ECV at Busch Gardens

[mikipe2]

Hi All,

Just looking at using an ECV at Busch Gardens.

I've read about the 'virtual queue' system, which seems really useful.

Does anyone have any experience with using an ECV at Busch Gardens?

Cheers
Mike.

 

[Bete]

I can't answer your question exactly, but I think it will be harder to do this park then other parks with a scooter. I remember some very steep hills and such which is really tough with a scooter. I remember seeing people get off their scooters and somewhat push them.

Would you explain the virtual queue; I haven't read about this at Busch.

 

[mikipe2]

Wow, a response! lol

I also get the impression that Busch Gardens will be harder to do with an ECV than Disney, but I'm still gonna have to give it a whirl.

From what I've read in the official Busch Gardens accessibility guide (on their official website under General Park Info -> Special Needs & Accessibility), you can go to the ride exit/entrance (depending on the ride), and a staff member will estimate the queue wait time for standing guests, and write a return time for you based on that.

It sounds really good, but I'm expecting to plenty of stares as I'm 25, look healthy, and can walk short distances no problem. (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). Not that I'm worried about the general public staring (I'd probably look too lol), I'm just hoping the staff will still be friendly when they have to go out of their way to give me the Virtual Queue, especially as I want to be able to ride SheiKra multiple times, assuming I'm up to it.

 

[Bete]

I hope there are enough attendants to set up a time for each ride. I just get the idea you may get longer times then what's fair, but at least you will have a time.

I understand your feelings about stares, but after each ride I'm sure you won't care about it.

It's hard to get Busch or Sea World answers for anything. I have found calling them directly as the best solution for my questions.

 

[mikipe2]

I'm sure it'll be fine. I'm very very much looking forward to it despite the scooter.

I'm going in early Feb, when are you going?

 

[Charleyann]

My 13 year old son had no problem! my son uses a scooter and I found BG more accommodating than WDW! He had had hardly any waits. He had a guest assistance pass . He was already in the computer system from Seaworld.

My son got in for 50% of the price and I got the same. 50% of the ticket price. He absolutely loved BG!!!!

They were very kind to both my son and I....

This was March/2009

Charleyann

 

[mikipe2]

Thanks Charleyann,

I'm glad to hear you had such a good experience at Busch Gardens!

Looking forward to experiencing it myself in February.

 

[kimmylaj]

went this summer with my uncle in an ecv. he had major back problems so he was afraid to ride any rides without causing further damage to his back/neck. so i cant answer about virtual queue but he had no problems with the hills or anything the ecv worked just fine. wish i could be of more help

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has this. They ask for your information (name, address, condition) and put your information into the computer. Then, they give you a print out of the rides you can use the virtual que. On the second sheet of paper, they are spaces that the ride attendants can write return times. My mom was told that if a line is longer than 20 minutes the attendants would write down a time to return. The pass is good for 30 days. When the time is up, you can just return to get another pass. All of your information will then be in the computer. The pass is very easy to use.

 

[bidnow5]

Thank you for posting this question. We plan on going to Bush Gardens next year for the first time in about 15 years and was wondering about how it will be with my scooter. I remember it being very hilly and plan to bring a spare battery I know mine will not last a day on hilly terrain. I feel a lot better after reading the posts here

 

[mikipe2]

Thanks kimmylaj and matthew&haleysmom for your responses. Very much appreciated.

It sounds like it'll be fine.

If anyone else has any experience with the Virtual Queue system, I'd love to hear your experiences too.