Busch Gardens africa

[sbb44]

I was wondering if the crowds at Busch gardens africa during the first week of April this year would warrant taking one of the guided thrill tours? This is our first trip to Busch Gardens and I want to make sure we don't spend most of our day standing in line. We have always stayed at the Portofino Bay hotel when visiting Orlando, and like the fact we don't have to wait in line to long for the rides. I have read where Busch Gardens doesn't have the crowds that the Orlando Parks do, so would it be a waste of money to take the tour?

Do you think the crowds would make wait times longer than half and hour?

 

Thanks for any information

[Homer]

I think it would be pretty useful, especially if it is your first time at the park and the only time you will be at the park (unless you plan on heading to the park at least once every year).

 

I think the first week of April would be a great time to take one of the tours, because of the spring break crowd. However, don't take the "thrill tour" if you are going to the park on a yearly basis, I'd take it if it is "once in a lifetime."

[BarryH]

I took the Howl-O-Scream guided tour. It wasn't anything special, but it felt like I was being herded around like cattle. The guides didn't really tell us where we were going or anything about the attractions we were experiencing. I haven't taken a day guided tour yet. Personally, I wouldn't be too interested in a BGA guided tour. I'd just prefer arriving at park opening and hitting the coasters before the huge crowds arrive.

[georgeriley15]

Busch Tampa is generally about 1/5 as crowded as WDW on any given day (local feel free to correct me). I have had tremendous waits at WDW and then gone to BGT and had zero wait for Kumba on many many occasions.

I wouldn't personally consider paying more for a special tour. Spend the extra money on a hotel room and stay at BGT for 2 days... That will allow you to see all of it. It is a very very large park. (Plus, you have to ride the Rhino Rally if you haven't done so already... It is constantly breaking down, and 2 days will increase your odds of successfully riding the whole ride. If you haven't already heard about it, you should seriously limit the info that you read about the experience. It WILL spoil it. (It's not like Mission:Space or anything of that caliber, but it's nice to get a surprise on a ride once in awhile...)) All that said, I have never seen a wait for Montu more than 25 minutes nor a wait for Kumba of more than 10 minutes... I suppose perhaps I am just good at picking the right day, but I went during ACE convention and it was the same old no-wait scenario... If anyone has ever seen a wait there, please let me know what time of year it was so I can avoid it...

[texashorns82492]

I went in March last year, I'm not sure if there will be a difference. But anyways, the lines were awesome. Max wait of about 10 minutes for Montu, 20 minutes for Kumba, 15 for Sheikra. But like I said, I'm not sure if April is any different.

[thecoasterkid]

Ok, I've got a question about BGA that's pretty much along the same line, so I won't waste opening another topic.

 

I am going to Florida in late May this year and I will be flying out of Tampa with my family. According to Google Earth BGA is only a 20 minute drive from the airport, and our flight is leaving at 5:30pm. Anyone have a general idea of how accurate that is?

 

I'm hoping to talk the family into letting me go for a few hours (probobly only about 3, 4 max). I was wondering if it's worth the price of admission to go for such a short period of time, and if I would be able to get the major coasters in (Montu, Sheikra, and Kumba). Also, for the extra price is it worth (or even possible) to take the tour for such a short time?

 

Chances are I won't be able to make it back to BGA for quite a few years, so it's not really a once in a lifetime type deal...but atleast a once in 5-10 years.

[Homer]

The extra price ain't really worth it if you're there for a short time. Also, what day are you going? If its a weekday, do not worry about crowds as much, however, be aware that waits may become 10-20 minutes soon.

 

As for the accuracy of Googles distance between Tampa Int and BGT, somewhat. You could easily take 275 to Busch Blvd. and get to Busch Gardens from there. I'd say ~15/20 minutes [traffic is spontaneous in Tampa, be aware].

[thecoasterkid]

^ It would be on a sunday afternoon (May 27th to be exact). I would like to get to the park no later than noon, wouldn't worry about eating any lunch unless I'm way ahead of schedule on coaster riding, and would have to leave at 3pm.

 

My family probobly wouldn't want to come in with me, so I can power around a park pretty fast on my own. If lines will only be in the 20 minute range, then I'd definitely go. Price isn't really a concern, so I'm not worried about spending the $60 just to go for 3 hours.

[ParkTrips]

You could easily do the B&Ms and Gwazi in that time, but Scorpion and the Wild Mouse could build some killer lines... and a Sunday on a holiday weekend? I'd be weary of doing much more than that. It COULD be done, I think, but make sure you prioritize.. but yeah, Montu, Sheikra and Kumba are worth admission if you don't know when the next time you'll have a chance at visiting is...

[thecoasterkid]

^ I wasn't sure if it would be a holiday weekend for you guys down there. Our May long weekend is the weekend before (May 19-20). Thanks for the tips Joe and Homer. Any other thoughts are still welcome.