Should we visit Bush Gardens?

[Katy]

We will be spending 9 nights at HRH - visiting Sea World, IOA, USF and Wet & Wild. We're thinking of getting the five park flex ticket. We won't have a car. How difficult is it to get to Bush Gardens from HRH? What are the options? Is it worth a day?
We have teens and a ten year old. Thanks for any insight!

 

[NCRedding]

I think I saw somewhere on these boards that there was a shuttle bus that picks up on I-Drive and goes to BG-Tampa. I've never been to BG so I don't know what it is like, but we're planning on taking DD (who will be 10 and loves coasters) in the fall.

 

[kellymonaghan]

First, Busch Gardens Tampa is well worth a visit.

Second, SeaWorld has a shuttle that goes there and HRH has a shuttle that goes to SeaWorld. You'd have to check with the hotel concierge to see if the schedules for the two shuttles mesh, however.

My guess is that, assuming the schedules will work for you at all, you will have less than a full day to enjoy BGT. Still, it's probably worth the trip.

 

[rocketman23]

Go for it... they got some of the best coasters in Florida and an excellent array of animal habitats to look at.

 

[Robinrs]

I went for the first time in April. It is a nice park but not up to par with the Orlando parks IMHO. I agree with kelly that you really don't need the whole day and the shuttle from SeaWorld arrives early and returns about 5pm, at least when I checked with them.

 

[MsDisney]

Originally posted by Katy
We will be spending 9 nights at HRH - visiting Sea World, IOA, USF and Wet & Wild. We're thinking of getting the five park flex ticket. We won't have a car. How difficult is it to get to Bush Gardens from HRH? What are the options? Is it worth a day?
We have teens and a ten year old. Thanks for any insight!

Just a thought here...why not look into renting a car for the day? I'm assuming there are at least 4 of you, and I don't know what the shuttles cost, or IF they do, but the convenience of coming and going on YOUR schedule might be worth the $40 or so a car might cost...
I know when we toured the RPH, they had a Hertz counter there, I don't know what or if HRH has a rental car counter, but most places will deliver anyway, or at least provide a shuttle to/from the closest location...
Might be worth looking into...

Karen

 

[twinz]

I'll tell you our experiance at BG last december. It was fairly busy, (we were in Florida the first two weeks of december) however we went on a saturday. We headed via the over head gondala ride to a rollercoaster in the back. Half way up the hill, the rollercoaster got stuck. We had to climb out of the car and walk down the stairs to the bottom. Thank goodness we were at the back and got out first. Also thank goodness neither of are afraid of heights. We then got a pass to walk on any ride. We went to use it for Rhino Rally and that also closed down. The animal parts were amazing (beside the bird poohing on me while feeding it LOL). It was an ok day, although we decided that we would not return that trip, but we went to Seaworld twice and really enjoyed that! By the way were 27 year old twin sisters.
Twinz

 

[Dznefreek]

It is a nice park but not up to par with the Orlando parks IMHO.

In all fairness BGT started out as an animal park and they added the rides as an after-thought. Their main goal was animal education and preservation where as the Orlando parks set out to be exactly what they are today; Thrill/Theme Parks.

 

[Buschfan]

I agree with Dznefreek. It is not fair to compare BG Tampa to the Orlando parks. It actually started as a brewery and a bird show was added next to it. It is surrounded by neighborhoods much like Hershey Park and Kennywood. Their Williamsburg park was planned as a theme park and it is more like an Orlando park. I would certainly go as they have some of the best coasters in Florida. The animal exhibits will make you forget you are surrounded by Tampa also. The bus price is very reasonable. I think $5 each way. I would call the park for schedule and price information though.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

We rented a car. It was early Feb. and every other park was a ghost town but BG was packed to the point we did not see everything. I attribute this to their generous ticket pass deals for locals. Maybe if you are going during extended hour season it might be better? Without doubt rent a car. The paltry sum you will pay for a day is well worth the freedom and convenience you will enjoy.

We did not get up the nerve to ride the big coasters until it was too late to do so , and Rhino Rally was still under construction. The rest of the park was cool; we really liked it. But we also enjoyed low-tech attractions like Gator World and Cypress Gardens. BTW, we drove straight from BG to CG, where we had booked lodging. As it was Feb. one of the highlights of our trip wasn't even a park but the citrus fruit -- imagine eating a huge bag of pink grapefruit like candy! Another totally low tech, nice attraction near CG is Bok Tower Gardens, but hey, I think I have veered way OT by now!

Cheers