Busch gardens ? Where is it , what's it like? Tour operators ?

[MrsJobba1]

What is Busch gardens like ? Is there still enough to do if your not a roller coaster fan?

Its one thing we've never done in our 9 visits to Fl is go to Busch gardens , this is mainly because we don't drive.

Just wondered if anyone knew / could recommend a coach trip ( excursion ) - who would pick up and drop off from hotel to Busch gardens. Also is it far from wdw ?

I believe it's like a zoo with roller coasters - is that correct?
Thanks for your help

 

[chmurf]

What is Busch gardens like ? Is there still enough to do if your not a roller coaster fan?

yes, lots to do.
It's a bit like animal kingdom + rollercoasters.
there is a petting zoo with kangaroos and wallabys for example. A safari, including (at extra charge) a private safari where you feed giraffes. Animal exhibits (tigers, lions, hyenas, elephants, crocodiles, otters ...) And so on.
There are also mild attractions, like bumper cars, a wild water river (kali river rapids like).
We spent wonderful days at BG without doing any coasters.

Just wondered if anyone knew / could recommend a coach trip ( excursion ) - who would pick up and drop off from hotel to Busch gardens. Also is it far from wdw ?

your ticket should include round trip transportation to BG, with several pickup points. (you need to book in advance, but transportation is complimentary)
you can buy BG tickets as standalone, or in combination with seaworld. Also not that a Discovery Cove booking even non swim as a ultimate package gives you unlimited access to SW, Aquatica, and BG for 14 days (including transportation to BG)

It's in Tampa, and that's roughly a 2 hours drive/ride from Orlando (each way)

 

[MarkF0wle]

Busch is basically as you stated it a zoo with roller coasters. If I were to put a number on it I would say it's maybe 70% coasters & 30% animals. I think you could happily go & enjoy the coasters without seeing the animals but if you went just for animals you would be disappointed. AK is better for animals IMHO, but as a combination it works well.

I like Busch but then I am a fan of coasters, however as a group we decided that the trip over to Tampa isn't worth it anymore. Having done it maybe 10+ times we've grown a bit bored of the trip. It's about 60-90 minutes away, I think it took us a little over an hour when we drove this past May.

I think I answered it above, if you're not a coaster fan there are still other rides. If you're not going to be doing any of the rides, I'd say not stick with AK. For example, my Dad doesn't ride anything there whilst the remainder of the party do. He actually calls it a wasted day, but that is one man's opinion.

I don't know of any coach companies that will pick you up from your hotel, I am sure you could find one/many that would probably pick up at DTD or something. The other solution is they run a few shuttles daily from SeaWorld, I don't know if it's included or charged. I think it's included in some tickets, but you would need to get to SeaWorld so maybe not that helpful.

I have no idea if they do one, but we used Dolphin Tours to go to KSC. Google them, they maybe do something & are widely regarded as good.

 

[chmurf]

The other solution is they run a few shuttles daily from SeaWorld, I don't know if it's included or charged. I think it's included in some tickets, but you would need to get to SeaWorld so maybe not that helpful.

As stated above, shuttle is complimentary. Operated by Mears, and picks up at a large number of locations, including Disney Hotels

complete list below :

https://secure.mearstransportation.com/MearsExpress/BuschGardens.asp

 

[edinburghlass]

It may appear as if it picks up at your Disney resort however there are 7 designated pick up points, none of which are Disney resorts.

 

[MarkF0wle]

As stated above, shuttle is complimentary. Operated by Mears, and picks up at a large number of locations, including Disney Hotels

complete list below :

https://secure.mearstransportation.com/MearsExpress/BuschGardens.asp

It may appear as if it picks up at your Disney resort however there are 7 designated pick up points, none of which are Disney resorts.

I don't think it picks up at all those locations. In all my trips, I have honestly never ever seen a Busch Gardens shuttle on Disney property. I am probably safe in assuming Disney wouldn't allow it as they don't want you escaping.

Every excursion I have taken off Disney property has picked up only at DTD if at all.

Following through the Mears link, after you select a hotel the 7 pick up locations are: Old Town Shopping Village, Universal Studios, CSI: The Experience, SeaWorld, Ramada Maingate, Publix, Maingate Lakeside. None particularly easy to get to without a car.

 

[queendisney]

Following through the Mears link, after you select a hotel the 7 pick up locations are: Old Town Shopping Village, Universal Studios, CSI: The Experience, SeaWorld, Ramada Maingate, Publix, Maingate Lakeside. None particularly easy to get to without a car.

SeaWorld is extremely easy without a car..its the 50 lynx bus and only takes about 20mins.

