What's new

First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 12 BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY!

Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 9 (PART 2) EPCOT!

The best parts of this trip report are when people keep telling Ollie what a **** time he had by missing out on certain stuff <3
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 9 (PART 2) EPCOT!

This epcot TR sounds like it was somebody from the GP visiting, bumbling around, riding what they came across, rather than having a stratergy to get the E tickets ridden.
Yeah Mission Space is awesome.... I do like soarin too, but of the 10 or so times I've ridden it between FL and CA I've never queued for it due to using FP or SRQ.
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 9 (PART 2) EPCOT!

Ollie, your reports are just so.....sad? I don't know, you're very cynical, it sounds like you're very hard to please! I still think you spoiled it for yourself a bit.

And, no Mission Space? What the hell man?!
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 9 (PART 2) EPCOT!

^^Haha we were like the normal GP. Before we went my dad asked me and my brother to plan out everything from what the main rides were to what order to do things in and what parks to do on what days.
After spending days making a plan we didn't do any of it. The day we were going to go to Busch got moved at least 4 times. And that was with my dad saying "we'll go to Busch tomorrow so we'll get an early night tonight so we can leave early as it's a long drive" and then the plan would always change and we'd end up somewhere local.
So yeah. In the end the planning was a mess. I tried to make sure we went round the park in order so we weren't going backwards and forwards all over the place but then I got accused of 'choosing' all the rides when I wasn't. We were just riding things as we came to them.
And we were going to get fast passes for Soarin' but it had all gone by the time we got there. Having seen how boring the queue is, if I ever ride it again I know to get it early lol.

And Marc I did like all of it. It's just I was pointing out what bits weren't that great. Im saying it so it makes the views of the rides slightly more balanced and hoping that some people will go "oh yeah I guess that's true" lol. But I did enjoy all the rides I went on. It's just that they're not all 'amazing'. :p

I did watch a few POV's years ago. But as soon as I found out I was going I think I only watched 1 video so it wasn't too bad. And I dunno why we didn't do Mission Space. I think we underestimated how big Epcot is as there's more there than it first appears. By the second week of the holiday we seemed to slow down even more and Epcot just became a half day thing so we didn't have time for everything.

Anyway don't worry. The next day is a lot happier. :p Planet Hollywood. Yummy. :)

I'll try and get it up tomorrow if I can. So much for one trip report for day lol. :p
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 9 (PART 2) EPCOT!

The words "Planet Hollywood" and "yummy" should never be used together.
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 9 (PART 2) EPCOT!

Lets crack on then.

Day 10:

Boggy Creek Airboat Ride
We did get tickets for this before we came out but then a couple of months before we left I checked the website where we got all our tickets from again. Turns out they were doing a deal where if you buy Disney tickets (the 14 day ones I think) then you get tickets to the airboat for free. So my dad went in to their offices and managed to get them to add it on for free as we had already got the Disney tickets.

Anyway all 8 of us headed down there in the morning. It wasn't too far. Just a couple of roads from the villa. Just one of them was pretty long. We got there in good time but as soon as we got out the car it started raining. The views were pretty nice though.
224546_2296272603356_1145311439_2869943_3971555_n.jpg


The place looks like a run down caravan park. Looked very dusty and worn down in some areas.
Anyway we headed into the shop to sort our tickets. We were told we had an hour to kill so we just waited around the shop for a bit.
284726_2296273083368_1145311439_2869946_1656201_n.jpg


281421_2296273923389_1145311439_2869951_2906947_n.jpg


263216_2296273603381_1145311439_2869949_4773445_n.jpg


This was quite amusing. :)
185210_2296273243372_1145311439_2869947_7826893_n.jpg


Alligator meat.
215081_2296273803386_1145311439_2869950_7597762_n.jpg


We then got taken outside where we had to sit on some benches in front of green screen while someone took a picture on a digital camera on a tripod. Then they make it look like you're on the airboat and getting attack by an alligator. We don't usually get silly photos like this but we decided to get one for our grandparents as they helped pay towards the holiday.

I know I said the place looked a bit run down but I didn't get any photos of those bits. Although I did get a few photos of the waiting area which looks quite nice.
224551_2296274283398_1145311439_2869953_3190201_n.jpg


284421_2296274523404_1145311439_2869955_5929236_n.jpg


223026_2296274683408_1145311439_2869956_2013193_n.jpg


281451_2296274923414_1145311439_2869958_2891226_n.jpg


It was finally our turn to get on. We only had a half hour tour I think which is more than enough to have a fun ride and see some of the wildlife.
We were given ear protectors to wear and I sat on the edge of the bench as I wanted to get some pictures without people getting in the way. :p
226061_2296274763410_1145311439_2869957_3423079_n.jpg


185550_2296276403451_1145311439_2869968_7037028_n.jpg


It was a lot smoother than I thought it'd be. But then I guess the creek/lake water is pretty still. It was weird when you went over the water plants as you kept expecting it to skim something underneath but you didn't feel a thing.
281451_2296274923414_1145311439_2869958_2891226_n.jpg


282466_2296275283423_1145311439_2869961_5987088_n.jpg


285576_2296275483428_1145311439_2869962_7016889_n.jpg


185465_2296275083418_1145311439_2869959_3383389_n.jpg


After a while the driver (if that's what you call them lol) slowed the boat down and turned into this little side bit.
284371_2296275683433_1145311439_2869963_1752826_n.jpg


He then pulled right up to the edge and walked to the front to move some branches out the way.
283231_2296276243447_1145311439_2869967_5578278_n.jpg


Then pointed out the alligator next to the boat. :)
184185_2296275963440_1145311439_2869965_3088514_n.jpg


229636_2296287603731_1145311439_2870016_5438984_n.jpg


As the fan/engine at the back of the boat were off we were slowly floating forwards so I ended up going through the branch and getting a face full of leaves. :p

After everyone had taken pictures of the gator we moved on. The whole time we were going round loads of birds were having to fly out of the way of the boat. I think it was around here where he hit one as I saw it start to take off but it didn't appear. Poor birdie. :(
228971_2296284963665_1145311439_2870001_5410677_n.jpg


