Three weeks prior to our trip, I receive an email from Busch Gardens announcing the special limited event.  It was an exciting prospect because we had just come from our Williamsburg Summer Vacation and knew that the crowds were small but there were many things were open and available for us to enjoy.   Tatana wanted nothing to do with going to a theme park no matter how convincing the email was in discussing the preparations and changes to their normal operating procedures to make our time there safe.  It was late and I decided not to reserve the tickets.  Much to my concern, that next afternoon, I checked out the Busch Gardens Williamsburg Connoisseurs Facebook Group and saw that many of the days were already sold out.  I immediately logged in and reserved our tickets for the weekend after my birthday.  Several dates that weekend were already gone as well, so I was lucky.  The only one who wanted to go was Jonah, I can count on him for being game for just about anything I want to do that I think seems fun.

Here is where the discussions with the family took a turn.  They were convinced that we were fools to go to a theme park during the pandemic.  I understood their concerns and wanted to make them feel as comfortable as possible.  We agreed that we would quarantine ourselves in my son’s room the home and wear masks the entire time we are inside, except when we are in his bedroom.  We agreed to wipe things down when we walk around the house, use hand sanitizer and wash hands often, and even purchased our own medical kit (bandages, thermometer, antibiotic ointment, cough drops, and immune defense powder).  I left it in my wife’s hands as late as the night before if she felt uncomfortable, we would cancel.  She allowed us to go, so go we did.

We had tickets for the 11am-3pm event time.  Knowing we had a two and a half hour drive, we woke up at 6:30am and left by 7:30am.  We made it there quickly and had enough time to fill the gas tank and get coffee before getting in line at the parking entrance gate.  Please have both your event ticket reservation AND your parking pass reservation ready for scanning at the gate, it really does speed things up.  We made it in, about the fiftieth car into the lot, and decided to park in the shade on the far right of the England lot. 

We walked through the lot to the bus terminal shelter where we were routed through temperature scanning and bag check, again, not big deal here.  The security/heath employee was attempting to process two people at a time with the scanning thermometer, it was fun to watch.  People were laughing, so I assume we were smiling, but we all had our masks on so I really do not know.  Once we got through there, we were directed to the park entrance.  Once they scanned our event ticket, we were inside the park.  Taking a few steps into England, after the gate, and the park was so empty it was a shock.

The spacing of the guests while in lines was very evident with large circles, paper plates, or other colorful tape.  Either way, it felt comfortable and not forced, everyone seemed to be there for the fun and did not want to ruin any one else’s experience, I was happily impressed.  We headed straight to Loch Ness Monster and rode that, it was just about walk on time, I think two trains went before we got on.  I noticed a large bottle of hand sanitizer about every other turn in the lines as well as along the walkways in the park (not next to trash cans, but spread out in logical areas scattered around the trails and paths).  It was so long since I had ridden a roller coaster, I was so excited to do it again.  I was saddened to find that the ride photo is taking pictures but not offering the photo.  I wonder however, if the photos are still being sent to PhotoKey, I should have checked, but I doubt it.

We walked into Ireland and we stopped for water at the snack store.  The line for Finnegan’s Flyer was very long, so we skipped it.  We noticed some people were eating inside at Grogan’s Irish Pub and some sitting outside.  The gift store in Ireland was open, but the tree our kids played in was closed, bordered shut actually.  We checked out the animals along our walk as they were out in the open, but by the time I got to France, I needed to stop in health services to get the sun screen I forgot to bring.  Next to the train tracks in France, after heath services, is a relaxation station.  Here is where you can take off your mask and relax, you can even sit down if you can find an available bench.  You are required to keep a safe distance while in the relaxation area.  We did not stay in there too long since we wanted to ride InvadR.

The gift store in France was open, but I needed water again already since I was hot, so we stopped at the Three Rivers Snacks to get water.  I forgot to mention, you can bring your refillable cups but you have to fill the water or soda into the normally provided paper cup and then you can pour it into your refillable mug if you want.  The smell of Trapper’s Smokehouse was just absolutely wonderful, and if I had not planned on eating lunch at Captain George’s, we would have eaten there. The line for Griffon was long, but we realized that it was only due to the cleaning of the trains.  I could not recognize the patterns, but they are doing an awesome job cleaning.  I was too scared to get on the Griffon, so we kept walking towards InvadR. 

