Went to Busch Gardens Tampa Today

[mumzie2three]

Any questions?
We got there at opening and valet parked for $20.00 which puts you right at the entrance. Worth it since it was hot as Hades when we left at 3:30-4:00pm and our car was returned in about 3 mins. Our companions (MIL & FIL) wasted some time at guest services upgrading their tickets and then asked us, who'd never been before, where we wanted to go. I was not prepared for them to play dumb so we had no plan!

My advice is to start at the front of the park, and head either left or right to do the big coasters first. Montu and Gwazi are near the entrance. Sheikra is further up if you take the left hand path and Kumba is way at the back.

We headed straight to the back of the park and worked our way toward the front which made for a lot of walking because we had to go back for the Rapids Ride. We weren't allowed to ride it at 10am, "not hot enough" (you can guess who I'm quoting).

I have 7 and 6 year old DDs who liked Land of the Dragons but overall they weren't impressed with the park. We didn't get to the stuff they would have liked; Rhino Rally (they told me it cost extra and I didn't feel like arguing, too hot), Serengeti Railway, the Skyride, Ka Tonga, Lory Landing, Emerald Beat. They opted out of all the coasters except the Cheetah Chase which they hated. All the walking back and forth pooped them out and there really was no need for it, the park is a big circle.

We are leaving on Tues for Orlando where I will be in charge of the touring plans minus the Inlaws. Overall, right now, I like Busch Gardens Virginia better. Maybe it the theming? I will go back to Tampa (we have the 2nd day free) but I'm not sure if we will do it this trip.

 

[Amity 3]

Any questions?
We got there at opening and valet parked for $20.00 which puts you right at the entrance. Worth it since it was hot as Hades when we left at 3:30-4:00pm and our car was returned in about 3 mins. Our companions (MIL & FIL) wasted some time at guest services upgrading their tickets and then asked us, who'd never been before, where we wanted to go. I was not prepared for them to play dumb so we had no plan!

My advice is to start at the front of the park, and head either left or right to do the big coasters first. Montu and Gwazi are near the entrance. Sheikra is further up if you take the left hand path and Kumba is way at the back.

We headed straight to the back of the park and worked our way toward the front which made for a lot of walking because we had to go back for the Rapids Ride. We weren't allowed to ride it at 10am, "not hot enough" (you can guess who I'm quoting).

I have 7 and 6 year old DDs who liked Land of the Dragons but overall they weren't impressed with the park. We didn't get to the stuff they would have liked; Rhino Rally (they told me it cost extra and I didn't feel like arguing, too hot), Serengeti Railway, the Skyride, Ka Tonga, Lory Landing, Emerald Beat. They opted out of all the coasters except the Cheetah Chase which they hated. All the walking back and forth pooped them out and there really was no need for it, the park is a big circle.

We are leaving on Tues for Orlando where I will be in charge of the touring plans minus the Inlaws. Overall, right now, I like Busch Gardens Virginia better. Maybe it the theming? I will go back to Tampa (we have the 2nd day free) but I'm not sure if we will do it this trip.

huh

 

[AnninIowa]

We went in February (too the shuttle from Orlando) and LOVED it!! We didn't do the rides, just focused on the animals. We did the Serengeti Safari where you get to feed the giraffes; extra cost but so worth it. Rhino Rally is not extra; who told you that?! We were able to walk right on; rough but lots of fun!

 

[bethie]

Glad to see your review. I am a Wmbg Busch regular and just got the platnium pass this year in hopes of visiting Busch Tampa. Thanks again.

 

[isla bonita]

Last year we had year passes for BGT and we all thought it was the bomb. We loved Rhino Rally, Katonga and the coasters. Sorry you are so disapointed.

 

[TheresaNY]

Is there enough there to do for the non-thrill rideloving type ? My kids hate wild roller coasters. Will do BTMRR ok and Space Moutain sometimes. We are thinking about going with our friends who will have a 2 1/2 yr old and almost 1 year old - this July 6-7th. They are also contemplating meeting us at Disney for 3 days but I am concerned about them handling the heat with such young kids from Buffalo. I am sure they can do it but selfishly, it will really slow us down. So I thought Busch Gardens would be a nice alternative.

 

[mama03]

I live just outside Tampa and have been to busch gardens many times. In july it will be crowded and hot, so be prepared. Go to their website and look at the park map. As you enter the park, head to the left and keep going until you see the dragons. There is an area designed for little ones only, with water activities. Wear light clothing and make sure to drink lots of fluids.

