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Last revised 23-Mar-2000.
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[Home] |[Florida]
| At A Glance |
Busch Gardens received 4.2 Million visitors in 1996.
Tampa Bay area theme Park containing various themed areas
with some of the biggest thrill rides in Florida, along
with other entertainment, wildlife and shopping. Car parking
charged (under 10USD), Entrance fee includes all rides
and attractions. Food/Refreshments extra. Some rides carry
min/max height restrictions. Time required - 1 Day |
Busch Gardens is owned and run by the Anheuser-Busch company,
and is located at Tampa Bay in Florida, approximately an hour's
drive from Orlando.
The Busch Gardens park is themed in nine exotic areas, each
of which has it's own dining and refreshemnt area, along with
it's own entertainment, including animals, exhibits and some
of the biggest thrill-rides in Florida, as well as rides for
younger children and/or the less adventurous.
Egypt is the most recent addition to Busch Gardens,
whose centerpiece is the awesome "Montu", which claims
to be the tallest and longest inverted roller coaster in the
world. Egypt also houses a realistic walk-through replica
of the Tomb of King Tutankhamen.
The Congo area is home to "The Kumba", the
largest and fastest roller coaster in the southeastern United
States, reaching speeds in excess of 60mph. The Congo River
Rapids is a fairly gentle white water raft ride, though there's
a very good chance of getting wet thanks to the Congo Water-Blasters.
For 25c you can take control of a Water-Blaster yourself and
get your own back though. 
The Stanley Falls Log Flume, and Tanganyika Tidal-Wave ride
are both water rides in the Stanleyville area. Guests
riding the Tidal-Wave should be prepared to get very wet indeed
(see the picture). The Tidal-Wave also featires a walk-over
bridge just at the bottom of the water splash area, part of
which is encased in perspex, which allows some very good photo
opportunities without risking getting the camera/camcorder
wet (the picture to the right was taken from within this area).
Other thrill rides at Busch Gardens include the "Questor"
simulator ride, The Scorpion and Python roller coasters, and
The Phoenix - a looping Egyptian cargo vessel.
Other attractions include a train or monorail journey through
the Serengeti Plain, a wildlife-safari park area including
Lions, Rhino, Zebra, Camels, Hippo, Buffalo, Giraffes, Gazelles
and various Apes amongst other animals. Various shows are
put on throughout the day, especially at the Moroccan Palace
Theatre, Marrakesh Theatre and the Tangiers Theatre, though
costumed characters appear throughout the park at various
times.
There are also some unique shopping opportunities at Busch
Gardens, particularly in the Egypt, Morocco, Timbuktu and
Stanleyville areas, though each themed area has it's own unique
brand of shops.
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