Frequently Asked Questions
Rain doesn’t have to wash away your fun for good! If extreme elements ruin your park adventure, you’ll get another try thanks to our Weather-or-Not Assurance. Learn more about Weather-or-Not Assurance and request a complimentary visit here.
The park address is 1 Busch Gardens Boulevard, Williamsburg, VA 23185, near the intersection of of Interstate 64 and Highway 60.
Richmond (RIC), Norfolk (ORF) and Newport News-Williamsburg (PHF) International Airports are all within 45 minutes of the park.
Learn more about how to get to Busch Gardens.
As you can imagine, summer holiday weekends (Memorial Day, 4th of July & Labor Day), Howl-O-Scream weekends and Christmas Town weekends are considered prime theme park time – that could mean crowds. If this is not the experience you are looking for during your visit, here are some tips to help you avoid fighting crowds:
Head to the park before it opens: Plan your visit with the goal to arrive early, just before opening time. On most days the park opens at 10 am – confirm our opening time by viewing our Park Hours & Show Times page here.
Visit during the weekday: Although the park typically has lighter traffic on weekdays (and this can vary), Tuesdays and Wednesdays generally tend to have lighter crowds and shorter wait lines.
Visit during the evening: Evenings are also another great time to visit for both traffic & crowds combined, especially on Sundays when the highway traffic is not bad heading towards Williamsburg!
Don’t let bad weather deter you: Does the weather forecast call for moderately suspicious weather today? The Park can likely be less crowded on days like these. Here’s a secret: As long as the rain isn’t heavy and there isn’t any thunder/lightening, most rides will remain open!
Please see our park operating calendar for the most up-to-date schedule. Opening and closing times vary by season. Operating hours for rides vary from normal operating hours.
Parking starts at $30 and is available to purchase online in advance or at the park on the day of your visit.
- General Parking is $30
- Multi-Day Parking starts at $55 and may be used at Water Country USA
- Preferred and V.I.P parking are available for purchase at the park or in advance at Popular Ticket & Trip Upgrades | Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Upgraded parking is available while supplies last)
*Parking Passes are non-refundable. Preferred and VIP Reserved Parking requires at least 24-hour advance notice. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Our security procedures are designed to keep our guests, Team Members and animals safe. Please note the following tips and reminders from our Security Team:
• All bags, backpacks and packages are subject to inspection prior to entering the park.
• The following items are not permitted to be brought into Busch Gardens: weapons, glass bottles, cans, any other type of sharp object, large hard or soft coolers and any hazardous items or materials.
• Please leave any unnecessary articles locked in your vehicle to expedite your entry into the park.
Busch Gardens, Water Country USA and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment are not responsible for fire, theft, damage or loss of vehicle including articles left within.
Guests who are Members or who are visiting with a multi-day ticket will be required to have their photo taken upon their first visit. This is a security measure to ensure that the admission product matches its owner during subsequent visits. If guests choose not to have their photo taken, then they will be required to show a picture ID each visit. Children (ages 9 and up) will also be required to show a form of ID (school ID, military ID, etc.) upon their first visit. If ID is not available, then a parent’s ID will be required.
Restaurants and concession stands are conveniently located throughout Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA. Hard and soft cooler, glass containers, bags of food, picnic style meals including but not limited to sandwiches, sodas and alcohol may not be taken into the park. Bottles of water (one per person) and single-serve sized snacks (approx. 2 oz or less) are allowed to be brought into the park.
Guests with medical diets or baby formula should speak with a Team Member for assistance before entering the park.
For your convenience, picnic areas are available outside the park, adjacent to the entrance/exit plaza. If leaving the park to enjoy your food, please have your hand stamped for re-admittance. Guests with special food related requests need to speak with a park representative for assistance before entering the park. For food allergy questions, please email us at [email protected].
If you would like more information on our allergen-friendly dining locations please visit our Allergen-Friendly FAQ page.
Smoking and vaping are only permitted in specific outdoor smoking locations throughout the park. Smoking Stations are designated in guest areas by smoking urns, benches and "designated Smoking Area" signs.
All indoor areas will remain smoke-free environments.
Please see our park maps for designated smoking area locations.
