Busch Gardens Mini Trip Report

[musicluvr40]

This is a continuation of the Sea World trip report in a separate thread. We spent October 20 at BG. I had not been to BG since 1985, and the rest of my family had never been there. We purchased our tickets as a part of a package: 4 nights at the Residence Inn at SeaWorld, 4 tickets to BG, 4 tickets to SW, and all day dining at BG and at SW. It was about $800.

We drove to BG since we had checked out and were moving to a different hotel that evening. Parking was $13, and once you park you take a tram to get to the park. Trams were lined up waiting to take you to the park opening, so there was virtually no wait. Same for park closing - we walked out of the park, walked onto a tram, and there were empty trams lined up to pick up more guests.

This is a big park! Lots of big roller coasters - my DD 13 was in heaven! She was able to ride Montu, Sheikra, Cheetah Hunt, and Gwazi. They were all pretty much a walk on - Cheetah Hunt was about a 10 minute wait. We all were able to ride the skyride - very cool - and the Rhino Rally. My DD8 also played in the Sesame Street playland that is huge and so fun for little ones! We took the train ride to get from one side of the park to the other - had we stayed on it would have been a 40 minute ride. There were so many rides that we all could have ridden, but we ended up spending a ton of time with the animals. Honestly this was our favorite part of this park. The animal interaction is like nothing we have experienced. The keepers were available at different times and were able to answer questions and offer information. It was fun to learn about the animals and their personalities. The tiger exhibit was our favorite. If you go to BG do not skip this - there is a place with plexiglass where you can climb a little ladder and be surrounded by plastic. The tiger came over and visited my girls while they were in this, and it was such a cool moment!

We ate at the Desert Grill for lunch. We had all day dining as a part of our package, and we had picked up wristbands as we entered the park at the Zagora Cafe. The food at the Desert Grill was so good, and there was a show - Dance to the Music - while we were eating. This is a great show! Very talented performers and so enjoyable! This is a great place to eat, sit down, and enjoy good entertainment.

We ate at the Colony Cafe for dinner before closing. It was excellent food as well. The dining plan worked well for us and was so easy to use with plenty of food. We felt like we could have used 2 days at BG, however, we are a family of animal lovers and spent a good deal of time with the animals. We did not see the cheetah cub that is being raised along with a puppy, however, they had them out earlier in the day. We were very impressed with the time that BG takes to provide education on animals as well as being eco-friendly, and we loved the relaxed atmosphere of the park.

Please feel free to ask questions, and I will try to answer.

 

[Dismamx2]

Hi, I enjoyed your report I also read your Seaworld one. We are visiting Orlando for the first time next June my DD's will be 9 & 13 (birthday trip). My youngest will love all the animals and my eldest will love all the thrill rides so it will be a job to do both in a day. We will be going on the BG shuttle so will be tied to times.
Did you have the quick queue passes? I am thinking if we got these, we might get a lot more done in the time and keep everyone happy?

 

[musicluvr40]

Hi. We did not have the quick queue passes. In October the parks were light as far as crowds go. In June I can see where those would be helpful. My DD 13 went in June to SeaWorld last year, and she said the passes were a lifesaver, especially if you are wanting to ride more than one time.

 

[heidijanesmith]

This is a continuation of the Sea World trip report in a separate thread. We spent October 20 at BG. I had not been to BG since 1985, and the rest of my family had never been there. We purchased our tickets as a part of a package: 4 nights at the Residence Inn at SeaWorld, 4 tickets to BG, 4 tickets to SW, and all day dining at BG and at SW. It was about $800.

We drove to BG since we had checked out and were moving to a different hotel that evening. Parking was $13, and once you park you take a tram to get to the park. Trams were lined up waiting to take you to the park opening, so there was virtually no wait. Same for park closing - we walked out of the park, walked onto a tram, and there were empty trams lined up to pick up more guests.

This is a big park! Lots of big roller coasters - my DD 13 was in heaven! She was able to ride Montu, Sheikra, Cheetah Hunt, and Gwazi. They were all pretty much a walk on - Cheetah Hunt was about a 10 minute wait. We all were able to ride the skyride - very cool - and the Rhino Rally. My DD8 also played in the Sesame Street playland that is huge and so fun for little ones! We took the train ride to get from one side of the park to the other - had we stayed on it would have been a 40 minute ride. There were so many rides that we all could have ridden, but we ended up spending a ton of time with the animals. Honestly this was our favorite part of this park. The animal interaction is like nothing we have experienced. The keepers were available at different times and were able to answer questions and offer information. It was fun to learn about the animals and their personalities. The tiger exhibit was our favorite. If you go to BG do not skip this - there is a place with plexiglass where you can climb a little ladder and be surrounded by plastic. The tiger came over and visited my girls while they were in this, and it was such a cool moment!

