Busch Gardens-Tampa
 

I will be visiting Busch gardens mid March with 2 sons, age 14 and 11. We visit Orlando every Spring but this is our first visit to Busch gardens. Considering the time of year that we are visiting, is it feasible to think we could enjoy the park in one day or two? Thanks in advance!!!

Hi! Was there last year, and it is quite easy to do in a day, no problem. You will have a great time!

Busch Gardens is mostly a one-day trip, although there will be a few things you'll miss that you'll wish you had the time for -- but that happens at all the parks. Check their website before heading out. Busch Gardens has many entertainment venues in the park, everything from song & dance to circus acts or animal acts -- if you don't find the schedule for these events on the web site, be sure to get one when you get your ticket. You won't be disappointed.

Depending on what you and your sons like to do, you might want to look into some of the safari trips that require advance booking.

If you decide to spend more than one day at Busch Gardens, Gameworks in Ybor City is a hot spot for teen boys -- it has just about every arcade game imaginable, and then some. This would be a great place to spend some time in the evening.

Thanks so much for your replys! I think we have decided to go one day.

We visited Busch Gardens several years ago during March. We easily did the park in one day. It is a beautiful park. Our boys were 17 and 11 at the time. It was around mid-march and was not crowded at all.

Is Busch Gardens appropriate for 5 year olds?

As at all the parks, some rides have height restrictions -- especially some of the rollercoasters -- and some rides that invert the occupants 180 degrees upside down. The little ones could slip out of the seats and the harnesses. I'd guess that the average 5 y.o. would have fewer opportunities -- but there are many terrific rides there that a 5 y.o. would love -- the log flume, the steam train, the sky lifts. And there are two "kiddy" areas -- one near the Fest Haus that has bumper cars and more low key rides -- another kiddy land (can't recall the name) that is just wonderful, a big balloon room with cargo nets, etc -- and a tree house that is alot of fun -- with additional rides. This is a nice area for moms because the kids can frolick while you sit and watch. And every 5 y.o. will love Busch Gardens animals -- including an underwater area with an open glass side so you can watch hippos swim -- and the entertainment shows involving circus acts, dancers, animal acts.

So yes -- by all means, don't deprive that 5 year old one minute longer. If you go in the warmer months, make sure he/she is prepared to get wet. There are many water-themed rides. Your 5 year old will have a ball.

Is Busch Gardens appropriate for 50-year-olds?

Are we going to have to go through every demographic with this question?

Answer is yes -- this park actually gives away free beer. So once you're over legal drinking age, this park takes on a whole new meaning. In the 80s, in addition to the one site where they now give away beer (the Hospitality House), they had the Tree House. This was a large deck out in the trees on the Veldt. When they'd have an after-hours event you could take the train to the Trees, grab a free beer, listen to the bands they brought in. Those days are no more.

But even you, cdt, can grab a free beer at Busch Gardens and be a kid again.

Bring extra shirts, etc. in a backpack. If you go on a water ride, they exit you into an over-priced gift shop where you are obligated to buy at least a replacement shirt for the one that got soaked on the ride.

We used to go alot when I was a teenager and back then you could tour the brewery on property and see how they can the beer and the assembly lines, etc. It was quite interesting...Ironically I have been a dozen times but neer since I was 21 and could have the free beer ! That was 10 years ago....Have Fun !