Georgina and I had 1/2 of a Cinnabon between us for breakfast, while Rob & Ffion had cereal bars. We were booked to catch the Busch Gardens shuttle from City Walk at 8:30am and didn't want to be late, so arrived at the car park at about 8:10am to see this waiting for us



We found 4 seats together and then waited for everyone else. Everyone had obviously been good and arrived with time to spare, so we left early at 8:20am. It was the furthest we've ever travelled in America so it was interesting to see the different areas. The bus driver was quite funny. He told us he was a musician, so wanted to share some of his favourite music with us. We were a bit worried to start with that it might be his demo tape, but it was 50s and 60s music. He also kept telling us that the earlier we returned to the bus that evening (due to leave at 6pm) the earlier we would get back due to it being a Friday so the roads would be busier. He must have told us that about 20 times. He obviously had a busy evening planned Ffion was feeling a bit travel sick, but she had her travel bands on and they seemed to do the trick. No nappy sacks required today. We arrived at 9:50am and queued up waiting for the park to open at 10. We decided our 1st rode would be Cheetah Hunt as I had persuaded Ffion to ride it, so we could all go on together. Now I made a bit of an error here. I had planned this park a bit, but hadn't really researched the rides in any detail. For some reason I had it in my head that Cheetah Hunt was so called because you got to see the cheetahs while on the ride. I knew there was the tall, loopy bit to start with, but I thought the rest was all ground level and quite tame. Hmmm, it's not like that at all is it? It actually gets it's name because of the speed, and it's like when a cheetah hunts. So we get on and Ffion says, looking worried "why are there over head restraints? Does it go upside down?" "No" says I "it's just a bit high at the start, nothing to worry about". Well off we go, at like 70 mph and Ffion is shouting at me "I don't like this" as we twist here and there, and then go upside down. She's screaming by now, and all I can shout is "sorry, I didn't know". Oops She wasn't impressed when we got off. When we got our bag out of the locker we realised that someone before us had left their wallet in the locker so we handed it in at the shop. Hope the owner got it back, and it didn't spoil their day. I thought once we got off Cheetah Hunt, that Ffion wouldn't want to ride anything else, but, after watching the real cheetahs, we made our way over to Gwazi and Ffion said that she would ride too. None of us have ever ridden a wooden rollercoaster before, so we were a bit unsure what to expect. But couldn't be that bad, surely. Ffion sat with me, and Rob and Georgina were behind us. Oh my word - I have never been so scared in my life I could not actually move my head, and I'm sure I must have looked like Wallace "more cheese Gromit?" as my teeth were grinding so much and I couldn't close my mouth. I don't know which was worse, being so scared, or being so uncomfortable. Why do people ride that a 2nd time? Honestly, I'd love to know. Rob said that Ffion's head was just lolling around all over the place, so was quite relieved that it was still attached to her neck . When the ride ended we all just sat there laughing, I think we were just relieved to still be alive.

We headed around to SheiKra enjoying the greenery and birds and animals along the way. It really is a beautiful park with lots of shade (take note SW).



I had already decided that I would wait with Ffion while Rob and Georgina rode SheiKra. It's too like Oblivion at Alton Towers, and I really don't like that ride. Ffi and I grabbed a seat by the area where the ride goes through the water and splashes (some unsuspecting) visitors so we had great fun watching people getting caught out . We bought some drinks while waiting and were served by a very grumpy server. Ffion wanted a frozen lemonade cup but after looking for about 5 seconds he declared he couldn't find one. So she chose a fruit lolly instead and he rolled his eyes a bit and then grudgingly got the lolly. Happy in his work obviously
Eventually we spotted Rob and Georgina on the ride and waited for them to come off. We sat at the picnic bench for a bit looking at the map, and deciding what to do next. We headed towards Stanley Falls flume but then Ffion changed her mind at the last minute - she seems to have an aversion to log flume rides. It got a bit heated for about 10mins as George wanted to ride it, but the rest of us didn't really want to get wet. So we decided it was probably a good time to get some food and then maybe catch the train to see the animals on the Savannah. We wandered round to Bengal Bistro. Rob and Georgina had chicken ceasar salad, I had a vege burger with fries, and Ffion had chicken nuggets.





It was very pleasant although the girls got a bit freaked by a couple of the large birds that were strutting around the eating area. There was a cheeky squirrel too who was pinching any scraps that fell on the floor.

After lunch we headed for the Congo station but the next train wasn't due for about 50mins, so we went to visit Pantopia. There were a few smaller children's rides here, together with Falcon's Fury which they were testing the day we were there.

We had seen it go up quite a few times with no-one in it, and maybe 3 or 4 times with guests riding it. Rob was really unsure whether he wanted to do it or not, but decided we would do the loop of the train and then come back here again after to see if it was still running. The girls went on Sand Serpent which they enjoyed and we watched the pirate ship for a while. It's one of those that eventually goes right over the top didn't fancy that.

We then headed back to the station to catch the train.