 

[mumzie2three]

huh

What didn't you understand?
We went, listened too much to the in-laws, made some errors in our touring plans and missed stuff younger kids would like, like the animals and shows.

 

[mumzie2three]

Just wanted to add that we may be going back on Tues sans the in-laws. Hopefully we'll have a better time now that we know what we want to see and my DH has already done the front row of the big 3 coasters. So there should be less standing around waiting for me and the girls. And nobody asking me every 5 mins if i'm sure I don't want to ride Shiekra.
As of right now me and the kids had a better time at the one in Virginia.

 

[Amity 3]

What didn't you understand?
We went, listened too much to the in-laws, made some errors in our touring plans and missed stuff younger kids would like, like the animals and shows.

I read it as the rhino rally and river rapids problems were based on experiences with park TM's, not your inlaws.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

We stopped there last year on our way to Tampa we had split our trip and decided to just stop there, and WOW did we LUV that park. Seems like you missed a lot. We headed left first, saw the crocodiles, the baby gorilla, wow, orchid gardens, man was it absolutely beautiful, then head around did some rides, did the safari. There's shows, then you see the birds, did the kids do that, there is so much for young kids there, and also that large "tree house" like place, I don't know what its called where the kids climb all over into different things, fabulous. This park is great for all ages, even older adults like my parents (80) liked that park. Also has beautiful places to sit, we went into a garden that was over on the right side, gardens and also free beer area which was fabulous at the end of our day. Just loved Busch Gardens when we went last year.

 

[emerymt]

Do they still offer the VIP tours at Tampa? We went a couple of years ago when it was horribly hot and crowded, it was the very first day of the tours (ever!). Even though it was quite a bit more, we signed up immediately. Since we'd already spent so much getting to Florida, we had one day at Busch Gardens, and since it seemed like it would make or break our day, we decided "what the heck." It was a good decision. We also go to see many animals behind-the-scenes (I always wanted to pet a python) and DD got picked to be in the dolphin show, she was only 4 but since the tour guide had spent the whole day with her, the guide knew she could handle it. Oh, she was cute - wearing a little Lilly Pulitzer dress- that absolutely made our trip.

At that time they also let us go straight to the front of the lines- watched any babies in the group while grownups rode- free beer if you wanted it at the end of the tour.

Do they still do that? It was great. It turned a crowded, hot, tired day into a fondly-remembered memory.

 

[emerymt]

Do they still offer the VIP tours at Tampa? We went a couple of years ago when it was horribly hot and crowded, it was the very first day of the tours (ever!). Even though it was quite a bit more, we signed up immediately. Since we'd already spent so much getting to Florida, we had one day at Busch Gardens, and since it seemed like it would make or break our day, we decided "what the heck." It was a good decision. We also go to see many animals behind-the-scenes (I always wanted to pet a python) and DD got picked to be in the dolphin show, she was only 4 but since the tour guide had spent the whole day with her, the guide knew she could handle it. Oh, she was cute - wearing a little Lilly Pulitzer dress- that absolutely made our trip.

At that time they also let us go straight to the front of the lines- watched any babies in the group while grownups rode- free beer if you wanted it at the end of the tour.

Do they still do that? It was great. It turned a crowded, hot, tired day into a fondly-remembered memory.

 

[Amity 3]

Do they still offer the VIP tours at Tampa? We went a couple of years ago when it was horribly hot and crowded, it was the very first day of the tours (ever!). Even though it was quite a bit more, we signed up immediately. Since we'd already spent so much getting to Florida, we had one day at Busch Gardens, and since it seemed like it would make or break our day, we decided "what the heck." It was a good decision. We also go to see many animals behind-the-scenes (I always wanted to pet a python) and DD got picked to be in the dolphin show, she was only 4 but since the tour guide had spent the whole day with her, the guide knew she could handle it. Oh, she was cute - wearing a little Lilly Pulitzer dress- that absolutely made our trip.

At that time they also let us go straight to the front of the lines- watched any babies in the group while grownups rode- free beer if you wanted it at the end of the tour.

Do they still do that? It was great. It turned a crowded, hot, tired day into a fondly-remembered memory.

they still have the VIP tours, but the dolphin show has been closed for a few years.

 

[emerymt]

they still have the VIP tours, but the dolphin show has been closed for a few years.

That's too bad. She got to feed the dolphin and we got a nice Polaroid close-up from Busch Gardens to take home with us.

P.S. Love your signature. Some days I swear we are personally responsible for Steve Jobs' billionaire status.