Busch Gardens love it or hate it?

[Stu]

I've only been to Busch once and it didn't really appeal to me, I'd like to try it again in case I didn't do it justice last time.

Do you love or hate Busch Gardens?

[Angellore]

I haven't been to Busch Gardens for a while, but I didn't enjoy it, and won't be going back.

We went in May and it was hot, but we went on a water ride (I don't know what it was called, but it was a thunder river type ride) and we got absolutely soaked through, but more than we should have. The drainage hole in the bottom of the boat didn't work so by the time we got to the end it was almost full of water, I'm surprised we didn't sink! We were so cold and wet it ruined the rest of the day. Also, alot of the rides were closed, one of them because it was unsafe! Must admit, it put me right off.

For me its not worth using a day of my precious holiday time!

[mariechez]

We weren't that keen. A couple of good rides but over all just looked a bit drab and IMHO not worth the drive. But glad l went so at least l know.

Marie

[Mike]

Only been once, in 2001, and we enjoyed it, mainly for the coasters. I thought the rest of the attractions, including most of the family ones, were inferior to WDW (and, eventually,Universal, when we 'discovered' US & IOA' in 2003).

We were close enough to revisit at Christmas, when we had our 2nd week at Siesta Key, but it was an easy decision not to bother.... I don't think I hate it, but I wouldn't rush back. Combine IOA and US and you have a much superior day out IMO.

Mike:D

[Earthbound]

Agree with Mike (again!!). We went in 2001 - okay admittedly it was only 6 weeks after 9/11. The place was quite empty & we managed to get round the whole park in a day. I'm a coaster freak so it was ideal for me. However if you don't do coasters other than those there are a couple of wet rides, rhino rally & that's about it.
The hours drive each way from Orlando eats into your day as well, so it could be an early start - late finish; personally I wouldn't put myself out!!

[ncoathup]

I've only been once in 2000. Coasters are fantastic and it's a must do if you're a coaster fanatic.

The rest of the park was a little shabby round the edges and lacking in theming. Also, some of the animals seemed to be in quite small enclosures - I always remember a very sorry looking orang-u-tan.

Will go again for the coasters - but not until my son is big enough to ride (there isn't much there for smaller children).

[TracyK]

We went in 2002 and plan on going again this year. I think it's good for a day out but wouldn't have it on the list for every holiday. Love the animals and some good coasters too. They also had a good ice show but I think that's gone now. Nice for a change and I'm looking forward to a return visit.
Tracy

[janeywaney]

I haven't been and to be honest looking at the opinions of others I don't think I will! Give me Disney any day

[Bob_and_Dawn]

Only been there once and didn't really enjoy it too much as the park was undergoing major work at the time.
All the animals appeared very sad and the elephants looked denmented.

Saying that we intend visiting again in May as we have a weeks pass, which was part of the DC enterance.

Bob

[Nikki]

We love it, went in June 2001 & April 2002 and all enjoyed the day, especially DS & DH who love the rollercoasters :jump: and we will go again sometime!

[Alvin]

Surprised at so many negatives, I love Busch Gardens, The coasters are GREAT as are the water rides, There is lots of live entertainment and performers around the park, The animals are great and educational and you can usually get up close with some fantastic creatures, such as Iguana and baby hedgehog!,

We never miss it, its an easy one hour drive from the Orlando area, one good tip is to take a change of clothes and place them in a locker as a couple of the excellent water rides really will give you a good soaking which is great if its scorching hot, but if it dulls over you can end up pretty cold, (This is a good tip for IOA as well)

You really should make the effort and judge for yourself, some of the negative comments on here seem to have been influenced by visiting on a day that unfortunately had a number of closed rides or other factors.

Check out the new Busch Gardens website as well

ALVIN

[Carolyn]

I too am surprised at all the negatives but it is very disappointing when rides are closed or the weather isn't good. I only went once, but I loved it. Everything was great and I actually thought it as good as the Disney Parks - a great experience!! That was back in 1990!!!!!!!! Can't wait till September and I will def go twice then!!

[JaimeH]

I have only been once, September 2002 when they were getting ready for their Howl o Scream night. We were all totally disappointed in it. I thought maybe because they were getting ready for the haloween and that we had been spoilt by the Disney Magic, (don't expect any of that in BG) we hadn't given it a fair chance and we should go back again and see what we thought. Not a chance, the rest of the party are adamant they really don't want to see it again.

[bengunn]

Another one who does not understand all of the negative replies:confused:

We went to BG in 1992 and again in 2002. We loved it both times, the coasters and water rides are excellent and the animals are wonderful; the Serengeti Safari (extra cost) is not to be missed. We went in early September and it was fairly quiet with small queues; all of the rides were open (apart from one side of Gwazi due to not many people in park) and we had a great time.:p:

[ashley.smith]

Yet Another Can't understand the negatives!

Went for the first time in 1985 didn't make it in 95, but did make it for 2004 (Easter).
Eight of us went in two cars and on arrival split into a group of 6 (ages 6, 7, 8, 32, 70, 75) and 2 (both 34 and Coaster freaks!).

The group of 6 did the train ride and had a look at the animals. The group of 2 did all the coasters in the park, with no ques (ok longest was 5 minutes and this was the only because it was the last coaster we did read on) and this was the first week of easter, in fact the place was so busy that the gates were closed at BG at 10.30 the day we were there (AK and MK closed at 11am all three parks reaching capacity). In fact on one of the coaster we were the only two people on it!
At 11.30 we all met up again had lunch and headed out for the gentler rides, doing the 4D cinama and couple of kids rides and then heading to Congo River Rapids to Cool Down. Despite a 45 minutes que this was the funniest ride I have ever been on, (both in 85 when my mum got drenched) and this year when my Father in Law coped ever drop of water that exisits on the planet Earth... At least it seemed that way! I haven't laughed so much in ages... Unfortunatly though he did not have such aa sense of humour and got off of the ride, bought a nice bright shirt and went home! I stayed with my two boys (7 and 8) and we went to the childrens play area for a couple of hours. It was great, there was a climbing area, lots of childrens rides (under 9's) and they had a thoughoughly great time. We then went on to Moroco were they went on some more rides and we finaly left the park around 9pm, best 12 hours in the parks. To compare this with AK there is simply no conest. I will not be going back to AK for a very very long time. Rhino Ralley at Busch Gardens is much better than AK and the doing it in the dark with a driver who had a real sense of humour rather than AK who simply parot fashioned the DISNEY scrip also made a difference. Only warning is the roadworks at night on I4. See a seperate thread I have posted about these.

Will defiantly be going back and would not hesitate to recomend BG to anyone else.

[NinaUK]

We went to BG last May, all though we loved the roller coasters we found that the park has just not got the feel that the orlando parks have. some of the staff were unfriendly and really did not want to be at work that day.

But the park was great for the coasters, we will visit it again one day, but this holiday coming we will be sticking with the Orlando theme parks.