S
SpottyDog
Guest
DAY 5 Wednesder
Got them up around 7ish to have cereal, doughnuts and cookies for brekkie. No time for a sit-down this morning, were off to Busch. Forecast looked good and it felt nicely warm outside.
We left around 8.30 and got to Busch at 9.55. No fightin to get on a tram was a good sign I always gauge how busy the park is likely to be by the effort I have to make to get us all on the tram in one row (even though theres a line). No worries today, had a choice of rows when the tram pulled in
We went straight to The Crown Colony to book the Serengeti Safari - $119 with me AP discount. V doesnt do rides but loves owt that costs extra!
Took Gaz on Montu before he had time to look at it or think about it and had to wait for just one circuit before ridin. Gaz enjoyed it and agreed its better than Krakken. Its such a different type of coaster with its height, speed and outside loops and as its even smoother than Krakken theres less to spin a lads head not that he was up to goin straight back on it mind.
Gwazi next as we headed towards The Hospitality Centre. Our Julie said no-way when first asked but then changed her mind and came on to ride her first proper coaster.
Someone told her it was like a fast version of Thunder Mountain.
She didnt speak to me for half an hour afterwards.
She screamed all the way round but we werent sure if that meant it was good or not. She was a bit pale when we got off. That and her scowl gave the game away. Gaz said this is gonna cost yer more than a cuddly toy,Dad.
I did the only thing right and proper and took her into every shop and stall afterwards till I eventually found summat to buy her - a cute t shirt with a baby white tiger on it.
Into hospitality, and we sat while I had me beer. Got another to take to The Smokehouse for early lunch and made our way through the gardens. It was gettin really hot and it was only 11.30.
One thing that sets Busch apart for us is the atmosphere and way its laid out. For us, its got more of an African feel to it than AK the background music, the mix of gardens and savannah just round every corner - and its got wide paths you can enjoy (V always feels a bit claustrophobic on the narrower and more closed in paths at AK). Course the fact that we have only gone in the quieter season is bound to help our impression but then its the same time at AK so why do we always feel crowded and rushed there? Busch is the park we chill in. Go with the flow and do as we please, rather than have to be here for this and there for that. (so it didnt feel out of order to take it easy as it did at Epcot and Sea World)
We paused to look at the lizards and birds on the way and noticed theyd added yet more to the Land of The Dragons to make it a kiddies park all on its own. We used to spend a quiet(er) hour or so here when our two were younger and it was just a great jungle gym type place, now its got roundabouts and stuff too.
At The Smokehouse, we got our usuals of rib and chicken combos for me and the kids and chicken platter for V. Weve never been disappointed here and the barb qd food is as good as yer get anywhere.(V says shes markin them down though coz they wouldnt swap her corn on the cob for a tub of coldslaw even though she hates sweetcorn) Saved a fortune usin the AP card and by not buyin drinks me and V had ours from Hospitality and @ 99c a refill, the kids could have as much Mountain Dew as they liked.
The Plan was to go do Rhino Rally next but Julie had noticed that BGs answer to Test Track was down AGAIN. This is our third visit since it opened and weve still not ridden this properly (the dry part only was open last year). Admittedly, one down side to Busch is that theres always something down. As well as Test Track, sorry Rhino, today we had Stanley Falls down for rehab and no dolphin/sea lion show as theyre restaging the theatre for a new extravaganza Comin Soon.
Funnily enough, this is another of Buschs charms and appeals for me. If I went to MGM and RnRC or Tower were down all day or if Hunchback was off ( oh, it is L) Id go ballistic. Here, theres so much to do, its almost a bonus when they take stuff out of yer itinerary. If yer were travellin just for, say, Rhino, Id probably try to ring Busch first to avoid disappointment.
Took The Boy on Kumba while we were still dry. This was the first ride he ever got off and he would again as he didnt like it No, yer cant have a t shirt forgot how fast and twisty Kumba is. More of a giant corkscrew with loops.
Took V on Congo River Rapids next. This had been up and down all morning so there was a bit of a queue but we were soon on. Took longer to get off as the problem seems to be the exit ramp on one side couldnt take-up the dinghy so we sat in the sun awhile till a CM came and pushed us onto the conveyor belt ramp.
We always do Tidal Wave once wet and the water felt warm(ish) today it was that hot now. V enjoyed sittin in the shade. Theres no way shed do this coz of the drop.
Nicely soaked, we walked through Timbuktu and V and Julie went on the Carousel. Though we dont do much in Timbuktu ourselves now, its another we enjoyed when the kids were younger as its more fair-ground than park here with rides that would probably suit the intermediate too old for the kiddie stuff but too young/nervy for the big coasters. And theres lots of them toss this and hit that for money stalls, if yer daft enough.
