Christmas Town 2019

[Mwe BGW]

As of last week, Getting more pictures today

 

[Nicole]

Press Release:

BUSCH GARDENS® WILLIAMSBURG’S

CHRISTMAS TOWN™ LIGHTS UP THE HOLIDAYS


More Than 10 Million Lights and Many New Experiences Make

Christmas Town a Must-Do for the Holidays Starting November 16



WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia (Oct. 15, 2019) – Busch Gardens® Williamsburg is preparing to deck the halls with its popular Christmas Town™ celebration beginning November 16. For 38 magical days, the world’s most beautiful theme park will transform into one of the largest Christmas light displays in North America celebrating the spirit of the season through January 5.



Park-goers will have the chance to not only marvel at more than 10 million lights but ride the Christmas Town Express holiday-themed train ride, visit Santa’s Workshop, and partake in festive food, drinks and unique holiday shopping. New for 2019 is an inspirational holiday music show and all-new Christmas tree maze, where guests will experience holiday traditions celebrated around the world.



“Christmas Town is one of our favorite times of the year, when all of Busch Gardens transforms into a magical holiday landscape. With endless bright lights, magnificent shows and thrilling new rides, our park is the place to be this holiday season,” said Jeff Thomas, interim park president for Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.



Among the many attractions and experiences at Christmas Town, guests will have a chance to deliver their wish lists to jolly ole’ Saint Nick and dine with Mrs. Claus, enjoy musical performances from their favorite Sesame Street® characters, snap memorable photos with everyone’s favorite reindeer, Rudolph, and witness the spectacular returning yuletide shows, including Deck the Halls, Scrooge No More!™, ‘Twas That Night (opens December 22).



Additional 2019 Highlights:

New Traditions Tree Maze presented by Coca-Cola© - Featuring nearly 500 fresh-cut Christmas trees that create a spectacular maze where park-goers can stroll around the globe and explore cultural and winter holiday traditions from places like South Africa, Japan, Israel and Mexico. Country of origin themed craft-making stations for the kids, picture-taking moments, music and lights make this immersive experience like no other.



New Believe – Guests can dine while enjoying inspirational holiday music performed by a solo pianist in the Italy’s San Marco Theatre.

NEW Finnegan’s Flyer™ – Take in the festive sights of Ireland swinging 80 feet above the cliffs of the Celtic coast. This extreme swing is not for the faint of heart, testing the bravest of riders as they swing at speeds of 45 mph. InvadR™ and Verbolten® roller coasters also will be available for park guests to enjoy.

Christmas Town Express – The familiar Choo Choo! is back as the Busch Gardens Railway takes riders on a magical trip around the world’s most beautiful theme park. The experience will feature festive caroling, two million stunning Christmas lights and holiday-themed vignettes throughout the 1.5-mile tour.

Wilkommenhaus – Located in the park’s German village, the Wilkommenhaus transforms into a fantastic visual Christmas spectacle through beautiful projection mapping. The sweet smell of Christmas treats from the Cookies & Cocoa Shop wafts through the air as virtual gingerbread men bring this festive village to life every 15-minutes during Christmas Town.

The best way to enjoy not only Christmas Town, but park events and attractions all year long is through the newly-enhanced Busch Gardens Williamsburg Membership Program. Guests can receive unlimited visits to Busch Gardens, Howl-O-Scream® and Christmas Town as well as free parking & discounts in-park PLUS monthly rewards including free friend tickets, exclusive first-to-ride on new attractions, member-only event preview days, $10 Busch Bucks for in-park spending and more, for as low as $10.99 per month with no down payment.

Busch Gardens is open from 2 – 10 p.m. on most Christmas Town operating days and 12 – 10 p.m. on Saturdays from Nov. 16 through Jan. 5. For more information about Christmas Town and operating days, visit www.christmastown.com/va.





About SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter, and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world. The Company is one of the world's foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The Company collectively cares for what it believes is one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has helped lead advances in the care of animals. The Company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld® rescue team has helped more than 35,000 animals in need over the last 55 years. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized brands including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens®, Aquatica®, Sesame Place® and Sea Rescue®. Over its more than 55-year history, the Company has built a diversified portfolio of 12 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its one-of-a-kind zoological collection. The Company's theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests.



SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded company. Visit www.seaworldentertainment.com for more information.

 

[Eric]

Twas that night opens December 22???? What???? That's over a month after the event(which is anchored by its shows) starts.

 

[Nicole]

One has to assume it is a typo. They must have meant November.

 

[Mushroom]

One has to assume it is a typo. They must have meant November.

But they’ve now released that date at least twice at various times. Does no one proofread at this park??

 

[Jahrules]

But they’ve now released that date at least twice at various times. Does no one proofread at this park??

The other one was an article from a news station. Most likely using the same press release that they send to outlets before making public.

So I argue it's only once; but yeah they should proofread.

 

[Mwe BGW]

Pompeii

 

[lilleape]

Also of note: Gift of Harmony is dead—replaced with a solo piano act called Believe.

Hmmm, that actually makes me sad. I didn't like it at first, but my kids LOVE it, and it was one of their favorite things about CT. Plus, I could get a cup of mulled wine before going in to the show.

 

[PrincessArlenasDad]

Hmmm, that actually makes me sad. I didn't like it at first, but my kids LOVE it, and it was one of their favorite things about CT. Plus, I could get a cup of mulled wine before going in to the show.

Mulled wine goes even better with a piano soloist.

 

[PrincessArlenasDad]

Christmas Town tickets are now available:
$60 for a single day ticket (no restrictions)
$62 for a fun card

They also have the 3 day CW/CT bounce ticket

 

[Mushroom]

Sheesh. That's almost twice as expensive as a Winterfest no-restrictions ticket.

 

[PrincessArlenasDad]

Also, no mention of variable pricing by day. Maybe just not announced yet?

 

[Luke]

From yesterday!

 

[Thomas]

Those swans by the train are legitimately beautiful.

 

[ijerngvidsnvk]

Time for a controversial opinion.

*breathes in*

This event is better than Howl-O-Scream. It does a better job emerging you in Christmas than Howl-O-Scream does emerging you in Halloween. The park's prettier, and they put so much more effort into this event, which means a LOT to me. The only real knock you can put on it is that there's not as many coasters open, which I get. But when you go to CT, you're there for the lights and food, not the rides as per usual. Might be weird but idk I love this event lmao

 

[UncleDuncan]

Man, celebrating the birth of a messiah is a pretty expensive proposition.

 

[tursiops]

I just wish they would switch things up occasionally and add a few more unique experiences, like the penguins. Maybe a little snow area.

 

[Mwe BGW]

around the park.

 

[super7]

They keep raising prices and reducing Christmastown entertainment. Miracles was reduced to the cheaper to produce Gift of Harmony and now a piano player? They cut back live entrainment both in the summer and fall.

Kings Dominion on the other hand is stepping up their live entertainment. Winterfest has enough live entertainment to fill the entire night.

Busch’s penny pinching is really showing and reducing Park quality

 

[Eric]

I understand your claim and feel the same way about the entertainment during Christmas Town. Ever since Miracles left Italy, I have had very little interest in even going to that hamlet. However, I will add that Christmas Town has expanded in its attractions operations and experiences since the removal of Miracles as well. Two more rollercoasters have been operating per year(InvadR and Grover's Alpine Express) and a new land has been in operation. Furthermore, more experiences, like the Rudolph meet and greet and movie experience and the tree trail have been added since then. So while Miracles leaving left a hole in Christmas Town's line up(and I wish it would come back), I believe it has been filled by different offerings.