Busch Gardens shuttle bus

[deano bam]

hi everyone
can anyone tell me where is the best and easy place to catch the shuttle bus to bush gardens ??
were staying on international drive (holiday inn).
thanks

[Mermaid]

I think it picks you up from Mercedo Centre and Sea World think Mercardo is nearer...

[Jenna]

Originally Posted by Mermaid

I think it picks you up from Mercedo Centre and Sea World think Mercardo is nearer...

Yep, that's right. We got on the bus at the Mercado which was closer and easier to walk to from our hotel than it would have been to get the I Ride down to Sea World. I think it picked up at about 8.30am.

[highlander447]

Be prepared for a long journey although it is a nice park but it takes about 1hr 10min there same again back u get about 6hrs in the park

[Chesterbhoy]

We did not manage to fit Busch into our schedule this time round (did Seaworld and Discovery Cove), but our son just got the free promotional video and he is determined to go when we return in October 2005.

We heard that it is very similar to a UK Zoo (like Chester), with the added bonus of the 6 best thrill rides in Florida and 2 water rides...which you get really wet.

Their promotional video states the bus leaves Seaworld and "other hotels", but over 75min (each way) on a bus seems a long time to visit a park were other parks local to Orlando offer the same thing!

Oh well no doubt the kids will win again and it will be another early rise to make the 8.30am Busch Gardens bus from Seaworld (we will be staying at the Hilton Grand Vacation Club on International Drive - next to Dolly Parton Dinner Show). Then get soaked on the water rides and sit with damp shorts all the way home........

Can't wait to go back....only 11 months to go!

[Jenna]

I think it took just under an hour for the bus to get there when we went, it didn't take as long as the driver told us it would and that was with some traffic too so we were pleasantly surprised. Remember though that with staying on I Drive it can also take an hour or so to get to and from Disney if you use a bus, once they've stopped and several hotels on the way.

[Chesterbhoy]

The Busch Gardens Shuttle Express is a service providing round-trip transportation from Orlando to Busch Gardens at Tampa Bay. Mears Transportation Group shuttles visitors to Busch Gardens in its luxury motor coaches, which typically hold 47 passengers. The cost for round-trip transportation is only $5 per person; it's free for passengers who purchase the five-park Orlando FlexTicket or an Adventure Passport.

Pick-ups are offered from five convenient Orlando locations:

• Universal Orlando -- 8:15 am, daily at bus parking;

• Mercado Shopping Village, International Drive -- 8:30 a.m. daily, front circle of main entrance;

• SeaWorld -- 9 a.m. daily at bus parking;

• Old Town Shopping Village S. Apopka-Vineland Road -- 9:15 a.m. daily, except Saturday, at rear parking, near roller coaster;

• Orlando Premium Outlets, Vineland Avenue -- 9:30 a.m. daily at tour bus drop-off center.

Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-221-1339.

[Isafari]

Originally by Chesterbhoy..

We heard that it is very similar to a UK Zoo (like Chester), with the added bonus of the 6 best thrill rides in Florida and 2 water rides...which you get really wet.

I have been to Chester Zoo on a number of occasions and, I have also been to Busch Gardens. The two cannot be compared like this at all - I won't stand for it
Chester Zoo is my fave zoo in the UK but, it is nothing compared to BG. Even if you leave out the thrill rides at BG - what about the shows they have (they don't have those at Chester) The animals at BG have a lot more space too and the Rhino Ralley - do they have anything like this at Chester? I believe not!! There is a whole different atmosphere at BG which you don't get at Chester. It is like saying Alton Towers is the same as MK just without the charcters
.........what is happening to me, I don't normally rant like this Ask Kira (lioness below from BG)

[highlander447]

You can also reserve online at http://www.atlasmc.com/bgse/

[triciacarole]

Thnks for letting me know Busch Gardens is not like Chester Zoo, this is local to me and I became dissapointed when I read the comments.

How long does it take to visit the park, excluding the large rides? Is it worth going on a tour to try to fit it all in?

Thanks
Trish