Some of My Favorite Busch Gardens Pictures

Ya know, I have taken a LOT of pictures at Busch Gardens Tampa. I guess I kind of have that advantage to know where the best places to get some really good pictures are. When 4 out of the 6 people who resided in your house work there, you get to know the park pretty well. I mean, I also worked there at one point in 2010, but that is beside the point. Anyways, I wanted to share some of my favorite pictures that I have taken at Busch Gardens. I wanted to do a Lifestyle-esque post because, I mean, I just wanted too and I feel like this would be a really lovely one to do. :)

I love this picture of Falcons Fury at night because of the colors of the ride itself and then the lights, it is really something. I definitely suggest that when the park is open later during the summer to stay and just check out Falcons Fury when it is lit up...and if you are brave enough even ride it!

This is probably the stinkiest part of the entire park. If you have walked by the Flamingo area over near Sesame Street, you will know. Some days it doesn't stink and other days it is so over powering! As being the main bird associated with lawns in Florida, these are definitely really fun birds to watch! Especially when the babies hatch and are cute, grey and fluffy!

Kangaroos are something that I don't think a lot of people expect to be at Busch Gardens. However over in Walkabout Way, there is definitely a lot of them! Wallabys and Kangaroos as well as an Emu! You can even buy some food and feed them! These are probably the only animal in the park that you are actually allowed to touch and pet. Just make sure you don't pet them where they don't like it!

While I do love this picture, you unfortunately can't see these Flamingos anymore. They closed down Jambo Junction where these are located. They are still quite lovely and if you walk by and peer over a bush you may be able to see them! I even had the chance to feed them once when I was hanging out with a couple of other ex-bloggers who used to run a now shut down blog. Such a lovely couple!

This bad boy is Spike! He is the lone male elephant at the park and he is just so fun to watch! His tusks are also pretty impressive! I definitely suggest checking the elephants out when they do their enrichment time! It is so fun to watch them play around with the things that are put out for them! Last year, they were even given peeps for Easter! Only in small doses though.

Last year at Food & Wine I was able to see the All American Rejects play! This actually was the only decent picture I got of the band because I was pretty far back in the crowd. I definitely suggest checking out the line up for this years Food & Wine at both SeaWorld and Busch Gardens! Some great bands will be playing!

I am not sure his name, but I do know that this is the Silverback Gorilla over in Myombe Reserve. My Mom and I (when we go, before PokemonGo that is) would sit for hours and just watch the Gorillas. They are so fun to watch! Especially the babies.

I LOVE going and sitting at the Tiger Lodge area. I just want to rub their blooming fluffy ears! While I can wish, it is obviously not an option. All of the tigers are adorable though!

The Orangutans are another favorite of mine to sit and watch, especially when they are moving around, My Mom and I call this "The big boy" as we obviously don't know his name.

While this isn't a great picture, it is still awesome. Last year at Food & Wine (again) I got to see MeatLoaf perform! That was definitely a dream come true because I love his music! 

The Giraffes are definitely silly animals! Did you know that they have the same amount of bones in their necks as we (humans) have in ours?! Crazy right?! This was taken from the Serengeti Express train, which is something I greatly suggest doing at least once!

The lions over in the Edge of Africa are awesome to watch as well! You know, as long as I have been going to Busch Gardens, I only recently found out that there were two prides of Lions. I don't know why I never noticed!

This is a picture I actually took recently. The Orangutans have been pretty active as of late. This is the same one that was pictured above, but I wanted to include another picture just because!

The pictures are mainly of animals but lets be honest, I don't do rides. I mainly go to the park to see the animals. Even though I have been there a million times, it doesn't get old. There is always something different you haven't noticed before, no matter how many times you have been there. Plus, with Food and Wine coming up, I may be there more often! Maybe this year I will actually get my Food review up! hah.

I hope you all have such a lovely weekend!

Interviewing Jim Dean Park President of Busch Gardens about Cobra's Curse

This interview is from Media day for Cobra's Curse.

JD: Hello, I am Jim Dean and I am the President of Busch Gardens and Adventure Island Tampa.

Me: Hello Mr.Dean! It's a pleasure to finally be able to meet you!

