Just Back From Busch Gardens - My Thoughts

[fantasia73]

I just got back from a day at Busch Gardens. I had a good time - loved the roller coasters. Here's a link to an article I posted about my day.

Link Here


I'd be happy to answer anyone's questions!

 

[Marquibiri]

Excellent article...

I had no idea BGT had so many cons...

I will be visiting BGT for the first time after 14 years!
I will be renting a car and driving from Orlando. I have started to get a bit freaked out with the directions and signs.. Was it that hard to find the park?
WHat to dooo?

I've heard about the lines being long but this is ridiculous... having to make a line over and over...

I have no idea about the park layout/map, and don't want to... I want to be surprised when I arrive... Thinking about that now (don't want to be going around in circles)

Cheers!

Marquibiri

 

[chiamarie]

I haven't been on Rhino Rally since they changed it after they started construction on Cheetah Hunt.

But I don't think Rhino Rally was ever supposed to be their version of Disney's Safari. It's one way to see some of the animals on the ride, yes. But not all of the animals.

If I had to compare DAK's Safari to something at BG, it'd be the Serengeti Safari. Yes, it is an additional fee; but you get to feed giraffe's, and get up close and personal with them. But you also go close to the Rhino's, Zebras, and other animals, as well as get information on them.

And I'd also like to point out that their animal exhibits are very spread out. Where as, at DAK, the animals are in 3 spots and that's about it. So it'd be a lot more difficult for BG to have a ride that sees as many animals as the Safari at DAK.

It's not that one is better than the other, it's just that they're different.

Just my opinion.

 

[chiamarie]

Excellent article...

I had no idea BGT had so many cons...

I will be visiting BGT for the first time after 14 years!
I will be renting a car and driving from Orlando. I have started to get a bit freaked out with the directions and signs.. Was it that hard to find the park?
WHat to dooo?

I've heard about the lines being long but this is ridiculous... having to make a line over and over...

I have no idea about the park layout/map, and don't want to... I want to be surprised when I arrive... Thinking about that now (don't want to be going around in circles)

Cheers!

Marquibiri

I've found it very easy to get to from Orlando.

-Take i-4 West to Tampa. Keep an eye out for BG billboards; there is one that I think says like 13 Miles to BG, and then another one telling you the exit is coming up.

-You'll get off I-4 and onto I-75 North. Take the first exit and head left off the exit on to Fowler Avenue. You'll pass the science center, and about where USF is, you will be turning left.

-Turn left on McKinley Drive (I believe there are upcoming signs that both say next inersection mickinley drive, as well as busch gardens left at the next light).

-The entrance to the parking lot will be on your left.


I also highly recommend downloading the free app if you have a smart phone. It will litterally give you step-by-step to the closest bathrooms, and ride wait times. I found it VERY helpful while I've been there the last couple of times!

 

[DOOM1001]

Let me say that I used to enjoy Rhino Rally more than AK's safari,the AK safari is lame and boring and the guides have to keep the same dull script,at least at RR the guides can say their cheesy jokes,can't say I'm a big fan of either but I definitely preferred Rhino Rally.Since the construction of Cheetah Hunt removed the water portion of Rhino Rally where your truck got swept off into a river I haven't done Rhino Rally again,rumors are the ride will probably be removed for a new attraction.

I've never had an issue with the parks cleanliness and I've visited hundreds of times,but I'm sure during the busier periods like summer bathrooms can get trashed,I've seen it at Disney and I'm sure it also happens at Busch Gardens.

Park signage outside the park is obviously not as easy as driving around the Disney streets where every billboard is Disney and guides you to all the areas throughout the resort.To get to Busch Gardens you're driving through a city and if you don't have a map or GPS you could possibly get lost.The same goes for inside the park,if you're not familiar with it you just have to study the park map carefully as the park is very big.Like I said earlier I've been to Busch Gardens Tampa hundreds of times and know the park like the back of my hand but a year or two ago Busch changed a pathway behind Timbuktu and that change even had me confused a bit.

The dining deal is amazing and I have no idea why you waited 15 minutes to get your wristbands,last time I had the dining deal we bought the wristbands right at the Crown Colony house counter service place,basically handed the cashier the money and she put the wristbands on,2 minutes total time.The plan has rules and if that means you can't get water from a sidewalk vendor or you can't get a side and dessert at the same time then that's what that means.We paid $27 to eat all day with the 10% discount for passholders,we probably ate and drank more than double that with the heat and constantly getting water bottles,where else can you do that.Universal has a similar plan that's actually cheaper but they really limit your restaurants,not giving you access to the better counter service reataurants,at Busch all the counter service restaurants are available and the food is way better.The dining deal is that last thing anyone can criticize at Busch gardens.

 

[bearloch]

we get the wristband all the time ( 2-3) times a yr and we just say excuse me plz grab a water and wave bands at cashier never a promblem!!

Rino rally has changed and its still nice for younger kids who dont have the patience for Disneys longer ride!

!