Rides and Hides (Busch Gardens (Tampa Bay, Florida))

Member Name: Picasso

Product:	Busch Gardens (Tampa Bay, Florida)
Date:	15/07/01 (264 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Thrill Roller Coaters

Disadvantages: Unadventurous food

If you are staying on the Gulf Coast of Florida and don't fancy the two hour drive to Disney, then Busch Gardens is an excellent alternative.


Busch Gardens is one of the largest zoos in North America incorporating a magnificent theme park. It is home to nearly 3000 species, a number of which are endagered. Mammals, birds, reptiles and spiders can all be viewed up close. Specially built habitats are home to elephants, gorillas and Bengal tigers. We watched alligators being fed, experienced our first sighting of koala bears, tarantulas and black widows.

The overall theme of the park is Africa, hence it is divided into 19 areas - Nairobi, Timbuktu, Congo etc. The theme park has over 30 rides ranging from little kiddies to white knuckle. Being a big roller coaster fan, I found the ones here fantastic. I rode Kumba, Montu and Gwazi. Gwazi for me deserves a special mention. It is the highest wooden roller coaster in the world, has a speed of 50 miles an hour on 7,000 feet of track. It is the best roller coaster ride I have ever encountered.

Because we were there in June, we experienced only 5 to 10 minute queues, with the exception of Rhino Ralley which was 70 minutes. Why the queue? Rhino Ralley boasts to be the worlds boldest off - road safari and wild river adventure. Custom made passenger Land Rovers carry guests across extreme terrain to up-close encounters with endangered white rhinoceros, Asian Elephants, Cape Buffalo, Nile crocodiles, Warthogs and more exotic species. As the rally nears completion, an unforseen flash flood hurtles ralliers on a raging river adventure. Will they survive? I live to tell the tale.

The Sky Ride Cablecar and Congo Train are good ways of getting round the park and enabled us to take some excellent wildlife photographs. Another good idea, the parks provides lockers next to all the major rides at a cost of only 25 cents. This means that cameras and bags remain safe while you enjoy hands free rides
.

Busch Gardens makes for an excellent family day out. It enables you to see endangered species and enjoy the thrills of the rides at the same time. We will definately go back.

Summary: Theme park in Florida