View Full Version : Best park
Busch Gardens was the first park in Florida that we ever went to. It is still our favourite. We think of it as an 'unsanitized Disney'! The bushes are allowed to grow and the grass is like real grass, not all regulation length etc. You can relax here and it feels like you are in the real surroundings. If you don't enjoy white knuckle rides you can still easily get your money's worth here.
jpeachornby
14-03-2002, 17:01
Are the white tigers still at Busch? I went in 1990 and am planning to go again next July. Didn't have time when we went in 2000 as we were only in Orlando for one week. Really loved it when I went last time.
The ride with the bridge at the bottom where everyone on that (and the ride) got soaked was my favourite. Is that still there too? Can't remember what it is called.
Jo
That one is called the Tanganika Tidal Wave I think and it was still there when we last went last Summer. Still getting everyone soaked.
There were tigers but they were hiding away inside so don't know whether they are white.
You will find it much changed. The little train is still there and the gorilla reserve but there are now the likes of Rhino Rally and some really scary coasters like Montu and Gwazi where once the Python and Scorpion ( now unscary, unloved and unridden) were the latest thing. It is still very much worth a visit. There is a water park nearby and they were doing an extended ticket which included a day at the water park for a few bucks more when we were there.
Julie Carty
Yep - the tidal wave - and the bridge is still there - and you still get soaked. We went in January, so it was cold and wet.
We also went on the Congo River Rapids, but no-one told us they have now installed water jets that spectators can SOAK you with - don't they realise you get soaked anyway. We did have a change of clothes in the car - always a good idea at Busch - but it was a cold wet walk all the way back.
By the way - it was brilliant!!!!
ian
orlandobabe
15-03-2002, 16:02
And don't miss the Ice Show!
The number of people who have been time and time again and have never seen the ice show! It is really brilliant-great place to cool off if it is boiling out there-and at the moment Disney have nothing like it!
Orlandobabe
My one tip here would be do the train ride first, it gets you round the park and gives you an idea of what there is. Yes I know I'm an old fuddy duddy !!
You also get occasional views of some of the animals, great for the kids and adults alike.
Steve and Sandra
we enjoyed the ice show, but we went on a Saturday it was packed had to wait 40 min for lunch, will go mid week next time paula
Lesley S
18-05-2002, 14:42
Dont forget the free [u]beer</u> ! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
This park is well worth the trip although they could improve on access.
If you enter from the opposite end it is quicker.
Jamie-> and Lesley
Edited by - SunnysideFlorida on 18/05/2002 10:45:40
Busch is often packed at the weekends because it is the one park the locals often go to using their annual passes. We once went on a Saturday and it was a sea of American teens going on the thrill rides. This is definitely one for a mid week trip, even though 1-4 to get there tends to be busier mid week ( try not to come back about 6 pm!!)
Julie Carty
orlandobabe
19-05-2002, 21:49
The ice show, stanleyville theater and something else was closed last week-but still a great day out. You can also try hard lemonade as well as free bear in the hospitality area.
The white tigers were still there.
The road sign to the park are now much improved and we didn't get lost.
Orlandobabe
Orlandobabe,
I think I'll pass on the free bear thanks <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Jacqui
orlandobabe
20-05-2002, 21:04
a bad workman blames his lap top-Lol!
Seriously-it's so sensitive-I'm always hurting it's feelings-whoops couldn't resist that-no I'm always getting the wrong key-plus I'm scrunched up in an uncomfortable position.
So whether I like it or not-normal service will be resumed next week-providing youngest son has'nt blown the house up!
I haven't spoken to him for over a week!
Orlandobabe
i was at busch gardens last monday...all day long there was no queues for any of the rides...in fact on most of the roller coasters we were allowed to stay in the carriage and ride again! the only attraction that had a queue was rhino rally - and what a queue!...all day there was an hour wait at least so we never bothered..the train ride and sky ride gives you a decent look at the animals even from a distance!
note: the big wooden roller coaster (shazi or ghazi??) was by far the most terrifying of all the rides in all the parks - i include the hulk in that!..ok it didnt have the loops and twists but the bone shaking effect enhanced the fear factor!..i swore id never ride it again!
paul
orlandobabe
14-07-2002, 23:43
My second favourite park is Universal Studios. I love men in black-I could stay on that all day!
Orlandobabe
I wouldn't bother with the Rhino Rally, silly adventure with the driver not caring two hoots about the animals.
Sky ride was great and you could see loads of the animals, did a tootle round on the train which also showed quite alot.
Walked round the rest on foot while the gals tried to do some rides - technical problems meant they didn't get on the big ones which they weren't too impressed with.
Snow tigers were still there, one being very playful!
Felt rather sorry for poor old joe who was all on his own in a very small pool of water, unlike the other gators who had a lake.
Would have liked to do the safari, but thought $30 plus taxes on top of entrance was rather OTT. We don't all go there just for white knuckle rides!
Agree about the access, could be improved, but all in all a good day. Shame about me getting a migraine!<img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle>
Fiona
I haven't been to this Busch Garden's park in a few years, but I agree. It is so lovely. Their park in Virgina is my favorite of all. Busch does something horticulturally that Disney doesn't -- just-enough that it feels a little softer, or prettier, or something. It easier to feel moments of being relaxed, instead of frenetic.
