Busch Gardens Africa: Thoughts
Busch Gardens Tampa: First-time visitor to BGA reflecting on the trip and the inevitable comparisons to previous theme parks frequented, specifically Universal and Disney.
I went to Busch Gardens Africa for the first time today. I had a great time there, and as I took the drive back home, I couldn't help but begin to make comparisons between BGA and Universal (my "home" park) and Disney, specifically Animal Kingdom.
The things I noticed were that compared to BGA, which looks like the real thing in terms of terrain and so forth, DAK seems lacking in some ways. More artificial, if you will. Disneyfied in a way that just doesn't seem to click. Maybe it's just me talking, but BGA blew me away in terms of feeling like it was a zoo that happened to have a trio of incredible coasters as well and several other good attractions. Before you ask, I have done the Kilimanjaro Safaris and enjoyed it. When I talk about artificial, I'm talking about the tree of life, and all the other stuff. It's incredible, yes, and the work put into that thing must have been countless hours, but in new light, my perspective is different now.
As far as the marketing, booths, and so forth within the park, they seemed a lot less polished than Universal or Disney, and in a strange way, I kinda like it that way. Just seemed less commercialized, and when they WERE hawking products in their stores, it wasn't excessive like it seems to be at the other two major Florida parks.
Don't get me wrong. IOA's the king. The theming at BGA was lacking as far as the rides went in my opinion, because I felt like there was no back story besides "get in this line and ride this pretty new coaster". It was the same for every ride I did, although the animal stuff was awesome. Having said IOA is top dog, I can't help but look at Universal as more "artificial" now, and it's a shame they have so little space to work with as far as expanding and adding attractions.
Thoughts?
Interesting stuff you got there! I have not been to BGA since it became Africa. With Universal and Seaworld getting better in the past few years, why would you stray away from Orlando? To top it off, DAK is right there! Now I am not saying that one is better than the other, but do you really think its worth leaving the Orlando Parks to go to a place in Tampa? If anything, thats what I would think would be the dowside of BGA. I like your ideas of the artifical-ness of parks. You are right that the Tree of Life is the most fake looking tree on the planet, butI think Disney was going for beyond imagination landscape for that. After all, the Castle is not very realistic either. Thats nothing against your argument, which is totally true, but I think Disney had different ideas than what you thought. Though I am a Disney man, you kept it pretty civil in this discussion. I wonder, if BGA was feeling pressue from the opening of DAK? I mean didn't they put in a Kilimajaro Safari-type ride and a Festival of the Lion King-ish show around or after DAK did it? DAK has come a LONG way from what it used to be. I remember when this park first opened and it was terrible. I am saying this with all my love for Disney, but it was HORRIBLE!! Now, I am very impressed with its improvements. Now, if they ever build Beastly Kingdom, I will be set. After all, they need to compete against the Lost Continent,I believe the best looking area in IOA!
Good job!
Another thing to keep in mind about BGA is that it is a older park, much older than any of the Orlando parks. Busch is taking its time on upgrading the park and infrastructure... naturally this takes time and money. I think you will start to see some really amazing transformations come out of this park, which is also one of the largest zoos in the world.
Its older than the Magic Kingdom?
WOW! And I thought Disney started the craze.....
Biggest Zoo? Really?
Well it just seems like Busch cares more for Seaworld than for BGA! Anyway, not my favorite park in FL (I think you all know what that is!), but still better than most other parks in the US
Busch Gardens Tampa opened on March 31,1959. As far as comparing Busch parks to Disney or Universal parks, it's somewhat difficult to do since parks like Disney and Universal rely heavily on themeing while Busch is primarily concerned with thrill rides (and wildlife conservation/education) which do not necessarily need a great deal of themeing. Sure, BGT is indeed Africa themed, but that's primarily due to the zoological aspect of the park (plus it helps with naming their coasters). Anthony, when BGT adopted the BGA persona, the park itself did not change, it was Africa-themed all along since its opening when it was known as "The Dark Continent".
Oh I knew that it was always themed in some Africa way! Before Everst, Rockin Roller Coaster, Hulk, and Dueling Dragons, this is the park that I got my roller coaster fix with Kumba (my first upsidedown roller coaster), The Scorpion, and my personal favorite, Montu, which I believe is greatly themed. The animal exibits were great too! I just haven't been there in awhile because of Universal and Sea World getting better. When we go to Disney World on Vacation, we go to one non-Disney theme park (or two if you include USF and IOA as seperate). Its mostly been Seaworld and Universal lately. I really want to try BGA again.
However, I did not know that BGA was that old! WOW! With the improvemnt of Seaworld, I think that this park will get themed more!
I’ve always preferred Bush Garden’s Africa, in Tampa, over the Orlando scene. I had been coming to Fla. for many years, swearing I wouldn’t ever go to the Orlando area amusements again. It always seemed to be too overwhelming, due to the enormous amount of people. It was difficult for a day’s trip with the kids. (Of course, that said, … I made the trip two additional times with the kids).
I now live an hour from Busch and other than the 85-93 degree hot season, I try to get there one day a week. If I lived closer to Busch, I would be there 5 days a week. Busch is super, and the two year pass sure helps on the pocketbook.
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