Photo TR: BGW's Christmas Town 2010

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa, and All Hail the Flying Spaghetti Monster! It's time for Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg!

 

I was there on Friday, December 10, with my friend Carola. This is the second time we've checked out Christmas Town. Last year, temps were in the high 40s and we rode Griffon; this year, it dropped into the 20s, and we couldn't ride Griffon, even in our long underwear (besides, the mythical beast can't come out to play if it drops below 42 degrees Fahrenheit). But being able to see your breath and risk hypothermia merely adds to the Christmas atmosphere, right? And if you want to play a rousing game of "Freeze Out," there are always the flats in Oktoberfest and DaVinci's Garden for those who dare (we didn't).

 

So, what's new about Christmas town this year? Well, there are a few things:

 

1. The skyride (dubbed "Flight of Lights") was running, giving riders a bird's eye view of a park decked out for the holidays. And, yes, it was COLD up there.

2. The park's Italy section was a part of the festivities this year, with lots of golden lights and a new show (which we missed).

3. The penguin exhibit was back, but much improved. Instead of five penguins on ice in two wee aquariums, Sea World in California provided a portable penguin habitat, complete with rocks and a pool to let the birds swim. The penguins seemed a lot happier.

 

I think it's a bit odd that the Forest of Fun isn't open during Christmas Town, even though there is a Sesame Street Christmas show in the Globe Theatre. It seems to me that decking out FoF for Christmas would make a lot of sense, but I'm not a park manager, and you have to put your resources where they're most needed.

 

Carola and I made a lap around the park after taking our Flight of Lights, and had a very good time just checking out the lights, shopping, and enjoying a prime-rib sandwich and a show in the Festhaus (with a lot of other people). The show, "Deck the Halls," is sort of a throwback to those Christmas variety specials they used to show when I was a kid, complete with the Festhaus band providing the music. I'm not much of a "park show" guy, but I do appreciate how BGW likes to use live music whenever possible. Yeah, the show's a bit cornball, but enjoyable enough while you're eating dinner.

 

Here's a look at Christmas Town 2010--first, a taste of "O Tannenbaum," a synchronized light-and-music show that runs every half hour in front of the Festhaus:

 

 

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Christmas_Town_112_t6ge[/coastertube]

 

Everybody a bit more in the mood now? OK, let's go.

Sad, pathetic fools who didn't buy tickets online and must stand in a freezing ticket line! Fortunately, Friday night is a good time to visit--the park tends to get crammed on Saturdays.

Carola is the one on the right. Just thought I'd clarify that.

Are we all nice and "Turnstile Ready"? Good!

Now there's a tree with balls. Yes, I think it's the ballsiest tree I've ever seen.

Hmm--the Brit Crew might be around here somewhere. You never know . . .

Boy, those Brits sure can blow.

First stop, the skyride.

Excuse me--the "Flight of Lights." The ride is round-trip only, starting in England. They take your picture at the France station, and you can buy it when you return.

We waited a little more than ten minutes in this line. There were stanchions and ropes running down the hill toward the Globe Theatre, too (probably for Saturday night).

Look! Lights!

And they're in flight! Hence, "Flight of Lights"!

Flying high over Scotland, . . .

. . . past England, . . .

. . . and over France.

Here's the station where they hold you for a moment and a photographer takes your picture.

Santa engaged in some shameless advertising for the North Pole. He's such a commercial whore!

Back to England and . . .

. . . a welcome chance to warm up. The park provides enclosed, heated seating areas for the resturants that use outdoor seating. A few more bonfires like this would be nice, too.

Looks the first group was all blown out, so they sent out these singers.

The purple path past Pompeii. Say that three times quickly.

What? Escape from Pompeii is closed and dry? (Maybe they could use it as a bobsled run some day.)

In Italy, it's all about . . .

. . . the bling . . .

. . . and Baby Jesus.

Angels overhead--which are better than pigeons. Cleaner, at least.

Across the bridge to Germany.

Hey, Divv--is this really how they say "Merry Christmas" in Scotland, or is this actually something dirty?

Noted.

The Big Bad Wolf Memorial Christmas Tree Farm.

Hmm--I think these construction walls could use a wreath or two.

Well, Christmas or not, Mach Tower must go up!

Destination: Festhaus!

Even more festive than usual.

Looks like a lot of other people had the same idea. More to come.

Edited December 14, 2010 by cfc

Make a joyous noise unto . . . er . . . someone or something as you approach Christmas Town, Part II! But you must beware, for I am about to show you a very disturbing sight. Yes, this might be the freakiest thing at Christmas Town! Remember--you have been warned!

 

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Christmas_Town_209_o0mz[/coastertube]

 

That "kissing sheep" or whatever the hell it is belongs at Howl-o-Scream!

 

Oh well, moving right along . . .

The Festhaus is also into big balls.

Here's dinner. I think I'd ditch the roll (which was OK) and just stick with the prime rib. It was kind of tricky to dip that sandwich in that little container of au jus. Maybe a regular prime rib dinner with some mashed potatoes and horseredish sauce? The beer is St. George's Winter Scotch Ale, and it was pretty decent (definitely better than Bud). The gingerbread cheesecake was very tasty.