InvadR was amazing, I had not ridden it yet and I love every bit about it.  It is a wooden coaster and all of the lifts and turns are amazingly comfortable.  After InvadR, we decided to wonder over to Le Catapult, which had no line until we got there, but we were in front.  Every bucket seat was used, there were not roped off or reserved to be empty.  Either way, it felt safe and sanitized.

We sat in the relaxation area near the end of New France right past Trader Dave’s gift store, which was open for business.  Kids can even use the water area for the mining for gems bags they purchase at Trader Dave’s.  By this time it is now 2pm and we realize we should probably start to leave.  We stopped at Three Rivers Snacks again for an ICEE; Jonah gave me none, by the way.  So he sat there and finished most of his drink and offered a little of it to me

The line for Griffon was almost gone so we waited in line for about 10 minutes, but we got on before many of the people in front of us, I think they wanted to ride in the front row.  We had a lot of fun on the ride, it scared the mess out of me because I really am afraid of heights and falling, but I try to ignore it while I am riding.  The hesitation at the top and then the turns and dips were excellent.  If you can’t tell, this was also my first time riding Griffon.  I loved it.

With that, we left France and walked the path back to Scotland to see about getting back on Loch Ness Monster.  We got on back to back, the first time in row three and the second time in row one.  At this point it was nearing 3pm and we wanted to get out of the park before we had to fight for the exit or end up waiting for 15 minutes to just get out of the parking lot.  When we got to the parking lot was as if half of the people had already left.

 Sadly, there were no caramel apples which was one of the things I had my heart set on.  In all, I had one of the best times in a long time at a theme park.  We were not rushed at all and were able to get on multiple rides that we wanted to get on.  We felt safe from the virus due to the mandatory mask wearing and the hand sanitizer stations.  I noticed many people using them as they walked past them, including children.  The staff was friendly as always, and I truly look forward to coming back soon.

This event ends on August 30th, so you have to head over to Busch Gardens’ website and reserve your tickets.  Please read the Reservation FAQ if you have any questions about the reservation and event.  Comment below with your experience from the Coasters and Crafts event or any other question you may have.  Thank you.

Matthew Todd

Happily married, father of four, and lover of the adventures in life. I love Jesus, vacationing with my family, camping, fishing, bike riding, swimming, walking, and sleeping. Sometimes I am even able to watch movies that I want to watch.

You can reach me on Facebook  or Instagram

Hi. My name is Tatana and I’m an introvert. It has been 2 weeks since we returned home from Williamsburg, VA. We vacationed during Phases Two and Three.  Living in Northern Virginia, the area is more congested than the rest of the state and we were given an additional week to catch up with the remainder of the state.

Williamsburg is one of our favorite places in the Commonwealth. We visit many times during the year, going to Water Country USA, Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown for day trips, and we even have a timeshare that we vacation with annually. During the global pandemic our trip was different. There was no Busch Gardens or Water Country USA. At. All. The sign outside of Busch Gardens said “CLOSED” which is something I had never seen in my life. Outside the entrance of Water Country USA were cones diverting you from the entrance. While this was expected, it still stung a little to be in the out and not be able to be in. Yes, I said that. It stung that we couldn’t go into the parks and be normal.  No go and get the caramel apples and cotton candy. No enjoying the end of the Busch Gardens’ Food and Wine Festival. I missed getting the Bangers and Colcannon, sage cheese or that mousse from Ireland. Those are my favorites!!! Nothing.  Just memories of previous years.  But it is possible to vacation in Williamsburg and have fun without going to Busch Gardens and live to tell the tale.  

We stayed at the Historic Powhatan Resort, one of our favorite places. When we arrived in our suite, we cleaned everything. Yes, the staff cleaned, but we cleaned afterward because we wanted to be sure that we were comfortable. We used our own cleaning products and re-washed the dishes, linens, all of the surfaces, wiped the bathrooms down as well. We Lysol’d the soft surfaces like chairs and cushions. Anything that may have been touched by someone else was cleaned. Truthfully, we usually wash the dishes and check the linens for cleanliness when we arrive anyway, but this was over the top. The benefit was that it smelled like home. We were not trying to get sick.  