We ate at the Desert Grill for lunch. We had all day dining as a part of our package, and we had picked up wristbands as we entered the park at the Zagora Cafe. The food at the Desert Grill was so good, and there was a show - Dance to the Music - while we were eating. This is a great show! Very talented performers and so enjoyable! This is a great place to eat, sit down, and enjoy good entertainment.

We ate at the Colony Cafe for dinner before closing. It was excellent food as well. The dining plan worked well for us and was so easy to use with plenty of food. We felt like we could have used 2 days at BG, however, we are a family of animal lovers and spent a good deal of time with the animals. We did not see the cheetah cub that is being raised along with a puppy, however, they had them out earlier in the day. We were very impressed with the time that BG takes to provide education on animals as well as being eco-friendly, and we loved the relaxed atmosphere of the park.

Please feel free to ask questions, and I will try to answer.

Thanks so much for the mini-trip report. We have been to WDW a couple of times, but never BG. My DS is 17 and a roller coaster fanatic! He wants to go to BG more then any other place!!

We will be touring in August, so I am guessing buying the quick-que will work the best for us.

I have heard that two days is the right amount to spend at BG if you want to ride the rollercoasters and take in all the animals.

Where did you stay. We are thinking about staying at a hotel on the beach at Clearwater. My kids love the ocean, so an beach hotel would be awesome.

 

[Dismamx2]

Hi. We did not have the quick queue passes. In October the parks were light as far as crowds go. In June I can see where those would be helpful. My DD 13 went in June to SeaWorld last year, and she said the passes were a lifesaver, especially if you are wanting to ride more than one time.

Thanks for the reply. There seems to be a lot of rides in BG that can be used with QQ. I will wait until they set prices to decide whether to buy the 1 time pass or the unlimited. I would imagine with the Seaworld pass you would need the unlimited as it hasn't as many rides but it is not as expensive as the BG pass.
Thanks again

 

[Lynne G]

We will be touring in August, so I am guessing buying the quick-que will work the best for us.

.[/QUOTE]

Never sure what the crowds will be like this coming summer. I took my kids (10 and 14) to BG the last Tues and Thursday in August this year. We did not have the quick que and my kids did not have long waits for the Cheetah Run or any of the other coasters. They are big wood coaster fans, so they loved them at BG. They both don't like going upside down many times, so they loved the Cheetah as it only loops once.

We really liked the parks. It was nice to see all the animals and scenery, as well as doing some rides. We also liked the shows. Restaurants were good too. I would go back. We drove from our hotel near Seaword. Wasn't a bad ride down 4. I had no trouble parking and was near enough to the entrance those 2 days, I did not have to take a tram. We arrived both days about 15 minutes after the 10am opening. We stayed until the 6pm closing to help avoid traffic delays back to Orlando.

 

[heidijanesmith]

We will be touring in August, so I am guessing buying the quick-que will work the best for us.

.

Never sure what the crowds will be like this coming summer. I took my kids (10 and 14) to BG the last Tues and Thursday in August this year. We did not have the quick que and my kids did not have long waits for the Cheetah Run or any of the other coasters. They are big wood coaster fans, so they loved them at BG. They both don't like going upside down many times, so they loved the Cheetah as it only loops once.

We really liked the parks. It was nice to see all the animals and scenery, as well as doing some rides. We also liked the shows. Restaurants were good too. I would go back. We drove from our hotel near Seaword. Wasn't a bad ride down 4. I had no trouble parking and was near enough to the entrance those 2 days, I did not have to take a tram. We arrived both days about 15 minutes after the 10am opening. We stayed until the 6pm closing to help avoid traffic delays back to Orlando.[/QUOTE]

Can we buy the quick-que tickets the day we arrive? Maybe that way we can evaluate the crowd level the days we are there instead of buying them ahead of time and maybe not needed them?

 

[Lynne G]

Can we buy the quick-que tickets the day we arrive? Maybe that way we can evaluate the crowd level the days we are there instead of buying them ahead of time and maybe not needed them?[/QUOTE]

Yes, they are available at many shops and info places, those places have signs saying buy here. So, if you want to assess first, you can. I guess the ques may be subject to outage if many want it, but I did not think the crowds were bad the 2 days we were there.

 

[musicluvr40]

Thanks so much for the mini-trip report. We have been to WDW a couple of times, but never BG. My DS is 17 and a roller coaster fanatic! He wants to go to BG more then any other place!!

We will be touring in August, so I am guessing buying the quick-que will work the best for us.

I have heard that two days is the right amount to spend at BG if you want to ride the rollercoasters and take in all the animals.

Where did you stay. We are thinking about staying at a hotel on the beach at Clearwater. My kids love the ocean, so an beach hotel would be awesome.

