I have only been to Busch Gardens once but I can whole heartedly recommended it! I will be going back there in about 3 weeks time!
Background ==========
The park is in Tampa Bay, Florida, which is about an 1 hour and 20 drive from Orlando/Kissimmee where most British holidaymakers tend to stay. I would say that only 30% of people holidaying in Florida actually go to Busch Gardens for two reasons:
Firstly is because of the distance from Orlando. I can understand that, but you are missing out an undoubted Floridian star.
Anyone who has ever been to the US will tell you that the roads are flat, straight and very easy to drive on, so please do not let the thought of driving put you off especially as the signposting makes the park very easy to locate.
However if you still do not wish to drive you can pick up a coach which stops at several locations in Orlando/Kissimmee including International Drive and the Premier Outlet Mall. This coach is free
if you have purchased an Orlando Flexticket (more on this later) and $10 if you haven't bought a ticket in advance. We travelled by coach and we can recommend this option as it is comfortable, air conditioned and the coaches play a selection of films on the 6 TV's in the coach.
The second reason is that people feel that there is so much to do in Orlando as it is without venturing elsewhere. Again this is a valid reason but let me try and convince you otherwise!
Most people will make Disney their first (and maybe only) port of call when in Florida. That is fine but it depends what sort of theme park you are looking for. If you want the whole Disney experience, with lots of shows, parades and more 'movie-based' rides then Disney is for you. However if you arer looking for British style fast thrill rides, like in Alton Towers and Thorpe Park then Busch Gardens suit you much more. That is not to say that Busch Gardens only caters for adrenal junkies, as this would be doing it a great disservice. Busch Gardens is African themed throughout with a mixture of rides and shows alongside a safari.
There is so much to see and do and I will try and give you a taster of what you can expect.
Thrill Rides ==========
This is where Busch Gardens beats every other park hands down. I will give you some of the highlights:
'Sheikra' is the newest attraction and is a 90 degree vertical drop coaster very much along the lines of the Oblivian in Alton Towers but bigger!
'Monta' is a Nemisis (Alton Towers) type rollercoaster where you will experience a G-Force of 3.85 and speeds of 60 mph. Sounds slow but believe me it isnt!!!
'Kumba' is a traditional rollercoaster which will take you up and down and well as looping the loop. You will actually experience weightlessness for 3 seconds although dont worry you are tightly held in!!
Adventure Rides ==============
Possibly the best rides are the adventure type rides, which dont necessarily spin you 6 ways to Sunday but nonetheless are highly enjoyable.
'Rhino Rally' is an off road safari ride throughout the African wilds taking you extraordinarily close to a number of Rhinos while never bothering them (too much) or they bothering you.
'Serengetti Plain' features hundreds of exotic African creatures which can be viewed from a number of rides such as the Serengetti Express Railway and the Skyride (one of my personal favourites, a cablecar over the park) as well as a number of walkways which can take you as close as you could be to these wonderful animals in a natural habitat without actually going to Africa.
Shows ======
Personally I only went two one shows, 'KaTonga' and The Haunted Lighthouse. Although there are at least 2 others
KaTonga was well worth 35 minutes of anyone's time. The show is a performance of a number of African storytales told in a musical format. Apparently, although I dont know how true it is, the show is a shortened version of one currently playing in Broadway!
The Haunted Lighthouse is a 4D film show based upon an original children's story from the author R L Stine. Full of light effects and sounds, it is something to experience.
Tips ====
Well having covered the best attrractions, in my opinion! I will pass on a few tips.
Firstly if you are on a budget I would try where possible to bring your own food and drinks. The prices are expensive like any other theme park, so by bringing your own you will be able to save.
Wear swimming costumes!!! This may sound daft but there are a number of water rides in Busch Gardens and if you go on them you will get wet, sorry soaked!! I personally spent the day walking round with drenched underpants and believe me that was not a pleasant experience! Looking around I saw a number of people wearing swimming shorts and bikins (often under other clothes) so they didnt suffer the same problem that I had!
Get a fastpass. Many rides allow you to book a time to come back whereby you get priority access to the particular ride. It may mean that you have to come back in a few hours but believe me it is better than standing queuing for ages in the hot Florida sun.
Prices ======
A ticket will cost you just over $50 (£34) and a child ticket (up to 12) $40. (£25). Personally my advice would be to buy an Orlando Flexticket which allows you 14 days unlimited access to Busch Gardens, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld and Wet n Wild. This is well worth the price if you plan to visit some or all of these parks, as you will need more than one day in most parks to see everything.
Well that concludes my review, if you are going to Florida I would highly recommend that you save a day or two to visit Busch Gardens!
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VH Review I am off there in 13 days the countdown has become and I can't wait.
Badger_Boy 18.08.2005 10:47
Excellent review. Detailed and informative without padding it out with waffle. I found it more than very helpful. I just want to go NOW! Steve :o)
bingbong 17.08.2005 20:16
When I went to florida we were only in Orlando for a week so didn't have time to go to Busch gardens but if I ever go back this is definelty somewhere Id want to go. anna x
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