Busch Gardens ?

[Sailing Queen]

This will be our 3rd visit with the kids -going in Aug Will do all Disney Parks, Sea World and Universal, as before, but wondering about Busch Gardens and Islands of Adventure. Anyone been before ? Is it worth a visit ? Don't want to try and pack too much in - will definately be having few lazy days at villa enjoying pool

 

[wayneg]

Busch is one of our favourite parks, the new Jungala area is great. IMO twice as good as Animal Kingdom. We have had Annual passes for past 2 years so been down quite a lot.

Look at all options for tickets but a 1 day pass into Seaworld will cost you $65 yet a 14 day unlimited pass to both Seaworld and Busch will only add an extra $25 http://www.seaworld.com/Tickets/Visitors.aspx but also look at Flex tickets.

 

[Sailing Queen]

Thanks for that. Looked at flexitickets - seem good. Will get us into Universal, Sea World and Busch as well as Aquatica which sounds really good. Will look into Aquatica bit more as think kids will like that for a change. New since we were last there.

 

[Cochise]

Of our two visits it was our fave park both times without a doubt.

 

[MrsSparrow..]

My family and myself love Busch Gardens. If your into thrill rides, it is the best place on earth. I've been there 6 or 7 times during July/August, and mostly there is no waiting in line except for the water rides. It is a very different park and feels much bigger than it's Orlando cousins, but we love it and never miss it when we're in Florida

When you say Islands of Adventure, do you mean Universal's sister park or the water park, Adventure Island, next to Busch Gardens?

 

[maleficent_man]

Busch Gardens is ace - defo give it a try.

On the issue, I hope you don't mind if I ask a question: out of the tours available, would people recommend doing one early in the morning, during the day or night??

 

[tttessa]

Hi,

another yes for Busch Gardens - loved it - seemed a slower pace... but we weren't there for the big coasters, just wandering around the animals and doing the smaller kids stuff... plus rhino rally - the best "simulated disaster" ride we've done - even the kids loved it (girls aged 5 and 7).

Tessa

 

[wayneg]

Busch Gardens is ace - defo give it a try.

On the issue, I hope you don't mind if I ask a question: out of the tours available, would people recommend doing one early in the morning, during the day or night??

We did this one. Highly recommend it. One of best days we have ever had in Florida, Guide was called David, supposed to be others with us but we were the only ones there so he let us choose what to do, more animals or more rides, we chose animals. Lunch is included (worth app $15) and so is the Giraffe feeding (worth $34) so the guide and front of line access is only costing around £30 extra ($45)
http://www.buschgardens.com/BGT/sp_guided_adventure.aspx

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

I really enjoy Busch Gardens and would recommend it.

However I would say that it is much more difficult to get to than the other parks. Not justs further, more difficult and not so well signed.

Make sure you look up the way before you leave, get a good map and keep your wits about you. Especially coming home!!!

You will really enjoy it!

 

[Sailing Queen]

Thanks for all replies - read a trip report for Busch in Seaworld forum with lots pics- looks great.

Mrssparrow - meant Universals Islands of Adventures with Spiderman etc. Kids love all the rides - I prefer the ones that dont leave the ground I'll just enjoy the sun and take lots of pics !!

Think this year might spend more time away from Disney as the flexi ticket parks all look good. Will still go to MK, AK and Epcot but not as often. Outside Disney only done Universal, Seaworld and Wet n Wild before so will give the others a go. Definately like the look of Aquatica now that have looked into it bit more.

Love these boards - this might be my best organised holiday anywhere

 

[MorningGlory]

IOA is great, the theming in the park is superb. Spiderman was easily the best ride I have ever been on.

He walks around the park quite often as well, so there are plenty of opportunities for the kids to meet him. The guy who done it when we were there in '07 was brilliant at his job, he had all the mannerisms, speech, etc down to a fine art.

