Shuttle bus to busch gardens

[myhat]

Anyone used this bus to get to BG?

What facilities are on board? I know it leaves Universal at 8-30am but what time does it arrive at the park and how long do you get there before the return trip?

Thanks

 

[misskrystal]

I don't know if it's the same all the time, but when I went a few weeks ago (and it was a really quite time of year) the service was terrible!

We booked for 8.30 and arrived early, but, when we got there, the bus was already full. The driver had let people on who'd booked for other times (every 15 minutes between 8.30 and 10).

Anyway, he made everyone who wasn't supposed to be on, get off (he hadn't checked reservation numbers or even names). Still, a lot of people who had booked didn't get on and had to wait. The rest of us sat on the bus for 30 minutes in the parking lot!

My db and were the last to get on and had to sit at opposite ends of the bus.

We were really annoyed, as we payed a lot for our Flexitickets and were promised a standard of service which was not delivered.

The bus back was an hour early on this occasion, so after spending all that money on tickets and having a pretty bad trip there, we arrived 30 minutes late and left an hour early (although after all of this, we just wanted to go back to the hotel anyway).

From what I could gather, the bus company on that day was not the usual company, which was why we had all the problems, so hopefully you won't have the same, I just wanted to warn you so you'd be prepared if it happened to you. That way, at least it won't spoil your day like it did ours.

 

[Danauk]

I have not used the bus service and do not plan to. I too have heard some bad reports of it. When we visit Busch Gardens at Christmas we intend to drive there ourselves in a hire car. We need to be there for 10am to join the tour we have booked.

 

[misskrystal]

We found that, especially after the problems we had, we didn't want to stay all day. If you think that you might want to leave early, then you probably won't like the shuttle.

Like I said, we went when it was quiet, so we did everything we wanted to in the first 2 hours. We then spent the next 3 hours waiting for the bus back! It was also really hot and there isn't much shade, so we didn't feel too great coming home.

If you're driving on your holiday, then definately take the car. I got sick there a few years ago and can't imagine what I'd have done without the car.

I don't want to put you off, but these were the things the spoiled the day for us. I don't think we'll be going back again.

 

[tink too]

We used the shuttle last December and really had no problems at all! We were at Mercado on I-Drive for about 8-30am and although there was a huge queue (we were about half way up) we were loaded quite quickly. Each time a bus became full, it pulled out of the parking lot and another one rolled up to start loading. I think there were 4 or 5 buses altogether that day. It took about an hour and a half to get there and we were definately there by 10am.

If you are using the shuttle - remember to go to pick up your return tickets (from Guest Relations I think) or you won't get back on the bus! The driver will explain about this when you arrive at BG, though!

We left around 6pm - sharp. Only took an hour and a quarter on the return.

Our bus had a/c and toilet facilities and was modern and comfortable. Our driver was good - we listened to Reggae-style Christmas tunes all the way home and he offered anyone who couldn't be bothered to get of the bus at I-Drive a lift to Jamaica!