Monday was our second amusement park visit. This time we were at Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Virginia. This is the park where Kirsten and her family visited when they used to live out here, so it was a bit of a homecoming for Kirsten and Laura. Instead of Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, like at Disneyland, the different sections of the park are themed after different countries in Europe: England, France, Italy, Germany, Scotland and Ireland.
The day was just beautiful; partly cloudy, but lots of sun, and not too hot. Being the first Monday of the summer season, there were hardly any lines, and none longer than about 20 minutes. I'm sure by this weekend the lines will all be really long. Even though they had come here as kids, Kirsten and Laura hadn't been to Busch Gardens for 25 years, so much of the park was new to them as well. One of the first rides we went on was called Roman Rapids, and it was new to all of us. It was one of those circular raft rides where you are guaranteed to get wet. We tried to watch it for a while to see how wet riders were getting, but it had just opened, so it was hard to tell. We finally decided to go on it and now Laura is never going to let us forget it. We all got pretty wet, but she was in the seat that goes directly under four little waterfalls in a row. When we were done, she looked like she had just showered with her clothes on. Right outside this ride is a big dryer booth where you can, for $5.00, stand and try to dry yourself off. It helped a bit, but she was still damp for much of the day. While borrowed from the internet, this photo should give you an idea.
The Loch Ness Monster was the roller coaster that Kirsten has been telling me about since we were in high school, so we needed to ride that one. I think we rode it three times during the day and Bodie and Julianna rode it two more times right before we left the park. It was a pretty fun coaster and has the distinction of being the only roller coaster with interlocking loops. At least that's what they told us, but I could have sworn there were others. Maybe it was the only one at the time it was built.
More of a theme park than Hersheypark is, Busch Gardens Europe has five main roller coasters (Laura and I rode all of them), but also many shows and rides that are not so death defying, and everything is themed to the country it's in.
(Kirsten's nickel) - Well, that was one of my favorite days on this trip. This vacation has been mostly about giving Julianna and Bodie a glimpse into American history. Monday was about a glimpse into my history! It was a step back in time. The park looked much the way I remember it, and I enjoyed the Loch Ness Monster just as much as I did as a youngster. Busch Gardens is a clean and friendly place. Lush with trees and flowers, and appropriate music piped in to every country! You knew you had gone from one country to another because the music changed! Lunch was a highlight. We were in Germany, where you can eat while watching a show at the Fest Haus. Choices like bratwurst and roasted chicken, or delicious BBQ ribs, with sides like sauerkraut and german potato salad. It's a very celebratory "raise your glass and sing with us" kind of atmosphere - an oompah band, and dancers in dresses or leder hosen. It's the strongest memory I have of visiting as a child, and it was so much fun to share it with my kids. Beth, and Mom & Dad, we really missed you!!
The Loch Ness Monster was the roller coaster that Kirsten has been telling me about since we were in high school, so we needed to ride that one. I think we rode it three times during the day and Bodie and Julianna rode it two more times right before we left the park. It was a pretty fun coaster and has the distinction of being the only roller coaster with interlocking loops. At least that's what they told us, but I could have sworn there were others. Maybe it was the only one at the time it was built. 
More of a theme park than Hersheypark is, Busch Gardens Europe has five main roller coasters (Laura and I rode all of them), but also many shows and rides that are not so death defying, and everything is themed to the country it's in.
(Kirsten's nickel) - Well, that was one of my favorite days on this trip. This vacation has been mostly about giving Julianna and Bodie a glimpse into American history. Monday was about a glimpse into my history! It was a step back in time. The park looked much the way I remember it, and I enjoyed the Loch Ness Monster just as much as I did as a youngster. Busch Gardens is a clean and friendly place. Lush with trees and flowers, and appropriate music piped in to every country! You knew you had gone from one country to another because the music changed! Lunch was a highlight. We were in Germany, where you can eat while watching a show at the Fest Haus. Choices like bratwurst and roasted chicken, or delicious BBQ ribs, with sides like sauerkraut and german potato salad. It's a very celebratory "raise your glass and sing with us" kind of atmosphere - an oompah band, and dancers in dresses or leder hosen. It's the strongest memory I have of visiting as a child, and it was so much fun to share it with my kids. Beth, and Mom & Dad, we really missed you!!
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