I would say definitely go, especially if you have the flexticket

 

[maleficent_man]

We did this one. Highly recommend it. One of best days we have ever had in Florida, Guide was called David, supposed to be others with us but we were the only ones there so he let us choose what to do, more animals or more rides, we chose animals. Lunch is included (worth app $15) and so is the Giraffe feeding (worth $34) so the guide and front of line access is only costing around £30 extra ($45)
http://www.buschgardens.com/BGT/sp_guided_adventure.aspx

Thanks for the info Wayne - will check it out.

 

[tracipierce]

I really enjoy Busch Gardens and would recommend it.

However I would say that it is much more difficult to get to than the other parks. Not justs further, more difficult and not so well signed.

Make sure you look up the way before you leave, get a good map and keep your wits about you. Especially coming home!!!

You will really enjoy it!

Have to agree with you there!!! On our first trip we went to busch, just me driving with my 3 kids in the back. Got there ok, getting back was a nightmare, got totally lost, after 3 hours of driving the wrong way, threw caution to the wind, got off the interstate and pulled over to ask for directions.
The lovely workmen I asked were in fits of laughter, they couldn't believe I was so far away from where I was supposed to be, but they put me back on the right route and 5 hours later I arrived back at LBV with a few more grey hairs than I had before.

My DD wants to go back there this time, but unless I can pick myself up a cheap sat nav, I won't be bothering

Although with all that said, busch gardens is fantastic, especially the rides if you have older kids

 

[Debs Hill]

Traci
Your story made me laugh as we also had a HORRIBLE experience trying to get to Busch Gardens.............we ended up in a 'not so nice' area, think Delivernace music playing, man sat on porch in rocking chair with gun across his lap and lots of shop fronts with signs saying " Money for anything" and "Young underwear Models wanted".!!!!
Eventually I actually asked for directions, but would never do it again without a sat nav............even told hubby I would rather pay for a taxi than risk it!!!
Anyway, the good news is that once we got there it was a FANTASTIC day! There were no waits for anything, the animal stuff was MUCH better that AK and we are going back with our son in August.........with the Sat nav!!
Debsx

 

[RabFlmom]

I really enjoy Busch Gardens and would recommend it.

However I would say that it is much more difficult to get to than the other parks. Not justs further, more difficult and not so well signed.

Make sure you look up the way before you leave, get a good map and keep your wits about you. Especially coming home!!!

You will really enjoy it!

It is really easy to get to Busch Gardens. Just take I-4 west to I-75 Noth to Ocala exit-also signed BG. Get on I-75 stay in right lane to get off at very next exit-Fowler Blvd. Veer left when the road splits to get you on Fowler so you are going West on Fowler. Stay on Fowler till you get down to the University of South Florida. There will be a big BG sign on the next street I think it is Mckinley and 2 or 3 left turn lanes there so it is hard to miss. It takes you right to the parking lot and passed the water park.

Coming out at night I see lots of people getting hesitant when it comes to getting back on the interstate. You need to come back up to Fowler and turn East( right) . You stay on that and get onto I75 South . Then you want to get off at the first exit for I-4 taking the Eastbound exit. You are only on I75 for a short time so you want to stay in the right lane to make the exit. It seems really dark so you have to watch for the exit off Fowler pretty closely.

BG is definitely worth the drive over, but if hesitant about the drive try the express bus the first time you go. It limits the time in the park a little but would still be a good way to get there without hassle.

 

[T16GEM]

We love both Busch and IOA, and usually try to get to both. I can honestly say that we have never had any trouble finding Busch though, and it's only been the last two years that we have used a Sat Nav.

I can't wait to see the new Jungala part of the park, as we didn't make it there this year due to the kids being too little for most things, DH and I love the thrill rides and we would have spent the whole day doing baby swap had we have gone this time!

 

[wayneg]

I can honestly say that we have never had any trouble finding Busch though, and it's only been the last two years that we have used a Sat Nav.

Glad someone else finds it OK, can't believe I am reading it's difficult, I have always thought how easy it was to find In fact only once I took a wrong turn, I was trying out a new satnav, I didn't understand what it was saying, I should have followed my nose instead of satnav, as soon as we hit the wrong road she said turn around but I knew before it.