Are Busch Gardens guided tours worth the money
Busch Gardens Tampa: I was wondering if the guided group tours at Busch Gardens Tampa were worth doing. We will be to Busch
I was wondering if the guided group tours at Busch Gardens Tampa were worth the money. We will be going to Busch Gardens for only one day, the first week of April, along with thousands of spring breakers. We have spent the last 4 spring breaks on site at Universal studios or Disney and with express passes never really had to wait in line. Is spring break at Busch Gardens crazy crowded like the Orlando Parks? If anyone has gone on the BG tours I would appreciate hearing from you
Thanks
From Gareth H
Posted January 9, 2007 at 1:30 AM
I've just done the save a species tour at Busch Gardens in Tampa. At $44.99 per adult you get to feed giraffes up close and get a close (Dry moat) encounter with a white rhino. I think this was great money. The tour lasted 45 minutes exactly...
Great photo oppourtunity...
But those tours G, you didnt get fotl hookups for the rides did you?
The wait times will not be Disney times, but close to Universal times as they dont have a fastpass system. My advice to you, is the same for all the parks...GET THERE EARLY. The park opens at 9, be there at 8. Stop by the gator tanks, get you a tooth while the keepers are cleaning the pool and head to montu. Then hit Rhino Rally...then make the trek across the park for Sheikra...those are the big ones you will wait for.
From Gareth H
Posted January 9, 2007 at 5:46 PM
Ah, when its busy theres a guy who hands out return fast tickets for Rhine Raley. Saved me 90 minutes!!
From steve lee
Posted January 9, 2007 at 6:08 PM
Oh, and when you're paying to park, the answer to "would you like preferred parking" is an emphatic YES.
Not only does it put you FAR closer to the entrance, it puts you closer to the entrance before anyone else can get there. This is the only park I would ever recommend preferred parking at. It's absolutely worth it (I love my platinum pass).
From Gareth H
Posted January 10, 2007 at 3:58 PM
I got there dead on 9am and went for the (not so) cheapo parking option. I arrived at the gate faster than a couple behind me who went preferred.
Whereas they had to drive further (Under the road) and then walk from the car to the entrance, I simply got out of my car, walked the 20 yards to the tram thingy (OK, I got lucky in my parking space) and got straight on, straight to the gate and in!
Previous week I went couldn't get a preferred parking ticket at 8.50am as they decided not to sell them that day! Weird!
My wife and I have done their ultimate tour twice. The best part about it is that instead of pictures of either me or her, there was someone always there who would gladly take pictures of you together.
Also, you can now buy all the photos they take of you with their camera for only $40. They often will take a ton of pictures that you'd be hard pressed to get any other way.
If the park is super crowded, it's worth it to avoid the lines, but we tend to go in the off season.
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