I just looked at the website for Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL and it looks like a wonderful place. I am wondering about the rides - from everything I can see on the website, the rides look to be for older kids. Has anyone had any experience with this?

Busch Gardens has a section just for younger children. You have to be under a certain age or height to get in the area. Lots of rides for tikes. There is a small water playground. You may want to bring a bathing suit or dry change of clothes. There is also a play area built throughout this area, which is connected by overhead climbing nets. I think the area is called Dragon Land.

wallacefl is right. Many rides, most of the roller coaster types, are for taller kids. I can't remember the height cut-off. 42" maybe? But there is soooo much at Busch Gardens for your 3-year-old. And there is an entire area for kids this age with a tree house and other kid-oriented places. Aside from the great close-up animal experiences all over this wonderful zoo, for the under-height kids there's the train, the skyride, the flume, an area of kiddy rides such as bumper cars and some high-speed spinning rides, and waterfall rides. There is a ride, i think called the Typhoon, that is as much fun to be on as to get off of -- a wall of water hits the bridge you walk on and people stand there waiting to get hit. That's when you'll need that change of clothes. And don't neglect all the entertainment in the different park venues which are sometimes overlooked in favor of the rides. Get a schedule when you buy your ticket. And be sure to check out Adventure Island, BGs water park.. It is only open in the warmer months so check your dates. It too has height restrictions but ample opportunities for fun for the little ones.

What is the nicest hotel convenient to Busch Gardens? Was going to stay at Grand Hyatt Tampa but it seems a little far (about 10 miles). Is there something closer to BG as nice as GH?
What are your suggestions?
Thanks

The area in the immediate vicinity of BG is full of tourist hotels, nothing nice, but all are probably adequate. I'm sorry but I can't recommend anything (I live in Tampa so haven't frequented the hotels) other than to suggest you pick your favorite chain and go there. Depending on what time of the year you go, BG can stay open until at least 9P. The GH hotel would be 15-20 minutes away on mostly interstate if you're not in rush hour traffic. A closer spot than the Grand Hyatt (10-15 min) that is also very nice is the Marriot Waterside in downtown Tampa. Neither hotel is on swimmable water, both are bayside. GH is in a pretty mangrove area while the MW sits in downtown along a boat channel that overlooks condos.