We were gonna take the Sky Ride back to Crown Colony but that had fallen foul of a nice breeze but the walk through Nairobi was nice , though we only stopped to glance at the elephants today. Will do the Field Station and Curiosity Caverns next week.
We just got to The Moroccan Palace Theatre for the ice show in time for curtain up. We only did this for the first time last year on one of them what havent we done before days and its must do for V now. Parts are cute and amusing and the show overall is one to see at least once IMHO. Nicely air-conditioned, me and she kids took the chance for a kip mid way trough the 30 minute show, so V was on snore-watch just in case!
We just had time to walk through the Myombe Reserve to see the chimpanzees and Gorillas before joinin the Safari. Busch lets the animals live in as near a natural habitat as they can. If yer like apes and that, yerll love it here.
Just time to go see me Hippo and the bonus was it was feedin time. I didnt realize they did a feedin display (around 3.30).
Next was the bit V was waiting for The Safari. There were 20 of us standin on the back of this truck. Everyone could see but if the animas were only at one side, the CM asked folk on that side to move back after a while to let the others in to see too. Overall it was a good ride and we were out just short of an hour. We saw odd vulture like birds that we fed fish to, impala and summat similar (forget what they were) zebras, summat else steer-like sorry, it was Vs expedition and shes still in bed right now and of course, giraffes. Vs always wanted to stroke a giraffe and she did, we all did. Most of the time was spent feedin and lookin at the giraffes but they are such beautiful and placid creatures, thats the way it should be. Julie loved it and Giraffes are now firmly her second favourite animal unless were at Busch, when Giraffes will quickly become her favourite animal again.
Verdict? For me its a bit like Discovery Cove expensive for what it actually is but summat you should do once. A really beautiful experience. (Im told V and Julie WILL be doin again in December)
Should you go to Busch?
Tough one that. For every one of us that loves the place theres horror stories of overcrowdin, inattentive/disinterested CMs and rides that are down.
Weve never felt a trip to Busch was a waste of time, effort or money.
Look at V, she doesnt do rides, theres no parades as such for her to see (though they do have a a brilliant marchin band Men of Note) yet she loves it there. We think its because its not like the other parks in yer face, rush here, rush there. Whatever our kids changing tastes have been ,theres been summat for all of us to enjoy together or on our own.
If yer not sure Id check out their website and go through the attractions detail. See for yerself if theres enough for you to fill-in a day (but dont bank on Rhino!)
Right, Busch Promo over (Stu asked for it-blame him) we set off for home after the Safari as I was fine now but figured Id start getting tired soon and had the 90 minute drive to do, plus the crew had asked to go back to Golden Coral for tea. So we did.
I had a nice steak and mash dinner while Gaz and Julie tried everything around them. Our Gaz is such a picky eater (whereas our J will eat owt) its nice to see him tuckin in. Next they demolished the sweet section then it was time for shoppin.
We had to pop into Nike to change some shorts Julie had got the other day, Gaz hadnt been to the Levi shop yet or V the Disney Outlets so Premier Outlets it was. An hour or so later they let me go home.
Popped into Target on the way for odds and ends and were home for 10.30ish just as well we left Busch early, then.
Bed by 11.30 after me ,V and Sam checked the boards and was up this mornin around 5.30.
MGM today and well probably do the diner package to be on the safe side.
Catch yers later.
FAMILY SUMMARY
Montu D9 G10
Gwazi D9 G8 J2
Smokehouse BarBQ D9 V6 G7 J10
Kumba D6 G8
Congo Rapids D8 V10 G8 J7
Tidal Wave D6 G7 J8
Carousel V5 J1
Ice Show D7 V7 G3 J0
Hippo Pool D9 V9 G4 J7
Safari D8 V10 G7 J10
Busch overall D9 V8 G8 J10
Julies Bit At The End
I havent got much to add- except I hated Gwazi my best friend from school who also hates rollercoaster told me in was a bit like BTMR except a bit faster. She was right in a way it twisted and dropped like thunder but its loads faster and Im never trying that one again. A good thing about trying rides is if I dont like them my Dad feels guilty and buys me something. Last year I hated so many rides I came back with 8 new beanies.
If you like ribs and chicken you should definitely try the smoke house.
My favourite part of the day (and probably the holiday) was the safari, I loved see all the animals and beeing able to feed them. I loved the giraffes (although not as much as meerkats)
We went to Golden coral which is (apart from Race Rock) my favourite place to eat in America.