263211_2296278043492_1145311439_2869977_6072243_n.jpg


223711_2296278643507_1145311439_2869980_1463493_n.jpg


284866_2296279763535_1145311439_2869987_387236_n.jpg


He stopped at another point to point out something in the trees. I can't remember what it was but I think it was some bald eagles. It took everyone ages to spot them and I think everyone managed to apart from me as I couldn't see them at all. I took a picture so if you spot them then circle them for me please. :p
262826_2296278283498_1145311439_2869979_654589_n.jpg


There was also these weird pink things. Forgotten what they were. I think they were some sort of pink snail eggs.
283346_2296279283523_1145311439_2869984_4415418_n.jpg


From memory here, the plants you see in the water are actually part of the roots for the trees along the edges. So it allows them to get more sunlight and water and stuff. Someone else here will probably know more about it than me lol.
223736_2296278923514_1145311439_2869981_1480259_n.jpg


226156_2296279523529_1145311439_2869985_1288974_n.jpg


229676_2296279603531_1145311439_2869986_2246472_n.jpg


It was around here that we started to head back. The sun had come out a bit more and made some nice reflections. :)
281506_2296280563555_1145311439_2869993_5923950_n.jpg


283301_2296281083568_1145311439_2869996_3961310_n.jpg


226141_2296286483703_1145311439_2870008_602084_n.jpg


185540_2296286683708_1145311439_2870010_3798416_n.jpg


In America they expect tips EVERYWHERE. I remember when someone took us out to find our hire car when we arrived in the states and you could tell he was desperate for a tip. He even had his hand out waiting. Completely different to what we're used to here where we usually just tip in restaurants.
226146_2296280123544_1145311439_2869989_499776_n.jpg


As we got off it started to rain again and a big cloud appeared.
224576_2296286963715_1145311439_2870012_8191045_n.jpg


Then a member of staff came over to us and asked if we wanted to find out a bit more about alligators and have the chance to hold one.
284431_2296287283723_1145311439_2870014_3145019_n.jpg


We were slightly undercover by this weird tree so we didn't get too wet.
262571_2296287403726_1145311439_2870015_5120466_n.jpg


The facts he said were really interesting and he said things I never knew about. Like how gators can retract their eyes into their skulls to protect them. The alligator I held was much lighter than I thought it would be (it was almost 2 years old I think) and it was really soft and it was cool how you could feel it breathing in your hands. :)
You weren't allowed to take your own pictures of this as they take them and they encourage people to buy them as the proceeds go towards a gator charity or something to help protect them.
We went out via the shop where I got a few things, then got in the cars and headed too...

Planet Hollywood

The rain now was HEAVING it down. Was really heavy and was bouncing off the ground. So much for sunny Florida. :p

These pictures still don't give off how heavy it was.
284679_2296294963915_1145311439_2870027_2751987_n.jpg


282484_2296295123919_1145311439_2870028_3823868_n.jpg


284589_2296295443927_1145311439_2870031_2670071_n.jpg


284097_2296295763935_1145311439_2870032_1089779_n.jpg


184005_2296295963940_1145311439_2870034_4891404_n.jpg


185214_2296296243947_1145311439_2870035_8009186_n.jpg


We waited in the car park for a bit to see if it the rain would slow down a bit but it didn't so we made a run for it.

We got SOAKED. I was covering my pockets to try and protect things like my phone and camera. At one point I ended up stepping in a massive puddle that went above my ankle. Usually it's cold but the rain is warm in Florida so my foot didn't actually feel like I had just dunked it in water.

Me and Andrew made it to the entrance of the restaurant so waited under cover for my dad and Richard who decided to walk.
281239_2296296643957_1145311439_2870037_3094062_n.jpg


223605_2296296763960_1145311439_2870038_1375013_n.jpg


We went inside and waited around 5 mins for my aunt and co to arrive. We were lucky we didn't have to wait too long to get a table as the place seemed packed.
284299_2296296923964_1145311439_2870039_3095874_n.jpg


184062_2296297883988_1145311439_2870044_2827163_n.jpg


184177_2296298444002_1145311439_2870048_3292121_n.jpg


284232_2296299404026_1145311439_2870055_2296066_n.jpg


As you can tell it's all fairly cheap. :p
283272_2296302164095_1145311439_2870072_3647916_n.jpg


The food portions didn't make sense here though. Me and my dad had the Chicken Crunch for the starter and Andrew and Richard had Potato Skins. The Chicken crunch was the size you'd expect a starter to be (sorry for the dark image).
254705_2296304284148_1145311439_2870083_1238778_n.jpg


But potato skins were HUGE. It was like the size of a large main course. They couldn't finish it all in the end. The Chicken Crunch I had though was AMAZING! The sauce. <3

Going onto the main course me and my dad had the cheeseburger which was massive. But Andrew and Richards main course (forgotten what they had) was smaller than their starter.
284383_2296304564155_1145311439_2870084_3979695_n.jpg


262509_2296303164120_1145311439_2870078_7163077_n.jpg


Once we'd all finished and paid we left.
285009_2296306404201_1145311439_2870093_5907176_n.jpg


My aunt and co went back to the villa (I think) but we went to go check out one of the mini golf course we saw while we got lost a couple of nights before.

Anyway...

Pirates Cove Mini Golf

283483_2296331324824_1145311439_2870108_3538021_n.jpg


We decided to do both courses as we didn't have anything else planned for the evening.
283328_2296331964840_1145311439_2870111_4642501_n.jpg


281594_2296332124844_1145311439_2870112_6189379_n.jpg


I wont bore you with too much here. The courses were pretty good and was layed out well. Lots of caves, hills, waterfalls and tunnels etc. Was good fun to play. :)
Here's some pictures.
284203_2296336524954_1145311439_2870132_303082_n.jpg


281645_2296337084968_1145311439_2870136_4372287_n.jpg


281288_2296336724959_1145311439_2870134_4578413_n.jpg


254706_2296342085093_1145311439_2870167_1060717_n.jpg


205994_2296342205096_1145311439_2870168_5609959_n.jpg


228858_2296355565430_1145311439_2870245_5181434_n.jpg


There was lots of these lizard things crawling around the rocks.
281282_2296343525129_1145311439_2870175_4395268_n.jpg


