HELP! Questions about Busch Gardens Tampa

[CharlieGirl]

Hello all!! I wasn't sure where to post this, so I decided to start here. If anyone can recommend another spot on the site, I'll post there as well. Anyway, we (me, hubby, son age 4 and son age 7) are going to Universal Orlando from Dec. 2 - 8, 2006. When I booked our flights, I booked us departing Florida on Saturday, Dec. 9th. I was hoping to extend our stay by one night but the Portofino Bay Hotel is all booked up. I thought about just switching to one of the other hotels to make it easier to move luggage, etc. but then I thought since we decided to fly into and out of Tampa (it was cheaper than Orlando) why not just go to Busch Gardens Tampa since (a) by the time we check out on Friday and make our way to Tampa, there'll be plenty of time to go to the theme park and enjoy it; (b) our flight isn't until 7:45 Saturday night, so we can enjoy the park on Saturday as well and (c) Busch Gardens is maybe 20 minutes away from the airport. So we can have a full day and not feel too pressured to take off. If anyone's been to Busch Gardens, can you clue me in? Did you like it? Where did you stay? Any info., tips and tricks you can share would be most welcomed!! Thanks!

 

[Amity 3]

we visit BG all year, live about 20 minutes away. I don't know what you're looking for in a hotel, but there are plenty near the park. TIA is an easy drive from BG. there's a lot of things for the kids to experience, although they're probably too small for the big coasters. fire away with any questions.

 

[RabFlmom]

Kids might be too small for the coasters but there is a great Kids area of the park. My kids have been going to BG since they were 3 and they still love the park. Since you have already been to SW I say go to BG. If it were closer we would be there every weekend just to walk through the area where the lions and giraffes are. It is so relaxing and nothing is ever exactly the same. One show not to miss is Katonga. Ya'll would probably like the bird show, too. If you have time eat at the colonial house restaurant and ask for window table so the kids can watch the animals as they eat.

 

[robvia]

Lots of people like to visit a park on their last day before flying out or driving home. The only problem with this, is you'll be sweaty from walking around all day.

The good news, is that you'll be coming in December, so the temps will be in the low 70's.
http://search.weather.yahoo.com/climo/USFL0372_f.html

So let's say you check out of the PBH at 10am and drive over to BGT (1.5 hours away). By the time you get into the park, it will be about noon. You'd have to leave BGT at about 5pm so you can get to the airport, turn in your rental car, and get your bags checked 1 hour before the plane leaves.

So you'd have about 4 hours in the park. That would be enough time to take 1 lap around the park, see the animals, and do a few kiddie rides. If you've got the money, then I say go for it. If you can check out of the PBH earlier and be on the road at 9am, that would give you more time in the park.

 

[CharlieGirl]

THANK YOU!!! I was thinking of staying at the Doubletree Hotel on N. 30th Street. My main concern is that this is a safe neighborhood. Obviously when you're planning a vacation to places like Universal or Disney, you don't think that the hotel you'll be staying in may not be in the best neighborhood; but as I was bouncing around the internet, I read a little blurb that said some of the hotels near BG aren't in the most savory of neighborhoods. So that's my main concern--safety. Also, since we'll arrive Friday and leave Saturday, we'll have our luggage in the car when we go over to BG. Do you think that would be o.k.? How much is parking at BG? Finally, if I'm understanding the ticketing right, I'll be able to purchse our tickets and use them for "length of stay". I was planning on buying them on line (BG is having a Be A Kid Again special in which our adult tickets are the same price as the kids tickets--$47) and using them Friday and Saturday. Any feedback on that? Thanks!!

 

[Amity 3]

parking is $10.00 for the regular lot. they have tram stops that take you to the front gates. I forget how much preferred parking is, it's included with our passes. the Doubletree also has a shuttle service to the park.

the be a kid promo is good for six more consecutive days from your first visit, you exchange your pass at guest relations before you leave the park for the additional days.

the Doubletree is a nice hotel, it's on the corner of 30th and Fowler. the hotels on Busch Blvd are the ones I'd avoid. there's a Village Inn next door (like a Perkins) if you want breakfast, and restaurants like Friday's etc. on Fowler. if you stay in the area of 30th and Fowler, I wouldn't worry about safety. BG and the city have spent millions upgrading the area around USF and BG in the last couple of years.

Busch Blvd is still a sore sight.

 

[CharlieGirl]

AWESOME!! I feel much better now. I'm going to finalize my plans!!

 

[Amity 3]

if you're there in the morning, head to the Myombe Reserve area. it's the primate section of the park. BG had their first baby lowland gorilla born nearly a year ago. they rotate the gorillas in the area throughout the day. when the baby is out, he's absolutely fascinating to watch.

take the train ride around the plain to see the animals. visit the animal nursery to see the new arrivals. take the kids into Lory Landing and let them hand feed the Lorikeets. Land of Dragons is a great kids area with smaller rides and water play areas and tree houses. see the Katonga show. cheetah chase is a fun smaller coaster for kids. Pirates is a 4D movie that's pretty good.

 

[CharlieGirl]

WOW!!! ooh! another quick hotel question. On Hotwire, my hubby came across a three star hotel for $59 "in the Busch Gardens Area". Have you ever used Hotwire? Do you think it's reliable?

 

[RabFlmom]

Amnd if you go to Myambi area really early they are really active and playing around. They like to come up to the windows and look at you, too. We have seen them go right up to kids and interract with them through the window.

Also a thing to watch for. When you go to see the lions, there is a viewing area down the way that seperates the lions and hyenas sort of. The animals can actuallty see each other through the windows and we have seen the lion stalking the hyenas.

 

[DOOM1001]

WOW!!! ooh! another quick hotel question. On Hotwire, my hubby came across a three star hotel for $59 "in the Busch Gardens Area". Have you ever used Hotwire? Do you think it's reliable?

I would caution using Hotwire to book a room in Tampa, Tampa's not Orlando where there's hundreds of hotels and "risking it" by using Hotwire could work, but then again it might not, I just don't see that many good hotels around Busch gardens to "risk it." I used Hotwire to book rooms in Boston and New Jersey when I went to NYC and I was amazed by the Courtyard by Marriott we got in Boston, it was super nice and we got it for like $54. However in Jersey we got a Ramada that wasn't horrible, but it definitely wasn't great!!So look around and see if you find something before using Hotwire, last time I went to BGT and spent the night I stayed at a Sleep Inn on Fletcher, northeast of Busch Gardens and like a 5-10 minute drive, it was pretty nice with a good breakfast in a good area, so look around first!!!

 

[Amity 3]

I would caution using Hotwire to book a room in Tampa, Tampa's not Orlando where there's hundreds of hotels and "risking it" by using Hotwire could work, but then again it might not, I just don't see that many good hotels around Busch gardens to "risk it." I used Hotwire to book rooms in Boston and New Jersey when I went to NYC and I was amazed by the Courtyard by Marriott we got in Boston, it was super nice and we got it for like $54. However in Jersey we got a Ramada that wasn't horrible, but it definitely wasn't great!!So look around and see if you find something before using Hotwire, last time I went to BGT and spent the night I stayed at a Sleep Inn on Fletcher, northeast of Busch Gardens and like a 5-10 minute drive, it was pretty nice with a good breakfast in a good area, so look around first!!!

Hotwire around Tampa International gets good deals. around BG, you are risking some of the more unwelcome results, just like doom 1001 said.