We have supported Colonial Williamsburg, as a charity, for many years - yet, never had a chance to visit. For Christmas this year, we decided on a visit over 3 days, to ensure we had the opportunity to visit everything of interest and enjoy the attractions during a cooler time of year. Both of us had visited before in the 1990's....and during the summer which is not advisable unless you truly enjoy hot and humid weather.
Please note, we did not use one of the many sponsored hotels, rather went into town and stayed at the Hampton Inn....less than a mile away from the visitors center. So, the attractions - they will be as enjoyable and educational as you want. But, we do recommend two specific pieces - the Rockefeller House and Ghost Tour. Other than that, we visited almost every other location without paying a fee. We took the time and planned our day, not to the minute but enough to prioritize what we wanted to see while allowing time to enjoy other "walk in" attractions.
Be aware - the food is expensive! But, the quality was good and the portions very good sized. Most enjoyable but beware of the cost. Also, it appears, to my irritation that the locations are open to the public - but you must display your admission badge to enter. Therefore, there were people running, walking their dogs, and a lot of kids who were clearly having a bad day! LOL. But, again, we enjoyed the visit....and highly recommend your visit as well.