Oh and I just remembered. After this we went back to Islands of Adventure quickly to get some shopping done and got some gifts etc.
We skipped the queue for the wand shop by missing out on the show bit before it. We just went in the back door. I wanted another butterbeer but the queue for it was long and slow moving so had to pass. :(
283296_2296368245747_1145311439_2870272_6928834_n.jpg


281581_2296367325724_1145311439_2870267_1065199_n.jpg


263326_2296371285823_1145311439_2870291_7716721_n.jpg


We did do Posiedons Fury while we were there. It was alright. There was no queue but it took almost 20 minutes to get in. The actor we had was quite good and funny. Only downsides to the attraction is most the bits where you stand to watch stuff you can't see much if you're stuck at the back (remember we always end up at the back somehow in group things like this). Also the effects in the last room weren't anything special. Just a couple of water bursts and a flame machine lol. I liked the effect with you changing rooms though. That was clever although it was obvious how it was done.
251526_2296369845787_1145311439_2870281_3820155_n.jpg


184135_2296370405801_1145311439_2870285_7214309_n.jpg


By the time we got out it was dark so we headed back to the villa.
285471_2296370965815_1145311439_2870289_2245581_n.jpg


Anyway that's it for another day. Next up is Busch Gardens. :D
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 10 AIRBOAT, PH & MINI G

Where is that Planet Hollywood, Downtown Disney?
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 10 AIRBOAT, PH & MINI G

^Yus.

And I've done that mini golf, Ollie. It's pretty awesome, we always end up doing them in the evening after a park or something, the pirate ship with the skeleton driving looks awesome at night =]
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 10 AIRBOAT, PH & MINI G

Nice report! I only got back from Orlando on Saturday, so it's all still fresh in my mind. It's nice to see another persons view on it, especially when it's their first time.

The queues didn't seem, too bad this year. Well Disney always seemed to be really busy, but I don't think I queued more than about 20 minutes for anything at any of the other parks (well with the exception of Pteradon Flyers and Ripsaw Falls). Especially at the Universal parks in the last week, pretty much everything was walk on! I loved butterbeer too and was sick of waiting in the massive line for it, but I discovered that they sell it in the Hogs Head pub aswel. I never saw a queue in there, so that's where I got mine from in the end.

Oh and my family is just as bad for getting to the parks, if not worse. It was pretty rare for us to be in a park before about 12! :lol:
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 12 BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA

Day 11: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

We'd kept putting the day off but today we finally managed to get our arses down to Busch Gardens. :p
My dad thought it was going to take about 4 hours to get there because it took him twice as long to get to the space center. So we all had to pack clothes as he said if the park is busy and it's a long drive we may stay over in a motel in Tampa overnight.
Anyway we got there in under an hour and a half in the end (I did tell him it wasn't that far). All we had to do was drive down the Interstate 4 until we got to Tampa then it was just a right and a left and we were there. :p

The car park is the opposite site of a busy road to the park. The parking here was the cheapest we'd had so far though.
283228_2296395046417_1145311439_2870326_1760309_n.jpg


The first ride most people will be able to see is Montu.
284178_2296395326424_1145311439_2870327_2077058_n.jpg


We applied suncream and I took a picture of where we'd parked to remember it later.
252058_2296395446427_1145311439_2870328_7394008_n.jpg


282571_2296395606431_1145311439_2870329_3236288_n.jpg


We walked up to the tram stop and took the short ride under the road to the park.
283310_2296396166445_1145311439_2870332_7039551_n.jpg
#

As soon as we got in the park it started raining. First of all everyone wanted a toilet so we had to try and find them. Then we had to go back to the entrance as my dad wanted to put his bum bag in a locker so it didn't get wet (it had all our passports and stuff in it). The lockers were quite expensive so next time people moan that you have to pay £1 to use them in the UK, just be glad it's not the $15 (ish) like it is in the parks in Orlando. :p
185520_2296397246472_1145311439_2870337_5255480_n.jpg


First up was Chunt. :)
229743_2296397086468_1145311439_2870336_2379639_n.jpg


185440_2296397886488_1145311439_2870341_4649449_n.jpg


The queue was coming out the entrance for this but it's because the queue wasn't fully opened. We managed to shuffle forwards to get out the rain though. We couldn't hear it running so Richard went to ask the member of staff at the ride entrance what was happening and they said it's stopped because of the rain.
We decided to wait it out in the end and a few minutes after, it opened again. :)
185410_2296398206496_1145311439_2870342_8046520_n.jpg


The queue coveres two floors. It's pretty long when fully opened (they opened more while we were queueing) but there's a few signs to look at and a Cheetah made of stone.
185396_2296399326524_1145311439_2870347_5251788_n.jpg


226140_2296399886538_1145311439_2870350_6554071_n.jpg


284455_2296399006516_1145311439_2870346_68714_n.jpg


185376_2296399486528_1145311439_2870348_5122323_n.jpg


185458_2296400766560_1145311439_2870355_1453660_n.jpg


184152_2296401726584_1145311439_2870360_271819_n.jpg


223645_2296402366600_1145311439_2870365_3932692_n.jpg


185589_2296403766635_1145311439_2870372_8331863_n.jpg


284241_2296403286623_1145311439_2870369_4669261_n.jpg


Those are all the coaster fact ones. There were some with facts about Cheetahs as well.
Anyway here's some more pictures of the queue.
226003_2296402206596_1145311439_2870363_2246448_n.jpg


223739_2296403086618_1145311439_2870368_8110114_n.jpg


251583_2296404006641_1145311439_2870373_7347203_n.jpg


284615_2296402286598_1145311439_2870364_6515259_n.jpg


283289_2296404166645_1145311439_2870374_187027_n.jpg


The cars look amazing. <3
285553_2296404726659_1145311439_2870377_6234727_n.jpg


282438_2296404846662_1145311439_2870378_6552372_n.jpg


ORP thief. :p
262939_2296406206696_1145311439_2870384_7274504_n.jpg


In the end the queue took about 45 minutes (said 40 in the board).

My thoughts...

