Christmas Town
- Thread starter Thomas
- Start date
Great interview and write-up!
I am so happy that Twinkle tickets are going away. I'm sure some will not like this new pricing structure. It doesn't affect me price-wise since I buy the passmember Christmastown pass for me and fun cards for the family. I do like that the park is attempting to address the nightmare that was last year. Twice I was stuck on the interstate well before the 2pm opening. I hope that this new discount pricing may alleviate the overcrowding.
I am so happy that Twinkle tickets are going away. I'm sure some will not like this new pricing structure. It doesn't affect me price-wise since I buy the passmember Christmastown pass for me and fun cards for the family. I do like that the park is attempting to address the nightmare that was last year. Twice I was stuck on the interstate well before the 2pm opening. I hope that this new discount pricing may alleviate the overcrowding.
I'm hopeful the plan works, ticket prices rise, less people go. I do think it's a good sign that it seems the park listeined to complaints and made some changes.Imaginique said:
I think I might like Christmas town. Any chance they might open earlier than 2 in the future. I am one of those people that likes to get to the park early in order to enjoy the park and beat traffic on the highways. I am not sure what traffic would be like leaving from D.C. to get down there by 2. Are platinum pass members still able to use the preferred parking entrance during CT?
Since the event is really geared toward the evening, especially with all of the lights, I, personally, can't see a reason for them to pay staff to be open before 2pm. Earlier openings would also probably lead to higher ticket prices, and people (possibly irrationally) are already upset at the current cost.
Based on my experience driving down from Arlington, you should expect the usual traffic jams north of Fredericksburg and near Williamsburg. I haven't found a weekday or time of day this year, when the drive was clear. I swear it has gotten worse.
In the past access to the England lot through the back entrance has been haphazard. I have never been turned away, but there have been cases where others were. I always try, figuring worst case they will send me around. That said, if memory serves, there is no "Preferred Parking" for CT.
Based on my experience driving down from Arlington, you should expect the usual traffic jams north of Fredericksburg and near Williamsburg. I haven't found a weekday or time of day this year, when the drive was clear. I swear it has gotten worse.
In the past access to the England lot through the back entrance has been haphazard. I have never been turned away, but there have been cases where others were. I always try, figuring worst case they will send me around. That said, if memory serves, there is no "Preferred Parking" for CT.
jpcommons said:
Its hit or miss on entry. I've been let into the parking lot as early as 1:15, but then held at the park entrance until 2. Other times we've been let into England prior to 2pm, but no further.
jpcommons said:
If can do it on a week day leaving DC around 11 or 12 usually gives you a nice smooth drive weekends are of course more difficult to guess. Also it's my understand that on slow days they use England for general parking to cut down on the trams needed.
As Nicole said there really isn't enough to do or crowds to justify them opening earlier the park is usually pretty empty till after 4 most days as is.
I saw the Dashers Dinner sign on a flatbed truck heading away from Busch Gardens. Maybe they are changing it or something.
For those interested in photo ops at the park:
The photokey info is now on christmastown.com (minus pricing)
New for this year:
1-2-3 Smile in Forrest of Fun
Rudolph
Tempesto
Grover's Alpine express
Notable absences:
Frosty (my kids will be sad about no Frosty pictures)
Polar Bear
Penguins
If Rudolph is going to be over near Dasher's Diner, I guess they won't be using the Apollo's Chariot photo booth this year?
And, will Griffon's Gifts be a gift shop this year?
The photokey info is now on christmastown.com (minus pricing)
New for this year:
1-2-3 Smile in Forrest of Fun
Rudolph
Tempesto
Grover's Alpine express
Notable absences:
Frosty (my kids will be sad about no Frosty pictures)
Polar Bear
Penguins
If Rudolph is going to be over near Dasher's Diner, I guess they won't be using the Apollo's Chariot photo booth this year?
And, will Griffon's Gifts be a gift shop this year?
CT 2016 Map is out!
https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/christmastown/event-info/event-map
https://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/christmastown/event-info/event-map
Might be something that they just left on there, or maybe not. I also noticed that Da vinci's cradle is missing on the map and CT website, It is also stated on the main page that it is closed for Christmas Town. Its a little strange, but could be a refurbishment or something.Thomas said:
I'll be at Christmastown on December 3rd, a Sunday, running the Dash that morning. I'm hoping the new pricing and Elmo helps with the crowds to make it more enjoyable. I always look forward to Christmastown and hope I can get back to enjoying it. Rememebr when we though it was bad when only half the park was open and they reached capacity? Ha
Getting set for Christmas Town...from employee newsletter.
In addition to big lighting and theming changes in Holiday Hills and the addition of Forest of Fun, I've also been told that Busch Gardens Williamsburg is overhauling Killarney's decorations for Christmas Town this year! What kind of overhaul? Rumor has it that the parking lot-styled plastic tinsel is gone- likely replaced with something a little more green...
Zachary said:
That sounds intriguing. Tensile seems to be disappearing everywhere except for Holiday Hills in order for a more "natural approach". I wonder if any of the theming for Gloria will be brought out into Ireland. Then again, maybe they feel they already have that covered in San Marco.
Thomas said:
Here's the video: [instagram=https://instagram.com/p/BNHmqLsAPQw/]
Premier parking?
Got an email flyer about premier parking for Christmas Town. For $30 or $40 (depending on the day), you can use the employee entrance and park in England. Basically, the platinum preferred parking benefit.
So:
1. Can platinum pass holders still use the employee entrance and park in England, or is it solely for those who purchase the premiere parking?
2. Pass holders can get a discounted premiere parking pass for the standard 10% off. Given that pass holders get parking for Christmas Town included in their pass, I think it should be an upgrade fee, and not 10% off the general public fee.
Got an email flyer about premier parking for Christmas Town. For $30 or $40 (depending on the day), you can use the employee entrance and park in England. Basically, the platinum preferred parking benefit.
So:
1. Can platinum pass holders still use the employee entrance and park in England, or is it solely for those who purchase the premiere parking?
2. Pass holders can get a discounted premiere parking pass for the standard 10% off. Given that pass holders get parking for Christmas Town included in their pass, I think it should be an upgrade fee, and not 10% off the general public fee.
Photos: Sneak peek inside Christmas Town
http://wydaily.com/2016/11/23/sneak-peek-inside-christmas-town/
http://wydaily.com/2016/11/23/sneak-peek-inside-christmas-town/