Tampa Trip

[RCT2day]

Dear anyone who wants to help me out,

I'm going on a Tampa trip next week and will definitely be going to Busch Gardens Tampa. Having never been to Tampa before, I want to hear what you all think is absolutely necessary to do at Busch Gardens. For example, what seat do I have to ride for Kumba, Cheetah Hunt, etc? Where should I not sit on Gwazi, Sheikra, etc? Wheres the best place to get food? Overall, I just want to hear what I have to do. If you know some secrets about the park (how to save $5 even), do share. The question is not time; I'm spending about 4 days in Tampa, 2 of which are dedicated to Busch Gardens.

In addition, I am heading to Orlando for 1 day to either go to Universal Islands of Adventure or Sea World. I really want to go to both, but if I had to pick one, which and why? Kraken and Manta look insanely awesome, while the WWHP and Incredible Hulk also look insane. I may go to both (unlikely, though). Once again, any info on both park rides, food, etc., is greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Jet

[Skycoastin Steve]

BGT:

Cheetah Hunt: The ride is honestly great in the front and back, with different sensations in each place. The front provides pretty good airtime in a number of places, and is probably the best place to ride overall, but the back still has good airtime, as well.

 

Kumba: Front row is awesome, but the back right seat is life changing. Seriously, that's the only seat you need to ride in (kinda like Apollo's Chariot).

 

Montu: Front row is undoubtedly the best place to ride, and it's not even close. The back is decent going through the batwing, but this is one where it's worth the wait for the front row.

 

Sheikra: Front and back are both terrific ride experiences. Front row gets you the view on the drops, back row gets you ridiculous airtime on both drops.

 

Gwazi: Pick a seat, any seat. But take some Tylenol beforehand. And hang on.

 

Best place to get food is the Smokehouse by Sheikra. You won't be disappointed. I highly, highly recommend the all-day dining pass. It's one of the best deals I've seen at a park (except for the $15 Q-Bot at Dollywood). You literally get unlimited food and drink for the entire day for $30. Be sure to check out all the animal exhibits, especially the kangaroos at feeding time.

 

 

If you're only going to do one park in Orlando and your choices are IOA or SWO, I would definitely pick IOA. Better rides, bigger park, and a broader range of things to do. While Manta and Kraken are both excellent coasters, you better REALLY enjoy live shows, because that's about all you have left at SWO. IOA has several top notch rides (Hulk, Dragons, Spiderman, Forbidden Journey, Ripsaw Falls, Jurassic Park, Bluto's Barges, etc.) However, the crowds are going to be a LOT worse at IOA. They show up early in big, big numbers at IOA, and they don't leave till the gates close. Harry Potter pretty much guarantees big crowds almost year round.

[JamesD]

May I add on to what was said prior...

 

If you are going to feed the kangaroos and wallabies..look for when they are having the "bottle" feeding as opposed to the normal "dry food" feeding. I found the bottle to be much more fun.

 

I do also have to say that..even though I love the park...the layout is pretty wacky and all over the place for some things.

[Tanks4me05]

Gwazi: Just man up. It was fantastic. Otherwise, all the other information I'd be able to provide would be basically the same as everyone else.

[chasbron]

BGT: I would add to what has been said, RIDE SCORPION!! The line always looks long but you never have to wait more than three trains (in my experience anyway) The Crown Colony is good for a sit down restaurant but be aware, it can take a long time, and it can be pretty pricey. Hit Cheetah Hunt right when you get there or you will miss your window of sub 45 minute waittimes. Kumba has always been my favourite but the old girl is getting on the rough side, but its got great capacity and horrid location so wait times are small. I go there for the mindless ride it 10-15 times in a row.

 

That's all I got...

Have Fun!

Chas

 

PS the Skyride is your friend!!

[RCT2day]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm going tomorrow and right now just looking for some deals (parking, food, tickets, etc.) I'll be going again in 2 days I think so I'll be a seasoned veteran by then.

[RCT2day]

I'm back from Busch Gardens and it was fantastic. Thanks for everyone's helpful responses. Here's my general review:

 

Cheetah Hunt: except for the 60+ wait, favorite coaster. 3 great launches, beautifully executed, and the run over the water is just pure bliss. Went back seat and 2nd row, both were great and had no preference. They ran 4 trains which were generally accompanied by slow operations. 9/10

Montu: Why is this not regarded as a better coaster? Went front row (incredible) and back row (great experience). And to top it all off, no wait. Really, every time I was there, it was walk on despite running 2 trains only. Its just great. 8.5/10

Kumba: Only got to go on once which I was very disappointed about. Of teh 2 days there, it was broken down 3 different times. The 2nd time it broke down, I was loaded in my seat and they told us to get out because the train broke down on the lift. I even think the people of the broken train got tickets for another day (but I got nothing). The only time we went on, we were front row and it was just great. Little shaky in her old age, but Kumba is still beautiful. 8.5/10

Gwazi: Obviously, no wait but was still good. I've been on rougher and better woodies but a solid coaster no less 6.5/10

SheiKra: 200 ft is high in Florida. Great drop, great speed, great Immelmann, great splashdown. As everyone says, I wish dive coasters were loner but I can live with this one. Ran 4 trains and had only a 10 minute wait. 7.5/10

Scorpion: Its historic so I had to. It killed me, but they ran only 1 train so it was a 30 minute wait. I've been on better, but still it was alright 5/10

 

Zamabia Smokehouse: Best theme park food I have ever had. Great BBQ, apple cobbler, and other stuff. And to complete the perfect image, it was a fair price: large soda was $2.99, desert was $3.50, and entrees ranged from $7 to $15 with really good portions and nice staff. Fantastic and great views of SheiKra. 9.5/10

 

Animal exhibits: I am naturally against these domestication of creatures unless their habitats/treatment is world class. Most seemed generally happy and well taken care of. By far, the best exhibit was the gorillas. So funny when the littlest threw mud at the alpha and began a chase around the area. Serenghti (that is not how its spelled) could have been better, probably because I was expecting something like Animal Kingdom's. 7.5/10

 

Scenery: Beautiful work on waterfalls, rock formations, dense jungles, etc. 9/10

 

Park: I was really impressed and will certainly come back when even 2 hours away from the park. Nice staff, beautiful place, great coasters, fun for the whole family. 9/10