Busch Gardens....anyone been?

[BiGGy]

We are trying Busch Gardens this time around.Has anyone got any great tips for the park? Whats the best rides for us thrill seekers? Whats a fun loving grandma going to like best?

We are also having a couple of beach days(Daytona and Cocoa) Any tips on these would be much appreciated

thanks in advance

Biggy

 

[edie w]

I'm guessing you'll be there at the end of November/beginning December? I guess crowds won't be too bad then. We're going in October and this year we WILL be there early, and we'll head straight for Rhino Rally.

Lines have been 45mins ++ the last times we've been (also October) so have never been on. Conversely, the Montu and Kumba lines were pretty short throughout the day.

Rhino Rally is a safari- cum- oh-no-something's-gone-wrong-raft ride.

Kumba is a fab coaster, and Montu is even better (inverted). Gwazi are two wooden coasters - Tiger and Lion. I find these more scary than the shoulder restraint ones, even though they don't go upside down!

The smaller coasters are short and painful (according to my DS) so grandma wants to avoid these even more than the big ones!

Congo river rapids is a raft ride like Kali at AK - great fun and you will get soaked. Stanley falls and the Tanganyika Tidal Wave are flumes - more opportunity to get wet.

Kids will love Land of the Dragons. It entertained a 3, 7, two 12s and a 15 year old for ages. A cross between Shamu's Happy Harbour and Fievel's Playland with little kiddy rides and MORE opportunity to get wet!

If you like birds don't miss Lory Landing. Buy a pot of "nectar" for $3 and have the birds land on you to feed. And visit the nursery to see cute and not-so-cute babies.

You get two "free" beers per adult at the Anheuser Busch hospitality centre. Good pizzas available here too.

Enjoy!

 

[Kirsty]

Been to Busch Gardens several times and feel it has gone downhill.
Visited last yr and have to say Rhino Rally wasnt all that impressive compared to how it had been hyped.
Rollercoaster fans will enjoy it, with great coasters such as montu and kumba.
Some of the animal exhibits are good, specially gorillas and chimps but nothin compared to AK.
If youve not bin b4 its probably worth a visit, otherwise i'd give it a miss.

 

[vernon]

I think BG is one of the better "single parks" in central Florida, it has a large selection of excellent thrill rides as well as the animals, a few shows and some great kids areas ( and free beer ) On a hot day the ice show is a good way to take a break in the airconditioning.

 

[signtalker]

Only one word for it "Terrible"

really run down, and not half as good as it looks on the TV!!.
Rhino rally is just a glorified jeep trip nothing special.

We were really disapointed, and didnt think the price tag was worth it!.

Would never go again!!
SORRY

 

[mike230652]

BiGGy

Busch is DEFINITELY worth a visit.

It has the widest selection of roller coasters in Florida...and includes Montu and Kumba which would be worth the admission alone. Mind you, Gwazi would probably rattle your grannie's teeth loose!


Rhino Rally is not quite as good as the AK version, but still good fun. Animal areas are better than AK, and BG staff are on hand at set times of day to discuss any aspect of the animla's you wish...we're now experts on giraffes!!

In NO WAY is BG run-down!!! It's a real park, and is much more laid back than some of those in Orlando with room to wander and relax.

You wouldn't regret going!

mike

 

[signtalker]

Mike thats why this board exsists, so we can all differ in our experiences of different places!!.

I still think its run down LOL!!!!!

Jules

 

[Azune]

Busch Gardens is definitely worth visiting, it makes a nice change of pace from some of the other parks and I think that it combines the animal and ride theme better than Animal Kingdom. Also the Gwazi is a brilliant ride especially if you have not had the chance to do many wooden ones.

 

[vicky1bfc]

hi
just got back and busch gardens is well worth a visit.we found it clean and not run down at all.

rhino rally is fab far better than the one at ak,where the ak one is just a rally the busch gardens one turns into a bit of a trouble water raft ride,tho a bit scarey for the younger children(mine included)as they dont realise what it did.(but nor did we).these great coasters if thats what your into.
The rapids are also great,whos idear is it to have the water hose things for use to soak the people on the rides by the ones that are not.we had a great 10 mins soaking people more than what they were already.think it must have been a brit that came up with that idear as no-one else could be that cruel

all in all a good park and well worth the money.

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

We havent visited BG yet! But are intending to on this trip, what is there for a typical 4 year old? is there much for them to do/see?
Like i've said we never went on previous trips, our travelling buddies went but we opted for a "beach" day.

As for Daytona Beach its OK, It was nice but cars aplenty all over the beach, This time we are opting for St.Petes Beach,Clearwater..etc and a drive down to Naples which has a gorgeusssss Beach! well worth the miles just to have a couple of hours of "Sun and De stress therapy" as Naples is LOVELY!

 

[vernon]

BG has a couple of areas just for smaller kids, the Land of the Dragon has a whole area of model houses, slides, rope bridges, fountains etc as well as some little versions of the big rides. There is also a small "carnival" type area with "chairoplane" type swings and little "ferris wheels". Along with all the animal exibits I thinmk you'll find they enjoy the park. The land of the Dragon area is thoughtfully located near the free beer area so you can grab a couple of slurps and sit down for a rest while the kids have a quick charge around

 

[JohnnySharp]

Cannot really comment on BG as we have never been.

As far as beaches go, Daytona and Cocoa are okay but the only advantage over Clearwater/St Petes is that they are nearer to Orlando.

Generally the West Coast beaches are much nicer, cleaner and better all round.

Normally I would say about an hour to Cocoa/Daytona and possibly just under 2 to Clearwater, however, there have been severe roadworks on the route to the West Coast so it could take longer, may even put us off going there next Month.

 

[BiGGy]

thanks for all the info and tips everyone.


just sooooooooo excited.

biggy

 

[T16GEM]

Busch Gardens is the best for thrill seekers I think! I love it there! I remember going one year and staying on Montu contunally because the park was so empty. Usually they don't let you do this but we were lucky. In the end DH had to beg me to get off because he felt sick!

The Rhino Rlly is great too, especially when the water park is working. Last year we saw that the wait was over 2 hours though, I think everyone was waiting for it.