Me: Why do you think that it is important to have thrill rides that the entire family can ride?

JD: Well, we want to appeal to the whole family and we got have got some of the best roller coaster in the world with Sheikra, Montu, and Kumba. Falcon's Fury is one of the greatest drop towers ever. We want to make sure that we offered an attractions for the entire family, even four and five year old kids can ride Cobra's Curse.

Me: That is fantastic! My entire family including my Niece who is four is waiting with anticipation for the ride to open! It's all she has talked about for the past couple of weeks!

Me: So, I saw on Facebook that you have actually ridden the coaster a few times! What is your favorite part?

JD: Everybody is going to say that the spinning is their favorite part. Coming off of the vertical lift to the snakes mouth, that is pretty fun. Then you dive out into the Serengeti where you are going forward. When the spinning starts though, the real fun happens! You never know how your cart will spin. It's different each time. 

Me: This is unrelated to Cobra's Curse, but on Monday I was in park and I heard a woman complaining. She was complaining that every time a new ride comes out, it has been a roller coaster or Falcon's Fury. Do you have any plans to replace Gwazi or Tidal Wave with something that is for those people out there, who are not coaster enthusiasts? 

JD: We are always looking at our attractions across the park to make sure we are maximizing our geography. We have got so much real estate! With Gwazi, it was simply just time for a change, as was the same for Tidal Wave. We are looking at some things, but they take years to bring to fruition. We are indeed looking at attractions that are not major roller coasters. We want to make sure we offer things to families.

Me: Are there any plans to build any rides that are disabled friendly?

JD: Sure! Do you have any ideas?

Me: I was talking to a woman on Twitter and she suggested maybe carnival type rides. Or something that is easy to get those who are confined to wheelchairs on and off, without much effort. 

JD: Sand Serpent is a family ride. We would love to add more of those. I've even seen children in wheelchairs riding Falcon's Fury! That must be such a thrill for them to be able to ride it! 

Me: Oh indeed! I couldn't even imagine riding Falcon's Fury myself! My Grandmother wants to ride it and she is 80 years old!

JD: Bring her on over!

A huge Thank you to Mr.Dean for allowing me to interview him on Media Day! I wasn't on his list of interviewers and he took the time to talk to me! It was so kind of him and it was such a pleasure to finally be able to meet him! I have only ever heard such great things about him and I am so glad that we have him as the Park President!

Cobra's Curse - The Beginning!

I'm calling this post Cobra's Curse The Beginning because, that is exactly what it is. The beginning! Not the beginning for me, but for the ride. It just opened, so it's still a baby and... I just find it appropriate =^_^=

I will say that this is blog post 1 of 4. I've got three interviews coming up in the next few weeks, each having to do with Cobra's Curse. Enough about that though, let's just get into the post!

Cobra's Curse has to be one of the most anticipated rides in the Tampa Bay area this year. Orlando had Manta and we have Cobra's Curse. If you've been following me on Snapchat or Twitter, you've no doubt seen me tweeting or snapping about the ride. I may have gone a little crazy with it, but you know what it is such a fun ride! Or well, what I imagine to be a fun ride, I unfortunately can't do rides anymore because of many factors. However, most of my family including my 4 year old Niece has ridden it and they all loved it! Before we all get into that though, we need to go over the basics!

The ride is the first of it's kind. You start off with a 70-foot lift into the air where you come back to face with the Snake King,

This is the Point of View of the coaster when they were testing it, just so you can see. I couldn't ride it so I don't have a POV of myself riding it.  

The 2,100 feet of track is split into three sections. For the first 1/3 of the track you are going forwards, the 2/3 you're going backwards and the last 1/3 you're free spinning. Yes, you read that right, FREE SPINNING! That in itself is unique. Also what is unique is that each time you ride the ride, it will be different. No one ride is the same, even if you ride it with the same people. 

When you first walk into the Egypt area, you are greeted by the amazing entrance to the ride. 

As you're walking through the queue line, you actually feel like you're in a dig site. There are buckets, shovels, ladders, basically everything and anything you would find at a dig site (besides heavy equipment) scattered around, and the scaffolding. Don't worry though! Everything is safe and nothing will fall on you! A little trick I was told is that once you're inside the queue, take your flashlight out and look over the walls and see all of the stuff they have added. They have gone to great lengths and have done some really excellent theming for the ride! 

