We're planning a trip to Busch Gardens, Tampa (duh), in January -- most likely the 2cd-4th or 3rd-5th. We've been to the park before a couple of times, but not since I believe '98 -- we certainly haven't seen Gwazi, and we've never really paid any attention to the zoo parts of the park, which we'd like to do this time.

Any suggestions? I'd also appreciate suggestions of other things to do in the Tampa area (not too much driving) -- we'd like to do some shopping (best mall?), miniature golf (best deal, most fun?), we're heading to the Aquarium (how much does it cost and can we get a deal somehow?), and we're just wondering about other possibilities.

As for hotels, we plan on going to a Hampton Inn -- always have been impressed with their service, and they're a great price for what you get. We'll be driving our own car, and of course we're Florida residents.

Any tips on how to approach the zoo / safari portion of the park? Best time to see the animals, etc.? Best time to ride Gwazi? Any suggestions are welcome!

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Walk Beyond...

I haven't been to Busch Gardens since '99, but being an ex-Florida resident, I've been there a few times. I rode Gwazi first when I went there, and I found the line to be rather crowded. Of course, the ride was new at the time. But, the ride ops seemed to take forever to dispatch the trains. They do a much better job on Montu and Kumba. You might want to ride Gwazi later in the day.

As far as the animals, I've found the tigers, lions, and hyenas more active early in the day. In the afternoons, they just want to sleep. Don't miss the Myombe Reserve with the gorillas, chimps, and orangutans(sp?). I could watch them all day, as they are very entertaining.
Another cool activity is to go feed the birds in the aviary. I bought a small cup of nectar and was swarmed by all kinds of birds. Be careful, though, as they will poop on you.

I've never been to any malls or the Aquarium in Tampa, but I have been to the Museum of Science and Industry. It's a pretty decent museum that also has a domed IMAX theatre. It's very close to Busch Gardens, as you can even see the dome if you look to the right on the lift hill of Kumba. There is also a mini-golf course right across the street from BG called Congo River Golf. Never went there, but it looks pretty cool.

So what part of Florida are you from? I used to live in the Orlando area. Fortunately, my brother still lives down there and I try to hit either IOA, SWO, or BGT every time I visit.

First off, got to Gwazi first thing in the morning. This ride can get crowded during the day and may never let up, so you want to ride it several times at this point. The others will not get crowded until later or not at all. Then go straight for Montu. It's then off to Scorpion(DONT STOP AT RHINO RALLY). Followed by Kumba and Python. At this point it will most likely be lunch time. Just a little ways from Python is an excellent BBQ chicken place in Stanleyville. I eat there every trip. At this point, if you want to get wet, you should go on the water rides. Tidal Wave and Congo River are the 2 to ride. The flume generally isn't worth the wait. Through the rest of the day make your picks between animals and coasters. Kumba, Montu, Scorpion, and Python all have manageable waits(never more than 10 minutes on average). Gwazi may have long waits. Do NOT ride Rhino Rally if it is over a 30 minute wait. Instead go to The Edge of Africa, the Nursery, Myombe Reserve, or bird areas. If you want to ride the skyway, do it from the station by the flume. The other station gets much more crowded. Towards the end of the day, pick your favorite coaster and get your last runs in on it. Have fun, it's a great park!

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"BECAUSE someone like you cared a whole afwul lot, this park is alive where before it was not." -The Street of the Lifted Lorax, IOA

I'll almost certainly be at Busch in the last week in January myself, so if anyone has any info on what it will be like then, if it's different from what has been posted already, I'd appreciate it!

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Andy Rathe

Come to think of it, I did go to a mall in the Tampa area a few years ago. If you don't mind crossing the Bay, there is a mall in St. Pete that is built right on a pier over water. I believe the mall is called just that, "The Pier." There also used to be a Russian submarine on display very close to the mall. Tours are available, and it is very interesting if you are a military buff like myself. However, I've heard that the submarine was removed. I don't know if that is true.

That sub has been removed, but in Tampa there is an old ship docked there where you can go though it like a museum. MOSI is a great museum, you should check it out! For malls you have 3 to choose from, University Mall which is close to BGT and MOSI or you can goto Westshore Plaza which is more upscale than University Mall but is about 15 minutes away, or goto the new International Plaza which is the coolest Mall on the face of the planet! It is a very upscale with stores like Bose, Bang & Olufsun (sp?), Nordstrom,etc. It is located about 5 minutes from Westshore Plaza. But if you want to go somewhere for nightlife, than goto Ybor City! Awsome place to party. The Florida Aqaurium costs $15 for adult and $10 for Children. Goto http://www.thcva.com/ for more info!

MOSI is a great museum, you should check it out! For malls you have 3 to choose from, University Mall which is close to BGT and MOSI or you can goto Westshore Plaza which is more upscale than University Mall but is about 15 minutes away, or goto the new International Plaza which is the coolest Mall on the face of the planet! It is a very upscale with stores like Bose, Bang & Olufsun (sp?), Nordstrom,etc. It is located about 5 minutes from Westshore Plaza. But if you want to go somewhere for nightlife, than goto Ybor City! Awsome place to party. Goto http://www.thcva.com/ for more info!

BGT is my home park. Rocketman23 must not be a big fan of Rhino Rally, but I am. It's not as good as before they installed redundant safety precautions, but is still a quality ride. You really shouldn't wait if the line time is more than an hour, but if it is anything less, consider waiting. Another good alternative is the single riders line. My friend and I went into that line while the regular line was 90 minutes. We got seated together within five minutes. Well, hope you have fun!

P.S. - MOSI <i>is</i> a really good museum.

this post may be a little late, but bgt's congo will be closed in january, the employee wouldn't say. he said they might tear down python then to start construction on a new coaster....hope this is true!!! oh, and the good news is kumba will still be open, the back path to it will be the only part open.

ride rhino rally, it's fun!
and mosi is a good museum too!

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Oh, dear, I hope I can get in one more ride -- maybe we'd be better off to move the trip up to the week between the holidays. Hmmm. Have to see about that -- I've been on Python before, liked it, and I want to get a good pic. Maybe I'll email 'em and ask about it -- thanks for the heads up!

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Walk Beyond...

Man I hate this! I can't believe that you could just go whenever, I wish I was old enough to do that and go to an amusement park whenever I wanted! First of all, I don't have a car to drive and I couldn't go anyway because, they are all closed and I couldn't get away. Darnit!

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hey, im goin to BGT in Januarary 1-7 (i dont no when) i was wondering if Kumba and Montu are long wait i haven't been there since Gwazi opened in 98'

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i ain't happy, feeling glad i got sunshine in a bag i'm useless but not for long my future is comin' on

if you really want to see the park, take a tour, there awesome! They have more info for this at BuschGardens.com

Just to let anyone interested know, I've emailed Busch Gardens about Python, and they wrote back -- they say it's there to stay, that the rumor of it being closed / removed is just that, a rumor. Hopefully they're not just saying that to keep people off their backs! The way the email was worded, it appeared to have been sent to a lot of people, so this probably isn't the first time they'd been asked.

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Walk Beyond...