UPDATE 4/19/13: The Pet Care Center at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (during the off-season) was improved with HVAC, providing heat and air conditioning to the entire facility, as needed. Because of these updates, the daily board fee per pet has increased to $20 ($18 for season pass members).
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This is an update to the review I wrote one year ago about the Pet Care Center (dog kennel) at the Busch Gardens theme park in Williamsburg, VA.
In case you've already read the original review (which is posted in its entirety below), let me first say that our experience this season (last Friday, April 13, to be exact) was just as it has always been: Great!
Even though it was a crowded day at the park (Spring break for many), we had no glitches getting the dogs' kennel passes (still $7 each for pass members/$10 all others), which we purchased upon paying to park, and we drove straight to a row of empty parking spaces directly in front of the Pet Care Center (which also - per last year's review - happens to be right beside the park entrance - woo hoo!).
Now, since Jon Farleigh and Dewi are park veterans (and have
Mapquest-like travel memories), as soon as we pulled into the park, they both wiggled and whined to get out of the car, practically dragging us straight to the Pet Care Center's gate. (If that wasn't a sign that they like it there, then I don't know what is.)
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| I need to get out, okaaayyy? |
The ladies working in the kennel were cheerful, professional and obviously cared about the animals. As it turns out, there were a few older dogs (and one blind one) already there when we arrived, so I was asked at check-in whether Jon Farleigh and Dewi like to bark. (Um, yes.) So, understandably, they were placed in an area where their "talking" wouldn't upset the seniors too much.
They wound up across the way from a happy young lab-mix and it was all good.
I have received a couple questions about the size of the kennel in which JF and Dewi are placed (together). Unfortunately, I can't give an exact measurement, but I will guess that it's at least six feet wide and five feet high. A large bloodhound in the same size kennel was able to stand with plenty of room to spare (on all sides).
I can also tell you that the smaller dogs are kept in smaller (but still roomy) kennels toward the front of the building.
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I took this photo from outside at dusk, but you can see there is plenty of room in that
corner kennel for the Dalmatian. The two adjacent kennels each housed two large labs. |
So what did I do in the 3.5 hours that the dogs were hanging out in their breezy kennel under the shade trees?
Time to Go Home
The kennel attendant remembered us when we returned to pick up the boys. She said they'd been just fine and that she (and the other attendant) had been back to visit with them quite a bit. (Honestly, I think JF and Dewi's stubby legs made her a little gaga. ;)
So there you have it. Another glowing review for the 2012 season. (What a relief!)
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| How fast does this thing go? It's dinner time. |
Feel free to ask questions!
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Jon Farleigh & Dewi Do Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA
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| Voted "The World's Most Beautiful Theme Park" |
My three kids are out of school this week for Spring Break (explaining my limited blog activity, and if you were here, the piles of rubble amongst the pet hair in all corners of my home). [sigh] So yesterday, wanting to enjoy the balmy mid-eighties outside and to have someone else clean up after them for a day, I loaded the dogs, my three kids (plus one friend) into my car and headed due east on I-64. It was well worth the trip.
Now in case you're wondering, Jon Farleigh and Dewi were not treated to pooch-sized thrill rides and funnel cakes; nope, they, instead, hung out in the Pet Care Center nestled amongst clusters of mature hardwood trees and conveniently located near the park's main entrance.
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| A view from the front |
Since the Pet Care Center is located close to the main entrance, parking is choice (no tram commuting from parking lots afar). (A real bonus on days like yesterday with record park attendance.)
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Kennel admission fees are paid at the main gate
- with parking fees, if any. |
Pet owners are not required to provide proof of vaccination; however, Jon Farleigh and Dewi are up-to-date (and just to be safe, I brought their most recent shot records with me). (I'd use strong caution boarding an animal with compromised or immature immunity.)
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A side view (Jon Farleigh's and Dewi's kennel was midway
down this side of the building, behind the hedge.) |
The kennel building is not air-conditioned; however, because it's nestled in the trees on a breezy hilltop, the indoor temperature is always comfortable (even for a fluffy corgi on a hot summer's day).
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"Hi, mom!"
Note: The floor is not dirty; it had recently been sprayed and cleaned.
Busch Gardens is an immaculate theme park, Pet Care Center included. |
So here we are strolling back to the boys' accommodations after one of several potty/exercise breaks. (Kennel staff are not permitted to remove pets from their kennels for any reason other than emergency; therefore, owners must return periodically to walk their pets and/or provide a snack. Staff members do, however, frequently provide all dogs with clean, cool water to drink.)
Each time we have used the facility, the staff has been most pleasant and professional. Truthfully, Busch Gardens employs many local retirees during the park season, and the Pet Care Center must be a popular gig...but, think about it -- having someone's "grandpa" take care of your dog for the day just has to be a win-win situation.
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I didn't get a good photo of the size of this kennel, but,
as you can see, it's large enough to comfortably hold
both dogs, with plenty of room to spare.
(My camera flash makes the space look darker than it really is.) |
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| snacks, extra water, poop bags and leashes |
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| It's okay if you forget the poop bags; they're provided. |
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| checking pee mail |
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| bird watching |
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| park entrance |
So off we go to enjoy the park...
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| 200 feet straight down at over 70 miles per hour |
I threw up after this ride and we had to leave. (No, not really. I would never ride this -- darned inner ears -- but my kids do.)
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| Pint anyone? |
I threw up after this attraction and we had to leave. (No, not really. I would never throw up in public after drinking irresponsibly in a fake Irish pub at a theme park.)
I did not throw up after attending this show and we did not leave...until much later. This is, in fact, an adorable show where former shelter animals of all sorts (dogs, cats, rats, parrots, ducks, pigs...and growing) perform amazing tricks for their doting trainers. (Seriously people, these animals and their trainers are amazing. Busch Gardens goes to great lengths to promote shelter adoption and wildlife preservation.)
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At the end of the day, Jon Farleigh and Dewi were happy to be sprung from the kennel and slept like puppies all the way home. :)
Should you be traveling near Williamsburg, Virginia with your dog(s) and want to explore Busch Gardens, I would absolutely recommend the Pet Care Center. Please contact me (comment or e-mail) if you have any questions.
