Helpful Tips

[kenboat]

We will be going to Busch Gardens the week after this.
Anyone have any good tips for our day?
Parking? Things and time to see? Least crowded day, Tues. Weds. Thurs.? Stuff to bring? Once inside is there any reservations we should make for shows or dinners or the such?
As far as rides go, we are not into the "snap your neck" kind of rides. More of the sit back and relax kind.
We are pretty early risers, so we figure to get into Tampa area,from Orlando, before BG opens. Any good breakfast places around BG?
Can you get in earlier than the "official" opening time?

Thanks for all the great info. This sight has really been helpful to us. Less than a week to go.
Thanks again, Ken

[Nostromo]

Busch Gardens takes a good day to see properly and it is best to arrive by the opening time, which is 10am off season and 9am in season. Depending on where you are staying and the traffic, it takes between 60 to 90 minutes to get threre from Orlando/Kissimmee. Parking is usually not a problem. Theoretically, Busch gets more crowded towards the end of the week, but this may not always be the case. The queues are generally shorter, though a bit more chaotic than in WDW or Universal. Do not expect the cleanliness or efficiency of the Orlando parks and you'll be all right.

There are 3 major rollercoasters, Kumba, Gwazi and Montu. The wooden Gwazi really rattles your teeth. Apart from these three, the other rides are milder. The animal encounters are good, especilaay in the Congo area. Try not to miss the Lory Landing Aviary if it is still operational.

[Ray&Sarah]

Try and find somewhere for breakfast a while before you get near Busch, we found that there wasn't an awful lot of choise right near the park.[msnsmile2]

[LiesaAnna]

when we went there were school trips! they were running around screaming and shouting, i was put off by this at the door and said to hubby this is gonna be good wont get on any rides etc, a real bah humbug i was, but you could see and hear some but that was only at the entrance!they were so well behaved, so if when you get there and you see hundreds of coaches with the school kids......dont be put off!!!! (they arent like our kids)