On the night of the failed Mayan Apocalypse, Fiancé-friend and I went with his family to Busch Gardens’ Christmas Town. This is a relatively new addition to one of the themeparks in Virginia after it was acquired by the SeaWorld group. In December, the regular park–which is “European-themed”–is overhauled to become a sparkling Christmas wonderland.

Most of the big attraction rides (like the famous Apollo’s Chariot coaster) aren’t running in the winter, but there were still a lot of things to do. The rides that weren’t operational got a pretty holiday make-over to the tune of thousands of lights. This is normally a water ride called “Escape from Pompeii.” Now, it’s more like Escape from Huge-normous Santa.

While we ate dinner at FestHaus, we were treated to a strange holiday medley show, straight out of the 1950′s.

Maybe I should submit these cupcakes to Cake Wrecks….

It was pretty chilly with a lot of wind, so we had to bundle up.

Though, of course, Fiancé-friend’s young cousins were impervious to the blasts of cold wind.

I’m still regrettably not much of a rollercoaster person, though I may try to overcome my fear eventually. Fortunately, Courtney doesn’t like coasters either. We had a good time riding the one that goes fast in a circle, where the rider on the outside of the cart gets smashed into the side. Whee, centrifugal force!

And earlier in the day, we saw Santa. He’s coming to town!

Phew, a lot to do before Christmas! Baking! Wrapping! Last-minute shopping! (Remind me: Next year, I swear I will be done by Thanksgiving!!!!!!)