Last week, my fourteen year old son decided to try his hand on blogging on my other website called uncommongeneration.com. Since I’ve been busy writing for clients, the site has suffered from neglect. Jon wanted to start a website but the only way I would pay for it is if he shows consistency in the next few months at uncommongeneration.com. Being a challenge driven type of guy, he said yes and here it is.
This is his second blog post. He was really candid about his experiences in Busch Gardens Tampa and his writing made me laugh. So, I’ve decided to feature him here. Enjoy and please leave a comment for him.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Florida From The View of a Teen
By Jon
By Jon
Busch Gardens is the perfect combination of a zoo and amusement park. Being the only amusement park in Tampa, I’ve been there over fifteen times. I know the park really well and as I look back at all of my experiences there I can conclude that I’d really rather go to Disney World.
With the “Pay for a day and play all year”, Fun Card promotional (if you pay for a one day pass and if you are a Florida resident, you can go for the rest of the year with the Fun Card.) it turns out to be a really good deal especially if you like roller coasters. A single day pass from 9 AM to 10PM is around $60 to $70.
Unfortunately, I don’t like roller coasters so you could imagine all I would really do there is stare at animals for 8 hours and ride kiddie rides in the kid area, Jungala. It’s not that bad though.
I have ridden Cheetah Hunt, Busch Garden’s newest ride and the Scorpion, the ride that most people say is for first timers, but after that I rode it, I was more than done with roller coasters.
There are a few other fun things to do such as my favorite, bumper cars. Crashing into people makes the whole trip worth it. My other favorite ride is the Skyride, a cable car that takes you from one side of the park to another. Also there are shows in cool air-conditioned theaters but those aren’t my type of things to do.
There was a fun tour called Rhino Rally where you ride around in a jeep, but after the construction of Cheetah Hunt, they cut the tour in half and now it’s around 30 seconds long. There is a Congo River Rapid ride where you are in a raft and you get soaked by random large splashes. It is fun, only if you want to get wet. There's also the make believe Serengeti Railway which is quite good.Busch Gardens has an African theme so there are many native African animals that you can see up close in various parts of the park. There is an animal care center and an area called Cheetah Run where you can see and learn about cheetahs up close. 
Overall if you don’t like roller coasters, you better love animals or else all you can do is ride bumper cars and other moderate kid rides.
Currently you can find Jon's writing at uncommongeneration.com. All photos are taken from Busch Gardens' Website. Please visit Busch Garden's website and find out more information about all the rides, animals, attractions, events, live show and travel deals. (We are not an affiliate with Busch Gardens).
Have you been to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay? We would love to hear from you. Please leave your comment below.
Last week we have been on vacation through BC and Alberta in Canada. We have visited Calgary Stampede where they have a lot of rides and fun things to do. I have visited Busch Gardens in Tampa some 30 years ago; I rmember that it was a quiete place...., it must have changed quite a bit!!
Hi Jon,
You brought back memories I had thought were long forgotten! What a bargain for Florida residents - if I lived there I would make a day of it regularly!
How fun that you are blogging - I look forward to more of your article on Uncommon Generation!
OMG Jon this was great! I laughed out loud several times. I really enjoy blogs where the author writes just as he would speak to his friends. Keep 'em coming man!
Isn't he funny? 🙂
Great HONEST evaluation of the park!
“Pay for a day and play all year”, Fun Cards are the way to go in one's state.
Thanks for your honest opinion!
HI Jon,
There's an assumption that all teenagers love rides that are fast and furious but there are many that don't so I love your comment ~ "Overall if you don’t like roller coasters, you better love animals" because that's very useful information if you're planning a visit!