BONZO
<font color=660066>Has been known to go off topic!
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2001
- Messages
- 2,100
The Hopping Mad Easter Tour - 2004
Shaun - 40 something If its high fat, high sugar Ill eat it
Alison - 30 something 'If its not Atkins I wont eat it
Alexandra - 10 Can we play mini-golf? Can we? Can we? Can we? Can we?
Laura - 8 'If Im tall enough Ill ride it'
Tuesday 13th April 2004
Up with alarm today at 7:15am our alarm, no noise from next door!
Showered, breakfasted and out of the door by 8:30 and we decided to go to Busch Gardens even though it is overcast with a little drizzle in the air. A pleasant and easy drive towards Tampa and arrived at about 9.45. The main noticeable change from our last trip here in 2001 is that the car park has been covered in tarmac at long last.
As we approached the turnstiles we looked on in horror as we saw the signs saying that Montu and Skyride are both shut I dont believe it! Montu - the best ride in Florida is down! How could they do this to me -
Oh well, perhaps other rides and attractions will make up for it. We entered and dashed over to Rhino Rally full of expectation as last time it was either broken or a 2 hour wait. Would you believe it? Only half the ride is working with no water sequence due to "technical difficulties" Grrrr not the best advert in the world for Land Rover!
We decided to come back later in the day to see if theyd managed to fix it.
This is not the start I was looking for so we head off over to Kumba and Scorpionto see if they are running.
Scorpion Oh the memories This was Lauras first looping coaster when she was just 5 and a good intro to the big stuff.Its just a bit strange riding a looping coaster with just a lap bar!
Kumba This is much better that I remembered and previously gave it credit for. Ok, so no dangling feet but lots of twists and loops.
Stanley falls very nice log flume ride with a couple of drops. I did feel sorry for the poor bored CMs in the safety towers though.
Then we headed over to Gwazi and as we checked our bags into the lockers we bumped into the Hunts! They didnt come yesterday after all due to the rain and onr of the kids feeling poorly deep joy especially as Bob had one of his stories to relate.
The Hunts had gone to a Red Lobster for an evening meal but found the car park very full. They spotted a shallow sandy bank and as they had a Jeep they parked up and had a meal. When they came out the Jeep was at a 45 degree angle with the back wheels half buried! Bob thought that getting the Jeep out would be a doddle but it wouldnt budge! An American man came out, shook his head and offered assistance. He took out a Tow Rope and asked Bob where the Towing bar was. Bob looked in the manual which stated " Tow bar is located in (place) where fitted" of course there wasnt one! Not being put off they tied one end to the front axle and the other end to the mans massive Winnebago (sp). In order to pull Bobs car the Winnebago had the car park entrance blocked off but the man just ignored the honking horns much to everyones annoyance. That plan of action was soon given up and the man said " Did you have a Dune Buggy when you were young?", "Not much call for that sort of thing in South London mate" was Bobs reply. The man explained that the tyres had to be deflated to about 5lbs PSI. This done Bob managed to drive off the sand and was very grateful for the advice. He offered the man some cash but he wouldnt have any of it. Bob crawled down the road with hazard lights until they found a Service Station and re-pumped up the tyres. However, the tyres now had two grooves ground in them from the rims!
Hopefully the rental people wouldnt notice!
Interlude over and back to the parks!
Gwazi great to have a decent wooden coaster but boy is it jerky.
We split up for lunch as theyd bought food with them so we ate at Desert Grill Restaurant .
1 x ½ rack of ribs
1 x meatball sub
2 x kids Hot dog Meals
2 x Large drinks
Total cost $30 with AP holder discount.
We went back to Rhino Rally but it was still only part working but we decide to ride it anyway. Alexandra was delighted as see was chosen to be the "navigator" for the duration of the ride, looking out for the directional signs etc. Overall the ride was very disappointing but so far we cant really compare it until weve done the full ride. Oh well, something else to come back for! LOL
We met back up with the Hunts and went on various rides together including: -
Scorpion
Python I remember this being the big ride of the park back in the 80s with a double corkscrew but how times have changed!
Kumba
Tanganyika tidal wave
We re did a few more rides around the park and then as it was getting dark we decided to call it a day. As we approached the entrance I noticed that Montu was working!
That just about made my day! Just love it!
Unfortunately Laura wasnt tall enough - but Alexandra loved it! Theres nothing better than a "leg dangling" ride!
We left at about 7:45 and the troops were getting peckish so we looked around for a place to eat locally when I spotted Olive Garden nearby. As this had some good reviews we decided to give it a go and were really pleased that we did.
The service, food and ambience was superb I cant recommend this place highly enough and it found it quite "upscale".
We ate: -
Laura: Kids Pizza (massive!)
Alexandra: Chicken strips and fries
Alison: Shrimp Primavera (no pasta)
Me: Medallions of beef with Gorgonzola on fettuccini
4 x soft drinks
1 x glass of Shiraz (wine pairing)
Also came with hot baguettes and huge bowl of Caesar salad with croutons, black olives and fresh parmesan cheese!
1 coffee
1 espresso
Total cost $58
This was THE best meal for quality and service during the entire trip.
Drove with no delays (must have missed the rush through the roadworks) back to the villa, arriving about 11pm. Put the girls straight to bed, then we did most of the packing before crashing out ourselves.
Weather: - Dodgy start but brighter and warmer as the day progressed.
