Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[RAWKIN_coaster38Why do I still have a donkey title???]

After years of remaining steadfast in my declaration that Gwazi would eventually get the RMC treatment, at long last the naysayers have been silenced!

SAME!!! I was saying this back in 2015 when I worked at BGT and no one believed me. I just wish I could see the reactions when the people who thought I was crazy find out I was right about this after all. Okay I might still be crazy...

[jlp94I teach at the school of donkey!]

Hey everyone,

So as some of you know, I'm visiting Busch Gardens Tampa on Friday the 29th, and I need advice! We'll be staying the whole day from open to close (10:00 to 7:00), so keep that in mind when responding.

1. What is the best order to hit up the coasters and thrilling flat rides?

2. What are the best restaurants for lunch and dinner? (best snacks in the park would be a nice bonus too )

3. "Magic" seats or the best rows/seats on coasters? I love trying multiple seats for the best possible ride so I always ask those questions when trip planning.

Thanks!

[A.J.Counts I305 as 32 credits...]

Cheetah Hunt and Cobra's Curse often get the highest wait times. Cheetah Hunt is close to the front, and Cobra's Curse is new hotness family coaster. Consider doing one of those two right as you enter.

The others? It's hit-or-miss, really, with the exception of Kumba, which rarely has a wait longer than a few train loads. Scorpion moves slowly because they only ever run one train. SheiKra can sometimes move slowly if they are only staffed for one station platform. I personally have never had any issues just going around and doing the coasters in a loop, and that's on a weekend.

Kumba and Montu are really great on outer seats because they have elements that whip you around. SheiKra is pretty freaky in a front row outer seat because you're basically hanging over the edge with nothing anywhere.

[Too Fast For ComfortToo Slow For Comfort]

Cheetah Hunt and Cobra's Curse often get the highest wait times. Cheetah Hunt is close to the front, and Cobra's Curse is new hotness family coaster. Consider doing one of those two right as you enter.

The others? It's hit-or-miss, really, with the exception of Kumba, which rarely has a wait longer than a few train loads. Scorpion moves slowly because they only ever run one train. SheiKra can sometimes move slowly if they are only staffed for one station platform. I personally have never had any issues just going around and doing the coasters in a loop, and that's on a weekend.

Kumba and Montu are really great on outer seats because they have elements that whip you around. SheiKra is pretty freaky in a front row outer seat because you're basically hanging over the edge with nothing anywhere.

Yeah, Shiekra probably is best in the front, but the the middle and back aren't that bad. The train does have stadium seating, so you get a pretty great view no matter where you sit. It can also be kind of cool sitting over people and watching their reactions. Drop coasters are just pretty underrated all the way around.

Pretty spot on analysis of the wait times. Monday through Friday the park is pretty dead. But all of the sudden it gets Disney level crowds on the weekends and holidays. If you're traveling through, definitely make sure to prioritize going Monday-Friday. Also, for being a big 365 park in Florida, the operations and staffing is pretty pathetic. They really can't get a dispatch out without stacking and they'll leave a bunch of empty seats. Surprising considering the fact that they fully staff each ride with greeters, crowd control, and restraint checkers.

[Kw6sTheateeDonkeys give me orgiastic scream!]

I would also recommend doing the train ride and/or skyride to get around the park. They are both very fun rides that I loved as a kid. Kumba is definitely worth doing in the back, it’s incredibly intense! So is Montu. I’m thankfully going to be able to revisit my childhood stomping grounds (this park) in April 2019, after nearly 4 years of not being back.

[SharkTumsSite Admin]

Keep in mind that it's a Spring Break week for some Florida districts (including nearby Polk County) so the park may be more crowded than normal.

[coasterbillWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

I'm normally not picky about seats but ride Kumba in the back row, far side closest to the unload platform. Ride Montu in the back row closest to the load platform.

Otherwise it doesn't matter.

[dmh1079Macaroni and Donkey]

Keep in mind that it's a Spring Break week for some Florida districts (including nearby Polk County) so the park may be more crowded than normal.

This! Also Spring Break for many 'damn Yankees' who will be invading Florida for the week. I was there during that week last year (on Thursday, I believe) and the park was very crowded. As a credit whore (your words), if you want to have any time to see animals or enjoy any of the non-coaster things that this park has to offer, I would recommend budgeting for Quick Queue, in case you feel like you need it when you get there.

[jlp94I teach at the school of donkey!]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

So as of right now, here's the plan.
1. Cheetah Hunt
2. Cobra's Curse
3. Montu
4. Skyride
5. Kumba
6. Sand Serpent
7. Falcon's Fury
8. Scorpion
9. SheiKra
10. Air Grover

Anything I should change?

The animal exhibits will be sprinkled in as we go along (unless there are some that get busier than normal?)

Lastly, what are the best places for food? I appreciate all the attraction strategy help, but my family would love recommendations for when it comes time to eat.

[djcoastermarkBonafide Donkey Expert]

Bacon Pretzels by Falcons Fury. Pure heaven. Also, feeding and mingling with the Kangaroos and Wallabies is a whole lotta fun! If the Crown Colony, (or whatever it's called now) has the buffet open, go for it. It is usually only open seasonally , and being spring break, it might be open.