Can Williamsburg Conquer The Mouse as Best Destination?

Can Williamsburg Conquer The Mouse as Best Destination?

By Desiree Parker Friday, February 19, 2010

The tricorner hat may depose a world-famous mouse as a symbol for family fun, if Budget Travel readers vote the right way.

Williamsburg has been nominated as one of the country’s best destinations for a family visit by Budget Travel Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards, and it’s up to voters to decide whether it will move from second place to first.

The annual contest began Wednesday with seven destinations getting nominations, and folks in the city only heard Thursday that the destination made the list. Joining Williamsburg are: Disney World; Washington D.C.; the Grand Canyon; Wisconsin Dells and Noah’s Ark, Wisconsin; Six Flags, San Antonio; and Branson, Missouri made the cut.

Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Alliance spokeswoman Linda Stanier was excited to hear the good news. She said the minute Alliance folks got word that Williamsburg was on the list, they sent the information with the link where people could vote to all their contacts and all their members. They also put the information on the Alliance’s Facebook page.

Lo and behold, Williamsburg moved from the back of the pack to second place in less than 24 hours.

“When we first checked [the standings], Disney, Washington, D.C., and the Grand Canyon were the first three favorites,” said Stanier Thursday afternoon. “And now we’re number two!”

As of Thursday evening, there were about 1,400 votes cast. Of those, Disney had over 674 and Williamsburg had 275. Washington D.C. is a close third with 209.

Stanier thinks Williamsburg has a chance at winning – just like the Williamsburg Farmer’s Market won best medium-sized farmer’s market in the country last summer in a contest sponsored by the American Farmland Trust. The city got word out about the contest and 725 people voted to bring Williamsburg to the forefront, which is what the Alliance is hoping will happen in this contest, too.

“'We’re out to beat the Mouse!’ is our rallying cry now,” said Stanier.

Cast your vote here, and keep track of the scores by clicking the “full vote breakdown” tab.

Comments

0 #13 Guest 2010-03-12 17:37

We have traveled nearly three thousand miles, seven times to see CW, Busch Gardens along with Williamsburg. I love all three destinations. Out here in the west, we have nothing to compare to what you all have back in VA. I love the history that is preserved, and all the beauty of God's creation that can be enjoyed there. I would like to think that all the locals will support and vote for this chance to beat out the mouse. What can it hurt? Times are tough everywhere, can't we look for a glimmer of hope somewhere?
I think that it would be great if CW could lower their admission, to make it affordable for more families to enjoy, and then that way, more people would be likely to come and see what there is to be offered, and then when the economy picks up, so does admission prices. Just a thought........ .. :-)

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+3 #12 Guest 2010-02-22 11:13

Busch Garden's attendance numbers increased last year because they were open for the month of december for the first time ever for Christmas Town which artificially inflates their attendance numbers from past years. That being said though that was a smart business move on their part which again proves Samantha's point.

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+1 #11 Guest 2010-02-21 13:55

"Say What" continues to make my point for me. Thank you for that. Of course, Busch had an increase in visitation - why you might ask? Because they have competent leadership that is focused on guests and what they really desire. CW just doesn't get it! If the leadership at CW could lead like those at Busch we wouldn't be nearly as bad off as we are. Many great organizations have grown and prospered in hard times. All CW (and you apparently) can do is bemoan the hard times. I think we need less whining! Maybe if the CW execs gave up their cars, spa and golf memberships and other perks they could focus a bit better on the business at hand.

