BG Tampa question

[pumpkinfish]

I asked this on another board, but was hoping I would have more luck over here

Throwing a question out there....
Ok, so I know this is the ORLANDO hotels/attractions, but DH and I are heading to Busch Gardens Tampa for a daytrip. We visit our BG here at Williamsburg often (season passes) and are rollercoaster and animal enthusiasts. I am looking forward to going to BG and since we have never gone, I have a few questions...
1. Is the Serengti Safari worth it? We have 11:15 am ressies for 9/13/04.
2. What should we expect crowd wise? School is in session (bonus!) and it IS value season (double bonus) but I want to know what to expect.
3. What are the NOT TO MISS rides/attractions? I have tried to find sites with BGT boards and came up empty handed, so I am turning to my friends and family here on this board. I hope it is ok I am asking these questions...

Don't worry, WDW is STILL #1 in my heart

 

[got2lovedisney]

This site has some info. Must do's: Montu, Kumba, Congo River Rapids and Tidal Wave. Oh yeah...and Gwazi!

 

[pumpkinfish]

Thank you for that got2lovedisney. I have already check that site, but I wanted some more info from my dis family I want hits AND misses.

 

[vernon]

For Roller coasters, the Scorpion and Python are both very short rides, just one inversion each I think. I wouldn't queue more than 5 minutes for either, but if you've not been to the park before and like to "tick everything off" then you may want to wait a little longer just to say you covered those. Kumba, Montu and Kwazi are all excellent rides and well worth a reasonable wait (up to 30 minutes). Kwazi has two different rides so do make sure you ride both sides to it.

There is also an excellent selection of water ( log flume rides) at BG. The Congo river rapids is excellent as is the Tangyanika tidal wave (watching people on the bridge is entertainment itself LOL) , the Stanley falls ride is reasonably good but not a top marks attraction.

If you like feeding parakeets you need to get to the attraction fairly early in the day, later on I think the birds get full up and aren't so keen to come and land on your hands. I haven't done the serengetti so I can't comment on that, although it does look fun. Rhino rally has always either been broken or had massive queues (90 minutes plus) so as yet I haven't manage to try this.

Hope you have a great day

 

[pumpkinfish]

vernon,
Thanks for all that input. I really appreciate this. We do love rollercoasters so I know I will check them out. I guess I am getting kinda paranoid because I have read that the park is begining to fall apart and isn't up to par anymore. I am feeling like I have been spoiled by WDW and by my Busch Gardens here in Williamsburg.
I also don't want to wait in long lines for any ride at BG. My DH and I don't even wait in lines here at our BG, we just wait until the tourists leave the area. We always head to our BG before June and after August for the rides. We do enjoy walking around and looking at the scenery, and I LOVE feeding the lorikeets! We just did this two weeks ago here at home and I cannot wait to try it in BGT!

 

[highlander447]

Most experts recommend the time u have for your safari as the animals are more lively so thats great u have that time

 

[BarryHom]

Here's my take on the BGT coasters:

Gwazi -- slow loading times, rough ride!

Montu -- one of the best inverted coasters in the country

Kumba -- pretty fast, it can really fly and pick up speed

Python -- a standard corkscrew coaster, rough ride!

Scorpion -- one loop, good ride

Cheetah Chase -- worst wild mouse ever! It is so heavily braked that there is no fun in the ride

 

[pumpkinfish]

Hey, thanks Barry!!

I love the info you gave and am quite sure DH will appreciate the info as well!

I don't like wild mouse type coasters anyways! Too rough and no big drops/loops