Plan for tomorrow: - Leave villa and check into Royal Pacific Hotel and IOA.
Shaun - 40 something If its high fat, high sugar Ill eat it
Alison - 30 something 'If its not Atkins I wont eat it
Alexandra - 10 Can we play mini-golf? Can we? Can we? Can we? Can we?
Laura - 8 'If Im tall enough Ill ride it'
Tuesday 13th April 2004
Up with alarm today at 7:15am our alarm, no noise from next door!
Showered, breakfasted and out of the door by 8:30 and we decided to go to Busch Gardens even though it is overcast with a little drizzle in the air. A pleasant and easy drive towards Tampa and arrived at about 9.45. The main noticeable change from our last trip here in 2001 is that the car park has been covered in tarmac at long last.
As we approached the turnstiles we looked on in horror as we saw the signs saying that Montu and Skyride are both shut I dont believe it! Montu - the best ride in Florida is down! How could they do this to me -
Oh well, perhaps other rides and attractions will make up for it. We entered and dashed over to Rhino Rally full of expectation as last time it was either broken or a 2 hour wait. Would you believe it? Only half the ride is working with no water sequence due to "technical difficulties" Grrrr not the best advert in the world for Land Rover!
We decided to come back later in the day to see if theyd managed to fix it.
This is not the start I was looking for so we head off over to Kumba and Scorpionto see if they are running.
Scorpion Oh the memories This was Lauras first looping coaster when she was just 5 and a good intro to the big stuff.Its just a bit strange riding a looping coaster with just a lap bar!
Kumba This is much better that I remembered and previously gave it credit for. Ok, so no dangling feet but lots of twists and loops.
Stanley falls very nice log flume ride with a couple of drops. I did feel sorry for the poor bored CMs in the safety towers though.
Then we headed over to Gwazi and as we checked our bags into the lockers we bumped into the Hunts! They didnt come yesterday after all due to the rain and onr of the kids feeling poorly deep joy especially as Bob had one of his stories to relate.
The Hunts had gone to a Red Lobster for an evening meal but found the car park very full. They spotted a shallow sandy bank and as they had a Jeep they parked up and had a meal. When they came out the Jeep was at a 45 degree angle with the back wheels half buried! Bob thought that getting the Jeep out would be a doddle but it wouldnt budge! An American man came out, shook his head and offered assistance. He took out a Tow Rope and asked Bob where the Towing bar was. Bob looked in the manual which stated " Tow bar is located in (place) where fitted" of course there wasnt one! Not being put off they tied one end to the front axle and the other end to the mans massive Winnebago (sp). In order to pull Bobs car the Winnebago had the car park entrance blocked off but the man just ignored the honking horns much to everyones annoyance. That plan of action was soon given up and the man said " Did you have a Dune Buggy when you were young?", "Not much call for that sort of thing in South London mate" was Bobs reply. The man explained that the tyres had to be deflated to about 5lbs PSI. This done Bob managed to drive off the sand and was very grateful for the advice. He offered the man some cash but he wouldnt have any of it. Bob crawled down the road with hazard lights until they found a Service Station and re-pumped up the tyres. However, the tyres now had two grooves ground in them from the rims!
Hopefully the rental people wouldnt notice!
Interlude over and back to the parks!
Gwazi great to have a decent wooden coaster but boy is it jerky.
We split up for lunch as theyd bought food with them so we ate at Desert Grill Restaurant .
1 x ½ rack of ribs
1 x meatball sub
2 x kids Hot dog Meals
2 x Large drinks
Total cost $30 with AP holder discount.
We went back to Rhino Rally but it was still only part working but we decide to ride it anyway. Alexandra was delighted as see was chosen to be the "navigator" for the duration of the ride, looking out for the directional signs etc. Overall the ride was very disappointing but so far we cant really compare it until weve done the full ride. Oh well, something else to come back for! LOL
We met back up with the Hunts and went on various rides together including: -
Scorpion
Python I remember this being the big ride of the park back in the 80s with a double corkscrew but how times have changed!
Kumba
Tanganyika tidal wave
We re did a few more rides around the park and then as it was getting dark we decided to call it a day. As we approached the entrance I noticed that Montu was working!
That just about made my day! Just love it!
Unfortunately Laura wasnt tall enough - but Alexandra loved it! Theres nothing better than a "leg dangling" ride!
We left at about 7:45 and the troops were getting peckish so we looked around for a place to eat locally when I spotted Olive Garden nearby. As this had some good reviews we decided to give it a go and were really pleased that we did.
The service, food and ambience was superb I cant recommend this place highly enough and it found it quite "upscale".
We ate: -
Laura: Kids Pizza (massive!)
Alexandra: Chicken strips and fries
Alison: Shrimp Primavera (no pasta)
Me: Medallions of beef with Gorgonzola on fettuccini
4 x soft drinks
1 x glass of Shiraz (wine pairing)
Also came with hot baguettes and huge bowl of Caesar salad with croutons, black olives and fresh parmesan cheese!
1 coffee
1 espresso
Total cost $58
This was THE best meal for quality and service during the entire trip.
Drove with no delays (must have missed the rush through the roadworks) back to the villa, arriving about 11pm. Put the girls straight to bed, then we did most of the packing before crashing out ourselves.
Weather: - Dodgy start but brighter and warmer as the day progressed.
Plan for tomorrow: - Leave villa and check into Royal Pacific Hotel and IOA.
LOL at the Hunts!
