Any tips for WDW commandos' 1st Busch Gardens/Tampa Trip?

[cressy]

Going to BG/T tomorrow for the first time--have done BGW, SW , WDW, and USF/IOA a bajillion times and don't really have to think about what we're doing. Can't find too much info/time-saving tips for BG.The kids, 11 and 14, are pumped for the coasters,should we head for Montu first or Rhino RAlly? Is it smart to catch the sky ride to Rhino Rally if you get to the park early, or hoof it?Does the train make stops, like at BGW?I'm trying to figure out how to use the transportation to save feet and time.It looks like the Crown Colony House is the good restaraunt, but I've read no ressies, do we need to try to eat lunch at an off time?We're semi-commando, we don't like to waste time, but we also like to do cool unexpected stuff and we HATE WAITING IN LINE!!We've gotten very spoiled by FPat WDW and FOTL at USF/IOA.Also we have AB parks platinum passes, I've read in some places that at some of the parks you get reride priviledges, but I can't seem to nail that down.
Any other tips?I'll be glad to share info about BGW any time, I'm no expert but have been there a bunch.Thank you for the much needed help!

 

[GEM53]

cressy,
Here's a good site to do some preliminary research:
http://www.4adventure.com/buschgardens/fla/default.aspx.

Montu is a good place to start. On our last visit my daughter and I rode it 3 times in 20 minutes. Park was pretty empty at the time and we went there first thing. Kumba is another good one if you like roller coasters.

I wouldn't make too many plans around Rhino Rally as it seems to be down more than running.

The train will stop at Nirobi, Congo and Stanleyville.

The Skyride has stations at Congo and across form the Crown Colony.

We always do lunch at the Crown Colony and get the all you can eat fried chicken served family. Have hardley ever had to wait very long.

Have fun,
Gene

 

[rocketman23]

If you want to ride Rhino Rally, do it first thing. Mainly because it's not that good, but it always has a long line due to slow loading. So, if that's a must, do it so you don't have to wait. After that, Gwazi gets the next longest lines, so you may want to do that first or second if you decide to skip Rhino Rally or not. Then just hit stuff in order: Montu, Scorpion, Kumba, Python. Make sure you do this run first so you hit everything without lines and save the animal stuff for after lunch.

I strongly suggest eating one meal at the Stanleyville Smokehouse for the best park BBQ around.

As for the transportation, for ride reference:

Skyride take you from the Montu/Gwazi area to the Kumba/Python area. However, the station from the Montu area usually has a much longer line than the Stanleyville station which I suggest taking if you are going to use the Skyride.

Train will take you from the Smokehouse/Tidal Wave area to the Nursery/Montu area to the Kumba/Scorpion area. Trains are spaced out timewise and is usually faster to walk. However, it does provide some good animal views and is better than Rhino Rally in that aspect.

Another point of note: they sell fried twinkies in the consession stand between the elephants and turtles.

 

[cressy]

THANKS !!!!!!!
might have to try those twinkies