We don't think Busch is worth losing a day for, but we aren't fans of Roller Coasters. We personally didn't think there was much there in the way of many decent rides if you don't like RC's. We used to go by Florida Dolphin tours but again, not sure they do it anymore.

 

[wilma-bride]

As previously stated, the transport to Busch does not pick up at disney resorts. Personally, I don't think it would be worth the travelling or the admission cost if you aren't going for the roller coasters.

 

[MrsJobba1]

SeaWorld is extremely easy without a car..its the 50 lynx bus and only takes about 20mins.

We don't think Busch is worth losing a day for, but we aren't fans of Roller Coasters. We personally didn't think there was much there in the way of many decent rides if you don't like RC's. We used to go by Florida Dolphin tours but again, not sure they do it anymore.

Thanks for the info about the no. 50 bus - where do you catch this from? Is it DTD?

 

[chmurf]

Thanks for the info about the no. 50 bus - where do you catch this from? Is it DTD?

DTD or TTC

here's the map and schedule

http://www.golynx.com/plan-trip/rou..._1_1=showPublicPosting&calendar_entry_id=1889

ETA : does the Disney Springs works impact the Lynx route ?

 

[Cinderella2006]

We all love busche gardens, we went as a family with my aunty and uncle, myself, hubby and our two boys aged 5 and 8 at the time, there was plenty to do for us all and we had a wonderful day. Much better than AK imo, we had great interaction with the animals

[/URL][/IMG]

[/URL][/IMG]

 

[wayneg]

Busch is by far my favourite park, where we go around AK in a good half day, not enough to interest us yet we don't have enough time at Busch in a full day. I don't know if there is any specific numbers anywhere on both parks but I would say there are more at Busch than AK.
To me Busch is a complete park(although they still add more), if you just like coasters there are enough, Animals there are 1000's, something for every age. AK is still a new park and developing.

 

[Sencybil]

Yes, we enjoyed Busch too and didn't do any of the coasters. I got completely drenched on the water ride Really enjoyed the animals and the shows too. I think if it was a direct comparison I would agree with Wayne that its better than AK, but if that comparison had to include 3+ hours in a coach to get there and back, it is less attractive.....but then I hate being on a coach.

Sencybil x

 

[wayneg]

if that comparison had to include 3+ hours in a coach to get there and back, it is less attractive.....but then I hate being on a coach.

Sencybil x

Totally agree, I would not enjoy going down on the coach, we always drive, 1 hour each way.

 

[skedinger]

Last summer, I booked a Universal Studios/IOA transfer for my kids (18 and 12 at the time) through Mears. The kids were picked up and dropped off at the front of the Beach Club two days in a row. Mears is authorized to pick up and drop off at all Disney resorts. If you call them directly, they may be able to offer you the same service for Busch Gardens.

 

[chmurf]

but if that comparison had to include 3+ hours in a coach to get there and back, it is less attractive.....but then I hate being on a coach.

same here.
We take advantage of a side trip to clearwater, spend one night there, and do BG the next day, then back to orlando, but we drive.
I probably would skip BG altogether if I had to ride on a bus.

 

[SilentK]

We went Busch for the first time I'm December, 4 adults, I'm glad we did it and I enjoyed it but at the same time I now feel like I've done it and don't feel the need to go back next trip.

We got a taxi from Disney to SeaWorld and then used the free shuttle which we had to pre book.

We did the coasters, but also saw the animals. I really liked the Crocs and I fed the kangaroos (for extra $) which was the highlight of my whole holiday.

 

[LiquidSunshine]

We went Busch for the first time I'm December, 4 adults, I'm glad we did it and I enjoyed it but at the same time I now feel like I've done it and don't feel the need to go back next trip.

We got a taxi from Disney to SeaWorld and then used the free shuttle which we had to pre book.

We did the coasters, but also saw the animals. I really liked the Crocs and I fed the kangaroos (for extra $) which was the highlight of my whole holiday.

Hi SilentK - what did you think of the free shuttle?

 

[petals]

Busch Gardens is in Tampa. We went with a group of dancers a few years back and i'm not a big coaster fan but there was enough other shows and stuff to do to fill our time there.

 

[SilentK]

Hi SilentK - what did you think of the free shuttle?

I found it fine, very easy. We just got out at SeaWorld and waited at the bus stops, 2 coaches arrived and a few of us got on. It had a toilet and air con and I think actually it had reclining seats! I cant remember how long it took to get there I think maybe an hour and a half. We were given a ticket to present for the coach home and had the whole day at the park before being picked up near the front to go back to SeaWorld, we slept on the way back but there were TVs with a film on.