Everything but Disney - Day 12 - Busch gardens+Mannys

[dixonsontour]

Everything but Disney Day 12 Tuesday 25th October 2011 Busch gardens+Mannys

Early start up at 6.30am for our day at Busch gardens. Very excited as we had never been before.

We stopped at Bob Evans at the jnc of the I4/27 for breakfast. We had a free breakfast coupon for signing up to their email club so the meal cost $17 plus tip

DH and I had the same breakfast menu but there were so many different options we both had totally different plates – how do you want your eggs?, bacon or sausage? DH said sausage – patties or links?, homefries or hashbrowns, pancakes or French toast. Made us laugh.

DH’s French blueberry toast was cold, swapped no problem for plain.

Drive took 1 hour from here to Busch – easy drive for DH, very quiet. We made it before opening and paid $14 parking. We had to get a tram to the entrance – first time this trip.

Park was open 10-5 and we stayed the whole day.

I had a small coolbag with wraps at the bottom and small snacks and that was fine. Had also taken the seaworld refill mug which was accepted and refilled at Busch – cost $1.06 inc tax for a soda refill.

It was a lovely hot sunny day in the low 80’s.

 

[dixonsontour]

Most people go for the coasters – we basically did everything except the coasters!

Had a good day was really quiet especially in the morning – just a few Brits there.

DD loved air grover the kids coaster went on 20 times. The lady told her it was better on the back so she went on at the back with her arms in the air. She also enjoyed the sesame street water play area but the other rides in that area were for younger kids.

The sesame street characters were just stood about – DD has no idea who they are – persuaded her to have a photo with big bird.

We did the train ride (good for a post lunch snooze), safari, sky cable car ride, saw the gorillas and tigers. DH and DD did the log flume.

We had a nice day at Busch and there was lots to do despite us not doing the coasters.

As we left we called ahead to Mannys chop house at Haines City. There was a bit of traffic leaving Busch but soon thinned out and we reached Manny’s at 6.20pm.

DD had slept in the car enroute. We waited maybe 10 mins at Mannys – well worth calling ahead.

Salad and rolls were good as usual. I had 10oz steak and garlic mash, DH steak/chicken and garlic mash and DD grilled cheese. Steak was excellent but mash a bit weird – had sauce on top. I’m sure I ordered garlic mash the first time we went but it didn’t have the sauce? Cost $38 plus tip – DD ate free as it was a Tuesday (kids eat free Monday and Tuesday)

 

[dixonsontour]

We had a nice day at Busch and there was lots to do despite us not doing the coasters.

As we left we called ahead to Mannys chop house at Haines City. There was a bit of traffic leaving Busch but soon thinned out and we reached Manny’s at 6.20pm.

DD had slept in the car enroute. We waited maybe 10 mins at Mannys – well worth calling ahead.

Salad and rolls were good as usual. I had 10oz steak and garlic mash, DH steak/chicken and garlic mash and DD grilled cheese. Steak was excellent but mash a bit weird – had sauce on top. I’m sure I ordered garlic mash the first time we went but it didn’t have the sauce? Cost $38 plus tip – DD ate free as it was a Tuesday (kids eat free Monday and Tuesday)

Had a quick look at Target and Ross at Posner park at the I4/27 junction then ‘home’ for 8.45pm and bed.

 

[Peebee]

Loving the photos of Busch Gardens, and so quiet, too. We haven't been back here for years, but you've really got me wanting to do it next trip now :good vibes

Great pic of DD at Mannys, too. My two love colouring at restaurants, so definitely give this a try next time.

 

[DISWolves]

Some nice photos again.
I'm not a breakfast person but the food looks nice at Bob Evans
Was Elmo around with the Sesame street gang?
I like Manny's, it always seems to have a wide variety of people in there.

 

[Chilly]

20 times on the coaster - hardcore kid!