Busch gardens Tampa?

[java]

Any advice?

We are debating all day dining here. I think it will be worth it (party of 6) but I can only find one review of it online.
So I thought I would try here. Anyone o th all day dining? Thoughts?

Also any park touring suggestions? Like what to do first?

 

[java]

No advice? Somebody had to have gone to BG. Shameless bump because I am an OCD Disney planner trying to OCD my Busch Gardens trip.

 

[CynBeth]

We actually got all day dining for free last year as a special for the 1 day ticket purchased online and we liked it. I do not know if we would have gotten it if we had to pay. Figure out where you want to eat and calculate if it would be cheaper for you with or without it. We are not big ride people but between the shows and animals we were there from opening to closing. They even had a special evening show with fireworks.

 

[java]

Thank you! It's only $15 to add the dining if we buy online so I think we will do it. Happy to hear the shows are good too. I am with big ride people( me not so much I'm more a Peter Pan kind of girl) so maybe I can catch a couple shows.

 

[Jedana]

we went last May, and are planning another trip in September (pending scout and school)

The meal plans are good if you are like me and like to eat small meals frequently. I liked being able to go in, grab some fruit or fries (or a cookie) and a drink and just mosey on by the cashier.

I posted about it here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3118734


We did the safari, and it was pretty fun. Driving around to see the stuff we'd seen from the park wasn't awesome, but the giraffe feeding was amazing. We could pet the giraffes, and they were at the truck for at least 15 minutes. Worth the money, IMO.

DH also got the unlimited "skip the lines" pass and said it was very nice. He walked on to most of the roller coasters, and the longest he waited was 10 minutes (and that was with lines of 2+ hours).

We really didn't have a plan, we just went in and started around to the right. Be warned: the food places close early. The park closed at 8, and the restaurants were closing at 6.

 

[java]

Great informative trip report! Thanks. Have you found a better local hotel since then? I found one that was reasonable but said it was under renovations which honestly I don't care since we won't be hanging at the hotel. But yes I am second guessing this too.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Great informative trip report! Thanks. Have you found a better local hotel since then? I found one that was reasonable but said it was under renovations which honestly I don't care since we won't be hanging at the hotel. But yes I am second guessing this too.

There aren't really any hotels right there I would stay in. BG is not in the best area.

Check out the USF area. It's VERY close and a world of difference from Busch Blvd.

As far as the meal plan, if it's only $15 I would go for it. I spend that much on meal easily! (Fajita wraps or the smokehouse are pretty good!)

 

[java]

How is the Tampa East/Brandon area?

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

How is the Tampa East/Brandon area?

Not the best. Not as bad as Busch Blvd...

The Citrus Park/Odessa area is about the same distance from BG, but west and nicer.
Neither of those are very close though.

If you're only doing BG the USF area really is your best and closest bet.

 

[java]

I have been reading trip advisor and found one USF hotel that sleeps 6 but then in reading reviews they were told by front desk to not walk around after dark! I wouldn't mind being a touch way from the area. But it doesn't seem like there is anything. We are heading down to siesta key after BG so I was thinking north of Tampa for those first 2 nights but can't find anyplace.

 

[okeydokey]

We stayed at the Embassey Suites USF and they have a free shuttle back and forth to the park.

 

[TifffanyD]

Not the best. Not as bad as Busch Blvd...

The Citrus Park/Odessa area is about the same distance from BG, but west and nicer.
Neither of those are very close though.

If you're only doing BG the USF area really is your best and closest bet.

I live in Brandon and the area is fine. Tampa is a diff story.

OP if you have a car with you then you can stay on the bay and enjoy the water

 

[mamamary]

We just went to BG on Tuesday. We didn't get the meal plan - although I did give it alot of thought. I knew we'd be more riding the rides than eating. We made the mistake of trying to figure out where to eat once we became starving. We stumbled in Zagora Cafe and we were not happy with it. The food was bad so I wouldn't recommend it. I also was glad we didn't pay for the front of the line passes. All the big coasters pretty much had very low waits all day.

A storm was threatening around 6pm. Luckily we were on our way out when we heard that all rides and attractions were closed. So I'd recommend doing your must haves early just in case.

Also, I don't know why but we had a hard time navigating our way around the park. We had been there before and i don't remember that happening.

We had a great time - although tiring!

 

[TifffanyD]

We just went to BG on Tuesday. We didn't get the meal plan - although I did give it alot of thought. I knew we'd be more riding the rides than eating. We made the mistake of trying to figure out where to eat once we became starving. We stumbled in Zagora Cafe and we were not happy with it. The food was bad so I wouldn't recommend it. I also was glad we didn't pay for the front of the line passes. All the big coasters pretty much had very low waits all day. A storm was threatening around 6pm. Luckily we were on our way out when we heard that all rides and attractions were closed. So I'd recommend doing your must haves early just in case. Also, I don't know why but we had a hard time navigating our way around the park. We had been there before and i don't remember that happening. We had a great time - although tiring!

The navigation trouble is probably because it's more of a circle and not spoke-and-wheel like Disney. So you have to go allll the way around. The savannah causes some weird traffic too.

Zagora is good for breakfast or close to closing food. He smokehouse is pretty good. All in all the food ere is not great. Do they still do half priced beer we the meal plan bracelets?

 

[Bearvet]

Here is my post from Feb '13 (I think Busch Gardens threads tend to be in the "Orlando Hotels & Attractions" section rather than the Community Board.

