Few Questions (BG, SW, LL)

[tink20]

Is Busch Gardens in a bad neighborhood? I was thinking of staying in a hotel nearby for a night, should I just stay elsewhere? Is the parking lot safe, do vehicles get broke into often? I read somewhere, that crime was bad in this area.

Also, is the drive on I-4 crazy busy in the morning and evenings or is it manageable?

My plan is : Tues: drive down, spend night (8hr drive)
Wed: go to BG, drive to Lake Wales
Thurs: go to Legoland, drive to hotel by Seaworld
Fri: go to Seaworld
Sat: drive home (or maybe go somewhere else and drive home Sun)

Or should I just stay at the hotel by Seaworld the entire time, and drive to BG and Legoland?

 

[taylor1293]

I would NOT stay by Seaworld and drive everywhere. I-4 IS a mess and what a miserable way to spend your vacation.

BG is not in the best area. (I wouldn't live there). But move a mile out near USF and there are TONS of hotels that are geared towards tourists/USF visitors that are perfectly safe and very nice.

On Fowler, across from USF there is a LaQuinta and a Wingate. Right on campus, but still on Fowler, there is also an Embassy Suites if you want something nicer. On 30th, right off of Fowler, there is a Hyatt and Doubletree (I think?).

As for the parking lot, it is just as safe as any theme park parking lot. I've been there more times than I can count and have never had a problem nor have I ever heard of anyone having a problem with their car being parked there. The neighborhood isn't great but it's not THAT bad!

 

[tink20]

Thank you so much. I have never been to Tampa, and I was getting a little nervous about some of the things I read, but I really want to go to Busch Gardens. I will look into the other hotels you mentioned.