I think a lot of people are put off visiting Busch Gardens because it's located in Tampa Bay, which is just over an hour's drive away from Orlando. Hopefully this Busch Gardens guide I've put together will convince you fellow theme park enthusiasts that it's definitely worth it!
Busch Gardens is one of my favourite theme parks in Florida. I love big roller coasters (the scarier the better) and the rides here are incredible - way better than any I've experienced in the UK! You also have the opportunity to see tonnes of animals up-close, including lions, tigers, giraffes, flamingos, meerkats and rhinos.
If you book Busch Gardens tickets in the UK then remember they often come as a package and include entry to SeaWorld and Aquatica.
How to get there
If you're hiring a car then Busch Gardens is a pretty straight-forward drive, however there's also a free shuttle bus which picks up from various locations around central Orlando. I can't comment much on the shuttle as I've never used it, but I've heard good things.
Car parking is $20 per day (correct as of 11/02/2018), although if you're buying your tickets in advance from a UK website (I use FloridaTix as I used to work for them!) then it's worth checking to see if parking is included.
Busch Gardens rides
If you love big rides then Busch Gardens won’t disappoint. Falcon’s Fury is the tallest free-standing drop tower in America and one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. It's over 100m high! Once at the top you’re tilted forward parallel to the floor, before you plunge downwards towards the ground.
My second favourite ride was SheiKra, which is similar to Oblivion at Alton Towers. I also really enjoyed Cheetah Hunt and the Congo River Rapids. If you’re planning to go on the water rides make sure you bring a poncho or a change of clothes. I got completely drenched on the rapids. Luckily it was warm so I dried off quickly, and I'd bought a spare pair of shorts in my bag!
The Animals
Busch Gardens is home to more than 12,000 amazing animals. I'm not usually a fan of zoos, but I understand they're often necessary for conservation and protecting endangered species. Busch Gardens also have an Animal Care Center onsite, which guests are allowed to visit. We popped in and saw one of the vets doing a talk on a bird which had recently been bought in with a fishing hook caught in its wing. They spoke about how it could have been avoided and showed us the x-ray and how it was removed. Fascinating stuff! I think it's amazing when you're able to go behind the scenes in that way and see how much the staff really care about the animals.
The Serengeti Safari
If you love animals then I would 100% recommend doing the Serengeti Safari. This is an extra paid experience which gives you the opportunity to see all kinds of African wildlife up-close. You can even feed giraffes! We saw zebras, rhinos, antelopes and loads more. Our guide was also really good at giving us random facts as we drove along.
The tour lasts for around 30 minutes, although it felt like much longer. We did our safari first thing in the morning. I've heard this is one of the best times to go as the animals are more likely to be awake and active. Tickets cost around $30-40, depending on the time of year you visit (prices correct at time of publishing).
Have you ever been to Busch Gardens Tampa?
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oh that looks so much fun! And getting to feed wallabies, aaaah! So much cuteness
Ooooh to be honest, even looking at big rides that these makes my stomach turn! But those flamingos are such a beautiful colour :)
Giraffes are my favourite! I think I might die if I got to touch one! <3
Gisforgingers xx