It was quite a pleasant journey. Once we got out onto the plains we saw rhinos, zebras, giraffes, antelope, various deer etc. It was worth doing for the amount of animals we saw.

Once back at Congo Station the girls wanted to ride Sand Serpent again so Rob and I sat watching Falcon's Fury wile we waited. Rob decided he would record the ride, and then join the queue. So we watched them go all the way to the top (it's so high) and then... nothing. They were stuck up there for about 5 mins, although luckily the seats hadn't tipped forward, and then were slowly brought back down again. Some of the ones who got off were not happy that they couldn't stay on the ride to experience it properly, but one poor bloke looked absolutely terrified and couldn't get out of his seat quick enough. Suffice to say this made up Rob's mind that he wouldn't try riding it after all

When were at Sea World we had bought one of the water fans, and brought it with us today. Somehow, as Ffion was carrying it whilst walking along, the loop on it snapped and it fell to the floor breaking the actual fan bit, so wouldn't work anymore. For once I decided to be a bit cheeky so went in the nearest shop and asked, seeing as BG was a sister park to SW, was there any chance they could replace it? Well if you don't ask you don't get. The lady was lovely and said straight away we could swap it for a BG one, and she also suggested we fill up the water bit with some of the ice for the display. Yay. So we were nice and cool again. We did spend some money in the shop too as Ffion bought a giraffe toy, and Georgina got a couple of bits to take back for her friends. So I didn't feel too guilty.

Next up was Kumba, which Rob and George rode first, and I then rode with George. Like the other rides there was pretty much no queue. On the way to Montu we saw the elephants and watched them for about 10 mins. They were showering themselves with earth to keep cool as it was pretty hot again. Rob and Georgina had a quick ride on Cheetah Hunt first, and then we took turns to ride Montu. I loved Montu, so smooth. I think it's my favourite ride after Forbidden Journey.

George wanted one more go on Cheetah Hunt so I rode it with her. Was quite nice to ride it again without worrying about Ffion, and I enjoyed it more the 2nd time. By now it was just before 5 so we headed back to the entrance, buying some fridge magnets and key rings along the way. We got back to the bus at about 5:20pm and by now the sky was starting to get quite cloudy. Within 5 minutes it was chucking it down. Couldn't believe how lucky we had been, as I had been really worried that we would get to Busch and then rain would stop play. By 5:40pm everyone was back on the bus so we left 20mins early. We had a different bus driver on the way home and he put the last Mummy film on for us to watch. Most of the way home it was torrential rain, and there were huge thunderstorms and lightening bolts all around us. Was really glad not to be driving. We got back to City Walk at about 7:20pm. It had stopped raining by now but the hotel boats still weren't running so we walked back to the hotel, calling in at Emack & Bolios again to pick up some wine and beer for me and Rob (worked out cheaper than ordering from room service), some coke for the girls, and some cereal pots and milk for them for breakfast in the morning. It's a nice little shop, and there is a lot to choose from. We couldn't be bothered to go back out to eat so ordered room service again. Rob had the 10oz legendary burger, I had grilled ancho chicken sandwich, and both girls had grilled cheese sandwiches with fries. After we had eaten we packed our stuff ready for check out next day, as we were off to POFQ tomorrow. Our plan was to get up early and head to IOA as we hadn't yet ridden my favourite ride - FJ. Plus we wanted to catch the Hogwarts Express back to Kings Cross to see what the journey was like on the way back. Couldn't wait.

Oh my goodness, I was laughing so hard at your description of the first two coasters. Poor Ffion.

Poor Ffion, still, at least it didn't put her off trying some of the other coasters! Wouldn't fancy trying to drive in those thunder storms!

Oh I know - poor Ffion. I did feel bad

Great day at Busch. Bad mum moment there on Cheetah Hunt ! Glad she coped with it. Love this park, so many different aspects to it, sounds like you had a great day and brilliant timing with the rain. Must have been a bit scary on the way back, nice to be tucked up on a coach. And so onto Disney , yay.

Great day - years ago, DH and I went to Busch, he wasn't into coasters then, I was but we went on Gwazi thinking it looked the tamest and I couldn't get him onto anything else (and I wasn't keen after the bone rattling!)

Thankyou

Ooh definitely a bad Mum moment But quite funny (don't tell Ffion I said though ). We all had a great day. I don't think any of us were expecting too much really, and then it ended up being fab. The weather back was a bit scary though.


Oh poor you as the other rides are brilliant aren't they? I have to admit I couldn't believe when Ffion went on Gwazi, but I already knew she wouldn't ride the other main roller coasters so it didn't affect the rest of the day. I can't believe I got Cheetah Hunt so wrong though

Ps I meant to say, mighty Boosh, miss it muchly !

I agree - we should start a campaign to bring it back

I just watched a video of Cheetah Hunt, poor Ffion! At least she has a good story to tell her friends.

Looking forward to you moving to Disney but your stay at Universal has definitely given me food for thought.