"Thanks for your help everyone! There are 2 adults going to BG - DH and DS17 and we've found 4 options (all are before tax to make comparison fair):
1. Order on BG site $85 and get free all-day dining plan ($32.99 value)
You get a wristband and can get 1 entree, 1 side or dessert and 1 drink at 6
of the restaurants as many times as you want.
2. Use SW RR card to get 20% off GATE price $85 - $17 = $68
3. Purchase at Publix $64.99
4. AAA $74.99 and receive 1 free meal voucher (not unlimited)

The guys decided to go with option #1 and feel they will get their monies worth easily by eating at least 2 meals in the park (lunch & dinner) - they both have big appetites. And since they have limited time in Tampa (also doing college visit at USF) they wanted to have tickets pre-purchased.

I realize that may not be the best choice for everyone, but it's what the guys chose.
Thanks again for the help and hopefully this info will help someone else!"

They were very happy with the dining plan and took full advantage of it. Before they left the park, they made sure to eat dinner too. They still talk about that great deal! I just looked at the BG website and the "Play & Dine" deal is now $95.

 

[TifffanyD]

Here is my post from Feb '13 (I think Busch Gardens threads tend to be in the "Orlando Hotels & Attractions" section rather than the Community Board. "Thanks for your help everyone! There are 2 adults going to BG - DH and DS17 and we've found 4 options (all are before tax to make comparison fair): 1. Order on BG site $85 and get free all-day dining plan ($32.99 value) You get a wristband and can get 1 entree, 1 side or dessert and 1 drink at 6 of the restaurants as many times as you want. 2. Use SW RR card to get 20% off GATE price $85 - $17 = $68 3. Purchase at Publix $64.99 4. AAA $74.99 and receive 1 free meal voucher (not unlimited) The guys decided to go with option #1 and feel they will get their monies worth easily by eating at least 2 meals in the park (lunch & dinner) - they both have big appetites. And since they have limited time in Tampa (also doing college visit at USF) they wanted to have tickets pre-purchased. I realize that may not be the best choice for everyone, but it's what the guys chose. Thanks again for the help and hopefully this info will help someone else!" They were very happy with the dining plan and took full advantage of it. Before they left the park, they made sure to eat dinner too. They still talk about that great deal! I just looked at the BG website and the "Play & Dine" deal is now $95.

Great choice.
Bottled water IS included so you can easily make it worth it

 

[Luvchefmic]

Great informative trip report! Thanks. Have you found a better local hotel since then? I found one that was reasonable but said it was under renovations which honestly I don't care since we won't be hanging at the hotel. But yes I am second guessing this too.

I have an upcoming job interview directly across the street from Busch Gardens
Through booking.com I got one night at LaQuinta total $75. and change I've never stayed at this one but am familiar with the chain May be good for you ?

 

[cassandrap83]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that the dining plan is a waste.

I am saying this with the experience of visiting BG about 6 times last year alone.

Busch Gardens is a relatively small theme park (IMO) especially compared to Disney. It is extremely easy to walk to the front of the park, catch a tram and then get in your car to go to one of the 100000 restaurants in the area.

In addition, Busch Gardens is not an "entire day" park. I don't think we have ever spent the whole day there, and we have always went on everything. We usually get there shortly after opening, and leave around dinner time. You can certainly lengthen your stay if you walk at an extremely slow pace, or if you wait in line for 2hrs for the shortest log flume ride in existence, but here's what I would do:

1. Grab a filling late breakfast at your hotel or at a restaurant in the area
2. Go to the park, hitting Cheetah Hunt or Sheikra first (they seem to be the only rides that ever get long lines)
3. Everybody gets a couple snacks ($5ish each)
4. Leave when: A.) You are so hot you are about to pass out, or B.)You've completed touring everything.

Don't miss the stage shows, if nothing else but for the air conditioning! The wooden roller coasters are awful, awful awful. I would never advise anyone to go on them. They are the most jarring coasters I have ever been on - and I LOVE wooden coasters. If you have small children, take time to enjoy the big climbing structure. And, unless they are toddlers, don't follow them around. There is only one way out, and it's a PITA to climb through some of the smaller areas. The water raft ride will totally soak you, so don't go on it unless you want to be soaked to the bone - there is no "maybe" you WILL get soaked. The treetop flyers are really fun, but easily missed. And.....that's about it.

Have fun, and spend your $$ on souvenirs rather than food!

 

[Mom21]

Here is my post from Feb '13 (I think Busch Gardens threads tend to be in the "Orlando Hotels & Attractions" section rather than the Community Board.

"Thanks for your help everyone! There are 2 adults going to BG - DH and DS17 and we've found 4 options (all are before tax to make comparison fair):
1. Order on BG site $85 and get free all-day dining plan ($32.99 value)
You get a wristband and can get 1 entree, 1 side or dessert and 1 drink at 6
of the restaurants as many times as you want.
2. Use SW RR card to get 20% off GATE price $85 - $17 = $68
3. Purchase at Publix $64.99
4. AAA $74.99 and receive 1 free meal voucher (not unlimited)

The guys decided to go with option #1 and feel they will get their monies worth easily by eating at least 2 meals in the park (lunch & dinner) - they both have big appetites. And since they have limited time in Tampa (also doing college visit at USF) they wanted to have tickets pre-purchased.

I realize that may not be the best choice for everyone, but it's what the guys chose.
Thanks again for the help and hopefully this info will help someone else!"

They were very happy with the dining plan and took full advantage of it. Before they left the park, they made sure to eat dinner too. They still talk about that great deal! I just looked at the BG website and the "Play & Dine" deal is now $95.

Off topic, but we did the college tours last year. USF was my favorite, and I was hoping my dd would choose to go there. In the end, she chose FSU for this fall, but USF was her second choice. I can't really explain why I loved it so much, but I just did.

 

[java]

Thank you Cassandra! This all started as a cheap vacation, got turned into let's visit a college(Florida gulf coast something) then add a theme park. Thank you for the ride tips too!