I haven't been here since I had kids. Mine are little, will they be entertained, or bored? Three years old. Likes animals.
Any comments?
SJD
As with any of the parks it's a long way to walk round - stroller or shoulders?! I would think children of all ages would enjoy this - lots to look at, I don't do any of the white knuckle rides - leave that to my teenagers!, and I loved it. I also enjoy Sea World for that very reason. I think Disney to an excellent job, but sometimes it is nice to appreciate other gentler paces and as Carla says - not so sanitized.
sunseeker
04-05-2003, 15:24
Hi sjd
We have enjoyed Busch Gardens in 2001 & 2002. Our youngest was 3 in 2001, and there are some good areas for small children. Timbuktu has fair ground type rides e.g. little car rides, flying areoplanes etc.
Also there is a really good childrens play and water section called Land of the Dragons, so swimming costumes are a must. There is a relaxing train ride which meanders round the Serengeti Plain taking in a view of all the animals, and a seperate cable car which is nice and slow. Hope you have as good a time as we did.
Jayne
Hi Sjd :)
We've just got back from our 1st trip to Busch in Tampa, even though we went during the Easter week and it was busy we still found it a great place, more relaxing than Universal/IOA and a "nicer" feel to the whole park with all the greenery. Our kids are 8,12 & 15 and all found plenty to do, the tigers and gorillas were their favourite animals and it's nice to see them just being themselves rather than performing like Sea World, the in-park prices were about the same as Sea World and Universal except for the fizzy drink refills which were cheaper at 99c.
We asked here about taking your own food/drink into Busch and it does state on the web page that it's not allowed but we saw loads of people doing this and ended up taking in Oscar Mayer Lunchable packs at about $2 from the nearest Publix supermarket (about 1/2 mile away on the same road) and pre-filling the souvenier bottles with Coke and Mountain Dew (about $1 for a 2L bottle). The Combo meal was about the best value, ribs, chicken, fries and a bread roll for about $9.
Big kids rode the rollercoasters and were impressed, our smallest rode most everything else and had a great time, the Rhino Rally is a good 10min ride for all ages and the train ride around the park is a nice relaxing way to see most of the animals, you can get some great photos from the train or sky ride cable car :)
orlandobabe
19-05-2003, 07:45
We did Busch last week. It's excellent value at the moment for if you pay for that and Seaworld you get the rest of the year for free.
Gwazi was shut for maintainance this time. The haunted lighthouse looks about ready to open-and I missed the bloomin' ice show!
I don't know if we visited Busch Gardens on one of their off days, but I found this park really poor.
Maybe because we had been spoiled by the level of service you get at the likes of disney, and universal, but we found the staff there so rude.
one example; we were unsure of what way to go on one of the rides because some of the queuing area had not been roped off, there was no signs to say where to go so we asked, and all we got out of them was a point it the direction to go, no explanation and once we got to where she pointed we had the same problem! and then when we got to where you got on the ride there was no staff organising where people should go, and had to organise it yourself if there was a big group that wanted to go on together (like us).
I was disappointed with the park in whole, it wasn't set out nicely, and personally wasn't worth the hour or so drive there.
But as I said it could have been just an off day for them, lets hope for their sake it was.
sunseeker
09-06-2003, 22:48
Hi dannib
Sorry to hear you weren't overly impressed with Busch Gardens,
we've been there several times and never had a bad experience.
However although Americans are really frieindly,in our experience they do not seem to be able to give decent directions. If you weren't lost you certainly will be after following their directions!LOL [^]
Ray&Sarah
30-04-2004, 03:03
I wouldn't say busch was the best theme park but it is a good day out! The best in Orlando is by far IOA!! But I am a thrill ride maniac. The best in the UK is alton towers although that is one tiring day. Its so big![msneek]
But the tiring thing about Alton Towers isn't the number of rides, its more the size of the place and the walking required to get to each area.
tinkerbell
30-04-2004, 20:33
I felt Alton Towers had a severe lack of rides etc, but a LOT of walking! It's a great day out all the same, but when it's not busy, I struggle to fill a whole day. When it's practically the same price for a days entrance to Disney! Ok, air fares whack that up a bit but hey....!
Ray&Sarah
30-04-2004, 23:29
Alton Towers is a bit on the pricey side though, unless you save up your tesco priveledge points and get them on the cheap!:D
anna maria freak
04-05-2004, 02:10
BUSCH GARDENS IS WORTH THE TRIP TO TAMPA MY FAVORITE AFTER SEA WORLD THEY DO GOOD FUNNELL CAKE WITH CREAM AND STRAWBERRIES AND FANTASTIC ROAST BEEF ROLLS WITH GRAVY :D FREE BEER IS UNDRINKABLE[msnsad]
I like Busch and SeaWorld too - guess I'm all Disney'd out. For a thrill day I think Busch has got a lot to offer but its been a couple of years since my last visit.
Looking forward to checking it out again this year though. That and Universal...
[msnsmile]