busch gardens tampa?

[scanmom]

We are considering going to BG Tampa...next week! I found a really good deal on a hotel at St. Petersburg, on the beach, a really good deal on air, and 2 days for the price of 1 for BG. So, now I just need info about BG.... any info at all is helpful, all I know is there are alot of coasters that DS won't do, and they have animals. Are there some rides that my ride-timid DS would like? He won't ride big coasters. In fact, he will ride the mouse-type coasers, and thats about it. He has ridden Big thunder Mountain RR in the past, but wouldn't on our last trip. How is the food at BG? And the shows? We will be doing 2 days at BG and 2 days at the beach. Is 2 days too much time for BG? We will actually be doing 1 1/2 days there.. the 1st day we won't arrive until 3-4 pm, and stay until the 9 PM closing. As you can see, I really know nothing about BG... Please Help!! LOL!!! Thanks!

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

We couldn't think about a trip over to Florida without a visit to BG, it's our family's favourite park We've even driven up to it from Marco Island and Fort Myers on some of our trips.

I have 'trained' both my DD and DH on coasters there - they have Scorpian which is just over a minute long and is a great introduction to upside down and has one corkscrew.

We actually prefer BG to Animal Kingdom, there always seems more to do and see with regards the animals and the setting is really nice.

With a stay on the beach it sounds perfect - which hotel are you looking at?

 

[UrsulasShadow]

There are lots of shows there, which is fun, but the real fun is the coasters, which your DS won't do. I'd probably say it won't occupy you for 2 days.

I think the animal areas are much better in AK...much more naturalistic. I really disliked the way they had the elephants confined to a tiny, tiny space at BG. However, I really loved visiting the Clydesdales...that was the best part of the animal portion of my visit.
One caveat to my preference, though. I had a great encounter with a CM at BG. He had a big blue bird with him, and really took the time to show him off to passers-by, and answer any and all questions.

The takeout counter in the Crown Colony House had some delicious food, and I wish I had tried the sitdown restaurant, with a view over the savannah.

It really is a pity your DS won't ride coasters. I had the most fun on my last trip riding SheikRa! And to think I'm afraid of heights...

 

[Lisa77]

How old is your son? They have the land of the dragons there that some smaller kid rides but also a big climbing thing that he might enjoy.

 

[EpcotFan1]

BG is a cool amusement park but Im not a fan of rollercoasters that has loops and are talll like the ones in BG. They have great animal areas (like the gorilla area) and have great shows. They also have a train that goes around the whole park which is a good way to rest. They have 2 water rides ( one a rapids and the other a long flume ride) and have a small games area. They also added a new area called Jungla. I havent seen it but it looks cool. And 2 days is fine. There isnt alot to do that make u stay longer.

 

[3kidsfordis]

Busch Gardens has lots for the younger kids and timid riders. Lots of carnival type rides. There is also a big climber tree house thing that he would probably enjoy. My son was 9 when we went in 07. Prior to our trip to BG he had never ridden anything mildly daring. They have a small coaster with one or two small loops . He wanted to try it since it looked tame. He was nervous the whole wait. When he got off, he loved it! We spent the rest of the vacation hanging upside down on every roller coaster in BG, Seaworld and Disney! Be warned-he might like them...but always want a parent to ride with him!

 

[scanmom]

thanks or the relpy's! I am not oo concerned about my DS trying the coasters..if he wants too, great, I love them, if he won't, that's ok too. I was just worried that that there was NOTHING else for him. BTW, he is 14 y/o, and is 6'1" tall, so I think the dragon land area is not an option.
I am looking at The Grand Plaza Hotel Beachfront Resort & Conference Center for our hotel. It looks ok, and has mostly good reviews, so I thinkit will be ok for us. We don't need fancy, just clean and on the beach. We will be there for 4 nights, so I am thinking that we will fly in on Sunday, arriving at Tampa airport at 1 pm, go to he hotel, check in, then head to BG and stay till closing. Monday will be a beach day, back to BG on Tuesday, beach day Wed, then fly home Thursday. If anyone has any other ideas, I am glad to hear them. I may try to sneak over to WDW on Monday evening to eat at a resort restaurant, and maybe see DTD. How far is the drive? I was thinking about an hour, but maybe I am wrong? Thanks!

 

[despina]

Going July 9 first time. Went to Busch Gardens web site got E-tickets 1day plus 1day free. The website has alot of info with maps.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

thanks or the relpy's! I am not oo concerned about my DS trying the coasters..if he wants too, great, I love them, if he won't, that's ok too. I was just worried that that there was NOTHING else for him. BTW, he is 14 y/o, and is 6'1" tall, so I think the dragon land area is not an option.
I am looking at The Grand Plaza Hotel Beachfront Resort & Conference Center for our hotel. It looks ok, and has mostly good reviews, so I thinkit will be ok for us. We don't need fancy, just clean and on the beach. We will be there for 4 nights, so I am thinking that we will fly in on Sunday, arriving at Tampa airport at 1 pm, go to he hotel, check in, then head to BG and stay till closing. Monday will be a beach day, back to BG on Tuesday, beach day Wed, then fly home Thursday. If anyone has any other ideas, I am glad to hear them. I may try to sneak over to WDW on Monday evening to eat at a resort restaurant, and maybe see DTD. How far is the drive? I was thinking about an hour, but maybe I am wrong? Thanks!

imo bribe him to go on the kumba. Mom offered me $10 to ride it when I was 14 years old and now I love coasters. I probably never would of ridden an upside down coaster ever if she didnt do that.

 

[scanmom]

Maybe that will work, who knows!! But I am ok with him not liking coasters! I don't get it, but I respect his feelings!
does anyone here know about the hotel we are staying in? The Grand Plaza Hotel Beachfront and Conference Center. In St. Petersburg. It gets mixed reviews everywhere I look, but that is how our condo in Hawaii was, and I thought it was fine. I am not too worried about it, I just like to know what the other Disers think, I value your opinions...alot.
I booked the trip this am...we fly out Sunday am, have 4 nights in the hotel, 2 days at BG, then fly out Thursday am. I still want to zip over to WDW on one of our beach days and eat dinner at a resort and spend some time at DTD...I would go to some of the places at PI, but DS14 can't get into most of those places, so we really can't. But I will have to convice DH to do all that, so who knows!!

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

We have stayed at this hotel a couple of times when is used to be the Holiday Inn - it's the round one right on the beach. It's in a great location - like I say, right on the beach. they have an ok size pool, it's within walking distance to a little shop area which has a Publix, liquor mart, Subway, gifty type shops.

If you want a really enjoyable meal, head to Silas' a little ways down from the hotel - it's a really nice experience, right on the intercoastal waterway, with a great story.

Another nice enough experience is the hotel's revolving restaurant - perfect to watch the sun go down in the evening (but pricey).

Enjoy your stay

 

[scanmom]

I am really looking forward to this trip! I am not too worried about the hotel...we are not fncy people, we just need clean and convenient. It sounds like this place will fit th bill!!