1. Use the FREE transport
Busch Gardens is located in Tampa Bay which is about an hour away from the rest of the main Orlando theme parks. You won’t have to worry about how to get there though because when you book your Busch Gardens tickets with us, you’ll get FREE transport included. That’s right, the Busch Gardens Shuttle Express will pick you up from several convenient Orlando locations, including SeaWorld Orlando and International Drive to name a few.
2. Arrive early
If you’re spending the day at Busch Gardens we’d suggest arriving early so that you can make the most of your day, especially if you only have time to visit once during your holiday. This park is huge and there’s so much to see, so arrive early so that you have plenty of time to see it all.
3. Start off with the big rides
Busch Gardens is famous for its exhilarating rides and roller coasters and if you like to think of yourself as a serious thrill seeker, you’re going to absolutely love this park. Our top tip is to take the plunge and brave the big rides first! These are the park’s most popular attractions, so if you ride them first, you’ll be able to avoid waiting in line when the park guests busier.
4. Pack a poncho!
Trying out the park’s incredible water rides is a great way to cool down from the Floridian heat but attractions like Congo River Rapids and Stanley Falls Flume are guaranteed to give you a serious soaking! That’s why we’d suggest packing a poncho to protect yourself from the big splashes.
5. Consider buying a Quick Queue Ticket
If you’re visiting during peak season, you might want to consider purchasing a Busch Gardens Quick Queue Ticket. Ticket prices start from £35 per person and allow you to skip the regular lines at the park’s top attractions like Falcon’s Fury, Cheetah Hunt, SheiKra, Montu and more. The Busch Gardens Quick Queue Ticket gives you unlimited front of line access, so you can ride your favourite attractions over and over again!
6. Don’t forget about the animals
Busch Gardens is home to more than 12,000 amazing animals and we’d recommend trying to see as many of these beautiful creatures as you can during your visit. You’ll be able to see lions, tigers, gorillas, elephants, rhinos, zebras, alligators, penguins and much more. We’d suggest spending the morning braving the roller coasters when the park is at its quietest and then visiting the animals in the afternoon.
7. Enjoy an animal encounter
If you love animals, there are a host of exciting experiences at Busch Gardens that will let you get up close to them. You can feed exotic birds at Lory Landing, Kangaroos at Walkabout Way and flamingos at the Animal Connections area. To feed the animals all you have to do is pick up a pot of food for a small cost.
You can even hand-feed giraffes on the Serengeti Safari, which is a truly one-of-a-kind experience you won’t want to miss. You’ll have to get an extra ticket for this, but it’s well worth doing.
8. Use the Skyride
The Skyride is a great attraction for the whole family. This cable car ride gives you panoramic views of the park and the animals that call this place home, but that’s not the only reason we love it. The Skyride also acts as a practical way to get around the park and give your feet a bit of a rest as it transports you between Egypt and Congo which are on opposite sides of the park.
It’s also the perfect opportunity to look out for exciting rides and attractions you might want to try out next.
9. Check what’s on
Bushch Gardens hosts several festivals throughout the year, so it’s a good idea to check what’s on during your holiday. The Food & Wine Festival, Summer Nights and Bier Fest are some of the park’s most popular annual events. Depending on when you visit, you may also be able to enjoy seasonal events like the famous (and terrifying!) Howl-O-Scream and Busch Gardens Christmas Town.
10. Make time to see the shows
Did you know there are several action-packed shows you can watch at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay? If you’re visiting with little ones, make sure you check out the fun-filled Sesame Street show starring all of your favourite characters. There’s also a breath-taking ice skating show called Turn it Up, that the whole family will love. This spectacular show features 12 fantastic skaters, 65 glittering costumes and 11 chart-topping hits.
One of our top tips is to watch the shows around midday/early afternoon, as this is when the Floridian sunshine will be at its hottest and is a good time to give your feet a much needed rest.
For more blog posts like this try…
- Top tips for visiting the Orlando theme parks
- What to bring to the Orlando theme parks
- Exciting experiences you need to try in Orlando
Find out all the latest news from Orlando on our BLOG