Looks like "O Tannenbaum" is about to start.

Ta da! Thanks for watching "O Tannenbaum."

Let's check out Mistletoe Marketplace, shall we? It's in the Oktoberfest games area. Here's a guy hawking magic tricks.

Yes, we are in the South.

OK, combining peanuts with harbanero peppers could have unfortunate consequences--for both the eater and the innocent bystander.

This was a very popular item on that chilly night.

Do you need some random animal painted on a rock? This dude has you covered.

Heading toward Santa's Workshop.

OK, you can take the money and run--or the snowman that the lovely Carola is modeling for us now.

Sir? I'm trying to take a picture. Could you move please? Sir? Please . . . oh, the hell with it. (That is "theme-park snow," by the way.)

The park is selling even more ornaments this year.

Across the bridge to Canada (aka, Fort New France).

Merry Christmas and Joyeux Noel, eh?

Welcome to just plain, old France, where you can, of course, . . .

. . . have your picture taken with a penguin. He's named Pierre, which makes him very French.

If you go on Friday night, you won't have to wait an hour or more to see some penguins. A word to the wise.

The gruesome "Catacombs" were here during Howl-o-Scream.

Hmm--this is usually parked over at the Smokehouse.

There were a few other animals to keep the penguins company, such as this swivel-headed owl . . .

. . . and this rather large bunny.

Get a room, you two!

High road or low road?

"Hey, Frank--this sure beats that creepy little tank they put us in last year."

"You got that right, Stan. My room at that the Days Inn was better than that freakin' tank."

Can you spot the snowman in this picture? Here's a hint: His name is "Noel."

The path toward . . .

. . . Ireland.

I actually bought someone a Christmas present in this shop.

The wool she's spinning into yarn actually came from the sheep the park started raising this year.

Well, that's about it.

Merry Christmas!

The park looks gorgeous. Thanks for sharing Chuck!

Thank you for the TR Chuck! Makes me even more excited to visit the park. When I go, I will try and get to Ocktoberfest before nightfall and get a picture of the MT progress.

Great photos! Id really like to go sometime.

Please tell me you bought that tree hat. And plan to wear it while grocery shopping.

 

dt

^Sadly, no--but if I had, I'd probably fit right in with the Christmas sweaters and crap some Williamsburg people wear this time of year.

It looks like a very festive time!

Are there any rides besides the skyride open?

^The train is running, along with DarKastle and all the flats in Oktoberfest and DaVinci's Garden. They run Griffon if the temperature is above 42 degrees. (So, people probably could've ridden Griffon last Saturday and Sunday night, if they didn't mind the rain.) The Globe Theatre was hosting a Sesame Street-themed Christmas show, so no 4D movie during Christmas Town.

I was at Christmastown on Saturday. The rain was really not that big of an issue, but it did keep the crowd down somewhat. The show in Italy is very well done, although I think that the dancers were restricted in the area they used of the stage because of the rain - the edges would have been slippery.

 

Griffon was not running, as one of the other members of my group mentioned that the splashdown pool (which is also used for braking) appeared frozen. I didn't check myself, so can't confirm the frozenness. I can confirm that it wasn't running.

 

Also, Europe in the air is also running, for those who need to warm up.

 

My favorite show, though, had to be Rejoice! over in Ireland.

Thanks for the report, Chuck. I really like the look of this event.

I went on Saturday as well. It has a ways to go to be comparable to Smokey Mountain Christmas at Dollywood but it was fun!

 

I was a bit let down by the shows but Miracles in Italy had the best vocal performance by far.

Nice report Chuck! I like that kid's look in the photo where you are pointing at the Christmas trees' balls...

 

Maybe we'll make it out there next year. Gyen's parents are coming here this year.

^Yeah, he and sone other kid kept running around the tree while we were trying to take that picture. I guess I interrupted their game of "Ring Around the Balls."

Griffon was running last night, there was no wait for any row. So, I was able to get a front row seat for the most painful ride of my life. It was raining hard and very chilly. When people were getting off the ride they looked a little worse for wear.

 

Overall, albeit the weather was pretty crappy, it was a good evening at BG. They do a great job of decorating the park and I was very impressed with the shows (almost full orchestra set up in the Rejoice show).

Xmas lights on the sky buckets: genius. Would love to see that in action some time. Beautiful report; thanks!

I like the idea of the "Flight of Lights". Thanks for sharing, Chuck!

. . . have your picture taken with a penguin. He's named Pierre, which makes him very French.

 

I went on the 5th and in here they had two penguins taking pics with people named Pierre and Penelope. These names came from the first set of live magellanic penguins that came to BGW (on loan from SeaWorld San Antonio) for the grand opening of Christmastown weekend last year. They were at the park only for opening weekend and they flew them back Monday and brought in different pairs after that.

^Penelope seems rather shy.

Wow Chuck! Euroburgh looks beautiful this time O' tha year. Great trip report. The penguins looked soooooooo much more happy than in years past.

According to BGW's Facebook page, Griffon will remain closed for the remainder of Christmastown due to the cold weather.

^That makes sense--it doesn't look like Williamsburg is going to thaw out much before New Year's Day.