Inside the queue line you will first come across the snakes. 

Picture courtesy of Busch Gardens

Here you will get to see the snakes in their exhibit. It's so nicely done that it has to be my second favorite part of the queue. 

I'm not going to spoil it, because you need to see it for yourself, but in the queue line you will encounter the snake exhibit and the projection mapping, which is my favorite part of the queue. There are three different scenes that play out every couple of minutes. Each is only about 30 seconds long but they are so well done and actually pretty silly! This is something you definitely need to see for yourself! 

Cobra's Curse has a 70-foot drop and that is its highest drop. I've seen people complain on twitter that it is nothing like Sheikra, Montu or the other big coasters in the park, but what they all fail to realize is that this is a FAMILY coaster. It's not meant to be as extreme as the others. You have to remember, some of the kids are 4 at the youngest. Cloe is 4 and is tall enough to ride it, yes she can ride Scorpion, but that's nothing compared to this. This is more intense that Scorpion, but it's not as intense as the bigger ones. I wish people would think about that before they go complaining. It's meant for families.
Plus, depending on the weight distribution, you can spin pretty dang fast! It is crazy how fast I saw some of the cars spinning! 

This is the gem/fossil mining area. It's really fun! The bags are either $7.95 for a small bag or $12.95 for the large ones! 

Will you come Face to Fang with the 80 Foot Snake King?!

Top 10 MUST HAVE Items To Take To A Theme Park

Not pictured is my Drivers License, for obvious reasons.

1. MANNERS
I feel like this is something that I shouldn't even have to mention, but I do. The day that I originally typed up the post, I noticed the nastiest family being just awful to each other as well as to others and employees. There is no need for that kind of stuff. If you're going to be in a bad mood and take it out on others, just stay home. A theme park is supposed to be enjoyable. If you encounter a rude employee, find another employee or a supervisor (Dark Maroon shit) and talk to them about it. One person(s) doesn't reflect the attitude of the entire park and they shouldn't let you think everyone is nasty. BUT, as a guest attending the park you should have manners as well. Don't be nasty and rude to othes as well as employees, they are there to make your day go smoothly and enjoyable. Don't go running through the park trying to get to another area, the rides don't move, they will be there all day. Why are you rushing? I've seen people shove others out of the way, to try and get where they are going. I just.I can't. Don't think that this is only children, teenagers and young adults. More often that not, it is grown adults doing all of this. Don't get me wrong, a lot of kids come to the parks and then turn into wild animals...nothing irritates me more, but what are you gonna do?
The jist of what I am trying to say is at least have some manners. Say Thank you and please. Heck, if you're daring even say "May I...", I do, because it's corteous.

2. COMMON SENSE
I feel that this is another thing I shouldn't have to address but I do. Use your dang common sense. I mean, come on now! In this day and age, I feel like most people have no common sense. Just find it, and use it.

3. ID/Pass to get into the park
If you're 21 or older, you will need your ID to purchase an alcoholic drink. Make sure you have your ID, because if you don't have it, no alcohol for you. Also, you could need your ID if your pass doesn't work in the turnstile and they need to verify that you are who you say you are. I've had to do it before. I make sure to always bring my ID into the park, regardless.
Please, don't forget your pass to get into the park either! I've seen many people get into line to go through the turnstiles and can't find their passes. There is nothing more upsetting that getting all of the way to the park and realizing you can't get it! If you are a pass memeber and you don't have it, you should be able to go to Guest Relations and get a new one. I'm not sure if you have to pay for it or not. I'm not sure on that.

4. Money
The one main thing that you need to get anything in the park is money. Don't forget it. The only thing free in the park is the rides and water. Again, I've seen quite a few people forget to bring money.

5. Refillable Cup
This is on the list because it is a money saver. You pay, whatever it is for the cup, which varies depending on the park you are at. And then it's just $0.99 for refilles. Or it is cheaper if you get a pass member discount. $1.07 instead of $3.99 everytime you want a drink is a heck of a lot cheaper on your wallet! However, if you don't want sugary drinks, water if free. They are required by law to provide water for free. You don't need the refillable cup for that, but without one, it's not that big of a cup. So just keep that in mind when you go to any theme park. Also, just because you have a Busch Gardens cup, doesn't mean you can't use it in other theme parks. You can take it to Universal and get it filled for the same price. Heck, I usually use one from the Florida Aquarium when I come!

