busch gardens

[babydougie]

Hey guys-dh and I are going to bg tampa in two weeks. I want to know any and everything you guys have on it. Tips/tricks/hints. Good meals kind of a budget. Sorry if this was a pp but I am so excited!!
Amy :yay:

[tinkersmama]

As far as meals go, you can leave the park and go to any number of fast food restaraunts right across the street. They have a mcdonalds, taco bell, and KFC within walking distance.

[bazzanoid]

We love BG - great for a day (or two) during your holiday. Be sure to check out the water rides, Rhino Rally, Gwazi, Montu and Kumba as well as the many animal attractions.

Also consider one of the many tours http://www.buschgardens.com/buschgardens/fla/sp_guided_tours.aspx for a great introduction to the park and a behind-the-scenes look! :goodvibes:

[Amity 3]

if you like barbeque, Zambia Smokehouse has some of the best I've ever had in a theme park. they have a sampler platter thatis large enough for my wife and I to share for $12.50. Crown Colony House overlooks the serengeti plain and the animals, and has a good fried chicken dinner served family style. the Desert Grill has a good selection of sandwiches and salads and a show.

since you're going to be here in two weeks, I'm thinking of air-conditioned restaurants.

check out the animal nursery to see the new additions to the park. go through Myobe reserve and see Bolingo, the new baby lowland gorilla. take the serengeti train for a ride around the park and the plain. if you're into coasters, hit Sheikra and Kumba first, they have the longest waits. Gwazi and Montu are usually more manageable.

school starts here August 3rd, so if you are here around that time, the waits will be lower. we live 20 minutes from BG, and are usually there a few times each month. it's a great park.

[RabFlmom]

Another tip- hit Myombi reseve early in the morning and the animals will be more active than in the afternoon when it is hot. We usually walk through there 1st thing.

As for leaving the park to go to a fast food place, I wouldn't do it. You can find resonably priced food in the park without making a long walk to something across the street from the park. You will be doing a lot of walking inside the park so you really won't want to walk a distance in the heat to get food. Going back to the car and driving wouldn't be a good idea either. It would take up time you don't want to miss in the park. We are faithful Colony House for lunch people. We have even been known to eat Christmas dinner there. LOL
You can get all kinds of sandwiches throughout the park -even great corn dogs if you don't want to spend a lot.

During the summer they celebrate Summer Nights and there will be entertainment stages in several areas of the park,

[isla bonita]

We have this year bought season passes for both BG and SW and that is were we have been. We loved BG for the coasters, the show Katonga is beautiful, Rhino Ralley is the most surprising ride not scary just surprising then anything I have been on.

The grounds are beautiful to just walk around and kiddie land throughout the park is great. I think there is something for everyone.

[erinch]

we were there last summer when it was brutally hot. the walkways make sort of canyons and there's a lot of reflective glare. we were truly miserable till early evening. i could see how people would think it was beautiful and a wonderful time, but for us, it was misery, crowds and no fast passes. day improved greatly after 6 pm.