Busch Gardens help

[fuse04]

We are planning on visiting Busch Gardens in May for the first time but know very little about the park or what happens there. We don't do coasters so will be focusing on the animals and the shows (I think).

Can anyone offer any advice about which restaurant to eat at, price, reservations, smaller rides (if there are any!). We will probably try to get the trip to feed the giraffes.

Any advice or tips appreciated

(feels strange knowing so much about what disney have to offer and having everything planned, and then going somewhere where we know nothing!)

 

[orlandothebeagle]

You get free beer

But seriously I am afraid I like BG for the coasters.They are great!
We tend to do them and not a lot else, I am sure somone will help though.
Big huge avian section where you an feed the birds, they land (and poo) on your head, the kids really ejoyed that, I cant mind where we ate, just the usual stuff available, I got pizza and salad at a fst food place.
Also a bat cave that I loved, but I am a bit nerdy when it comes to bats...
It never seems as orginzied as Disney but we really like it.

 

[fuse04]

You get free beer
Big huge avian section where you an feed the birds, they land (and poo) on your head, the kids really ejoyed that,.

was it the landing on the head or the poo on the head bit they enjoyed

 

[wayneg]

Just taken me about an hour to write this in bits, so busy here this morning.
I think the free beer has ended now, it will be soon if not already.

Hi Rob,
Busch is one of our fave parks, had Annual passports for past 2 years. The new area is amazing, Jungala, get really close to the tigers.
We have done the Guided Adventure tour with includes giraffe tour, and also just the giraffe tour on its own at Xmas. Its a good experience but I think it s a bit expensive, we found the Adneture tour a lot better value, included giraffes at $34 and lunch at about $15 so you are paying about an extra £30pp to get a guide for about 5-6 hours and front of line access, probably not worth it to you being your 1st visit and not wanting to do many rides but for us it was a great experience going behind the scenes to see some of the animals. http://www.4adventure.com/bgt/sp_guided_tours.aspx

For food we always eat here http://www.4adventure.com/bgt/do_restaurant_Stanleyville_Smokehouse_3.aspx never tried anywhere else, they do a combo with ribs, chicken & brisket, I struggle to eat it all.

 

[Beep]

I second the Smokehouse for food. Really good quality, very tasty and loads of it!

We love Busch Gardens and usually go twice - once for the rides and once for mooching and looking. We haven't done the tours but would love to.

We've got some cracking animal photos and can't wait to see Jungala. We missed out on seeing 'our boy' the white tiger last time as he was being relocated into the new exhibit.

 

[tink too]

You get free beer

I think the free beer has ended now, it will be soon if not already.

Alas, the free beer is no more. InBev (the new owners of Anheuser Busch) have put a stop to the free "samples" of alcoholic bevvies.

Although there are many great rollercoasters at BG, there are some other rides - like Rhino Rally - that are great.

We always enjoy just strolling through the park and seeing all the animals and my parents love the shows they have there.

 

[wayneg]

Created a folder with a few of my fave Busch pics.

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y236/wayneg1/Busch/

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Thanks for this thread, i been trying to think of a few things non Disney to do for the 1st week when we stay offsite.

 

[T16GEM]

We really love Busch Gardens and even though we didn't go this year we do try to get there for a couple of days. We usually eat steak sandwiches or something like that and then tend to get a KFC or something on the way home from Tampa.

The rides are fantastic and there are some smaller ones alongwith the animal exhibits. The kids loved the Dragon Land area too, and Sheikra is mine and DH's altime fave coaster - front row is so intense! Even though they say that the view is the same from all 3 rows, front is definatley better!

 

[Shazzie B]

Alas, the free beer is no more. InBev (the new owners of Anheuser Busch) have put a stop to the free "samples" of alcoholic bevvies.

.

My brother works for InBev, I have given him the feedback about how unpopular they'll be . Also asked for free tickets, but apparently I was about the 100th person to ask! ( If he could get them I better of been at the front of the queue after all the football tickets I've aquired for him from my employer!).

Busch Gardens is a fantastic park, even if you don't enjoy big coaster (even better if you do). The Giraffe feeding is excellent-I'd reccomend, we did it a couple of years ago. I didn't enjoy the shows as much as Disney though - dragged on a bit too long.

Have a great time.

 

[Cochise]

Inbev, not a company that strikes me as one who listens. Try to stay well away from anything they are involved in. Soon as they sell the parks to a company who gives hoot the better. Grr make my blood boil. HAtred aside, we love Busch Gdns, agreed our fave park every time but we love the coasters too....

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

How much does it cost to go Busch Gardens on the coach from Seaworld and approx how long does the journey take?

 

[fuse04]

How much does it cost to go Busch Gardens on the coach from Seaworld and approx how long does the journey take?

I have yet to do this but I think you can book for $10 per person and the trip is about 2 hours, getting in about 10:30-11:30

 

[wayneg]

Correct $10pp or free with Flex ticket.
Details here https://secure.mearstransportation.com/MearsExpress/BuschGardens.asp

 

[fuse04]

Correct $10pp or free with Flex ticket.
Details here https://secure.mearstransportation.com/MearsExpress/BuschGardens.asp

Wayne I also noticed the specific reference to Flex ticket plus. The site used to say multi park ticket so have sent a note to BG to query. We have Discovery Cove ultimate which is a multi part ticket which should entitle us to free shuttle. VH (where we got our tickets) site clearly still shows free shuttle with multi park tickets rathere than specific to Flex.

You know how you get a instinct for such things....will probably have to pay on the day and claim back for VH

 

[wayneg]

Just found this for you Rob taken from DC FAQ's

Transportation Information

We also provide complimentary transportation to Busch Gardens Tampa for guests whose Discovery Cove package includes admission to Busch Gardens. For more information, please contact The Shuttle Express at 1-800-221-1339 at least 24 hours in advance. Reservations are not required for this service, but are recommended.

http://www.discoverycove.com/DCO2/Plan/FAQ.aspx#gpi19

 

[Girlsontour]

fuse04 - what day are you thinking of going...as our schedule seems to be similar (seaworld same day!)? We are going on Tuesday 26th May - on the free bus. I am presuming the bus goes from Universal at the bottom of the escalators by the car park

 

[fuse04]

fuse04 - what day are you thinking of going...as our schedule seems to be similar (seaworld same day!)? We are going on Tuesday 26th May - on the free bus. I am presuming the bus goes from Universal at the bottom of the escalators by the car park

Hi, for BG I was advised it was at the bus loading area. We have only been to universal on one occasion so don't know the area very well but like you assume it is somewhere near the escaltors, will pm you re schedule

Wayne, thanks for the additonal informational which is reassuring.

Rob

 

[Annabell]

We are thinking to buy the 2 day ticket (seaworld + Busch garden) which should also include the free shuttle to Busch Garden.
Now we do have a rental car but DH may not want to drive and we are thinking to take the shuttle iso driving the car.
Now I know that there is pick-up point at Seaworld and we could always drive to Seaworld and take the bus from there.. but then we have to pay the parking fee at Seaworld.. well... in order to save the parking fee.. is there any pickup point that has free parking ??
We are thinking either stay in the Hyatt Place Universal or Hyatt Place Convention centre.

Anyone any idea ??

 

[wayneg]

https://secure.mearstransportation.com/MearsExpress/BuschGardens.asp

If you put in hotel you are staying at it gives pick up locations, I am sure you can park free somewhere, like Premium Outlets.

I could not be tied to a bus timetable, I want to be there for opening, its so easy to drive down there, about 1 hour each way.