Cheetah Hunt:
I'd been following the construction of this excited that I was actually going to ride something in America in it's opening year. The ride looks visually amazing. Cannot fault it. The colours are amazing, the trains look awesome and the ride is sooooo photogenic.
The ride itself it glass smooth (so it should be :p). It's a decent length and it takes you down the whole length of the park. The launches are pathetic though. For a coaster advertised as a 'new breed of speed' it certainly didn't live up to it. The first 'launch' is about the same as Th13teen does when you switch from backwards to forwards and you barely make it round the first corner. The main launch is a bit better but it just feels so weak. And the third one just feels like it's there to help it round the circuit rather than another thrilling launch.
The coaster is good fun though and I enjoyed the way it went over the skyride and weaved in-between the rocks above the water.
Overall it's a fun coaster. It's not intense at all and the pace of it is pretty crap although it's glass smooth and has a decent layout and lasts quite a good length as well. :)

Anyway I'm going to post all my photos of the ride from the day now to avoid random pics later. :p
223761_2296413606881_1145311439_2870420_1446601_n.jpg


224435_2296413766885_1145311439_2870421_4460687_n.jpg


284245_2296413966890_1145311439_2870423_1151453_n.jpg


184178_2296414206896_1145311439_2870424_3709011_n.jpg


284016_2296561610581_1145311439_2870854_3662083_n.jpg


281416_2296561490578_1145311439_2870853_1781990_n.jpg


254694_2296414606906_1145311439_2870427_3785499_n.jpg


285562_2296435967440_1145311439_2870547_2608219_n.jpg


281655_2296435087418_1145311439_2870544_180616_n.jpg


262905_2296435247422_1145311439_2870545_2912514_n.jpg


284646_2296494328899_1145311439_2870757_649742_n.jpg


252105_2296493768885_1145311439_2870754_1051181_n.jpg


284056_2296574890913_1145311439_2870926_214369_n.jpg


223609_2296494528904_1145311439_2870758_2876442_n.jpg


283406_2296494168895_1145311439_2870756_2197714_n.jpg


283261_2296494808911_1145311439_2870759_2135453_n.jpg


223177_2296434687408_1145311439_2870541_4241173_n.jpg


Next we headed to Montu.
263306_2296406926714_1145311439_2870387_1494554_n.jpg


216637_2296407566730_1145311439_2870389_5008598_n.jpg


281355_2296408566755_1145311439_2870394_7111685_n.jpg


281249_2296408726759_1145311439_2870396_8003391_n.jpg


228896_2296436767460_1145311439_2870550_1880827_n.jpg


The queue said 5 minutes. But it was walk on. :D
284817_2296407886738_1145311439_2870391_4433380_n.jpg


229704_2296407726734_1145311439_2870390_5655088_n.jpg


262496_2296408086743_1145311439_2870392_5734744_n.jpg


My thoughts...

Montu
I'm usually not too keen on B&M inverts. I find most are too forceful and make me quite dizzy. However this was AMAZING. Really enjoyed it. The first drop was great and it had a good layout with plenty of inversions. :)
What's weird though is noone else seemed to like it. My dad wasn't too keen on it (he reckons he's starting to get too old for coasters now) and Richard usually copies everything my dad says. Andrew said it wasn't that good but I really enjoyed it. :lol:
It's definitely in my top 3 favourite inverts. Not sure whether it's better than Nemesis or not (it probably is). So yeah It's my second favourite invert after Black Mamba. :)

The shop was pretty cool.
267273_2296409206771_1145311439_2870398_7632895_n.jpg


284783_2296409486778_1145311439_2870399_7752645_n.jpg


229655_2296410526804_1145311439_2870403_4496085_n.jpg


283409_2296409846787_1145311439_2870400_473187_n.jpg


185397_2296410126794_1145311439_2870402_926304_n.jpg


Next we decided to have a small break from the coasters so went into Tut's Tomb.
281788_2296410806811_1145311439_2870405_2213751_n.jpg


From the outside the attraction sounds really good and quite interesting.
228824_2296411286823_1145311439_2870408_3025010_n.jpg


281767_2296411046817_1145311439_2870406_7394027_n.jpg


Yet inside it's really crap. It's just two small rooms and then you go into a shop.
284232_2296411646832_1145311439_2870409_5160967_n.jpg


282493_2296412046842_1145311439_2870411_2838535_n.jpg


284245_2296412246847_1145311439_2870412_6416648_n.jpg


223168_2296412806861_1145311439_2870416_3321723_n.jpg


Next we decided to walk round to Sheikra.

What I really like about Busch is how it's all very open and green and there's loads of wildlife around the park. It's what Chessington need to do rather than have the zoo separated from the park.
216668_2296414686908_1145311439_2870428_82606_n.jpg


284223_2296415406926_1145311439_2870433_6740358_n.jpg


Never seen a squirrel hang from a tree by just it's back feet before.
284069_2296416726959_1145311439_2870439_575577_n.jpg


226005_2296416966965_1145311439_2870441_2941640_n.jpg


283528_2296417206971_1145311439_2870442_1544271_n.jpg


On the way there the rain started again so we went to find some cover.
We were there for about 10/15 mins waiting for it to die down a bit before moving on.

The park is MASSIVE and it takes ages to walk between rides. The distance from Montu to Sheikra was like walking from the Entrance of Alton, up to Air then back down to Towers Street and then up to Hex.

