Busch Garden reviews

[debi]

Just wondered what everyone thought of BG?
I have never been myself and were wondering wether it is worth the visit?:confused:
All info. greatly accepted:lol:

[dcopeland]

I'd say it is definately worth a visit. The drive to Tampa was a little on the long side but was still very pleasant.

Although I though it was a good park, I must admit I expected more.

The park was smaller than I expected and the rides and attractions didn't quite meet expectations.

I blame this on amazingly good tv adverts, they really make it look like a magical, wonderful place. The advert shows its best features a lot more glamerous than they actually are. At the end of the day I would just refer to it as just a theme park with some wildlife thrown in.

Don't get me wrong though, we had a great day and had loads of fun and I thoroughly recommend visiting if you're a theme park fan. Some people may find it's just a bit too far for what you get.

[Keith]

ok I guess I was the entire opposite expectation wise!

I wasn't expecting much and wow was I surprised!

I got the Busch gardens bus from premium outlet mall (very close to disney as you know) and I think it was $5.

It did take quite awhile to get there but wow, I was very impressed.

The Ice skating show is just SO much fun.... then there was the acrobats who were just *amazing*.
I mean I could've watched them for hours, simply amazing show.

Then there was a great safari like ride with quite a few surprises en route! Like the Disney one but better!

There was way more there than I expected.. definitely a very very full day for me.... and even though I'm not a rollercoaster person, there was TONS to see and do.

There was some kind of 3d scary house (haunted mansion thing?) opening in june I think which will probably be good to see.

So I've gone from I'm not spending a day going there to WOW yep, very cool place indeed.

(cool not in a temperature way you understand, it was BOIIIIIIILLLLLLLLIIIIIING!)

[Bozza]

I think Busch is a great park and visit every time I'm in Florida. Sure, the theming is not up to Disney standards but I don't think they try and compete on that level.

What you do get is some great animal action and the best pure thrill rides in Florida - it's a must if you like 'coasters.

[Cindernaenae]

The safari type ride was being built or majorly overhauled when we were there 3 years ago. So maybe that's why I wasn't overly impressed.

I don't remember a whole lot about that day, but I do remember the absolute downpour we had that day!! We'd been in Tampa working for about 3 1/2 months at that point and it was the most rain I had ever seen come from the sky at once!!:eek:

We just had fun playing in the rain.

[Whitequeen]

I'm really looking forward to going to Busch Gardens, but can anybody tell me how long to drive there?
It'll be in Nov. if that has any bearing on the Traffic & at a weekend.

[OKWTink]

Totally depends upon traffic, whitequeen. If there is an accident you can be tied up for hours. With no problems allow a solid 2 hours. It may take a bit less, it could take a bit more. It's a heavily congested area to travel through once you near Tampa. Also, the area of Tampa where the park is, is not all that safe, so be certain to keep anything valuable out of site (in the car).

I'm one of the few people who really disliked BG. Went there once, left early and don't ever intend to return. Clearly, I'm in the minority on this one!

Keith, the bus fare is still $5.00. That is such a smart marketing move on the part of BG!

Have fun on your visit and be safe! :ears:

[Whitequeen]

Thanks for the tips, Tink!!!
Fingers crossed there's no accidents!!!:rolleyes:

[Cindernaenae]

When we werein Tampa working, every time we went to or thru Orlando the traffic was really heavy. :(

Just leave ourself plenty of time for the drive!!

[debi]

Thank you for your help guys!

I don't really fancy it myself, but DH wants to go as he heard it is really good, think I will try and talk him out of it unless I get LOADS of good threads about it!;)

[arthur fowler]

On our recent (first) trip we went to BG and it was our favourite park (above all the WDWs and Seaworld). It was more quiet, relaxed, more spread out. The rides were excellent (especially the water rides), the animals were good and the queues were much shorter than WDW.

There are plenty of good coasters, so if that's your thing then you shouldn't miss it. We couldn't do all the big ones as the children were too small, but they looked great.

It took us about 1hr 20 from ASMo on the way there, about 2hr 20 on the way back. Tip: make sure you know your way back to I4 on the way home. We got lost and DW got a bit freaked about some of the areas we drove through trying to find our way onto I4.

I'd say - go for it!

Arthur.

[pegasus]

We too love Busch Gardens and spend a day there everytime we visit Orlando. Plenty of thrilling rides. The Gorilla enclosure is great. You get to see hippos underwater (there's a baby there at the moment as well).

I wouldn't say it's a good place to take little ones though as most of the rides have height restrictions - a lot have 48" and 52/54" height requirements.

It's not Disney and it doesn't have the magic of Disney but it's still a good fun day out and certainly the best place to go if you like "white knuckle" rides. We have always found it to be quieter than the other parks but that could just be down to luck.

Personally I wouldn't recommend the Haunted Lighthouse - 3D effects were pretty poor - we were sat near the front to one side and perhaps a more central seat would have been better.

You do also get to sample some free beer!

[debi]

Oh now I don't know what to do!:confused:

I didn't fancy BG at all but you guys are changing my mind! DH is keen to go, so we will probably try to squeeze it in on our trip.

Can't seem to fit everything in, but sure will try to manage!;)

:wave: :wave:

[renkadima]

My impression of BG was 'Seaworld without the fish'. Like others have said, don't go with high expectations and you'll enjoy the day. I do remember getting wet on the rapids (not on the scale of IoA, though) and you can spend a very enjoyable few minutes blasting watercannons on to the punters from the side of the ride - until you get recognised by someone you've just soaked:lol: :lol:

The journey to and from is a bit of a chore and a bit confusing, so I'd take the bus given the option.

[mrs disney]

Hi:wave:

We liked BG,loads of coasters...The Montu is best...loads of water rides...CAUTION You WILL get soaked...wait till you see the Tidal Wave...Loads of animals eg white tigers...and the safari tour is great...wont spoil it by telling you about it...
DEFINATELY worth a visit...there is also a budweiser beer tasting thing which Im sure will persuade your DH....

Have fun :thumbs: :thumbs:

[debi]

So now DH defo. wants to go:rolleyes:
thinks I don't know that the free budweiser swayed him!:D
:wave: :wave:

[trevorsem]

Originally posted by whitequeen
I'm really looking forward to going to Busch Gardens, but can anybody tell me how long to drive there?
It'll be in Nov. if that has any bearing on the Traffic & at a weekend.

I'd say to allow two hours if you aim to arrive at park opening.

It took us 1 1/2 hour, including a stop to re-fuel, but hit no traffic at all.

Worth a visit, but not at the expense of any Disney or Universal park.

Gwazi is the best roller coaster of all in Florida.

:ears:

Trev

[arthur fowler]

Originally posted by trevorsem


Gwazi is the best roller coaster of all in Florida.

:ears:

Trev

Trev - is Gwazi the wooden one? If so, I didn't enjoy it at all! It was uncomfortable in the extreme.

Arthur

[debi]

Hi Mrs Disney
Thank you so much for your private message about BG.

We are maybe hoping to go to WDW in Aug. 2004 but probably not get there until 2005 (it's a money thing!):rolleyes:

So by the time we go there, alot of things might have changed in BG. So although I am most grateful to you:D I don't think I will need a map of BG just yet!

Thanks for your help though, it was very much appreciated;)

:wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: