Busch Gardens Optional Trips

[feline figaro]

We ve just been looking at Busch Gardens site as we re planning to pre purchase our tickets. Just noticed that you can pay extra & go on diff trips where you can feed Giraffes or get up close to Tigers.

Was wondering if anyone had been on these, if so was it worth doing?

Also they re giving you the chance when you purchase a 1 day ticket to go back a second time for free within 7 days of visiting which is great

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We just got back on New Years day. We went up to Busch Gardens and did the giraffe feeding trip. It's anout 30 minutes total - but feeding the giraffes was really great

My DH forgot to video any of it as he said he was too busy. There were about 15 people on the truck & they do get one of theit photographers to take pictures as they let each of the 4 families have a 'photo opportunity'. I asked another family if they would take pictures with our camera - and that worked out fine.

I would do it again

 

[fuse04]

We just got back on New Years day. We went up to Busch Gardens and did the giraffe feeding trip. It's anout 30 minutes total - but feeding the giraffes was really great

My DH forgot to video any of it as he said he was too busy. There were about 15 people on the truck & they do get one of theit photographers to take pictures as they let each of the 4 families have a 'photo opportunity'. I asked another family if they would take pictures with our camera - and that worked out fine.

I would do it again

We are thinking of doing the Giraffe feed, did you pre book or book on arrival at the park?

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We did prebook - but they were still offering places on the day.

 

[wayneg]

This can be so complicated.

What tickets do you have? what you planning on buying?

There is a Flex plus that allows you to goto Universal/SW and Busch among others.

Threre is a great value ticket out just now, bought one for Mother in Law at Xmas, allows you 14 days unlimited admission to Seaworld and Busch for about £60

If you go every year then Annual passport are mega cheap, cheapest way is to get 2 year option, work out about £50/year (£100 for 2 year) or add Seaworld for an extra £34/year, we buy the 2 year 2 park one, £84/year for both parks incl free parking and good discounts.

The standard 1 day ticket does get you a free day also but they are £46, as you see make AP look sooo cheap.

Done the guided adventure tour, brilliant, $94+tax, worth every penny, includes the Giraffe serengetti tour which costs $33.99 on its own and also includes lunch. We were lucky as we were teh only ones booked so got our own guide, David, saw him again at Xmas. Great guide.

At Xmas we did the giraffes again as we had Mother in law with us. AP got us 10% discount. Personally I think its overpriced compared to the guided adventure tour, that was one of best days we have had at Busch.

I will just go find some pics and add if you look back in 5-10 mins

 

[wayneg]

 

[feline figaro]

Wow that looks incredible, thanks for posting the pics . How long did this tour last for? Did you get up close to any other animals? Was you able to also feed the giraffes, do they let you stroke them?
Im a massive animal lover so would probably adore this kind of trip

Sorry one more q, what was the food like? Did you have to eat with the tour guide or did they leave you alone?

 

[tubtruck]

I have done the feed a giraffe thing with the DW, she also got me to do the pet a penguin thing as seaworld.

Both are excellent value, if I recall I got to feed 3 whole lettuce leaves to a giraffe for a mere $15 each, and a couple of strokes of a penguin at Seaworld for I think $10.

The DW wants to some more of these tours this year.... I cannot wait

 

[wayneg]

Its officially a 5 hour tour but ours lasted nearly 6 hours. You get close up to a few but cant touch for one reason or another, then others you can touch no problem. Harry the sloth is adorable, he is semi-retired they use his to take around schools all over the country. We saw him again at Xmas but he was fast asleep.
Because we were the only ones on the tour David gave us the choice what to do, he asked if we preferred more rides or more animals, we asked for more animals. If there are more on the tour then I guess its a set routine they have to stick to.
We did not prebook this tour in August or the giraffe tour this Xmas, just turned up on the day.
Yes you feed the giraffes(See last pic DS had lettuce in his hand), I have mixed views on the giraffe part, yes its a great experience but we felt very rushed and there is also a cameraperson onboard with you the whole 30 mins, got in the way a little this Xmas. You actually only stop with the giraffes about 15 mins then you go see other animals without stopping for the other 15 mins.
The food again we decided where to eat, maybe the guide decides if a big group, We ate at the BBQ place, can't remember name of it, near Sheikra.
He leaves you to eat then comes back.