We finally saw the ride in the distance. It looks much taller in real life. :p
284670_2296417486978_1145311439_2870443_7582331_n.jpg


When we got there it was shut because of the rain. But we joined the queue anyway.
185346_2296419047017_1145311439_2870453_5567097_n.jpg


223084_2296418086993_1145311439_2870447_4430555_n.jpg


It wasn't to long before they got it going again.
229633_2296419167020_1145311439_2870454_403148_n.jpg


185463_2296420207046_1145311439_2870461_4969943_n.jpg


281381_2296419247022_1145311439_2870455_3531657_n.jpg


223656_2296419367025_1145311439_2870456_287201_n.jpg


281409_2296422887113_1145311439_2870476_8333755_n.jpg


228950_2296424247147_1145311439_2870483_5365141_n.jpg


216640_2296424007141_1145311439_2870482_1877468_n.jpg


283478_2296424647157_1145311439_2870484_50195_n.jpg


185208_2296424847162_1145311439_2870485_6329626_n.jpg


223097_2296419487028_1145311439_2870457_6511130_n.jpg


The stairs going up to station level reminds me of the sort of stairs you get in secondary schools. :p
223169_2296420327049_1145311439_2870462_5349066_n.jpg


Going along the bridges to the platform my dad spotted this so told me to grab it.
267338_2296420847062_1145311439_2870465_18894_n.jpg


But when we unfolded it we found out it was religious so put it back for someone else to fall for it (no wonder it was still there when we saw it). :p
215183_2296420967065_1145311439_2870466_1775180_n.jpg


Anyway I chose the bridge to make sure we got front row. The queue wasn't too bad in the end. Got on within 20 minutes.
282503_2296421247072_1145311439_2870468_3812273_n.jpg


The exit of the ride was flooded with about 3 inches of water.
252140_2296422007091_1145311439_2870472_1837965_n.jpg


My thoughts...

Sheikra
Enjoyed this ride quite a bit. I've never really seen why everyone loves Oblivion so much.posting.php Yes it's good but it's not 'that' good. Even though this was really short as well I enjoyed it a lot more as it did more. It had inversions, 2 vertical drops and a water-splash. I prefer dropping into a hole like Oblivion as it builds up to that moment, although the drop on this is really good as well. My dads favourite ride has always been Oblivion since we first went to Alton in 2002. His first comment after this was "I think Oblivion is going to have to move down a place. I think it's been beaten". :p
But yeah this ride is really good. Having no floor is cool as well but as with all floorless coasters you forget about it within a few seconds and it doesn't really change the ride much at all.

By now we were feeling pretty hungry so headed back to the Pizza and Pasta Buffet we saw as we were walking to Sheikra. We ended up at the back door first of all so had to walk all the way round the pond to get to the other side.

The prices weren't too bad.
283409_2296425367175_1145311439_2870488_2117429_n.jpg


228831_2296570570805_1145311439_2870903_3355352_n.jpg


284789_2296425767185_1145311439_2870490_6920798_n.jpg


184149_2296426047192_1145311439_2870492_6235932_n.jpg


281355_2296426407201_1145311439_2870493_6488093_n.jpg


284852_2296426527204_1145311439_2870494_6952219_n.jpg


I'm a fan of the PPB's in the UK parks but the one here was LOADS better. There was much more choice of pizza, it was easier to move round and get in and get your food, the drinks were quicker to get as the staff filled them ready so you just pick it up.
But yeah it was amazing and tasted so much nicer as well. I had loads of the BBQ Chicken pizza with the sauce. :)

They also had deserts.
226047_2296426687208_1145311439_2870495_1386884_n.jpg


But they were presented amazingly. :p
(Yes that's pudding made to look like a pizza).
205829_2296426927214_1145311439_2870497_6787392_n.jpg


229739_2296427247222_1145311439_2870498_2527787_n.jpg


It was really nice. :)
Also there was a group of people on the table next to us who were in hysterics. I dont know what they were laughing at but they were all crying with laughter and couldn't stop and it went on for about 10 minutes. Then when it died down they started again. It was really infectious as Andrew found it hilarious and kept laughing and when the group saw he was laughing as well they laughed harder. Then within 15 minutes half the restaurant was in a fit of laughter. It was really bizarre as noone knew why they were laughing. :lol:

There was still lots of wildlife walking around outside while were eating. :)
254607_2296427767235_1145311439_2870500_8374519_n.jpg


281499_2296427887238_1145311439_2870501_5468596_n.jpg


284533_2296428487253_1145311439_2870505_277350_n.jpg


284429_2296428567255_1145311439_2870506_7923794_n.jpg


281768_2296428727259_1145311439_2870507_7277700_n.jpg


Anyway once we were full we headed out the back door and went back to the area where Sheikra was to get the Serengetti Express (the train that goes round the park) to Kumba. The train left as we got there so we had to wait for the next one (about 10/15 minutes).
Once on it takes you round past all the big rides, past loads of animals, down to Montu and Cheetah Hunt (where the one of the other stations is) then it comes up past the animals again and across the top of the park to Kumba and the rapids (where we got off).
284601_2296434127394_1145311439_2870538_5631751_n.jpg


185522_2296432847362_1145311439_2870531_4918242_n.jpg


263376_2296458808011_1145311439_2870576_486339_n.jpg


254768_2296459248022_1145311439_2870579_7896229_n.jpg


224584_2296459448027_1145311439_2870580_2274941_n.jpg


223685_2296459928039_1145311439_2870584_7182400_n.jpg


281562_2296460608056_1145311439_2870588_3681620_n.jpg


Passing the other train.
283402_2296460888063_1145311439_2870589_639510_n.jpg


262898_2296461088068_1145311439_2870590_5615273_n.jpg


281603_2296461328074_1145311439_2870592_6902202_n.jpg


Once we were off the train we headed to Kumba.
251419_2296461488078_1145311439_2870593_5080190_n.jpg


284104_2296461688083_1145311439_2870594_2582192_n.jpg


The shot everyone gets. :p
185405_2296461768085_1145311439_2870595_7054454_n.jpg


The ride was broken when we first got there but it didn't take long before they got it working again and we were on in 5 minutes.
262824_2296462328099_1145311439_2870598_5476264_n.jpg


298772_2339883853610_1145311439_2925882_4032381_n.jpg


285038_2296468048242_1145311439_2870628_8224427_n.jpg


295981_2339884173618_1145311439_2925884_2603766_n.jpg


305331_2339884053615_1145311439_2925883_3828701_n.jpg


My thoughts...

Kumba
I don't remember much about this ride which means it didn't really leave a lasting impression with me. It was good but pretty forceful in places which I wasn't too keen on. The layout was nice and twisty and it went through the inversions nicely. So good overall but it's not a top ten ride for me.