The safety of our guests and Ambassadors is our top priority. Inclement weather conditions including but not limited to, colder temperatures, heavy rain, strong winds, and lighting in both the immediate and surrounding area may impact ride operations. In the event of a temporary closure, we will work to re-open the rides and attractions as soon as possible.
We offer a variety of add-on options throughout the year to help you spend less time in line and more time having fun.
• Quick Queue – Enjoy priority access to some of your favorite rides and roller coasters.
- Non-refundable. Rebooking requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
• Reserved Seating – Guarantee a seat at one of your favorite shows.
- Can be changed or cancelled once for free as long as the change is 24 hours in advance of the reservation date, but there are charges for changes made within 24 hours or for more than one change. Rebooking or cancellation requires at least 24 hours' advance notice.
Special event products are also available during Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town for seasonal attractions.
Loose articles are not permitted in the ride queue lines or on our major attractions. This includes but are not limited to, bags and purses, cameras, cell phones, hats, keys and wallets.
Items must be safely secured in a sealed pocket, a waist pack, left in a locker or with a non-rider. Busch Gardens, Water Country USA and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment are not responsible for lost or damaged articles.
For safety reasons, picture-taking is not permitted on any ride except the Skyride, Busch Gardens Railway and Rhine River Cruise. You are welcome to purchase our PhotoKey service, which offers pictures from select rides and attractions.
Due to the nature and dynamics of all rides and the potential for injury, the following items are not permitted on any ride:
• Unsecured cameras or video cameras of any size
• Head harnesses
• Selfie sticks
Equipment should be returned to your vehicle or stored in a locker, which are available near our attractions for an additional fee.
Please review our Accessibility Guide for more information on our rides and camera policy.
The following conditions must be met for the hands-free cameras/camera harnesses to be permitted:
• Must be secured by a 3-point or more harness, over the riders shoulders and around the torso, that is snapped or buckled closed and cannot be detached by bumping.
• The camera must be inside a case that snaps closed tightly and the case is securely attached to the harness with a screw type pen or similar device. Similarly, if the camera alone can be directly and securely attached to the harness with a screw type pen or similar device.
• A Park Operations Manager must approve of the device before it is used.
Yes, leave the picture taking to us. We have designated locations in the park to capture the thrills and family moments throughout your visit.
• Front Gate Photo (Fountain)
• 1-2-3 Smile with Me! - (Sesame Street Forest of Fun)
• Grover's Alpine Express (Sesame Street Forest of Fun)
• Highland Stables (Scotland)
• InvadR (New France)
• Le Scoot (New France)
Our PhotoKey membership allows you to collect your photos and share them instantly. Seasonal photo opportunities are available during Christmas Town.
We offer three types of electronic lockers.
• All-Day Lockers are located in England behind M. Sweets Confectionary and can be used for the entire day.
• Ride Lockers are located at major attractions throughout the park and are operated on a timed basis.
• Guests can also purchase a locker that follows them through the park with a Transferable Ride Locker Pass.
Pet care services are located in Busch Garden Williamsburg's England Parking Lot. Guests can board their pet for the day in our climate controlled kennel. Service is available from park open to close. Owners are responsible for feeding and walking their pet; our Pet Care Team Members will only provide water throughout the day.
NOTE: Guests must purchase Preferred Parking in order to park in the England Parking Lot.
We suggest pre-booking your rental for pet boarding service online before you arrive. Alternatively, you can make arrangements when you pay for parking or at Guest Relations upon arrival.
This amenity can be changed or cancelled once for free as long as the change is 24 hours in advance of the reservation date, but there are charges for changes made within 24 hours or for more than one change. Rebooking or cancellation requires at least 24 hours' advance notice. If you have to change or cancel your reservation, please call (757) 229-4386.
With the exception of service animals, pets are not allowed in our theme park or water park.
You may board your pet for the day in our climate controlled kennel located in Busch Gardens' England Parking Lot. Owners are responsible for feeding and walking their pet; our Pet Care Team Members will only provide water throughout the day.
This amenity can be changed or cancelled once for free as long as the change is 24 hours in advance of the reservation date, but there are charges for changes made within 24 hours or for more than one change. Rebooking or cancellation requires at least 24 hours' advance notice. If you have to change or cancel your reservation, please call (757) 229-4386.