Got them up around 7ish to have cereal, doughnuts and cookies for brekkie. No time for a sit-down this morning, were off to Busch. Forecast looked good and it felt nicely warm outside.
We left around 8.30 and got to Busch at 9.55. No fightin to get on a tram was a good sign I always gauge how busy the park is likely to be by the effort I have to make to get us all on the tram in one row (even though theres a line). No worries today, had a choice of rows when the tram pulled in
We went straight to The Crown Colony to book the Serengeti Safari - $119 with me AP discount. V doesnt do rides but loves owt that costs extra!
Took Gaz on Montu before he had time to look at it or think about it and had to wait for just one circuit before ridin. Gaz enjoyed it and agreed its better than Krakken. Its such a different type of coaster with its height, speed and outside loops and as its even smoother than Krakken theres less to spin a lads head not that he was up to goin straight back on it mind.
Gwazi next as we headed towards The Hospitality Centre. Our Julie said no-way when first asked but then changed her mind and came on to ride her first proper coaster.
Someone told her it was like a fast version of Thunder Mountain.
She didnt speak to me for half an hour afterwards.
She screamed all the way round but we werent sure if that meant it was good or not. She was a bit pale when we got off. That and her scowl gave the game away. Gaz said this is gonna cost yer more than a cuddly toy,Dad.
I did the only thing right and proper and took her into every shop and stall afterwards till I eventually found summat to buy her - a cute t shirt with a baby white tiger on it.
Into hospitality, and we sat while I had me beer. Got another to take to The Smokehouse for early lunch and made our way through the gardens. It was gettin really hot and it was only 11.30.
One thing that sets Busch apart for us is the atmosphere and way its laid out. For us, its got more of an African feel to it than AK the background music, the mix of gardens and savannah just round every corner - and its got wide paths you can enjoy (V always feels a bit claustrophobic on the narrower and more closed in paths at AK). Course the fact that we have only gone in the quieter season is bound to help our impression but then its the same time at AK so why do we always feel crowded and rushed there? Busch is the park we chill in. Go with the flow and do as we please, rather than have to be here for this and there for that. (so it didnt feel out of order to take it easy as it did at Epcot and Sea World)
We paused to look at the lizards and birds on the way and noticed theyd added yet more to the Land of The Dragons to make it a kiddies park all on its own. We used to spend a quiet(er) hour or so here when our two were younger and it was just a great jungle gym type place, now its got roundabouts and stuff too.
At The Smokehouse, we got our usuals of rib and chicken combos for me and the kids and chicken platter for V. Weve never been disappointed here and the barb qd food is as good as yer get anywhere.(V says shes markin them down though coz they wouldnt swap her corn on the cob for a tub of coldslaw even though she hates sweetcorn) Saved a fortune usin the AP card and by not buyin drinks me and V had ours from Hospitality and @ 99c a refill, the kids could have as much Mountain Dew as they liked.
The Plan was to go do Rhino Rally next but Julie had noticed that BGs answer to Test Track was down AGAIN. This is our third visit since it opened and weve still not ridden this properly (the dry part only was open last year). Admittedly, one down side to Busch is that theres always something down. As well as Test Track, sorry Rhino, today we had Stanley Falls down for rehab and no dolphin/sea lion show as theyre restaging the theatre for a new extravaganza Comin Soon.
Funnily enough, this is another of Buschs charms and appeals for me. If I went to MGM and RnRC or Tower were down all day or if Hunchback was off ( oh, it is L) Id go ballistic. Here, theres so much to do, its almost a bonus when they take stuff out of yer itinerary. If yer were travellin just for, say, Rhino, Id probably try to ring Busch first to avoid disappointment.
Took The Boy on Kumba while we were still dry. This was the first ride he ever got off and he would again as he didnt like it No, yer cant have a t shirt forgot how fast and twisty Kumba is. More of a giant corkscrew with loops.
Took V on Congo River Rapids next. This had been up and down all morning so there was a bit of a queue but we were soon on. Took longer to get off as the problem seems to be the exit ramp on one side couldnt take-up the dinghy so we sat in the sun awhile till a CM came and pushed us onto the conveyor belt ramp.
We always do Tidal Wave once wet and the water felt warm(ish) today it was that hot now. V enjoyed sittin in the shade. Theres no way shed do this coz of the drop.
Nicely soaked, we walked through Timbuktu and V and Julie went on the Carousel. Though we dont do much in Timbuktu ourselves now, its another we enjoyed when the kids were younger as its more fair-ground than park here with rides that would probably suit the intermediate too old for the kiddie stuff but too young/nervy for the big coasters. And theres lots of them toss this and hit that for money stalls, if yer daft enough.
