Busch Gardens trip review/report

[momof2n2]

Busch Gardens was a lot of fun for us. We do love coasters (ok - I'm getting to where I can't do as many as I used to be able to do) and they had a nice variety of stuff. I know people love to say it's just another Six Flags, or something; but they have the theming thing working there, unlike any Six Flags I've ever been to. It is a beautiful park. Now, their customer services wasn't quite SeaWorld's, but it wasn't horrific. Their ride attendants are generally younger, etc. We didn't do the all day dining there (it was only open 8 hours a day) and found the food very good. They had some seriously fun shows - ice skating acrobats, etc.

One negative we found with SW and BG was SCHOOL GROUPS. I never saw that coming. That is not something you see at WDW. I understand WHY (we see it here at our local amusement park), but I hate school groups. Family groups - you often have some folks ride, some wait/watch. With school groups they ALL ride. And they stand in line and knock each other around, and tease, and stop to count their money, and the maybe one adult per 12 kids has a vague idea what is going on but s/he is just counting down the hours until they can get them back on the bus.

We did two days SW and two days BG and we still didn't see/do everything. We were very satisfied and they DID repeat some favorites understanding we'd miss some new things. No regrets at all.



The other negative we experienced was the maps and signage. They were not crystal clear. It took us a few mintues the first day to realize we had to walk THRU a restaurant area to get to the Kwaki side of the park. I am a proficient map reader/direction person. We drove from NY to FL and barely had to use the GPS, but getting around BG (and SW for that matter) did not come easy.























We saw animals three ways. First -you come across them just meandering the park. But we also enjoyed seeing them from the sky ride (I didn't take pictures - was holding onto kids for dear life!) And the train was fantastic. They actually had to stop and wait for zebras to clear the tracks.







I love this next picture with the coaster in the back.

 

[momof2n2]

Both days we were at the park from open to close. It was only open 10 - 6, so we ate breakfast before we got there. My husband had a Super Grover pass that gave us preferred parking (the rest of us had 14 - day passes for the BG/SW/AQ parks). The preferred parking at BG was very, very cool. And within the preferred parking they had parking areas for folks with strollers. Nice touch.

We did not do All Day Dining. It didn't make sense for us. We only wanted to eat once while we were there to get the most out of the park. We ate both days at the Garden Gate Cafe. Over by the flamingos near the Sesame Street area. There were fantastic food choices everywhere, but for our family with six kids (one with allergies) this was convenient for mom and dad. When they can SEE food and pick what they like there is no "I paid $9 for those chicken nuggets and fries; you have to eat them!" We also LOVED that they had cupcakes for dessert. Applesauce too. The chicken parm was outstanding for theme park buffet. Pizza. Tortellini. I wish I had taken pictures. It also was indoor A/C dining for us. The dining room wasn't huge, but we ate at 1:30 or so and it was empty both days.








Cheetah Run - this was such a cool ride!



Falcon's Fury was delayed in opening (I was very ok with that!)





watching vets at work on a small African bird

























Montu - this one was a little rougher than Cheetah Hunt IMO

 

[momof2n2]

We spent about an hour each day in the Sesame Street Safari, or what ever it is called. We live about 5 hours away from Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA and have been there 7 or 8 times. If you can believe it, I think they actually have more RIDES in this section of BG than in all of SP! SP has water themed rides and great shows (BG has only one show). But if you have Sesame fans, (or just kids who like rides) this is a fantastic gem!







Ice skating show in the park. A great way to cool off, too!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Darn you, Stacy....that awesome review with all those spectacular photos have me longing to add a day at Busch Gardens to our upcoming trip!!!

You stayed in Orlando, correct? How did you find the drive?

 

[momof2n2]

We were in Kissimmee area. Just south of Disney. About an hour. Easy drive though.

Sorry.

(It really was fun.).

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We were in Kissimmee area. Just south of Disney. About an hour. Easy drive though.

Sorry.

(It really was fun.).

To add BG to our DC tickets this August would only be $22 pp.

I am tempted....soooo tempted .

 

[momof2n2]

To add BG to our DC tickets this August would only be $22 pp. I am tempted....soooo tempted .

What are the park hours when you are there?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

What are the park hours when you are there?

Most days are 10 am to 6 pm. The last full day of our vacation is 9:30 am - 9 pm. (our dates are August 17th to 31st).

 

[Lynne G]

Darn you, Stacy....that awesome review with all those spectacular photos have me longing to add a day at Busch Gardens to our upcoming trip!!!

You stayed in Orlando, correct? How did you find the drive?

Sorry to hijack.

Gina, both our summer trip and winter trip we drove to BGT from our Seaworld hotels. Drive was just over an hour in the morning and about an hour at night. Straight shot down I4 then up the interstate some. Don't miss the turn to the street for BGT. We nearly missed it. Good thing my phone has google maps! And the best part, since we were AP holders, those cute Super Grovers, we parked in the preferred area and didn't take the tram, was very close to the entrance. We spent all day in the summer, ate dinner at one of the fast food places just down the street from BGT. Since it is right next to the college, there is every fast food and other restaurants all along the main road. We even did Christmas Town and ate dinner with Santa. We'd do Christmas Town again, but not the meal. The one at SW was better food, even though it was more expensive. Ahh, maybe bite the bullet. My kids really really liked Montu and all the coasters at the park. I enjoyed the shows and animals and some of the rides.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

Thank you so much for your detailed review! We're headed there next week with our 4 kids ages. 4 to. 19 and my oldest daughters boyfriend as well. So excited to spend a few days there!


