good shape, the preferred parking lot is just a short walk to the park entrance, so you won't have to wait for the tram.
Personally, my kids look forward to riding on the tram and would disappointed if we had preferred parking. But on really crowded days, the tram lines for the regular lots can get long. So you'll have to decide if it's worth it for you to spring for preferred parking.
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