Next up was the Congo River Rapids (seriously how many rapids are there in the world with that name? :p)
The queue for this was 30 minutes (said 35 on the board).
205931_2296466248197_1145311439_2870619_3475142_n.jpg


263303_2296466048192_1145311439_2870617_5977236_n.jpg


229717_2296465528179_1145311439_2870614_542310_n.jpg


281332_2296465808186_1145311439_2870615_3215645_n.jpg


The monkey enclosure at the start of the queue was quite cool. :)
282589_2296466768210_1145311439_2870622_4453804_n.jpg


251403_2296467288223_1145311439_2870624_3045932_n.jpg


282417_2296467408226_1145311439_2870625_7681300_n.jpg


The rest of the queue was a boring cattle pen though.
263237_2296466648207_1145311439_2870621_7256221_n.jpg


The loading was REALLY slow. Instead of a constant stream of boats they stopped each one, let people in, checked the seatbelts, then they had to wait for a gap to send it out. Took ages.
205998_2296468328249_1145311439_2870629_704467_n.jpg


284741_2296469048267_1145311439_2870633_6981129_n.jpg


262967_2296468928264_1145311439_2870632_711843_n.jpg



My thoughts...

Rapids with the same name as 90% of the others
It was crap. Putting it simply. :p
The layout was boring and just went round in a circle, it wasn't very 'rapidy' and was really tame, and I got off bone dry. It was pretty short and wasn't worth the queue or the slow batching. Plus it takes 5 minutes to get back into the station once you've got to the end because it takes them so long to load the boats. You're just stuck on the lift hill for ages.
So yeah. Not very good rapids at all.

After the dry water ride we headed to the middle of the park to get some more credits.

I got more wet walking through here than I did on the rapids. :p
223610_2296469208271_1145311439_2870634_6871191_n.jpg


285140_2296469608281_1145311439_2870636_3429684_n.jpg


First up in the area was Sand Serpent (standard Wild Mouse coaster).
262951_2296470328299_1145311439_2870640_2806388_n.jpg


185315_2296470048292_1145311439_2870639_3218526_n.jpg


223712_2296471288323_1145311439_2870645_4085091_n.jpg


QUESTION: Does anyone know what this black think to the side here is with the brush on it?
284471_2296471768335_1145311439_2870647_5602344_n.jpg


Only me and Andrew queued to go on this. Took about 25 minutes in the end.
We started going round. Got to the hairpins at the top and stopped.
284604_2296472528354_1145311439_2870652_2943258_n.jpg


285053_2296472688358_1145311439_2870653_4504158_n.jpg


224594_2296472848362_1145311439_2870654_8160312_n.jpg


283446_2296473288373_1145311439_2870657_7663496_n.jpg


262926_2296473488378_1145311439_2870658_1098510_n.jpg


Well it's not like we had any choice. :p
285183_2296475208421_1145311439_2870670_7052272_n.jpg


285422_2296474888413_1145311439_2870668_1787151_n.jpg


285027_2296475048417_1145311439_2870669_7472729_n.jpg


Took the time to take some nerdy photos. :p
263282_2296475528429_1145311439_2870671_6225804_n.jpg


205910_2296475968440_1145311439_2870675_7024067_n.jpg


283376_2296476768460_1145311439_2870679_8257410_n.jpg


262986_2296477128469_1145311439_2870682_4387513_n.jpg


185559_2296476928464_1145311439_2870681_1284867_n.jpg


After TWENTY FIVE MINUTES. Someone appeared below us.
267339_2296478448502_1145311439_2870689_4252094_n.jpg


Andrew wanted to get evacuated. I did too but I also wanted the credit. :p

Anyway we started moving again.
263213_2296479208521_1145311439_2870692_3191992_n.jpg


185569_2296479008516_1145311439_2870691_5479359_n.jpg


284348_2296479608531_1145311439_2870695_8301286_n.jpg


267277_2296479808536_1145311439_2870696_98186_n.jpg


I took some more nerdy pics. :p
285531_2296481408576_1145311439_2870700_3601954_n.jpg


216614_2296480688558_1145311439_2870699_5436971_n.jpg


After being stuck in the sun for half an hour I was obviously feeling really hot and went red.
184015_2296481808586_1145311439_2870702_3297813_n.jpg


When we got off they gave us all a bottle of water and a fast pass which you couldn't use on Cheetah Hunt which was stupid as that was the only ride that had a queue. :p
229774_2296482448602_1145311439_2870706_7412119_n.jpg


223610_2296482728609_1145311439_2870707_1255285_n.jpg


Turns out it was because of my dad we all got water. He saw he saw we had broken down on it and said to a member of staff "I hope you're going to get them all some water after being in the sun that long" and they went and got some. :lol:

I won't do a 'my thoughts' for this as it's just a standard wild mouse. It didn't seem as rough as some of the others though.

Anyway after riding the coaster with the longest duration ever we headed over to Scorpion.
284374_2296483328624_1145311439_2870710_2699576_n.jpg


284793_2296483688633_1145311439_2870712_5987036_n.jpg


262531_2296489168770_1145311439_2870724_1308560_n.jpg


226082_2296488488753_1145311439_2870720_5376146_n.jpg


284108_2296489408776_1145311439_2870725_3447505_n.jpg


285109_2296489528779_1145311439_2870726_6981230_n.jpg


Look at all those faces of people who obviously loved it. :p
262491_2296484168645_1145311439_2870715_1963974_n.jpg


The queue was only 10 minutes which wasn't bad as they only had one train running.
I don't know why but I always like the thought of going on a coaster that loops with just a lap bar. It makes it seem more thrilling. :p

My thoughts...

Scorpion
Quite a fun ride. It's quite forceful and it's got quite strong laterals in places. It wasn't amazing but I came off not hating it and thought it was good fun. Not worth queueing more than 15 minutes for though.

We headed down toward Rhino Rally but stopped to look at the Elephants on the way.
263325_2296490048792_1145311439_2870730_3548421_n.jpg


First the keeper made the elephant pick up a handkerchief on the floor and pass it back to him. Then he threw some fruit for the elephant to catch in it's mouth.
284328_2296490568805_1145311439_2870734_687915_n.jpg


252001_2296490888813_1145311439_2870735_5814264_n.jpg


283516_2296490968815_1145311439_2870736_3494279_n.jpg


205937_2296492928864_1145311439_2870748_6763543_n.jpg


Then they sprayed the hose for them to have a drink.
226162_2296492648857_1145311439_2870745_5579993_n.jpg


Which went straight in one end and out the other. [/elephantporn]
285139_2296492728859_1145311439_2870746_216516_n.jpg

(I know what Ciall's doing tonight. ;) ).