After we finish there we will head to Clearwater for a few days then seaworld and aquatica. We bought super Grover passes at Christmas after seeing all of Gina's awesome trip reports. We loved seaworld then and look forward to seeing it in the summer and aquatica too....it was too cold to go there at christmas.

We're staying in 4 different hotels over. 12 days with 5 kids! Bring on the craziness!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Sorry to hijack.

Gina, both our summer trip and winter trip we drove to BGT from our Seaworld hotels. Drive was just over an hour in the morning and about an hour at night. Straight shot down I4 then up the interstate some. Don't miss the turn to the street for BGT. We nearly missed it. Good thing my phone has google maps! And the best part, since we were AP holders, those cute Super Grovers, we parked in the preferred area and didn't take the tram, was very close to the entrance. We spent all day in the summer, ate dinner at one of the fast food places just down the street from BGT. Since it is right next to the college, there is every fast food and other restaurants all along the main road. We even did Christmas Town and ate dinner with Santa. We'd do Christmas Town again, but not the meal. The one at SW was better food, even though it was more expensive. Ahh, maybe bite the bullet. My kids really really liked Montu and all the coasters at the park. I enjoyed the shows and animals and some of the rides.

One of the things I am most worried about is the heat. I would hate to add on the passes then have it be stifling hot the entire time we're there, and everyone wanting to head back for an extra day at a waterpark instead of to BG. I also keep reminding myself that this was supposed to be our relaxing vacation ... with lots of resort days to enjoy in the mix. But then Stacy posts this awesome report and WHAMO! I am totally conflicted once again .

Thankfully, I still have a few weeks to decide (we leave 8 weeks from Saturday.....its coming sooooo fast! ).

After we finish there we will head to Clearwater for a few days then seaworld and aquatica. We bought super Grover passes at Christmas after seeing all of Gina's awesome trip reports.

Aw, thank you! Have a fantastic trip!!!

 

[momof2n2]

The preferred parking with SuperGrover passes is nice IMO at BG.

 

[tink too]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your report. My DD was just asking which park had the most coasters and I thought it was probably BG. We haven't been there in 10 years and it's great to see some of the additions since then.

 

[momof2n2]

Thank you so much for your detailed review! We're headed there next week with our 4 kids ages. 4 to. 19 and my oldest daughters boyfriend as well. So excited to spend a few days there! After we finish there we will head to Clearwater for a few days then seaworld and aquatica. We bought super Grover passes at Christmas after seeing all of Gina's awesome trip reports. We loved seaworld then and look forward to seeing it in the summer and aquatica too....it was too cold to go there at christmas. We're staying in 4 different hotels over. 12 days with 5 kids! Bring on the craziness!

Hope you have a blast. Glad the pics increased your excitement. It's a beautiful park.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your report. My DD was just asking which park had the most coasters and I thought it was probably BG. We haven't been there in 10 years and it's great to see some of the additions since then.

Thanks. SW has two coasters (Krakken & Manta) & I think BG has 7 depending on your definition of coaster.
I only tried two but liked both. Montu & Cheetah Hunt.
My kids did them all:
Sand Serpent
Gwazi
Scorpion
Kumba
SheiKra

Am I missing one?

 

[DisneyFreak06]

WOW! You are making me really excited! I've never been to Busch (I've always just stayed at Disney and used Disney transportation for the most part -we rented a car for 24 hours once to go shopping and pick up my sister at MCO). so I can't wait for this next trip! We'll be doing all Disney hotels and parks, but also Busch Gardens, Sea World, and both Universal Parks.

 

[momof2n2]

WOW! You are making me really excited! I've never been to Busch (I've always just stayed at Disney and used Disney transportation for the most part -we rented a car for 24 hours once to go shopping and pick up my sister at MCO). so I can't wait for this next trip! We'll be doing all Disney hotels and parks, but also Busch Gardens, Sea World, and both Universal Parks.

That sounds like a massively great trip!!!

 

[DisneyFreak06]

That sounds like a massively great trip!!!

It will be!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks for this great trip report!! We are huge Disney fans but considering a day at BG in November. We would be a group of a 5yo, Mommy + 4 grandparents, (all in their 70's but very mobile and energetic!) It looks like there is enough to see and do to entertain all of us. Is that correct?

I know there is lots for my DD and I but I want to ensure there is enough for the grandparents to enjoy too. Any thoughts on this? BG is new to us as we usually do Disney.

Thanks for any insight you can offer!

 

[momof2n2]

Thanks for this great trip report!! We are huge Disney fans but considering a day at BG in November. We would be a group of a 5yo, Mommy + 4 grandparents, (all in their 70's but very mobile and energetic!) It looks like there is enough to see and do to entertain all of us. Is that correct? I know there is lots for my DD and I but I want to ensure there is enough for the grandparents to enjoy too. Any thoughts on this? BG is new to us as we usually do Disney. Thanks for any insight you can offer!

I believe there is easily a full day's worth. At least in May there was. Plenty of shows and performers, and great food and shopping. The animals, train, skyway ride...