We stayed right on the beach in Treasure Island. We stayed at the Sunset Vistas. I actually found out about them through another thread on the DIS, and the room was amazing! We had a two bedroom suite with two bathrooms, full kitchen, washer/dryer, pretty much like a little apartment. More than 800 square feet, and literally steps from the beach. Very affordable, clean, and beautiful! It's a wonderful area for a family vacation!

It was about 40 minutes from BG if there is no traffic.

Let me know if you have more questions!

 

[bearloch]

Hi I actually Live 10 Mins from Busch gardens and go at least once a week usually! feel free to ask questions.


June will be very busy and u will need at least 3 days if planning on water park which is very fun.

Aug slows down as we are in school mid august here! Weekends NO very busy then..

 

[jeffn5631]

I am surprised how few times the BG water park Adventure Island which is just across the street from the park is mentioned in trip planning. The Christmas shows at BG will be starting soon and is what I look forward to most during the year. In February, A new ice show at the Moroccan Place Theater will be starting with live animals part of the show!

 

[heidijanesmith]

We stayed right on the beach in Treasure Island. We stayed at the Sunset Vistas. I actually found out about them through another thread on the DIS, and the room was amazing! We had a two bedroom suite with two bathrooms, full kitchen, washer/dryer, pretty much like a little apartment. More than 800 square feet, and literally steps from the beach. Very affordable, clean, and beautiful! It's a wonderful area for a family vacation!

It was about 40 minutes from BG if there is no traffic.

Let me know if you have more questions!

I checked out the hotel's website, it looks wonderful! I see they have a promotion of stay 3days get 15% off, good deal

I am not sure if we want to stay 40min way, maybe a little closer. But I would love to have the full kitchen and two bedrooms. Being a little farther away might be worth it for the rooms.

Did you try any of the beach activities? Do they have beach chairs and umbrellas, fees?

Thanks!

 

[heidijanesmith]

Hi I actually Live 10 Mins from Busch gardens and go at least once a week usually! feel free to ask questions.


June will be very busy and u will need at least 3 days if planning on water park which is very fun.

Aug slows down as we are in school mid august here! Weekends NO very busy then..

We will be touring in the beginning of Aug, so I am assuming that BG will be crowded. Would you risk waiting to buy the quick que tickets until we get there, or do they sell out prior?

Any other tips for touring? My DS is a huge roller coaster nut, will try any and all rollercoasters. We are planning on two days; arriving early, taking a mid-day break and then returning in the early evening.

thanks!

 

[chrismass]

Hi I actually Live 10 Mins from Busch gardens and go at least once a week usually! feel free to ask questions.


June will be very busy and u will need at least 3 days if planning on water park which is very fun.

Aug slows down as we are in school mid august here! Weekends NO very busy then..

How are the crowds during February President's week? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it to buy the quick queue pass - do I need one for each family member or is it like six flags and each pass can be used for up to 4 people?

And how about the all day food pass - worth it or not in your opinion? TY!

 

[musicluvr40]

I checked out the hotel's website, it looks wonderful! I see they have a promotion of stay 3days get 15% off, good deal

I am not sure if we want to stay 40min way, maybe a little closer. But I would love to have the full kitchen and two bedrooms. Being a little farther away might be worth it for the rooms.

Did you try any of the beach activities? Do they have beach chairs and umbrellas, fees?

Thanks!

Our trip started in Orlando from Sunday through Thursday morning. We stayed a the Residence Inn at SeaWorld, did SeaWorld Monday, Universal Tuesday, IOA Wednesday, and then checked out Thursday morning and drove to Busch Gardens. At the end of our BG day we left and checked in at the Sunset Vistas and then spent two more days there. So we did not commute between the beach and BG, however, we will probably at some point stay there and do a couple of days at BG.

We did not do any beach activities - we collected shells, laid around on the beach, played in the ocean, and pretty much did not a whole lot. They do have beach chairs and umbrellas - we did not rent them so I'm not sure how much they are. I might have heard $20 for a chair and umbrella for the day. The rental stand was literally right there at the resort on the beach.

It's a beautiful beach, and we were able to collect some nice shells which my girls really enjoyed. The resort is truly as shown in the pictures and was a place I would gladly stay at longer if time permitted.

Let me know if you have more questions!

 

[ccgirl]

I am surprised how few times the BG water park Adventure Island which is just across the street from the park is mentioned in trip planning. The Christmas shows at BG will be starting soon and is what I look forward to most during the year. In February, A new ice show at the Moroccan Place Theater will be starting with live animals part of the show!

Thank you for this~!!! I am planning to get the Super Grover pass so we get admission there. I had no idea where it was though! We will staying with my in laws for two nights before we check into our timeshare in Orlando so Busch Gardens/Adventure Island would be perfect as my children LOVE water parks. Thanks so much for sharing.