6. Backpack
Obviously you're going to need something to carry all of your stuff in! I suggest a backpack because it's just easier on your back. I've got two different onces that I use. Depending on what I am carrying depends on the backpack I bring...Actually I have three but I need to find the other one! On the days I bring the laptop, (yes, I bring a laptop to do work) I bring the big Busch Gardens branded backpack because it is the only one I have that fits it. On most other days I bring my rainbow hearts dickies(?) brand backpack that I had in high school. That is the one I use more often than not and it fits everything I need. When I plan on bringing less, I'll get the tiny Quicksilver one I purchased in 2010 from Busch Gardens.

7. Hand Sanitizer
This is a biggie for me.People are gross, especially when they're at a theme park. They don't cover their mouths when they cough or sneese...they don't wash their hands after they use the bathroom. It's just gross. Plus, you don't know if other people are sick or anything. I'd rather be safe than sorry and keep my hands germ free. I am a freak like that.

8. Sunscreen
You're going to be in the sun. There isn't a lot of shade. This is a given. Remember your sunscreen and protect your skin!

9. Medication
If you take any kind of medication during the day and are going to be at a theme park, please bring it! They don't want to have to call 911 for an ambulance to take you to the hospital! Also, if you need Tylenol or a band aid, you can go to first aid for those! If anything happens and you don't have your medication or just something happens period, please find an employee and ask them to call for First Aid!

10. Cell Phone
In this day and age the way people have their cell phones atattched to their hands, they would bring them in. A lot of people don't! Most theme parks sell water proof pouches to put your phones in! Also, if you don't want to spend the money for one of those, bring a ziploc. That's what I do most of the time! :) Especially if I know it's going to rain, or if it might rain, I put my phone and anything else that could get ruined in a handy dandy ziploc. I always have one or two on me.

A Typical Day At Busch Gardens - The Animal Care Center

More increasingly, I have been at Busch Gardens at least once or twice a week. Why? Well, my Husband, Dad and Brother all work at the park in different areas AND my brother doesn't drive. So Chris and I are the ones most of the time who take him up. I have no issues with this really, except we've run out of things to do. Hah. HOWEVER, I decided that I would maybe document a typical day when we go to the park, because I figured it would be fun and split it up into different posts. Let me also say that all of the pictures were taken on my phone, so they aren't that great.

A typical day when Chris and I go to Busch Gardens is hitting up the Animal Care Center and see what animals need treatment that day. We've seen them remove a gigantic deep sea fishing hook from a Great Blue Heron, we've seen them give an Anteater a checkup and on this particular day they were doing checkups on a Black Forest Cobra and two Rhinoceros Vipers. Dr.Pete is the Sr. Veterinarian and I definitely suggest checking Wildlife Docs out on Saturday mornings! It's such an educational show and it's fun and interesting to see the different things they do and the animals. Sea Rescue is amazing as well and it obviously has to do with Sea World.

On this day they actually couldn't get the cobra out of it's box, she was just NOT having it at all! It took a good 30 minutes and that is because they ended up having to take the container she was in apart.

Not the greatest picture, but it was the only one I could get of the Cobra. They put it in a tube, so keep it from biting people.

The ACC doesn't just deal with animals at Busch Gardens. The GBH they removed the hook from was brought in by a person who rescues animals and they saw the fishing line hanging out of it's mouth. It look an HOUR to safely remove the hook! It was intense! 
Today though they are just doing checkups. They start at 11, but it's early so I am waiting around!
They have 3 TVs around so you can see up close what they are doing with the animal as well as on one they display x-rays so you can see what they are going for an or looking at.
There are also others outside of the room to narrate and explain what is going on so the Vets can concentrate on what they are doing! They do take questions after they are done as well as they do show the animal by the window if they are able to pick it up!