284674_2296493248872_1145311439_2870750_4033165_n.jpg


Anyway, enough of the Elephants. :p
185527_2296493368875_1145311439_2870751_5737192_n.jpg


184085_2296493448877_1145311439_2870752_5915325_n.jpg


This disgusting thing was on the floor in the queue.
215119_2296495688933_1145311439_2870764_3672546_n.jpg


285063_2296495168920_1145311439_2870761_319293_n.jpg


284175_2296495768935_1145311439_2870765_3103928_n.jpg


267378_2296496368950_1145311439_2870767_2685432_n.jpg


283230_2296496608956_1145311439_2870768_377916_n.jpg


The bit with the river here is what they took out to make Cheetah Hunt.
The jeep used to go on a bridge which then floated down the river.
216771_2296496888963_1145311439_2870769_6309421_n.jpg


285575_2296499169020_1145311439_2870772_7917877_n.jpg


The driver picks a navigator (he picked Richard) to sit in the front with him. All they do is answer questions like what animal so and so is. :lol:
251508_2296499769035_1145311439_2870775_6786252_n.jpg


262596_2296500129044_1145311439_2870777_4926577_n.jpg


185234_2296500529054_1145311439_2870778_4555805_n.jpg


229602_2296500969065_1145311439_2870781_1417172_n.jpg


223113_2296501329074_1145311439_2870782_7635975_n.jpg


281636_2296501489078_1145311439_2870783_6037412_n.jpg


223028_2296501689083_1145311439_2870784_31686_n.jpg


251453_2296502089093_1145311439_2870786_1601663_n.jpg


284414_2296502689108_1145311439_2870788_3049930_n.jpg


216731_2296558170495_1145311439_2870835_4985479_n.jpg


262406_2296558370500_1145311439_2870836_7864206_n.jpg


262936_2296558530504_1145311439_2870837_7230691_n.jpg


216796_2296558770510_1145311439_2870838_3279486_n.jpg


263281_2296558890513_1145311439_2870839_7337079_n.jpg


185325_2296559770535_1145311439_2870844_4365198_n.jpg


My thoughts...

Rhino Rally
Was really boring. Was really short and the driver was boring as well. It's hard to ride it without comparing it to the one at Animal Kingdom which is LOADS better. Here there doesn't seem to be as many animals, they don't get as close and the whole ride is pretty boring and as soon as you feel it starts to pick up pace it ends. So yeah. Not that great so won't bother with it again if I go back. Good job the queue was only 25 minutes.

We headed back down to the front of the park next to ride Gwazi.
281299_2296415606931_1145311439_2870434_1153466_n.jpg


252079_2296415766935_1145311439_2870435_8061105_n.jpg


Biggest. Lie. EVER!
281727_2296415966940_1145311439_2870436_8120670_n.jpg


184055_2296562570605_1145311439_2870859_2396421_n.jpg


We rode Lion first.
284646_2296566730709_1145311439_2870880_4434399_n.jpg


285051_2296563330624_1145311439_2870862_3328219_n.jpg


Then Tiger.
281721_2296566890713_1145311439_2870881_150606_n.jpg


262536_2296563410626_1145311439_2870863_3708552_n.jpg


284666_2296567050717_1145311439_2870882_3490942_n.jpg


223036_2296564730659_1145311439_2870869_1708375_n.jpg


252146_2296564890663_1145311439_2870870_4910933_n.jpg


283381_2296563650632_1145311439_2870864_2060210_n.jpg


262971_2296563930639_1145311439_2870865_4447404_n.jpg


281546_2296564330649_1145311439_2870867_6619197_n.jpg


226101_2296567410726_1145311439_2870884_1200548_n.jpg


283531_2296568010741_1145311439_2870887_2880270_n.jpg


262581_2296567690733_1145311439_2870885_1284482_n.jpg


My thoughts...

Gwazi
If this new train is the smoothest way to experience a wooden coaster I'd HATE to see what it was like before the new trains.
Before you'd even got to the lift hill the train was rattling and bouncing all over the place. It was like it had square wheels. The ride was really rough and bouncy and it felt like the floor was going to give way beneath you because it was shaking so much. The seats were well padded but it was still really rough and hard to enjoy. It didn't really duel/race very well either. You only passed the other car twice I think.
But yeah. Even with the new cars (which do look nice) it's still really rough. I don't know where they got the whole "smoothest way to experience a wooden coaster" from. Good job it was walk on for both sides because I wouldn't queue for it. :p

We had a look round the shop and got an ice cream. The t-shirts here were pretty cool. :)

This is the one I got. :p
285541_2296565450677_1145311439_2870873_6012993_n.jpg


226161_2296565690683_1145311439_2870874_3483923_n.jpg


284686_2296565810686_1145311439_2870875_2865262_n.jpg


285086_2296566130694_1145311439_2870877_66656_n.jpg


283261_2296565970690_1145311439_2870876_1943510_n.jpg


216686_2296566450702_1145311439_2870878_2766023_n.jpg


263216_2296565050667_1145311439_2870871_376545_n.jpg


There was only one credit left after this so me and Andrew ran round to it while my dad and Richard went to sit down for a bit.
262856_2296568130744_1145311439_2870888_824918_n.jpg


284481_2296569330774_1145311439_2870896_6977748_n.jpg


283551_2296568450752_1145311439_2870891_1672248_n.jpg


281651_2296568330749_1145311439_2870890_2553876_n.jpg


Cba to do a 'my thoughts'. As Air Grover was just a kids credit for the +1. Not very thrilling, super short and you only get one lap. That's all I needed for it to count though so didn't mind waiting 5 minutes to do it. :)

On the way back to my dad and Richard I took a few more quick animal photos.
262566_2296569610781_1145311439_2870897_2802797_n.jpg


284431_2296570090793_1145311439_2870901_5294191_n.jpg


184070_2296569810786_1145311439_2870898_4463651_n.jpg


Once we'd all met up again we decided to head out the park. On the way out we popped back to the Chunt shop to look for a magnet and then we went to get our stuff from the locker. We'd got all the rides done that we had wanted so we got the tram back to the car and planned to stop to eat on the way back.
281736_2296573770885_1145311439_2870919_1303868_n.jpg