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-3 #10 Guest 2010-02-21 10:20

Brett and Samantha are seemingly unaware that the entire WORLD is in a deep recession/depre ssion. While I understand their frustrations with declining tourism numbers, they need to keep in mind this is going on all over the world. In the last week Disney reported its earnings, good in all areas except Theme Parks. Imagine that! Their parks pulled down their earnings. We on the other hand have Busch, that actually saw an increase in attendance last year, the time shares in the area were near capacity all summer. The room occupancy numbers don't reflect the fact that several hoteliers built new hotels and added unneeded room capacity. This is not my opinion, but the opinion of Smith Travel, the organization the hoteliers often quote. The timeshares are successful because of modern facilities, not all the hotels/motels can say that. Our market is driven by CW and Busch, without them we are nothing. Why is it they are responsible for bringing in guests for private business other than their own? The local hotels and restaurants benefit from these entities, not the other way around. This constant complaining about problems perceived or real is not doing the area any good. The press in other tourist areas are reporting it, do you think comments like Samantha's or Brett's make us a more desirable destination, or a less desirable one?

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+9 #9 Guest 2010-02-20 15:50

why can't we just invite the mouse to live in williamsburg?.. That way we can have #1 and #2. Busch gardens is already overcrowded, CW would benefit from the additional grandparents this boom would bring, and the taxes on the time share/hotel industry would overwhelm our counties with money.. Or we could build another vacant shopping center,lol.

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-1 #8 Guest 2010-02-20 09:43

I think whoever "Say What" is needs to read stuff a lot more carefully. I love this area and I wholeheartedly support local business. What I am critical of and will continue to be so is the mismanagement of CW by the current leadership that has all but ruined that institution and along with it the economic well being or our community. As for the Alliance; it is simply an extension of CW with its President who was an exec at CW who is still on their payroll. All I can to "Say What" is "Wake up!" Quit being so pollyanna and provide meaningful criticism where it's deserved. Check brett's comments today -very much on the mark. As our founders said in 1776 - it's time for revolution not evolution. Change the leadership and you'll change the direction and hopefully the outcomes we are seeing.

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-6 #7 Guest 2010-02-20 09:03

It seems that the consumer has already voted. Colonial Williamsburg ticket sales are at their lowest level in about a half century and hotel occupancy is one of the worst in the entire nation. Ballot box stuffing doesn't help cure our systemic problems. Let's assume for a moment that a ballot stuffing program succeeds and this magazine that no one reads names Williamsburg as the best family vacation destination. What will follow will be a press conference with a lot of back slapping and self congratulation over how great we are, and isn't it all wonderful. Which will be followed by yet another disappointing tourist season, more layoffs, more closings, and more talk of how great our destination is that less and less people actually choose for a vacation. :zzz

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+7 #6 Guest 2010-02-20 08:46

I'll put in my two cents. I agree that Williamsburg is not in the same league as most of the places on the poll. Indeed, I would argue it is orders of magnitude above them. Where can you get the diversity of activities that you enjoy here? The problem is, a lack of awareness of the breadth of what there is to offer. The three points in the cradle of American civilization linked by one of the country's most bucolic roadways, a thoroughfare that is an attraction in its own right. The world's most beautiful amusement park, first class water park, endless miles of pristine, wooded waterways, for the outdoor enthusiast. The capital bike trail linking the colonial and present capital city dotted with some of the most spectacular colonial-era plantations, the country's finest outlet shopping, proximity to beaches, world class-museums, it goes on and on. I love the Grand Canyon and Disney, but after a 30 minute tour of the former and 2 days at the latter, it becomes obvious that they are not blessed with the same attributes as Williamsburg--n ot even close. We need to do a better job of capitalizing on what I consider to be one of the most unique and varied regions in the world. :roll:

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+6 #5 Guest 2010-02-19 19:27

Bob White -- I think you missed the point. I think it's more about the grassroots effort behind it -- getting the word out to vote for Williamsburg (as done for the Williamsburg Farmers Market). It's fun to see how the poll numbers have progressed. Yes, Disney is still ahead, but it goes to show what a little viral marketing can do. From #4 to #2 in a matter of hours. Go, Williamsburg!

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+5 #4 Guest 2010-02-19 17:32

I read quite a few of these comments and I must say I don't know if I've ever read a more bitter comment than those of Samantha Pinkney. What do you have against this area? You seemingly never miss a chance to bash CW, the Alliance, local business and more. Life is too short to be so bitter all the time.

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