Busch Gardens

[dtum]

Not sure if this is ok to post, but Dis people seem to know everything so thought I'd try. Looking at going to Busch Gardens on our next trip down. Can you do the park in one day? DH and I don't do the big rides (hate, hate, hate RNR!) so wouldn't have to worry about time standing in lines; however, is that all there is to do there? The tix are expensive and not sure if it's worth going just for the animals (AK has that). Any info would be great. Thanks!

 

[bigmama67]

Hi,

Well, we are going on our next trip down too (also Sea World and Universal/IOA, this is a non-Disney trip) and we are super-excited! Even though AK has the animals too, at Busch it is somewhat of a different feel. And there are other cool rides besides big coasters (a rapids ride, I think?)

Anyway, I think it's definitely worth the trip but it's for sure doable in one day.

Rachel in NJ

 

[tvgirlmin]

Busch Gardens is always on our must-see list - I love disney, but Animal Kingdom doesn't hold a candle to Busch! The animals are awesome and there are so many more to see. Even if you don't do the rides, it is a full day - although I highly recommend the sky buckets over the Savannah, the train that runs through the Savannah, and the Rhino Rampage Safari Ride. Worth the money and the drive, if you enjoy animals...

 

[dtum]

Thanks. Guess we'll add it to our must see list.

 

[AJKMOM]

Busch Gardens is always on our must-see list - I love disney, but Animal Kingdom doesn't hold a candle to Busch! The animals are awesome and there are so many more to see. Even if you don't do the rides, it is a full day - although I highly recommend the sky buckets over the Savannah, the train that runs through the Savannah, and the Rhino Rampage Safari Ride. Worth the money and the drive, if you enjoy animals...

Loved Rhino Rampage! It is a lot better than the Kilamanjaro Safari ride. The line was longer, too.

 

[jdtopgun71]

We loved Busch Gardens. We live in Va Beach so we are close to BG in Willamsburg so we got the Platinum Season passes so we really got our moneys worth when we went to Florida. I would suggest looking at a seasons pass if you plan on doing SeaWorld and BG because you might find it's cheaper and you can reuse them again later.

As far as BG in one day I think it depends on the crowd level. We were there in April during Spring Break so it was really crowded but I think on normal days one day is possible if you start early. They have quite a few roller coasters so if that is what you like then you will need a good day to catch them all.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

If you are skipping the big coasters, you can definitely do BG in one day. Sans coasters, the longest lines will be for Rhino Rally, Congo River Rapids, and Tanganyika Tidal Wave. Also, don't miss eating at the Crown Colony Restaurant, very good food.

 

[englishteacha]

I concur. I LOVED Busch Gardens. The animals were spectacular, and there are lots of places to see them up close.

 

[earthfaries]

Check out the SeaWorld/Busch Gardens forum here on DIS ~ it's great

BG is wonderful ~ we love it and go all the time. The animals are great ~ the atmosphere is wonderful and it just makes a fun , special day.

You can definitely do BG in one day if you're skipping the coasters ~ just get there when they open.

You should definitely check it out ~ it really is a wonderful place and as a poster previously mentioned ~ Rhino Rally is AWESOME! Better than AK's Safari!!!

We also enjoy the all day dining pass ~ just makes it more fun but it does take a lot of your time up so you may want to skip it.

Here is a pic from our visit on Thanksgiving this year ~ make sure to check them out !!

​

 

[dtum]

That's great! I think we are really looking forward to the trip now.

 

[laxcdn]

Good info as we are going to do BG in Jan one day, I think they close at 6pm and then we are going to a Tampa Bay Lightning game at 7. We are doing the coasters, but we will do what we can in the day.

 

[wdwtweets]

I am a huge WDW fan and I love Busch Gardens! I think you can do everything in one day but it will be a full day. Also, just so you know, if it rains, A LOT of attractions close down. However, I think they give you a rain ticket that you can use another day, if you so choose.

We really liked the smoked food to eat and the pirates attraction was top drawer!

 

[DOOM1001]

The non-coaster rides/attractions at Busch Gardens are:

1.Rhino Rally, a safari type ride like Kilimanjaro but better in my opinion because you get closer to the animals,the driver has a more entertaining spiel where they can include some of their own jokes unlike KS and it has a better ending where the truck falls into a river.

2.Congo River Rapids,rapids style ride

3.Tanganyika Tidal wave,big flume ride with huge splash after a big drop

4.Stanley Falls,log flume ride

5.Katonga,African themed Broadway type show

6.Pirates 4-D,3-D movie with water effects

7.Serengeti Railway,Train ride

8.Skyride,see the park from up top on these sky buckets

9.Animal exhibits and areas,Myombe Reserve,Serengeti Plain,Jungala,Edge of Africa and a couple others

10.Music shows,The Desert Grill counter service usually has a show as well as the Marrakesh Theater

11,There's also the Land of the Dragons which is getting transformed into a Sesame Street themed area.