E
eeyore0062
Guest
Well, this day we embarked on something we have never done when visiting WDW... we went and did something totally off property... all day long!
After getting up very early, we drove the hour to Busch Gardens-Tampa. We live within 45 minutes of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, have the all park, 2 year passes and were itching to see the sister park and ride the coasters for which it is reknowned.
We were somewhat surprised that BG-T is located right in the middle of gas stations and fastfood joints. Also, being used to the elaborate parking facilities of both BG-W and Disney, we were surprised how small the parking facilities were at Tampa. However, once we got into the park, it did not disappoint. They have done a nice job with blocking out the outside world as best they can. Of course, you can't help but see when on the coasters, but they are such great coasters, who really cares what you are seeing...lol!
We headed 1st to Gwazi... no line, except for the 1st car, and then there were only 3 in front of us, so we figured "why not". We rode Lion 1st. DH who is not really used to, nor a fan of "woodies" wrenched his back on it. I really felt bad for him. 1st ride of the day, and he had hurt himself. I really wanted to ride Tiger, and was surprised when he agreed to ride it with me. He had figured out what he had down that made him hurt himself and corrected it this time. Again, we rode in the front seat! That coaster is fantastic. There are not many good "woodies" in this area and I was on cloud nine!
After, we got DH some Ibuprofen, and then headed to Montu. What a smooth coaster! I was really impressed, because it just doesn't look like much watching it from the ground. But once on it, it is fantastic!
We rode the skyride to the otherside of the park, which afforded us a birdseye view of the animals below. We watched the River Rapids ride, but decided we really didn't want to get wet. We did ride Kumbaa. Another smooth and wonderful ride! Can't wait to ride that one again. Unfortunately, I hadn't eaten breakfast, and it was catching up to me at that point, so I wasn't feeling too well afterwards. We went in search of something to eat, but none of the restaurants had opened yet... so we ended up eating popcorn and watching the Rhino Rally. The line was outrageous (must have been where everyone was, because there were next to no lines elsewhere in the park). We decided to come back another day once we live in the area to ride it!
We then headed back to the front of the park, through all of the animal exhibits. They were fascinating! We stopped at the area with the flamingo. There was this very fiesty flamingo who was pecking at and chasing all of the others. He got to our side of the fence, and stopped right in front of me. He was about 8 inches from my face. He turned his head so he could see me, 1st with one eye, then the other. Then he faced me head on. I didn't want to move, but I was so sure he was going to peck me on the nose, or something. He just stood there for a minute then moved on. It really was one of those times when you wish you had that camera!
We then decided it was time for lunch and after hearing all about Crown Colony on these boards, we decided to check it out. The downstairs is counterservice with pizza and sandwiches, but upstairs is a full service restaurant with a beautiful view of the Serengheti (sp?). We put our name on the list and went downstairs for a beer while we were waiting.
We were seated in a beautiful room that was glass windows on 3 sides affording a great view. DH had the grilled Mahi , and I had the seafood souflee (sp?). Both were absolutely wonderful. Our service was top notch, and you just can't beat the view!
After the meal we knew we had to walk it off, so we headed to
Edge of Africa and saw the girrafes, lions, gazelles, hyenas and others. We didn't take the actual safari, though we saw others do so. Then we headed toward Gwazi to retrieve the backpack and then to the Hospitality House. We loved all of the beautiful flowers and the birds walking the paths with the trainers.
Around 3 pm, we were getting tired, so we packed it up and headed back toward WDW. We had every intention of either going to a park or to PI that night, but when we got back to the room, our bodies had other ideas. We were exhausted. After a rest, we decided to see where in 192 we could eat. We found a Chili's chain restaurant and decided it was as good as any. Actually, it was better. No smoking in the entire establishment, the wait was only about 25 minutes, and they had a special on beer and wine--- 2 for one! We split the combo fajitas for 2 and they were great.
We headed back to the motel so we could ready ourselves for another day.
After getting up very early, we drove the hour to Busch Gardens-Tampa. We live within 45 minutes of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, have the all park, 2 year passes and were itching to see the sister park and ride the coasters for which it is reknowned.
We were somewhat surprised that BG-T is located right in the middle of gas stations and fastfood joints. Also, being used to the elaborate parking facilities of both BG-W and Disney, we were surprised how small the parking facilities were at Tampa. However, once we got into the park, it did not disappoint. They have done a nice job with blocking out the outside world as best they can. Of course, you can't help but see when on the coasters, but they are such great coasters, who really cares what you are seeing...lol!
We headed 1st to Gwazi... no line, except for the 1st car, and then there were only 3 in front of us, so we figured "why not". We rode Lion 1st. DH who is not really used to, nor a fan of "woodies" wrenched his back on it. I really felt bad for him. 1st ride of the day, and he had hurt himself. I really wanted to ride Tiger, and was surprised when he agreed to ride it with me. He had figured out what he had down that made him hurt himself and corrected it this time. Again, we rode in the front seat! That coaster is fantastic. There are not many good "woodies" in this area and I was on cloud nine!
After, we got DH some Ibuprofen, and then headed to Montu. What a smooth coaster! I was really impressed, because it just doesn't look like much watching it from the ground. But once on it, it is fantastic!
We rode the skyride to the otherside of the park, which afforded us a birdseye view of the animals below. We watched the River Rapids ride, but decided we really didn't want to get wet. We did ride Kumbaa. Another smooth and wonderful ride! Can't wait to ride that one again. Unfortunately, I hadn't eaten breakfast, and it was catching up to me at that point, so I wasn't feeling too well afterwards. We went in search of something to eat, but none of the restaurants had opened yet... so we ended up eating popcorn and watching the Rhino Rally. The line was outrageous (must have been where everyone was, because there were next to no lines elsewhere in the park). We decided to come back another day once we live in the area to ride it!
We then headed back to the front of the park, through all of the animal exhibits. They were fascinating! We stopped at the area with the flamingo. There was this very fiesty flamingo who was pecking at and chasing all of the others. He got to our side of the fence, and stopped right in front of me. He was about 8 inches from my face. He turned his head so he could see me, 1st with one eye, then the other. Then he faced me head on. I didn't want to move, but I was so sure he was going to peck me on the nose, or something. He just stood there for a minute then moved on. It really was one of those times when you wish you had that camera!
We then decided it was time for lunch and after hearing all about Crown Colony on these boards, we decided to check it out. The downstairs is counterservice with pizza and sandwiches, but upstairs is a full service restaurant with a beautiful view of the Serengheti (sp?). We put our name on the list and went downstairs for a beer while we were waiting.
We were seated in a beautiful room that was glass windows on 3 sides affording a great view. DH had the grilled Mahi , and I had the seafood souflee (sp?). Both were absolutely wonderful. Our service was top notch, and you just can't beat the view!
After the meal we knew we had to walk it off, so we headed to
Edge of Africa and saw the girrafes, lions, gazelles, hyenas and others. We didn't take the actual safari, though we saw others do so. Then we headed toward Gwazi to retrieve the backpack and then to the Hospitality House. We loved all of the beautiful flowers and the birds walking the paths with the trainers.
Around 3 pm, we were getting tired, so we packed it up and headed back toward WDW. We had every intention of either going to a park or to PI that night, but when we got back to the room, our bodies had other ideas. We were exhausted. After a rest, we decided to see where in 192 we could eat. We found a Chili's chain restaurant and decided it was as good as any. Actually, it was better. No smoking in the entire establishment, the wait was only about 25 minutes, and they had a special on beer and wine--- 2 for one! We split the combo fajitas for 2 and they were great.
We headed back to the motel so we could ready ourselves for another day.
