Busch Gardens

KimK2006

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 18, 2006

• Nov 30, 2015

• #1

It's been years since I have been to Busch Gardens. Thinking about taking the kids for a day on 1/2/16 since we will be in Tampa. Is one day plenty to do most things at the park? How are crowds this time of the year? I wouldn't go to Disney this time of the year due to the crowds. Is BG really crowded, too?

 

Bete

DIS Veteran

Joined

Sep 14, 1999

• Dec 2, 2015

• #2

I think you will be fine at Busch and one day will be fine.

 

KimK2006

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 18, 2006

• Dec 2, 2015

• #3

Thanks!

 

J

jon18uk

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 30, 2006

• Dec 2, 2015

• #4

With kids you would probably be fine. But as adults we've been on a quiet day and struggled to do everything as there are a lot of rides. But smaller children can't ride a lot of the coasters anyway...

 

KimK2006

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 18, 2006

• Dec 2, 2015

• #5

Kids are 16 and 20.

New question: Is the "Quick Queue" for $20 each worth it for front of the line access? Thinking since we are there one day, it might be worth $80 for us to get through as many of the rides as possible.

 

chicagoshannon

DIS Veteran

Joined

May 9, 2008

• Dec 2, 2015

• #6

I would guess that on that date they will have extended hours. We struggle to get everything done when they are only open 10-6 but if they are open til 8 or longer you should be fine. We've ever needed the quick que but always head to Cheetah Chase first because that gets long fast.

 

KimK2006

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 18, 2006

• Dec 2, 2015

• #7

Great. Thanks for the advice! We can do Disney blindfolded. This new park planning is stressing me out! (Of course, we are planning this as a side trip anticipating we are coming to the Outback Bowl to see our UT Vols play. I am sure I am going to do all of this planning and the "experts" will be wrong and UT end up playing somewhere else. We are only headed to see them in the warm FL weather!)

 

chicagoshannon

DIS Veteran

Joined

May 9, 2008

• Dec 2, 2015

• #8

Don't forget to feed the flamingos. We really enjoy doing that. You can also feed kangaroos. Most of the animal exhibits are good. You should have time to enjoy everything since you won't be going on all of the kiddie rides like we do.

 

KimK2006

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 18, 2006

• Dec 2, 2015

• #9

Thanks! We will make sure and do these. I haven't been to BG since I was in college....probably 25+ years. In looking at pics, nothing is the same! Thought it might be a fun one day thing to do for the kids before we had back home on Sunday.

 

JenLanDisney

Mouseketeer

Joined

Aug 3, 2007

• Dec 20, 2015

• #10

chicagoshannon said:

Don't forget to feed the flamingos. We really enjoy doing that. You can also feed kangaroos. Most of the animal exhibits are good. You should have time to enjoy everything since you won't be going on all of the kiddie rides like we do.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. Are the feeding times available when we enter the park?

 

nacho113

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 9, 2012

• Dec 21, 2015

• #11

KimK2006 said:

Thanks! We will make sure and do these. I haven't been to BG since I was in college....probably 25+ years. In looking at pics, nothing is the same! Thought it might be a fun one day thing to do for the kids before we had back home on Sunday.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately they no longer have the free beer samples. This was something that was disappointing for my, now grown up, sons when we had our family reunion at Busch Gardens in 2011.
The rest of the park is great, especially if you are a coaster fan or are into the animal attractions

 

KimK2006

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 18, 2006

• Dec 30, 2015

• #12

Yes, I remember the free beer samples!

 

mich1073

Mouseketeer

Joined

Dec 30, 2015

• Dec 30, 2015

• #13

I presonally would not pay the extra for the quick que as normally it is not necessary. Cheetah Hunt is normally the longest line so I would do that one first and get there early. But alot of the coasters is only a 10 minute wait or so unless you HAVE to have the front row, that's normally the longest line. It looks like its open from 10-7 so I would get there early and get as much done as you can as I think rains are predicted later in the day. The area around there can be a bit sketchy in places, so if you want to eat either go right next to there like the Pizza Hut and of course you can never go wrong with Mel's Hot Dogs next door either.. There is a great mexican places TacoSun or Vallartas both on 56th St not too far. If you want to go anywhere head towards USF or 56th St, there is alot nicer areas there. Alot good food is by USF - Cafe Don Jose, Old World Cheese Shop makes the best sandwiches, Trang Viet to name a few.

 

N

NinaBella

DIS Veteran

Joined

Oct 14, 2013

• Dec 31, 2015

• #14

If you are looking somewhere to eat outside the park, don't go on Busch... go to Fowler Ave. Make a left on Fowler towards Bruce B. Downs. Once you cross Bruce B. Downs there are tons of places to eat. This in the University of Florida area. There is also the VA hospital, Florida Hospital, and Moffitt Cancer Center in this area. You can see USF when are arrive on Fowler. Chipotle or Tijuana Flats are our favorite place to eat in that area.

When I go to unfamiliar towns, I find a central location (like my hotel or a shopping center) then use google maps street view to see what is around it.

University Mall is on Fowler near the intersection of Fowler and Bruce B. Downs. I would suggest staying away from the mall itself in the evening as this is a high crime area, but the restaurants are fine. Address to look at google maps around this area is 2576 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33612

The better malls in Tampa area:
International Plaza (near the airport, very popular and upscale)
Westshore plaza (upscale)
Wiregrass Ranch (outdoor)
Hyde Park Village (in Hyde Park district of South Tampa)
Westfield Mall in Citrus Park (Carrollwood area)
Westfield Mall in Brandon (Brandon area)

... and the brand new outlet mall 'Tampa Premium Outlets' address is 2300 Grand Cypress Drive, Lutz, FL 33559 http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/tampa

 

Last edited: Dec 31, 2015

KimK2006

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 18, 2006

• Dec 31, 2015

• #15

Thank you SO much! Appreciate all of the advice!!

 

HopperFan

"It's a bug-eat-bug world out there, princess."

Joined

Sep 6, 2003

• Dec 31, 2015

• #16

If you are doing the coasters you may have a tough time given it's holiday weekend. We went in July and it took two days for us to cover all the coasters and some of the other stuff. But if the ticket is reasonable I would give it a try anyway.