As someone who has visited a number of theme parks over the course of their life, I have high expectations for those that are located outside of the state of South Carolina, where there are few options and where I grew up. If I am traveling more than two hours to an amusement park, I expect it to be nothing short of amazing. I went to Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay this past weekend and was not disappointed. Everything was great, from the food to the ticket prices to the various activities. In an attempt to rate my visit, I would give it four out of five stars, given the impact that factors beyond the park’s control had on my visit.
While I understand that no experience is perfect, there were a few occasions that concerned me. The white water rafting exhibit, for example, was closed for most of the morning. The park opened at ten o’clock, but the rafting did not begin until well after twelve o’clock. The lines were incredibly long by this point, and we decided it was not worth the wait. Furthermore, the heat contributed to the irritation of waiting in lines. Of course, this is true of an outdoor excursion, but it does factor into the evaluation of my trip. It was also discouraging to have to pay extra for nearly everything other than entry. Amidst these uncontrollable variables, the park was, nevertheless, well worth the visit and worth the unpromising aspects that followed.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay generated an atmosphere that was nearly contagious with happiness and fun. Compared to other amusement parks, there are a variety of features that one will never find anywhere else; therefore, it is the park to travel to. It is worth the drive and the cost, warranting an experience like no other. With that in mind, if I were to sum up my experience in a single statement, I would say: Nothing short of remarkable.