Question about Busch Gardens

[magicalmickey]

What are the "must do / must see" attractions here? We'll be going for the first time next trip. What does everyone like or dislike about this theme park? How do you rank it among the other Orlando theme parks?

 

[tropical depression]

I don't compare it to the Orlando parks, because it's nothing like them. primarily a coster/animal park with a strong focus on conservation. it's not as heavily of a themed park like those at WDW/UO, but still beautiful.

depends the heights/ages as what not to miss

 

[OCEAN LOVE <3]

Well the roller coasters
Shiekra
Montu
Kumba
Gwazi

The water rides are really fun
Congo
Tidal Wave
and Log flume

If you want to see some animals rhino rally is a good ride but there is usually a very long line.

 

[kevg1889]

Magical Mickey, if you read my trippie, there is a full report on our day at BG. It is a brilliant place, with Sheikra being the best ride ever, with Montu a very close second. The Katonga show is tremendous. We did the Ultimate tour, so were lucky to get front seats on everything, plus doing the Safari, and our lunch in the upper level of the Crown Colony was amazing. If there is anything I can help you with, please ask, but I'm sure you will enjoy reading the trippie.

 

[jpeppers]

Sheikra, Sheikra, and Sheikra!!

 

[christinou]

we were very pleantly surprised by BG and really enjoyed our day there, we did do all of the bid coaster and really enjoyed working around the park, it is beautifull, my DD loved the aviary and feeding the birds.

 

[buzz2400]

We went end of August because we had free tickets. I was very disappointed with the park. I really didn't see too many animals because it was so hot the animals were hiding. I saw more animals at animal kingdom. When you look at the map of Busch Gardens, it looks really big but it isn't. You can go on the train and see animals but again we really didn't see that many. The highlight of our trip was in the lorry birds where you can feed them and they will land on you. It was $4 for a small cup (I feel a little too expensive so we only bought one cup). Also we only went on two roller coasters. Sheikra was awesome. You have to put your stuff in lockers that cost 50 cents or leave with someone not riding. It was so hot that we bypassed Egypt and left the park around 3 p.m. (closing I believe was 6 p.m.). To me, it is not worth the time and money to go to this park if you are visiting orlando. It did take us about 1 1/2 hours one way because it is not right off the highway.

 

[Darcy03231]

We just got back from Florida and spent 2 days at Busch Gardens and had a great time. My kids are coaster enthusiasts and said that Sheikra and Montu were the two best coaster in the park (although they rode all of them, and more than once). We really liked the Katonga show and the Mystic Garden show. The best time to see the animals on the Serengeti Plain is either early in the morning or later in the afternoon. We did the train ride both times and saw lots of animals. We were staying in Clermont and I found it took us about an hour to get there. If you're driving from Orlando make sure you really watch the road signs. Its not well marked. The first trip we got lost and had to ask for directions - twice. If you're taking I-4 across, take exit 9 to Route 70 - it marked better.

 

[yaytezIOA]

There are three animal areas that are missing right now, but as of next spring they will be back, along with a huge new area for kids called Jungala.
http://www.buschgardens.com/bignews
This park is just like any other animal park...including AK, you have to go early if you want to see the animals. You can not go there early, ride the coasters then expect to see the animals.
Plus, there are a lot more animal attractions here that are more visible than at AK. AK, in my opinion, just sucks with the animals. If you dont go on the safari ride, you dont really see a whole lot of animals.
At BGA you can go on Rhino Rally and see the animals, you can do the animal exhibit walks, and see the animals you can even ride the cable cars and see the animals....or ride the train and see the animals.
There is an alligator habitat, a chimp and gorilla preserve, an african safari themed area with hippos that you can see under water, giraffes that come up to see you in the morning, and lions that as my son said "hump in front of you!"....show me that at disney. Jungala will see the return of orangatangs(sp?) Tigers and more crocs, that you'll be able to see underwater. Its one of my favorite parks, next to Universal of course

 

[Ileana]

Sheikra, Sheikra, and Sheikra!!

AMEN to that!

Busch Gardens is an awesome park to visit.

Whenever my dad would bring us down to do the "Orlando" thing - we ALWAYS took the trip over to BG.

Then again....I wish we had more "big thrill" coasters down here.