Busch Gardens tips

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 1:07pm

Heading to Busch Gardens for the first time in April, what are the best rides to go on and what are some ones to possibly skip? Also, should we go their right when it opens or can we wait a little bit? And fyi im open to pretty much any ride. Any help would be appreciated!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 1:19pm

Then go on all of them!

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 1:29pm

Let me just specify my question a little bit more. Did any specific ride give anyone huge headaches after or felt really sick after? Also I saw there is sometype of ice show there too, is it any good?

[tazber]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 1:49pm

Which Busch Gardens?

Updated On: 3/16/14 at 01:49 PM

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 2:28pm

Tampa.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 2:39pm

I haven't been there since 1974 so all I can tell you is the log flume is a blast!

[ARTc3]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 3:49pm

Mike Barrett, my two passions: Broadway and theme parks... I will let you in on a secret. If you arrive about 30 - 45 minutes before opening, you'll be one of the first to enter the park. This will give you a window of about 2 hours where the park will be pretty much yours for the taking - lines will be very short during this period. I would use this time to ride the newer attractions. This year, that would be Falcon's Fury and Cheetah Hunt (not new this year, but relatively new and still a big draw).

You can surf over to their web site, find a park map and download for viewing or printing. Take a few moments before the day to familiarize yourself of the lay of the land. Be prepared when the gates open to walk over to the area you wish to first explore. If you take my above advice, you'll be traveling with a pack of other like-minded people. Don't worry and don't run, despite the seemingly large group, it is nothing compared to the crowds later in the day. These rides have a decent capacity and will seat you almost immediately upon arriving at the queue.

Just make sure everyone is on board and ready to move once the gates are open. Another big theme park secret is to get your entire group to commit to going to the bathroom at the same time. If one person has to go, everyone should go. This will put you all in synch and cut down on another big time consumer.

Either eat lunch early, or late depending on the stamina of your group. Do not eat lunch from 11.30a - 2p, the most crowded time for grabbing a bite.

Depending on how enthusiastic you and your fellow park goers are, you should be able to see most - if not all - of the park in a one day visit.

Have a great day!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 3:53pm

That sounds like an incredibly stressful and regimented army maneuver relaxing and spontaneous vacation.

If it's possible, have the ladies in your group live together for a year so that their menstrual cycles are in sync and plan the dates of your vacation accordingly. Be sure the gals in your group commit to aborting any unplanned pregnancies to maximize your roller coaster riding.

Updated On: 3/16/14 at 03:53 PM

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 4:55pm

I hope those ladies would know to NOT eat lunch between 11:30a-2p. It would probably be better to ride the SheiKra with a full bladder and risk what might happen than to brave those food stalls between that time.

[morosco]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 6:02pm

On a related note, SeaWorld’s CEO said Thursday that the controversial “Blackfish” documentary has had no impact on the company’s marine and water parks, which posted record attendance during the last three months of 2013.
SeaWorld: Little effect from Blackfish

[GuyfromGermany]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 6:50pm

I'll go there in May and even though I love thrill rides, NO ONE will get me on Falcon's Fury!
Even looking at pics of that thing scares me...

[ARTc3]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 7:19pm

GuyfromGermany... curious as to why? Its a drop tower with the added twist that the seats are tilted so that you're facing down. I doubt very highly that the physical sensation will be much different, just the view.

On another note, where in Germany? Ich habe fur zwei jahren ins Stuttgart und Berlin geliebt. (Please excuse my terrible German.)

Updated On: 3/16/14 at 07:19 PM

[bobs3]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 9:16pm

So true about arriving early. Went to Disney World about ten years ago. Me and family members arrived at about 7:30 and ate take out McDonalds breakfasts while in line. When they opened the gates we went straight to Space Mountain (about a five minute wait), then did Pirates (no wait at all), The Haunted Mansion (five minute wait), Splash Mountain (no wait), Thunder Mountain Railroad (maybe ten minutes), Indiana Jones (about 15 minutes), Matterhorn (15 minutes). We got the thrill rides out of the way early in the morning and then spent the rest of the day seeing the shows and going on the less popular rides that have shorter wait times. Don't eat lunch or dinner in the Park (expensive and disgusting) instead take the monorail to Downtown Disney and eat at one of the restaurants there.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 9:32pm

Mike, prior to buying your tickets do some research on promotions. Many times, Busch Garden ticket discounts will be available through the Tampa coke cans or Burger King, etc. Unlike Disney and Universal, there are discounts to be found. Good luck and have fun. I won tickets once, but never used them. Unless they have upgraded the area, the hotels around Bush Gardens are not that great.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 9:36pm

bobs3, I agree with much of what you typed. Arriving early really makes a huge difference, especially with the Disney parks. Don't agree about the food though - and I can't imagine anything more "disgusting" than McDonalds. There are some excellent food options at The Magic Kingdom. It is expensive though. Also, there isn't a monorail to Downtown Disney - soon to be Disney Springs. There are excellent food options throughout the entire resort though and sometimes getting away for a break is a good thing.

Anyway, for those who really groove on riding rides and not waiting in long lines, getting there early, being well fed and ready to "rock 'n roll", makes a huge difference. Just like bobs3 said, you take in the "hot new ride" first thing, follow it with the other "e-tickets" (an old throwback to Disney's original pricing system) and use the crowded times to relax watching some of the shows and/or parades. They are designed to take in huge crowds, so the lines are often - if not always - completely absorbed.

Another tip... use the lockers. Going back to the car is a huge drag. My group often shares a locker and designates one person to make a quick stop to the lockers to stow any articles for later that evening. The rest of the group heads to the first attraction knowing that our friend will catch up with us. Later, when it cools down, we have sweaters or long pants or whatever nearby and we can make the transition to warmer clothing quickly and easily.

Updated On: 3/16/14 at 09:36 PM

[ARTc3]

Posted: 3/16/14 at 9:48pm

Oh, one more thing... I love water rides, but I hate walking around with squishy socks and underwear. To solve this issue, I always bring an extra pair of socks, underwear, two large plastic bags (freezer, or small garbage bag size) and rubber bands. We do all of the water rides at roughly the same time in the day. The plastic bags and rubber bands are for my shoes and I usually slip them on right as I'm being seated. After we've ridden all the water rides we're going to, I hop into a bathroom and change my underwear and perhaps socks (if the plastic bag didn't work well). I never mind my pants or shirt being wet as they dry quickly.

Okay, another cool amusement park tip... in the morning while getting dressed, use talc powder liberally in your crotch and feet/shoes (sneakers). I can't tell you how many people have thanked me for this tip. Try it and you'll be thanking me too - especially in the hot Florida sun. Since learning of this trick, I have yet to have a blister and I remain noticeably cooler and more comfortable.