I learned that they don't put reptiles under anesthesia.  So that's pretty interesting because they are at a higher risk if they are anesthetized. It will definitely interesting to see!
They can treat animals up to 2000 pounds. The bigger animals are treated in the field because all of their equipment is mobile as well as They have facilities outside in the field where they can take care or the larger animals. (Giraffe, elephants, rhinos, etc)

You have to hit the Animal Care Center as soon as the park opens because they do all of their procedures in the mornin. Usually they will start around 10am, they don't schedule the animals for specific days so it's always a surprise when you go! I like that animal Rehabbers can bring wild animals in that they find and they will do emergency surgery or whatever they need to do that day. The most recent time Chris and I went there was a woman from Dover who brought in a Hawk that she found stuck between two fences in a bougainvillea bush. Someone shot it with a pellet gun and broke its wing. It was also carrying an egg! Unfortunately, they said that she probably would abandon the egg when she laid it (that day) because of being in the hospital and what not. Such a bummer!

I'm thinking of turning this into a fun bi-weekly thing, or maybe just monthly? We will see what happens! I do have another post idea, but I'm not sure when it's going to be up just yet. Maybe sometime next month!

Have you ever been to Busch Gardens Tampa? If you have, have you checked out the Animal Care Center?!

Howl O Scream Other Information!

Hello loves!

This is the last part of the mini series! I hope you all are enjoying this as much as I am! x

Today we will talk about Rides, Shows, Passes, Tours, Merchandise, Special Offers and discounts! :D

This is basically going to be more of an informational post. There aren't many pictures honestly.

If you missed the two previous posts check out The 13 here and The Scares HERE 

Let's start with Shows

Fiends Desert Grill

The Scares!

Welcome to part two of my Howl O Scream mini series! In this post we will be talking all about the Haunted Houses and scare zones!! :D >D *evil laugh*

There are EIGHT houses each of them different. There are 3 new houses and the other 5 I am sure you will recognize. I have it on good authority that they have made some big changes on the houses that are coming back. When I saw what houses were coming back I kind of rolled my eyes till I read the descriptions and was told what was changed (kind of was told. It was a fuzz description so it didn't get spoiled, plus Confidentiality agreement. No need for people to get fired) There is one house that you do have to pay for, but for a good reason. NO it is not the ALONE house, they got rid of it. I never went into the ALONE house because I didn't want to pay the money. Super cheap I am. 

If you haven't seen My first post about THE 13 check it out HERE

Okay onto the houses! >D 

I'm going to start with the old ones, then finish with the best :)

►►Blood Asylum

Meet the 13

Hello my little Ghouls and Goblins!

Velcome to the first post in a 3 part mini series! I decided to split this post up into 3 sections because it would be WAY too long to even bother putting in one post. I would get bored reading it and it's my own blog. 

Something I have not let on about myself is that I love me a good hearty scare. EVERY year I WAIT for Halloween to come around, granted it's not like it used to be. At least not where I live.NO one gets into the spirit around here anymore, it's actually pretty depressing.

Note: If you have a weak stomach or get scared easily this might be a post to skip

Well my little devils let me tell you this year is going to be exciting. I bring to you Busch Garden's Tampa Bay Howl O Scream 2013! Muhahahah *evil laugh*!

The theme this year is The 13. 

... Okay bear with me, I totally understand that it doesn't sound exciting, when I first heard it I just rolled my eyes in disgust. If you were around for last years Howl O Scream you know it was EXACTLY the same as the previous year. It sucked so hard you have no idea. They got rid of the scare zones, same theme, etc.. I feel bad for Williamsburg!! Okay... Back to the topic at hand.

Who are The 13 you may be asking?! Well my dears let me tell you! >D

(click on to read more)

Roller Coaster what?!

Hello everyone!!

Any guesses as to what this post is about?!

Picture this.
So get this you go up at a 45degree angle UP 200 feet, level out round a circle, get a nice view of the park and all of the sudden you reach the end and hang in the air with your feet dangling, praying to whoever you believe in that you live through this. Then BAM 5 seconds later the brakes release and you FALL 90 degrees going 70 MPH reaching 4G's! That is only the FIRST drop! The second isn't as horrifying but it's enough to make you scream then BAM you hit water, go around a building and head back into the loading dock.

Any guesses as to what Roller Coaster this is about?!