Busch Gardens

We spent all day Tuesday at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Florida. We got there just before the park opened. Unfortunately, it was drizzling a little bit that morning, but that actually turned out to be a blessing because there wasn't too many people at the park... NO CROWDS OR LINES! We were the first people in line at the gate.
	While we were waiting we asked the people who worked there about the roller coasters. The lady told us that we should definitely try Montu first. It was still raining a little when we got in but we headed straight for Montu. Feel the ultimate rush on Montu -- one of the tallest and longest inverted roller coasters in the world! Experience the thrill of an inverse diving loop and a 60-foot vertical loop while you endure speeds of over 60 miles per hour and a G-force of 3.85!

We rode the Montu 3 times in a row since there was NO line! It was great. By the third ride, we were soaked though - it had started to rain a little harder. We decided to head to the opposite end of the park to ride the Kumba but unfortunately it started to pour and we got stuck hiding under some shelters about half way to the ride. We waited out the rain until the rides started up again and rode the Gwazi, a huges double, wooden roller coaster.

The legend of Gwazi lives at BGTB as the Southeast's largest and fastest double wooden roller coaster. Named after a fabled lion riders through almost 7,000 feet of track and six "flyby" maneuvers in which trains pass within feet of each other at crossing speeds of 100 mph.

Next we rode a couple water rides. We figured we were already wet so what's the difference. Someone told us to try the tidal wave but we misunderstood him and got on some log ride. It was pretty slow. Then we saw the ride that he meant. Most of the ride was really slow but it went down a big slope and under a bridge where everyone in the boat got SOAKED!

Watch out when your seemingly tranquil jungle journey aboard a 20-passenger boat ends with a sudden plunge down a 55-foot drop, creating a tidal wave that gets everyone sopping wet on the Tanganyika Tidal Wave!

The Kumba was still having technical difficulties so while we were waiting, we rode the Python and the Scorpion. There was no lines for any of the rides so we didn't even have to get off the ride when it ended, we just rode it 3 consecutive times. Both of these were pretty little coasters - nothing compared to the Montu!

Experience the twists of the Python. This thrilling roller coaster will make you scream through a double spiraling corkscrew and an intense 70 foot plunge -- just for starters!

Feel the "sting" of Scorpion's terrifying 60 foot drop and 360 degree loop at incredible speeds. You can find the Scorpion in Timbuktu... If you dare!

We were lucky to run into Darin, Kit, and Jesse as we were walking through the park. It was Jesse's 5th birthday. We convinced Darin to go on the Montu with us. Joe stayed with Jesse and Amy, Darin, Kit, and Kit's cousin all went on the ride. I still don't know if Darin liked it or not. After the ride, we decided to go on the train ride through the Safari. It was nice and relaxing but there weren't too many animals out.

See the beauty of the Serengeti Plains and continue around the park making stops in Stanleyville and Nairobi on the Serengeti Express Railway.

	At the end of the day we were FINALLY able to ride the Kumba. It was great! I think we rode it 4 times in a row. See the beauty of the Serengeti Plains and continue around the park making stops in Stanleyville and Nairobi on the Serengeti Express Railway.

We ended the night when we met up with Kit, Darin, and Jesse in the Land of the Dragons - a huge play ground for kids. Jesse played until the park closed. We all left the park and headed down to Sarasota where we had a nice dinner. Our hotel was right on the beach so after dinner, we headed down to the beach to enjoy the beautiful white sand and the ocean view.

Your children will fall in love with Land of the Dragons, which includes our three-story-tall tree house, an enchanted forest, one-of-a-kind slides, a gentle waterfall, wonderful rides and, of course, friendly dragons!