While at Powhatan, we would usually be able to borrow games, books, movies, swim inside or outside and participate in the events that the resort puts on to help visitors enjoy their stay on the property. Not this time. Mini golf was B.Y.O., and there was minimal face-to-face contact with the resort staff. Thankfully we brought our own games, movies and our inflatable pool. We barbecued, played games and played outside; we really enjoyed the family time. The playgrounds were available; however, we did not use them because we were busy doing other things. 

We visited Colonial Williamsburg, one of our favorite places. Masked interpreters explained that while we were outside, we did not have to cover ourselves against the plague, but if we go inside any of the buildings, we must use a face covering.  We enjoyed listening to George Washington explain and take questions about his farewell address, go to sites that we don’t frequent often such as the brick yard, and, we visited the blacksmith, the kitchen and the courthouse. Hubby and kids nibbled on the chocolate and shopped with the grocer while I sat on the stoop and relaxed in the cool breeze that made it bearable to be outside.  While we enjoyed our visit, it was so different. There was no one engaging us in a friendly game of trap ball. There wasn’t the fife and drums or the smell of the ginger cookies and our favorite sites (such as the stocks outside the courthouse, Tucker House, Mrs. Shield’s Tavern and The King’s Arms) were closed.  

On this vacation, we spent considerable time at the Jamestown Settlement. We social distanced on the ships, as well as played a new card game but the name given escapes me, however, the interpreter said to look up Maw – which you can learn about here: https://www.parlettgames.uk/histocs/maw.html . This made me smile because we learned how to do something that we never learned before and can play at home. Once the kids were too hot, Matt and I dropped the kids off and we went back out for an after-hours event at the Jamestown Settlement from archaeologist and senior curator of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Bly Straube.  It was great to be inside, socially distanced and learning more about the artifacts found in a well that was pretty much used as a trash can and how it was used 400 years ago.  We were the only people there, which made it feel like we had a private showing – even though the event was open to the public. My favorite piece was the German stoneware that was found.   It led us to our next adventure, Jamestown Fort which is where the artifacts she shared were found. 

Jamestown Fort was interesting. The actual place where the settlers landed, where John Smith told those bamma’s that if they don’t work, they don’t eat, where Pocahontas was kidnapped, where enslaved Africans were sold for provision in the New World for their natural born lives. It was exciting, interesting and sad.  We went on a tour of the island and enjoyed hearing from the second-generation Jamestown interpreter and archaeologist who started as an intern.  

Next, we journeyed on the free trolley that travels around Yorktown and we visited the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. They had exhibits outside that were interactive that we enjoyed. I was able to take pictures of recipes. It was physically distanced and informative. Loved the guns. But we miss the cannon demo with “Molly Pitcher” in the amphitheater where the audience participates; but the plague.  My favorite part was the exhibition of the “Forgotten Soldier” which invites visitors to shift their gaze to uncover the faces of the African Patriots who served with Washington, and also those who, with the promise of freedom, surrendered to him at Yorktown. I always get emotional when I enter places that show my ancestors who survived the middle passage, chattel slavery and still thriving. There is a mix of pride and pain. My ancestors are superheroes. 
 
Lastly, our family went to Yorktown beach. My family enjoyed the water. I enjoyed a good book and the shade.  
 
We ate to-go from Zoe’s Kitchen (we miss Zoe’s!) and Food for Thought, Menchie’s (my favorite! With sanitized hands, gloves, masks and toppings in containers), and had outdoor seating at Honey Butter’s Kitchen. It was great having most people in masks, sanitizer abounding and social distancing. I kind of wish all vacations could be like this.

No weirdo’s sitting next to you, just the ones that you brought.  

Tatana Todd

Chief Education Officer of Todd Homeschool Academy, teacher, history lover, recovering news junkie and lover of politics and truth – which does not have to be an oxymoron. I love Jesus,  vacationing with my family, baking, reading cool children’s books, playing violin, and watching crime shows.

You can reach me on Facebook