 

[Pinky166]

I am currently writing my trip report from december and have included the Saving a Species tour in my report of Busch gardens.....have a look here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2049457

 

[traceycooper]

My DD feeding the giraffes

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DH & Giraffe!!!

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DD & DH & giraffe!!

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Me & giraffe!!

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We loved this tour

 

[CustardTart]

We did not prebook this tour in August or the giraffe tour this Xmas, just turned up on the day.

That's good to know, Wayne. We were hoping to book the same tour for the 3 of us in April but it doesn't appear to be available online for our dates in April. How early did you get there???

 

[wayneg]

That's good to know, Wayne. We were hoping to book the same tour for the 3 of us in April but it doesn't appear to be available online for our dates in April. How early did you get there???

The Aventure tour in August we were a little late setting off so didn't arrive until about 10:15am, tour started at 10:30am. so just in time and we were only ones to do it.

Xmas the Giraffes, arrived at 9:30am and they asked us which we wanted to do, any time was available. We took the 1st one 10:15am (I think) when coming back in we saw the next one leaving, only 1 family on it where ours was full. I suppose there is no way of knowing which is best to be on but it was a little crushed on ours this time.

 

[CustardTart]

The Aventure tour in August we were a little late setting off so didn't arrive until about 10:15am, tour started at 10:30am. so just in time and we were only ones to do it.

Xmas the Giraffes, arrived at 9:30am and they asked us which we wanted to do, any time was available. We took the 1st one 10:15am (I think) when coming back in we saw the next one leaving, only 1 family on it where ours was full. I suppose there is no way of knowing which is best to be on but it was a little crushed on ours this time.

Thanks so much, Wayne. We're actually intent on getting up and out early for the Busch Gardens day (famous last words but I mean it this time!) so at the very least we score their equivalent of the front of line passes. If we can get there for park opening and remain flexible, sounds like we should have a chance... Brilliant - that's another plan sorted...

 

[maleficent_man]

I'm thinking of doing this as part of our Honeymoon - I've checked their dates and times and they seem to offer ones at 11:30am and 2pm - I think I'd go for the later one - give me some time to ride the rides in the morning!

 

[wilma-bride]

Threre is a great value ticket out just now, bought one for Mother in Law at Xmas, allows you 14 days unlimited admission to Seaworld and Busch for about £60

Wayne, sorry to butt in but where did you get this ticket - we are planning Busch and Sea World in October so this sounds like great value

 

[wayneg]

Wayne, sorry to butt in but where did you get this ticket - we are planning Busch and Sea World in October so this sounds like great value

Good morning Joh.

http://www.seaworld.com/Tickets/Visitors.aspx
2nd ticket down the list, buy now at child price $89.95+tax

2 Parks
SeaWorld + Busch Gardens
Our combination tickets offer fantastic benefits and savings. Additionally, adults can take advantage of select tickets at kid prices when you pre-purchase on our Web site at least 7 days in advance.


Enjoy both SeaWorld and Busch Gardens at your leisure.
Our unique Length of Stay Benefit* allows unlimited admission during your vacation so you can come and go as you please, at no extra charge.
Also included is free roundtrip transportation on our Shuttle Express for the short ride to Busch Gardens in Tampa.
E-Ticket allows you to print your ticket at home and go straight to the turnstiles.
Tickets are Non-Transferable.
This offer is not to be combined with any other special events or discounts.

*tickets expire 14 days after first use

 

[wilma-bride]

Good morning Joh.

http://www.seaworld.com/Tickets/Visitors.aspx
2nd ticket down the list, buy now at child price $89.95+tax

2 Parks
SeaWorld + Busch Gardens
Our combination tickets offer fantastic benefits and savings. Additionally, adults can take advantage of select tickets at kid prices when you pre-purchase on our Web site at least 7 days in advance.


Enjoy both SeaWorld and Busch Gardens at your leisure.
Our unique Length of Stay Benefit* allows unlimited admission during your vacation so you can come and go as you please, at no extra charge.
Also included is free roundtrip transportation on our Shuttle Express for the short ride to Busch Gardens in Tampa.
E-Ticket allows you to print your ticket at home and go straight to the turnstiles.
Tickets are Non-Transferable.
This offer is not to be combined with any other special events or discounts.

*tickets expire 14 days after first use

Thank you very much Wayne - and good morning to you too