Ripley's Believe It or Not! Williamsburg — Attraction in Williamsburg

November 12, 2016 I walked down the aisle to the love of my life. The aisle that I walked down was unique to say the least. My husband and I are not the most traditional people in the world and wanted to make a statement with our wedding. You see, the day we got married was our 10 year anniversary together as a couple. Many individuals couldn’t believe we were finally getting married! Actually, we couldn’t believe we were finally getting married. For the six years prior to our wedding, we would go to Williamsburg for our anniversary. When deciding where we wanted to have the ceremony and reception Williamsburg is where our hearts lied. We have such good memories there and that is where our love grew stronger.

However, we were on an extremely small budget for a wedding. Our budget wouldn’t even pay for most wedding photographers. Good thing I have an amazing friend that gifted us one of her wedding packages! Here is a little shout out to her and her wedding photography company KSant Photography. Any who, we were getting discouraged because we could find absolutely nothing that was in our price range. I decided to call a friend to vent about it. Best decision I made… that angry rant gave me a wonderful idea. The first Williamsburg trip we took we planned a lot of excursions and site seeing, the first one on the list being, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! We loved it there. We have found memories of being goofy, seeing all the unbelievable items, and learning a thing or two along the way. Since that first trip in 2010, they have added some new and much neater items! Well, as I rant to my friend, I blurted out, “Well F**k it! We’ll just get married at Ripley’s!” And the lightbulb went off ladies and gents. I will never forget the look on my fiancés face when I spit out the words, “What about doing the ceremony at Ripley’s?” He lit up like a Christmas tree. We both knew it was perfect. But would they go for it? Well, when I am determined, there is no stopping me. I sent them an email that night explaining our situation and giving them the back story of why this was so meaningful to us. However, my impatience got the best of me so I called them next day. I wouldn’t hurt right? No, it didn’t hurt at all, it only speed up the process. I was able to speak with the General Manager, Bill Thompson. He explained that her had received the email, just wasn’t sure what to do with it. In the 10 plus years he had worked for the company, he had never had that type of request.

Before I talked to Bill on the phone, I had been doing my research. First, it was off season for museum. Second, we wanted to only use the 4D Theater. Third, the theater did not begin showing movies until 11:00 am. Lastly, they offered group rates for the theater. When I spoke to Bill on the phone, I pointed these things out. I gave him a lot to consider. He said he would reach out to me the following week. He kept to his word and his word was the best news I had had in months! We were going to be the first couple to get married at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum and 4D Theater Williamsburg, VA. I couldn’t wait to spread the word!!! Before we set it in stone, my fiancé and I went to view the theater to ensure, it would be able to fit the amount of guests we wanted, that would actually be able to have the space to conduct the ceremony, where would the guests enter, ect. Keith, the Operations Manager, was beyond a blessing to us. He gave us so many different ideas, worked with our requests, and if he wasn’t able to give us what we requested, he found a solution that was better than we could have asked for. Keith was a huge help. My husband and I just want to tell them thank you again to all of the staff and especially Keith and Bill for everything they did for us. It will be a day always cherished...

We really enjoyed the exhibits and the 4D movie BUT the service we received was terrible. We walked in were asked if we wanted to add the movie for $3 extra, ok great so we did, or so we thought. I paid $83 for 4 adults and one child under 4 was free. We were told we would be going into the 630 showing and then were left standing there after the guy radioed that there were 5 people for the showing. I finally asked if we were just supposed to wait for someone until the movie started which wasn't for another 15 minutes. The guy said o I forgot here is your receipt you'll need this and you can go on in to the museum. We start walking thru and a second guy comes and gets us and tells us we need to come for the showing. We go up to go into the movie and the guy that came in to get us asks for the receipt. I hand it to him and he then tells me we haven't paid for the movie. Wait, what? I paid $83 for a self guided tour you just pulled us out of to go to this movie that you're now telling me I didn't pay for. The 2 guys just stand there and stare at me then say well if you all want to see the movie it will be $56. O, no. I explain it's not my fault that you told me I was getting the movie for one price and now you're saying I'm not. Fast-forward person 3 enters the scene. I explain to her that at my business if I mistakenly quote a service and a price I have to honor that price for that service. She says I can let yall see the movies for $27, bc now she's explaining that there are actually 2 and neither only cost $3 extra. It wasn't until I began to demand that they just give me a full refund that she then says it's a new system I don't know how to do that and that's why you weren't charged right so you can just see the first movie. Fine whatever, I was tired of standing there. So long story in a nut shell, make sure you know what you're actually getting for what your paying and overall though it was neat it is markedly...

I'm always pleasantly surprised by Ripley's...but this one has been my favorite out of the 4 (NY, LA, Orlando, & Ocean City Beach, MD) I have visited previously. There is so much to be in awe of and the pictures I have included aren't even 1/10th of what you will see. There are so many games and activities that are included with the cost of admission and the few things that weren't cost .50 cents to a $1 and had coin machines near them.

We even enjoyed the 4D movie here more than other places we have been. They were showing the Lego movie 4D and Happy Family 4D. The movie is included also in the cost of admission ($24.95 for adults, $19.95 children) and you can add the other movie for $3 extra.

They have a candy shop adjacent to Ripley's that you automatically go through once you exit the movie. It's $3.00 per 1/4 pound and although it's quite small, they had a pretty good selection.

Also, there is a mini golf that is a part of this Ripley's called Catfish Cove, yet when we asked to have that included (an extra $7 per person), we were informed that it's only from Thursday through the weekend and we were there on a Tuesday.

The only negatives to this particular Ripley's was that the restrooms for both men and women weren't clean...and on a Tuesday, it was eerily quiet, yet that can be a good thing for those of you who don't like crowds and who like to take your time going through the displays.

It's just so much fun here though, there were a lot of Oooh's, Aaah's & Wows... so regardless of the Eww in the restrooms, Ripley's should definitely be a part of your...