BGT or IOA?

[Coasters 4 ever]

As we were leaving Universal Orlando in March, I had an idea. Since we go to Universal in the summer again anyway, why don't we try Busch Gardens Tampa next March? So I am asking what park(s) do you think we should go to? We have been to Universal I think 6 or 7 times but have never been to BGT. I would love to go on Montu and Kumba and my brother and dad I'm sure would too. But I don't know if my mom would find enough to do there. She gets sick on most thrill rides and she loves Universal's restaraunts. Do you think there would be enough for her to do there? How good is the food? Are the hotels at least as good as Royal Pacific?

[BarryH]

BGT has a lot more non-thrill attractions. There's a lot of excellent animal exhibits and shows. I think your mom will like looking at the animals and watching the shows while you conquer the roller coasters.

 

The food is pretty good. I've never eaten at the sit-down restaurant, but they make some pretty good ribs.

 

As for hotels, there are no onsite hotels at BGT. In the area, there's a Hojo, a ghetto Days Inn, Amerisuites, Red Roof Inn, and some other chain hotels. There's a few Mom and Pop hotels too.

[ChrisFL]

Since you've been to IOA a lot already I would reccomend going to BGT, they do have some great coasters there, and now Sheikra is nearly open.

 

They do have good food there, I reccomend the Crown Colony house restuaurant (3rd floor sit-down place), plenty of good food and you can get a "Family style" lunch/dinner with fried chicken (best I've EVER had) and all you can eat potatoes/fries, vegetables, bread, stuffing and more. It's very good and not too expensive at all. It also has a great seating area overlooking the animal reserve and you can get a good view of Montu running also

[Coasters 4 ever]

Which hotel is the closest? Which one is the best?

[coasters 4 me]

when we went, my mum is scared of heights and my dad gets sick easily, so they didnt get on the coasters, so i went on them by myself. But they seemed to find things to do. There are loads of exhibits and the resturants are nice.

[BarryH]

I believe there's a Hampton Inn next to the IHOP across the street from BGT. The next closest would be the ghetto Days Inn.

[Coasters 4 ever]

I am SO stupid! I made it BGT or IOA when I was talking about all of Universal Orlando!

 

Stupid... stupid... stupid

[JT3000]

Which hotel is the closest? Which one is the best?

 

BGT is in the middle of the ghetto. You don't wanna stay anywhere near it. I stayed at the Hard Rock last time I was down there. As for your mother, there really isn't much to the park besides it's coasters. All the other attractions are pretty crappy. Seeing as I'm not a coaster person, I don't intend to go back anytime soon. You might as well try BGT since you've been to UO so much. But don't actually expect it to even be anywhere near UO's league or you'll be disappointed.

[CoasterFanatic]

^ Then I used to live in the ghetto.

 

// Temple Terrace is not a ghetto. Go a block over to Hillsborough if you want to see the REAL deal!

[ChrisFL]

Which hotel is the closest? Which one is the best?

 

BGT is in the middle of the ghetto. You don't wanna stay anywhere near it. I stayed at the Hard Rock last time I was down there. As for your mother, there really isn't much to the park besides it's coasters. All the other attractions are pretty crappy. Seeing as I'm not a coaster person, I don't intend to go back anytime soon. You might as well try BGT since you've been to UO so much. But don't actually expect it to even be anywhere near UO's league or you'll be disappointed.

 

Do you mean other rides or other "attractions"? They have a few other decent rides there, 2 flume rides, river rapids, wild mouse, phoenix, and a few other carnival style rides. The rest is basically a zoo with beer and an african theme and IMO it isn't bad at all. No you won't see theming like IOA, but it's themed enough to get the idea that you're not just in an amusement park/zoo

[bgwfreak]

BGT is best described IMO as a Zoo with coasters.

 

The place is nothing like BGW in that respect.

 

They have great coasters and some thrill rides, but not that many.

 

I'd say go for it, especially since it's only an hour away from Orlando.

 

If only I lived an hour away from Sheikra. But then I'd have to deal with Orlando heat, nahhhhhhhhhh.