Busch Gardens discounts and hotel ideas?

[disneysteve]

My mom and cousin are planning a trip for mid-January. They want to spend 3 or 4 days in Tampa and go to Busch Gardens, then a few days in Disney area. I'm loaded with info and advice for the Disney portion of their trip but can anyone help out with the Tampa part?

Is there anywhere they can get discount admission for Busch Gardens?

And can you recommend an inexpensive hotel in that general vicinity? They'll have a car and don't mind driving a bit, especially if it means saving on the hotel. They'd prefer a place that includes breakfast but otherwise just want a clean safe location. They are not at all picky and are fine with a Days Inn, Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, etc.

Thanks.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Find the best BGT discounts here:
http://www.mousesavers.com/buschgardens.html

DO NOT stay at the Days Inn Busch Gardens because it is a dump. On Fowler Ave. there are Holiday Inn Busch Gardens and LaQuinta. LaQuinta is fairly new and has a free continental breakfast. HIBG gave me tickets for free full breakfast for being a member of their Priority Club. We are just back from a 4 night stay at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and that place is nice!

 

[disneysteve]

Thanks Motherfletcher! That helps a lot. Anyone else?

 

[Rpsemont]

I was wondering the same thing. I did a little searching this morning and ended up doing the following. It's fully cancellable so is just a start:
dates 2/17-2/19 - booked Comfort Inn Conference center at comfort inn site at 109.99 then filled out best rate guarantee form because easyclicktravel had it for $76.48. If it goes through as planned will get it for $68.83. Trip advisor has some pretty good review for this hotel. Anyone know anything about it?
Ane other ideas for hotels?

 

['Canes Fan]

best choices are embassy suites, doubletree, la quinta, best western, wingate. they're all in the Fowler and 30th area. 5 minutes from the park. don't pick anything on Busch Ave. if you want safety, how ironic. stay North of Busch Ave.

 

[Aidensmom]

[QUOTE='Canes Fan]best choices are embassy suites, doubletree, la quinta, best western, wingate. they're all in the Fowler and 30th area. 5 minutes from the park. don't pick anything on Busch Ave. if you want safety, how ironic. stay North of Busch Ave.[/QUOTE]

I live in the neighborhood off Busch. It is not that terrible. Anyways, I would recommend the Holiday Inn on Fowler, it is only about 10 minutes away, and is fairly nice for the price. There is a TGI Fridays right there, and a lot of other restaurants within walking distance.

 

['Canes Fan]

don't take anything personally Aidensmom. I can take you west of 30th street right through nice neighborhoods and end up in bad places. the same south of Busch. I'm not saying you live in sam the hubcap man's backyard. the better hotels are north of Busch, IMO. nothing more.

 

[DOOM1001]

Whatever you do do no stay at a hotel called Safar Inn, worst hotel I've stayed in ever X 100, it was the Daytona 500 weekend plus it might have also been spring break for some and there wasn't a room to be had anywhere.
Just last week I was at BGT and stayed at the Sleep Inn on Fletcher just off I-75, nice hotel and location, good breakfast, bathroom was a bit small but very good hotel for the price.