So, I’m not really sure where this year went; but it’s definitely the Holiday Season already! 
Yes, I know it was 70 degrees yesterday. But I have also noticed that Santa is setting up all over town, the trees in Carytown are being strung with lights, and the holiday music is wafting through the air. It’s here, people, like it or not. Full disclosure: I like it. A lot. Especially right now because it’s all still humming carols and drinking peppermint mochas and cashing in the Santa Card to get the kids to stop annoying each other. My kids are 2 & 4 this year, which feels a little extra magical. So, we’re soaking up every minute of it.
Yesterday afternoon, we all climbed into the car and headed out to Christmas Town at Busch Gardens. The park opened at 3pm, so it was timed perfectly for the kids to catch a little afternoon nap in the car on the way. And that crafty plan actually materialized, much to my surprise. We arrived as the park was opening, which was perfect. I’ve heard that it can be really crowded with long lines for rides and attractions. We didn’t have that experience at all. Maybe it does get a lot more crowded later in the season – so go early if you can. We had about 2 hours before our Fireside Feast with Santa and wanted to make the most of it. My 4 year old daughter is suddenly into all the rides that were a bit to scary before and I have to say I love it! She and I rode several rides while dad and brother waved and took pictures. They did join us on the Carousel and the Skyride.
As it started to get dark, the entire park began to glow with the 6 million lights that cover the grounds. I was really impressed with the vast difference in decorating styles from section to section within the park. France was stunning with silver, white and purple shimmering everywhere and French carols lofting through the air. Germany had snow (tiny bubbles) falling everywhere, which the kids LOVED!! Germany is also home to Santa’s workshop, where your children can write a letter to Santa while waiting to sit on his lap. And he’s the real deal, folks. I was enchanted by Italy (shocker) with all of the white lights so carefully wrapped around each and every tree limb. I can’t even imagine how long that took! In a word, it was all just gorgeous.
It was approaching our time for dinner with Santa at the Fireside Feast. So we headed over to sit for while and re-fuel. The Fireside Feast has definitely become our family tradition. It’s a very intimate group setting with a cozy atmosphere. You don’t feel like the kids are on a conveyor belt with 30 seconds to tell Santa what they want for Christmas before they get shuffled on so the next kid can have a turn.
Wow, that was a mouthful.
Your family is assigned a table, where you get to relax and enjoy dinner. 
There was a nice buffet with options to please everyone. The turkey got rave reviews from the whole family (not an easy accomplishment). All the usual holiday feast items were there, including sweet potatoes, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, etc. And kid fare like chicken nuggets and hotdogs. The kids can go up to have a turn on Santa’s lap at any point throughout the dinner and Santa actually took time to really interact with them. After dinner, Mrs. Claus brings out cookies while Santa reads a story. It was all just wonderful. I really can’t gush enough about the Fireside Feast. I kinda think that I’ll only get about 5 or 6 really good Santa years and I’m that silly sort of person who is willing to drive really far for the ‘Real Santa’ 5 or 6 times in my life. I’m pretty sure that I’ll never look back on those photos and think “man, we shoulda’ just gone to the mall!”
After our feast, it was dark and sparkly outside. We knew the 2 year old wasn’t going to last long. We hopped on the train (one of his favorite things) and rode to the nostalgic Holiday Hills area. A total throw back and lots of fun – my hubby’s favorite section. We rode the tea cups, reindeer run, and the flying machine. And then our clock ran out. The whining and ‘carry me’s’ started cranking up. So we saddled up for piggy back rides back to the car. We packed PJs and changed the kids in the car. Then an easy car ride home and carrying happy, sleeping children into bed.
Ahhh, ChristmasTown! I am already looking forward to next year!
There are lots of things that we didn’t even get to this time, like the popular Ice Palace: A Penguin Paradise, O Tannenbaum, and the many shows.
Christmas Town runs from November 22, 2013 and will continue, select days through December 31, 2013. Tickets for Christmas Town cost $30.00 per guest (Ages 3 & Up), and does not include parking or additional charges for Santa’s Fireside Feast. There are also many package options, some include hotel packages, Colonial Williamsburg bounce passes and special tours inside Christmas Town. And the Fun Card allows multiple visits between now and Dec 31.
** I did receive a free family 4 pack of tickets to Christmas Town and Santa’s Fireside Feast in order to facilitate this review, but all the giddiness is my own and not the result of any other compensation. **
About Christa Donohue