We stopped at a Waffle House. It was proper dingy and diner-like inside. You could see all the regulars as they all knew each other and were all talking. While we were eating the staff sat down with them and they were all talking about things like abortion and how much time they'd done in prison. Obviously we'd picked a rough area to eat. :p
252156_2296575610931_1145311439_2870929_5671281_n.jpg


228886_2296575330924_1145311439_2870928_92947_n.jpg


Also does anyone know what this is? I couldn't get a clear picture of it but it looks like a power line pole but shaped like mickey mouse. :p
262961_2296575730934_1145311439_2870930_3065661_n.jpg


226081_2296576050942_1145311439_2870932_143581_n.jpg


When we got back we were told by our aunt and co that it was madness at Disney Studios. They went back to see Fantasmic but it started pouring down with rain and they cancelled the show. But everyone was rushing like a stampede to get out and loads of people were getting crushed as they had the big wooden gate shut and were making everyone go out a small gate and down a path.
My cousin said at one point she saw someone in a wheelchair and people were literally climbing over her to get out and there were kids getting dragged away from their parents in the crowds.
Sounded mental and they all came back absolutely drenched.

Overall we had a really good day. Busch was easily the best park of the trip and we were lucky the park was so empty when we went.

Anyway day 12 will be on Typhoon Lagoon, we also go back to have one more go at getting on Summit Plummet and we also go to see Fantasmic. :)
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 12 BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA

Scorpion: My first looper <3. I relly enjoyed that restaurant as well. Did you get Pizza? Loving your TR! Great job! I'll be sad when its over. :(
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 12 BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA

Busch just looks so awsome! All them massive B&M's, plus a Schwartzy <3
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 12 BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA

Been glancing over this every now and again. I'm interested to hear your thoughts on the rides. I really need to get back to Busch though, it all looks so good still! And I love the look of Chunt. Can't wait to ride it! <3

Ollie said:
Also does anyone know what this is? I couldn't get a clear picture of it but it looks like a power line pole but shaped like mickey mouse. :p
262961_2296575730934_1145311439_2870930_3065661_n.jpg


226081_2296576050942_1145311439_2870932_143581_n.jpg
Yeah, it's exactly that. It's just a pylon in a funky shape. I remember seeing it, but I can't remember where it was exactly. It probably services some part of the Disney park and they kinda used it as advertising. After all, that's what Orlando is famous for! :D
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 12 BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA

^Yeah, it's weird though as that Mickey thing doesn't seem to be anywhere near Disney.

Josh73 said:
I relly enjoyed that restaurant as well. Did you get Pizza?
Well seeing as it's a PIZZA & Pasta Buffet, there's a pretty good chance that we got Pizza. I even said I had loads of slices of the BBQ one in the report. :p

I've missed out a couple of things in the report. It's not much. Just when we went back to Ponderosa to eat and look round the shop and stuff. We also had a Chinese one night which was crap but I can't remember which night we had it. :lol:

Oh and we went back to McDonalds twice as well but my memory is crap so I can't remember when. All I made a note off was ride order and queue times which I guess is the most important bits. :p
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 12 BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA

I now have no respect for any of your opinions, Ollie. You seem to have had a completely different experience to the one I had.

Cheetah Hunt is amazing. The first launch, although not hugely forceful, is great fun, especially if you're in the second train. And the drop from the figure of eight is really good.
Montu was just too disorientating for me. Even though there was LITERALLY no one in the queue, I still didn't want to go again.
Sheikra was ok, but the holding only has an effect in the front row, and it generally didn't do anything for me.
The Rapids are great though. I'm convinced that the effects were all off when you went, because there is no way you could have come off that ride dry. It's the second wettest ride in Florida, easily.
I must have got lucky with my driver on Rhino Rally, because he was very entertaining, even if the ride itself can't compare with Kilamanjaro Safaris.
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 12 BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA

^ Man, I'm with you on CHunt. The coaster is just mad fun. Not the most intense launcher out there, but definitely the best "mid-range" coaster I've ever ridden. Decent launches, decent airtime, beautiful scenery, smooth, great s-turns, flies through a creek. It's got a lot to offer imo.

And Montu is aight. I don't love it like the rest of the coaster community, but that's largely because B&Ms bore the hell out of me for whatever reason. It's just inversion after inversion, and sure it's forceful...but that's about it.

Gwazi can suck my.....

No. Really. I ****ing hate BGT for giving Florida such a crappy woodie... [-(
 
Re: First Time Evah in Florida - DAY 12 BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA

jokerman said:
Cheetah Hunt is amazing. The first launch, although not hugely forceful, is great fun, especially if you're in the second train. And the drop from the figure of eight is really good.
I said it was good fun and you agreed with me that the launches aren't that forceful. But I did say it's good fun to ride and it's glass smooth and had some nice airtime. I said the only problem with it was that it advertises itself about the speed when there really isn't much. It is a good ride though.

Montu was just too disorientating for me. Even though there was LITERALLY no one in the queue, I still didn't want to go again.
I usually find B&M's a bit boring and too forceful. But there's just something about Montu I really liked. It's a good coaster.

Sheikra was ok, but the holding only has an effect in the front row, and it generally didn't do anything for me.
It wasn't OMG AMAZING. But it was a good ride. If I had the choice between this and Oblivion it'd be this easily.

The Rapids are great though. I'm convinced that the effects were all off when you went, because there is no way you could have come off that ride dry. It's the second wettest ride in Florida, easily.
Did we ride the same rapids? lol. They did have effects on like some hoses and I think there was a small waterfall in the tunnel. Just nothing got me. Some people got wet but I've got wetter on the rapids at Thorpe. The wettest rapids is EASILY the ones at IOA.

I must have got lucky with my driver on Rhino Rally, because he was very entertaining, even if the ride itself can't compare with Kilamanjaro Safaris.
It wasn't just the driver though. It just wasn't that exciting or interesting. I know I'm not alone on this as most people I speak to about this ride told me how crap it is.
 
Top