BGT Crowds

**Phil** · #1 08-06-2006, 09:56 AM

How are the crowds at BGT between Christmas and New Year's? Is it absolutely packed or is it comparable to summer crowd levels. I'm trying to decided whether or not to make the ride over there during my trip to Orlando. If its going to be crazy crowds then it isn't worth the ride.

Also, I know the park is called Busch Gardens Africa but I'm too used to BGT.

Johnny Upsidedown · #2 08-07-2006, 10:33 AM

Memory thinks that it is one of the busiest weeks the park has during the fall to winter months. Alot of out of state and out of country visitors. I remember last year while doing my Shiekra photos talking with people at the park and they said that it is the buisist week of the winter season.
Its worth a trip in the morning if you are interested in just hitting some coasters. Get there early parking usually opens an hour before the gates. Keep in mind that even though BGT is crowded alot of people at the park arent going to be riding coasters there is a large array of age groups at the park more so than at other parks and alot dont ride coasters. But a morning trip to the park to spend half a day would be worth it, to me anyway. Then again thats advise from somebody that will fly to another state just to ride a single ride for a couple hours.

**Wes** · #3 08-07-2006, 10:47 AM

I've heard that Disney's busiest two weeks are the week between Christmas and New Year's and Easter.

I'd think it would probably be true for BGA as well.

**Phil** · #4 08-07-2006, 12:17 PM

I know that Orlando is packed with people during that week, but I wasn't sure if BGT was the same way. It sounds like it is, so I think we'll skip it on this trip. It isn't worth the 60-90 minute drive to rush in the morning just to get on the coasters and leave. My family will have plently of oppurtunities to go to the park again.

The only reason we are even going to Orlando during that week is for Discovery Cove. We aren't going to Universal or Disney because it isn't worth it with the crowds. DC has a guest limit and SeaWorld really doesn't have any lines because there are no "real" attractions, just shows and exhibits.

Katie · #5 08-07-2006, 12:27 PM

I was at Busch Gardens on December 23rd last year. The rides were not packed and we didn't wait more then 15-20 minutes for coasters all day long. I would say have fun...the closer you go to Christmas the more people might be in the area, but most people don't go to parks those 2 days before and maybe a day or two after.

SeaWorld has Kraken and Journey to Atlantis, those are "real" attractions.

**Phil** · #6 08-07-2006, 02:12 PM

I know those are real attractions, but if you go at opening you never have to worry about crowds during the day because you can ride all the real attractions before people get there. You can't do that at almost any other park.

BGTKing · #7 08-07-2006, 02:48 PM

December 26th through January 1st are usually very busy days for the park.

Tanks4me05 · #8 08-07-2006, 03:39 PM

Hmmm, how bad would the crowds be in mid April?

Katie · #9 08-07-2006, 04:39 PM

Dead...kids are in school.

Komatz70 · #10 08-07-2006, 04:39 PM

Mid April can be bad mainly because it is Spring Break and the park can get as bad as it does on the weekends...