We were gonna take the Sky Ride back to Crown Colony but that had fallen foul of a nice breeze but the walk through Nairobi was nice , though we only stopped to glance at the elephants today. Will do the Field Station and Curiosity Caverns next week.
We just got to The Moroccan Palace Theatre for the ice show in time for curtain up. We only did this for the first time last year on one of them what havent we done before days and its must do for V now. Parts are cute and amusing and the show overall is one to see at least once IMHO. Nicely air-conditioned, me and she kids took the chance for a kip mid way trough the 30 minute show, so V was on snore-watch just in case!
We just had time to walk through the Myombe Reserve to see the chimpanzees and Gorillas before joinin the Safari. Busch lets the animals live in as near a natural habitat as they can. If yer like apes and that, yerll love it here.
Just time to go see me Hippo and the bonus was it was feedin time. I didnt realize they did a feedin display (around 3.30).
Next was the bit V was waiting for The Safari. There were 20 of us standin on the back of this truck. Everyone could see but if the animas were only at one side, the CM asked folk on that side to move back after a while to let the others in to see too. Overall it was a good ride and we were out just short of an hour. We saw odd vulture like birds that we fed fish to, impala and summat similar (forget what they were) zebras, summat else steer-like sorry, it was Vs expedition and shes still in bed right now and of course, giraffes. Vs always wanted to stroke a giraffe and she did, we all did. Most of the time was spent feedin and lookin at the giraffes but they are such beautiful and placid creatures, thats the way it should be. Julie loved it and Giraffes are now firmly her second favourite animal unless were at Busch, when Giraffes will quickly become her favourite animal again.
Verdict? For me its a bit like Discovery Cove expensive for what it actually is but summat you should do once. A really beautiful experience. (Im told V and Julie WILL be doin again in December)
Should you go to Busch?
Tough one that. For every one of us that loves the place theres horror stories of overcrowdin, inattentive/disinterested CMs and rides that are down.
Weve never felt a trip to Busch was a waste of time, effort or money.
Look at V, she doesnt do rides, theres no parades as such for her to see (though they do have a a brilliant marchin band Men of Note) yet she loves it there. We think its because its not like the other parks in yer face, rush here, rush there. Whatever our kids changing tastes have been ,theres been summat for all of us to enjoy together or on our own.
If yer not sure Id check out their website and go through the attractions detail. See for yerself if theres enough for you to fill-in a day (but dont bank on Rhino!)
Right, Busch Promo over (Stu asked for it-blame him) we set off for home after the Safari as I was fine now but figured Id start getting tired soon and had the 90 minute drive to do, plus the crew had asked to go back to Golden Coral for tea. So we did.
I had a nice steak and mash dinner while Gaz and Julie tried everything around them. Our Gaz is such a picky eater (whereas our J will eat owt) its nice to see him tuckin in. Next they demolished the sweet section then it was time for shoppin.
We had to pop into Nike to change some shorts Julie had got the other day, Gaz hadnt been to the Levi shop yet or V the Disney Outlets so Premier Outlets it was. An hour or so later they let me go home.
Popped into Target on the way for odds and ends and were home for 10.30ish just as well we left Busch early, then.
Bed by 11.30 after me ,V and Sam checked the boards and was up this mornin around 5.30.
MGM today and well probably do the diner package to be on the safe side.
Catch yers later.
FAMILY SUMMARY
Montu D9 G10
Gwazi D9 G8 J2
Smokehouse BarBQ D9 V6 G7 J10
Kumba D6 G8
Congo Rapids D8 V10 G8 J7
Tidal Wave D6 G7 J8
Carousel V5 J1
Ice Show D7 V7 G3 J0
Hippo Pool D9 V9 G4 J7
Safari D8 V10 G7 J10
Busch overall D9 V8 G8 J10
Julies Bit At The End
I havent got much to add- except I hated Gwazi my best friend from school who also hates rollercoaster told me in was a bit like BTMR except a bit faster. She was right in a way it twisted and dropped like thunder but its loads faster and Im never trying that one again. A good thing about trying rides is if I dont like them my Dad feels guilty and buys me something. Last year I hated so many rides I came back with 8 new beanies.
If you like ribs and chicken you should definitely try the smoke house.
My favourite part of the day (and probably the holiday) was the safari, I loved see all the animals and beeing able to feed them. I loved the giraffes (although not as much as meerkats)
We went to Golden coral which is (apart from Race Rock) my favourite place to eat in America.