Trained service animals are welcome at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.
For more information, refer to our Accessibility Guide.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a family destination, and requires that guests wear appropriate clothing while in the park.
Shirts, shoes and pants (including jeans or shorts) must be worn at all times.
Inappropriate Attire
• Clothing with suggestive or explicit language or insulting statements
• Costumes and masks (with the exception of children under 9 attending The Count's Spooktacular Halloween event in the fall)
Busch Gardens reserves the right to refuse admission or ask anyone to leave who is not in compliance with these rules.
No, for the safety of our guests and Team Members, we do not allow costumes in the park, especially not during Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town.
Children under 9 may wear costumes only while attending The Count's Spooktacular Halloween event in the fall.
If you've lost something during your visit to our theme park, you may report your lost item in person or online.
If you are still at Busch Gardens, please visit the Welcome Center located in England.
If you have already left, you can complete our Lost Items Form. A Team Member will contact you only if your item has been located. To help us find and return your item, please include the following information:
• Date and location item was lost or last seen
• Description of item - please be specific in regards to color, brand and any unique features
• If you lost a cell phone please provide serial number, make, model and service provider.
• Your contact information – phone number and address
• Please tell us if you completed a lost item report before you left the park.
Busch Gardens, Water Country USA and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment are not responsible for lost, missing or stolen personal property.
The Welcome Center is located just past the turnstiles at the park entrance. Our Team Members will be able to answer questions related to our Ride Accessibility Program, Exclusive Tours, dining opportunities, priority access and more.
Park maps are available online and on our mobile app. Download our FREE app to easily navigate the park, view ride wait times, purchase add-on experiences, and more!
We also provide large viewing maps located throughout the park.
With a Quick Pay Cashless Wristband, you can make purchases all day in the park without fumbling for your wallet. Simply use your credit card at the beginning of your visit to set up a spending account. You’ll be issued waterproof wristbands for the whole family, which can be used to charge purchases throughout the park.
Your account will automatically settle at the end of each day. It’s a free, smart and convenient way to enjoy your visit without worrying about misplacing credit cards.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s zero change fee policy allows Guest to change previously made admissions reservations to a different date by calling 757-229-4386 between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. EST. Additional cost applies for dates with higher ticket prices. No refund or credit is given for changes from dates with higher prices to dates with lower prices. Tickets, Passes, Membership, and Fun Cards are nonrefundable, nontransferable, revocable, and may not be redeemed for cash. Other restrictions may apply.
Most in-park experiences and products may be rescheduled 1 or more times with no fee if rebooked at least 24-48 hours prior to date of reservation (product-dependent) by calling 757-229-4386 between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. EST. Please see specific reservation product descriptions and disclaimers for cancellation policy.
Busch Gardens and Water Country USA accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover and JCB at all ticket booths, restaurants and gift shops with proper identification.
We also provide ATMs throughout the park for your convenience. Please see our park maps for ATM locations.
Taking a tour offers guests an opportunity to experience the park in a different way. We offer seasonal kid-friendly tours, VIP tour services and a special roller coaster enthusiast tour.
Check out all of our tour options for more details. Our Exclusive Tours can be reserved online or at the Welcome Center in the park.
Busch Gardens offers behind-the-scenes encounters with our Animal Ambassadors. You can reserve your spot online by booking in advance or by visiting the Welcome Center. We suggest that you book in advance due to limited space available.
Check out all of our tour options for more details. Our Exclusive Tours can be reserved online or at the Welcome Center in the park.
Our First Aid Station is located in Ireland just past Lorikeet Glen as you are walking toward France. Mobile first aid units are also available.
Please request assistance from the nearest Team Member in an emergency.
Due to pathway configurations, terrain and large crowds (including small children and strollers), we do not permit the use of any two-wheeled, self-balancing electric vehicles such as a Segway ®.
Guests needing additional assistance can rent other forms of personal transportation, Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECV) and standard wheelchairs. You can reserve mobility devices in advance (at least 1 day prior to your visit) or make arrangements at the Welcome Center when you arrive.
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Dates, times, pricing and offerings are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. See park hours for dates and times, events for available offerings and More Details on products for additional information. You may also contact us online or visit the Welcome Center inside the park.
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Theme Park FAQs