Advantages: read opp
Disadvantages: read opp

...Well having wanted to visit Busch Gardens on a number of occasions and unfortunately not being given the chance, I felt I had to visit the place during my recent visit to Florida. I had always heard mix reactions about the theme park, some complimenting it, whilst other simply saying it was not there thing. Nevertheless, I was still determined to visit it, at least once to squash the rumours and determine for myself whether this place was thumbs up or thumbs down. History of Bush Gardens Africa (Tampa Bay): Bush Gardens is the name of two of the biggest theme parks in America, one in Tampa Bay, Florida, and the other one in Williamsburg, Virginia. Bush Gardens is currently owned by Busch Entertainment Corporation. Busch Gardens Africa was first opened in 1959, and was a 340 acre African themed, safari park. The park... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Everything you can think of in a theme park.
Disadvantages: Expensive for 1 day.

...Well this is my first review at this site, so here goes. I am originally from Maidstone, in Kent, but moved to Tampa Bay, Florida, in 1988. This I have never regretted. Within our first week, we visited Busch Gardens. We had purchased a truck so transportation was not a problem. America does not have a transit system, similar to Britain. Busch Garden entrance is actually on McKinley, although that is not their postal address. Most visitors travel via Busch Bvld, but we find it quicker to come the back way. Purchase a local map of Hillsborough County, and check it out for yourself. Unless you park in Handicap or Valet parking, you most likely will park on the opposite side of the road. No problem, they have trams to pick you up from Parking lotS 1 and 2. If you are lucky enough to park, Busch Gardens side of the road... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: different, good fun, family day out, good value,
Disadvantages: a bit pricey but advantages outweigh this

...We were a liitle worried, wondering what we were going to find when we arrived at Busch Gardens...but we wern't disappointed... This has to be one of the most interesting places to visit outside of the Theme parks in Orlando, its about a 90 minute drive from Orlando and well worth considering for a full day visit.. It is a cleaver blend of a zoo and fairground with varying themes which change as you go around, Busch Gardens have some of the biggest big dippers in the world and other rides. The animals are many and varied withe even a nursery for sick infant animals which you can visit, there is also live entertainment, informative and educational talks, lots of the usual eating establishments and ice cream parlours.. All in all Busch Gardens is an excellent day trip from Orlando either by Coach excursion with one of the local... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Lots to see and do
Disadvantages: Bit Disorganised

...Following on from my SeaWorld review the next stop for us was Busch Gardens which is located in Tampa Bay. Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay is a family adventure park offering an array of attractions based on the African Continent. With thrilling rides, zoos, live shows and numerous shops. ~~~Location~~~ Busch Gardens is located one hour from Orlando via Interstate 4 West and just 30 minutes east of Tampa International Airport. Busch Gardens is located on the corner of Busch Boulevard and 40th Street. We were staying in the Lake Buena Vista area so we had to obtain the Busch Gardens Shuttle Express which operates daily round trip transportation from Orlando to Busch Gardens which is an approximate journey of about an hour. The transport is complimentary if you are in possession of a 5-park Orlando Flex ticket which I purchased... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great rides and incredible animals all in one day
Disadvantages: Queues in high season, poor veggie food

...Busch Gardens isn't perhaps the most obvious theme park attraction in Florida - that honour must surely go to one of the many Walt Disney World parks. Nor is it the most convenient to get to if you're staying in Orlando, since it's situated further west than the other parks, close to Tampa and over an hours drive away. So why bother going? Quite simply, it's the best day out in Central Florida, and manages to find something that should appeal to all ages, a mix of thrilling rides, gentle safari experiences and live shows. ~~~~~~~~ The details: ~~~~~~~~ At 335 acres, Busch Gardens is huge (Epcot, the largest Disney park, clocks in at 200 acres for comparison). It's also not that easy to orient yourself in the park, as there isn't a central point to set off from. Instead, imagine the park as a clock face, with the entrance... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great fun, Plenty for all family.
Disadvantages: None

...I have visited Tampa only once but found it interesting. The main attraction I went to was Busch Gardens. Only a few miles outside Tampa this is a theme park with a difference. It is a mixture between a safari park and a normal theme park. On show are crocodiles, various birds, deer, rhinos, tortoises, and flamingos. Many of these are well worth seeing in their natural habitat. Also there is a dolphin park where a show is put on for the public, which lasts for about 20 mins. This is mainly for the younger visitors as there is a splash area where the dolphins are trained to flap their tails to soak the first few rows of the viewing area. For the more adventurous there are roller coaster rides, water chute rides. One of the more exciting rides was the rapids water ride. If you like getting wet this is for you. This is a ride... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A great day out with a great range of things to do and see.
Disadvantages: can be crowded in places and queues can get long.

...Fancy a visit to Africa? Want to learn about African wildlife and have a great day out while you are doing it? Do you find yourself in the Tampa Bay area? If the answer to those questions is yes then I think a day out at Busch gardens will satisfy your needs very well indeed. What is it?..... Busch Gardens is a mix of Wildlife Park, Theme Park and Adventure Park all set in landscaped grounds and themed sections. (More on that later) Arriving….. Busch Gardens is situated on the outskirts of Tampa Bay about an hours drive from Orlando. We were staying in the Orlando area so our route took us down Interstate 4 and then North on Interstate 75 to Tampa. Take junction 265 off the 75 into Fowler Avenue and follow that until you go past the University of South Florida then next junction turn left into McKinley Drive and follow... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: great theme park for adrenaline junkies and calmer people
Disadvantages: not really suitable for a bank holiday Monday outing

...Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay I don't know how but I somehow have avoided writing this opinion even though I had been to the park on three separate occasions before this year. Well, the wait is over and here you have my opinion and a rough guide to, arguably, the best theme park in Florida. Location From the main tourist area of greater Orlando, Busch Gardens is about two hours away (depending on traffic conditions.) It is a relatively simple process on going onto the I-4 (big motorway thing) towards Tampa (west) and driving along until you see a sign for Busch Gardens. There are plenty of billboards telling you which exit to take so this is not a problem. You could co on into central Tampa and back out on the I-275 that brings you right to the park but the signs direct you along a back route to avoid the traffic chaos affectionately... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great rides, safari and number of shows
Disadvantages: A little expensive

...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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Good rides, plenty of kiosks for food and drink
Disadvantages: Overpriced, not enough to do for a whole day

...The new Busch Gardens Continuing my holiday theme, today I wish to tell you about one of the newest and freshest theme parks in Florida at present. It is Universal Islands of Adventure. Basically, Universal, who are one of the big film and production companies in Hollywood, are trying to take on Disney for a portion of the market in Florida. Firstly, a bit of history. They successfully began their quest in the late 1980’s by opening their Studios complex. This was a combination of themed movie rides based on famous films from their stable and the corresponding merchandising shops and food outlets to satisfy the public. Basically base it on the proven Disney concept but aim it at an older generation. Sure, there was still the kids aspect of Nickelodeon, which is their own children’s channel produced at the studio but now... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful