Eighteen Again! - Final thoughts added 7/24 COMPLETE!! About This Page:

[Caldercup]

It starts!! I'm so excited... can't wait for more -- especially your HI-larious smilies!
Eileen

[PrincessSharon]

Day Two – Friday, May 26
Busch Gardens Tampa and Crazy People

We woke up and got ready, then went and enjoyed the free breakfast. While we were eating, we called and found out that the girls would meet us at Busch Gardens. When we left the hotel, we were met by the hotel’s shuttle driver who informed us that we could use the free shuttle to go anywhere within a 5 mile radius of the hotel, which included Busch Gardens, University Mall, and the Museum of Science and Industry, which I wanted to visit but we didn’t have time for. I’ll get there on my next visit to Tampa. The shuttles would also take you to Wal-Mart or any other store, as long as it was within 5 miles. Anyway, all we had to do when we were ready to return was call the hotel. I thought this was great and would save us the parking fee to boot, so we hopped in.

Busch Gardens is literally down the street from the hotel, so we were there in about 5 minutes. We were dropped off right in front of the gate and would be picked up in the same spot.

I’d gotten our tickets online ahead of time, so we just went to the kiosks and printed out our passes. We met up with the girls, then we went through the security check and into the park. There were no lines to speak of, which I took as a good sign.

Busch Gardens Tampa is a zoo with a lot of loopy roller coasters thrown in. It is a beautiful park and well worth a visit, in my opinion. It reminded me of Animal Kingdom in a lot of places, with great theming and beautiful scenery, and we all really enjoyed our day there, particularly Mom & Dad, who’d never been before.

I wanted to ride the newest ride first, which was Sheikra. It opened 5 days after my last visit, so it would be a first for me. We decided to take the sky ride over to it, so we made our way over to the sky ride station. We passed some crocodiles on the way, so I grabbed a few shots.



I was sure the turtles were fake, until I noticed one moving

We passed the Crown Colony restaurant, which is a place I wanted to try.




There was a really cool tiger topiary, so I had to get some shots of that as well.






We made it to the sky ride and saw that there was only a 5 minute wait. This was a great way to get a feel for the park’s layout, and also had some great animal viewing opportunities. Looking at all the huge coasters had me pretty excited, too!







That's Sheikra, and the 90º drop
















Once we got off the sky ride, we headed straight for Sheikra.




I expected to find a long wait at Sheikra, but was surprised to find the line to be only 10 minutes. Maybe this is why.



Sheikra is named after an African hawk that catches its prey by diving straight to the ground, and that’s what this coaster does. I’m just crazy enough to find this wildly exciting and I couldn’t wait for a chance to go plummeting down to the ground. Apparently, crazy isn’t an inherent part of my family’s DNA, because DM and DF decided to sit this one out.

The line for the middle row was shortest, so that’s the one we took. There’s a moment when you’re at the top of the hill and you just sit there, waiting to fall, like so many other drop-type rides. But on this one, you’re hanging over the edge face down and you kinda dangle there, waiting to fall. I have to admit that it sounds much more frightening than it actually is. I mean it was a fun ride, but not as intense as I expected it to be. It’s pretty short, as well.

Our first ride was very quick (it only took us 5 minutes to get through the queue), we got on again and this time waited for the front row, which took us less than 10 minutes to get through. It is a better experience from the front, and you dangle the most from there.

When we exited the ride, DM and DF decided to let us know how crazy they think we are and then let us know that someone must have had some money in his shirt pocket and it came out during the dangle and money went flying everywhere. They said the people on the ride were grabbing money like crazy! I feel bad for the guy, but the picture it creates is pretty funny, you have to admit.

After Sheikra, we popped over to Gwazi, which is a racing wooden coaster. First we rode the lion side, then the tiger side, both with virtually no wait. I am partial to rickety wooden coasters because the first roller coaster I ever rode was the Cyclone at Coney Island when I was six years old, and my butt didn’t touch the seat for most of the ride. You’d think that would’ve turned me off coasters, but remember, . Gwazi is fun, and really fast! Whoo!

Next, we decided to hop the Serengeti Railway. The train makes several stops around the park, and it also serves as a sort of safari ride. The station was right next to Sheikra and we passed the time waiting for it by watching the coaster, and watching people get soaked when it splashes down (but you don’t actually get wet on the ride).




Dangle, dangle






Finally the train came in and we climbed aboard. I really enjoyed this and got some good shots.


























We got off the train in the Congo section of the park and the girls and I queued up for Kumba, which is a great coaster with lots of loops. DM and DF people watched. The line was short and we were on in less than 10 minutes.

We noticed that the 4-D movie, Pirates (starring Leslie Nielsen) would be starting in a few, so we went on that swinging pendulum ride that flips you upside-down (more dangling). I don’t remember the name of it, and I can’t find my park map.

When we got off that ride, it was time for Pirates, so we headed to the theater.






This is a lot like typical 3-D movies, but it’s more like a movie than a theme park show, if you know what I mean. It reminded me a lot of the RL Stine Goosebumps tales. It’s a fun experience and I was surprised by how wet I got! And it was during a gross-out moment, but funny nonetheless.

Continued…

[PrincessSharon]

We walked around for a while until we came across some elephants. One thing I really liked about Busch Gardens was how close you could get to the animals. I got a really good look at those elephants, even making eye contact with a few!








Does this look like an old elephant, or what?




There were a couple of camels across the way.






Next, we headed to Rhino Rally, which is another safari-type ride. The cars only seat four across, so I ended up riding shotgun next to the driver, which was beyond Of course, we got lost during our trip and she blamed me for it. I’d been on it before and I knew which way to turn at the fork, but she took the other one. Yet I get blamed And everyone in the car was cracking up. We ended up going under a waterfall and the people in the back row got wet. That’ll teach ‘em for blaming me! I did manage to snag some pictures in between my navigating.







There's that swingy pendulum ride I was talking about


We didn’t actually get wet here, but I love how it looks like a soaking is imminent



Revenge!








After RR, I wanted ice cream. I got a Shamu bar, since it looked so cute in the picture. It wasn’t as cute in person, though. At least it was tasty.



The less cute Shamu bar

DM got an ice cream too, but I forget which kind she got. Everyone else decided that they wanted actual food, so we stopped at a place nearby. I have no idea what it was called, because I was into my Shamu bar.

There were some turtles nearby, so I went over and visited them. They were so close you could actually touch them! There were signs posted that you shouldn’t touch them as they may bite, but that didn’t stop some people from petting them. The turtles seemed to enjoy it and were pretty placid in general, but I’m rather attached to my fingers, so I just took pictures.








I also saw a tank that contained more crocodiles. With the clear water, you could see just how huge this animal is!






I wanted to ride Montu, which is my favorite coaster, so we headed that way next. This area of the park is Egyptian themed and very well done.




You could climb the stairs and stick your head over the headless one, but no one wanted to do it










Continued…

[Caldercup]

[ QUOTE ]
I’m just crazy enough to find this wildly exciting and I couldn’t wait for a chance to go plummeting down to the ground.

[/ QUOTE ]

Love a duck, you ARE a daredevil -- and God bless you for it, Sharon. It makes it soooo much fun to read.

BTW - you couldn't get me to "dangle" if you paid me a million dollars! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Eileen

[PrincessSharon]

After the girls and I rode Montu (still my favorite), we checked out the King Tut exhibit. It is a replica of King Tut’s tomb. It was small, but interesting.






















Erica wanted to see Ka-Tonga, a live show similar to Festival of the Lion King. I’d seen it last year, so I decided to do some more exploring on my own while the rest of the group took in the show (and the AC).

I headed over to the barn where they house the famous Budweiser Clydesdales.




Wow, are they beautiful horses. And so big! You could get your photo with one of the horses, but I decided to skip that and just went on in to see the other horses.














I took this one to show just how large the horses are

I wandered around more after that and then sat down and had another ice cream. Yeah, I ate healthy that day! When I’d finished my waffle cone, Ka-Tonga let out and the rest of the family joined me in checking out the chimpanzees and gorillas.











This picture came out blurry, but I love how it looks like the chimp is playing peek-a-boo
















We stopped and watched the crocs and the fake-looking turtles again. Again I was struck by how close you can get to many of the animals.






We’d done most of what we wanted to do, and DB was throwing a barbecue for us, so we called the Embassy Suites shuttle and headed out. By the time we got to the front of the park, a shuttle was waiting. Apparently, another couple had already called. We waited for a while for one more group, but they never showed.

Once back at the hotel, we drove over to DB’s and enjoyed the barbecue. Erica decided that she wanted to spend the night at the hotel with us, so she slept in a sleeping bag on the floor.

Day Three – Saturday, May 27

I was up first, so I showered and got ready, then got everyone else moving. Erica decided she wanted some pool time, so she went swimming while I went to the business center to print out DM & DF’s boarding passes. The woman ahead of me was trying to buy her Busch Gardens tickets online and there must have been issues with their site, because it took her a full 30 minutes, and she ended up only being able to print one of the 4 tickets. I didn’t have the heart to tell her it would’ve been much, much quicker to do it at the park.

After breakfast and pool time, we headed for Erica’s party. Erica wanted to go to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino & Hotel, so DM, Erica and I went to spend a little time there. It was a cool place, but I didn’t bring my camera. None of us won any money, but we didn’t lose very much either.

After that, we dropped off Erica and headed back to ES and turned in. DM and DF packed up since they had a 7:00 flight back home. I set the alarm since I’d be driving them to the airport at 5:00 a.m. and turned in early.

Up Next: Disney!

[WishIwasinDisney]

I'm so happy to have another one of your trips to read! I went to Busch Gardens last year but we only had a limited time to play so I missed a lot, your pictures are making me wish I had more time there! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[lauren-roxy]

Wonderful update Sharon!!! I haven't been to Busch Gardens in over a decaded, but I love your pictures!!!!!! Sounds like you guys had a really fun day there!! Do they still give you the free beer? Can't wait to read about your Disney part of the trip!!!!!!!!

[Colexis Mom]

Great update Sharon [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] I haven't been to Busch Gardens since the 1970s [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] Boy, it's changed quite a bit [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Fantastic pictures! More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[christiejay]

Wonderful pictures! I was going to ask didn't you mean a 45-degree drop on that picture of the coaster you took from the skyride, but when I saw the up-close picture you took later, I went back to the first picture and realized I had been looking at the lift hill! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] I wouldn't be riding that one, have no desire to go straight down. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502no_prv.gif[/img]

Looks like you had a great visit at Busch Gardens, and were able to do quite a lot. The crowds must not have been bad.

Looking forward to reading more!

[FanOfMickey]

Enjoying your trip report so far and can't wait to read more!! I love your trip reports [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Jillybean]

Sharon[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img], Sharon[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img], Sharon [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]!!!

Jill

[luvnwdwgal]

Thanks Sharon!! I've never been to Busch Gardens and I really enjoyed all your photos! Looking forward to more!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[bsblady01]

more please

[travismom]

Busch Gardens sounds wonderful and your pictures are fantastic!! I really, really enjoy your trip reports and looking forward to more....

[KrisLuvsDisney]

Great report so far! Your pictures are wonderful too! What a wonderful aunt you are to Erica!