Georgemac and Crew – Last Minute Tour 07 – Day 6

[georgemac]

Georgemac and Crew – July 2007

20th July – 3rd August - Last Minute Tour – BIL came too!

Day 6 – Thursday 26th July – Busch Gardens

Weather – Sunny, very hot, only 1 short shower today

I am up early and do my usual routine. We have breakfast then rouse the boys around 10 am after the late night yesterday, and by 11 am we are on the road to Tampa. In just under 1 hour we arrive at Busch, and are parked almost right back at the entrance so we know the park is going to be extremely busy. We head for Montu only to find a 60 minute line, so head for the skyride to go across the park to Stanleyville. Sheikra (now floorless) also has a 60 minute wait, so off we go into the line as the park is very busy. The ride broke down a couple of times when we were in line, and some people left but we were on after a 60 minute wait. Having no floor makes no difference, BIL really enjoyed his first time on Shiekra. Stomach’s were then rumbling so we got in line for the food outlet beside Shiekra, boy was it slow. I had the extremely unhealthy loaded fries, usual for the others and we finished off with a strawberry funnel cake. We had a look at the log flume ride, but this was a 60 minute wait, and went to get in line for tidal wave, but also a 60 minute wait, so the boys decided to go for the tidal wave bridge for their water ride, and had a lot of fun on there. They then went round to the wet part of Shiekra and got another dowsing there to cool them down, it was very hot. Headed off for the 4D show which we all enjoyed, and also enjoyed the air conditioned comfort of the theatre. Next was Kumba, only about a 20 minute wait and a great ride. We then headed for the upside down boat, the Phoenix, but it broke down when we were in the line. As we approached Rhino Rally we were told that all rides were now closed due to an approaching storm, so we hot footed it to the Katonga show, which was OK but not something I would rush back to see. When we came out it was sunny and the ground was soaking so that worked out well for us. Headed for Montu, and BIL wanted a drink – I had to educate him that if you stopped for a drink about 300 people would pass us heading for the Montu line so drinks have to wait until after the ride! The ride opened 5 minutes after we got in line, and we had about a 30 minute wait for my favourite coaster. After some drinks we went back to Stanleyville on the skyride and back to the Phoenix, which was now working and is a very underrated ride – we really enjoyed it. Headed next to Rhino Rally , and when we were in the short line the water section of the ride broke down again – we don’t have much luck with this part of Rhino Rally! We headed back to Shiekra for a final ride and the wait was now down to 15 minutes. It was now 8.30 PM, where does the time go? The boys got a final soaking under Shiekra, and BIL thought they had escaped the soaking as the coaster went by, but never realised how high the water goes, and when it eventually hit him his face was a picture.

We left the park just before 9 PM, and were back at HW27 in 50 minutes, entertained on the way home by some spectacular lightning storms just to the South of us, never saw any rain on the drive home. Had a take away for a late tea, and chilled with a beer back at the villa. We really enjoyed our day at Busch, which we think is a really great park, although the staff do not seem as organised as they are at the other parks, which really shows when the park is busy. We have been really spoiled on our other visits in Oct the last 2 years to have a really quiet park with short wait times. Other observations, lot’s of South Americans in the parks at the moment, and really the majority of them have no manners at all, so it’s no surprise the large parties of kids are the same. Also all those large parties of school kids on vacation always all seem to be mainly girls – do boys not go on these trips?

[georgemac]

Tidal Wave Bridge



Something new being built?

[georgemac]

Sheikra

[Jools]

Now that's what I call a soaking from the tidal wave. Great photos.

[orlandosgr8]

We always enjoy Busch Gardens and Montu is definitely my favourite coaster

[Guest]

A brillant day at Busch Gardens. Once again lovely photos

[Strommie]

Great day at Busch Gardens

[Guest]

we like bg too but would agree service very poor compared to others

[highlander447]

You got some great pics there George

[Tinkers]

Another great day, love the photo's