We decided to pay for "Preferred Parking" ($13) because the sign said it would mean being closer to the main gate and avoiding the wait for trams. Regular parking is $8. We paid the $13 and had to drive around for quite awhile to find a parking space which was almost as far away as the $8 parking lots. Busch Gardens is not Disney or Universal. If you like coasters, I guess Busch Gardens is good for that, but otherwise it's mostly shops. The staff doesn't even dress like the countries they represent in each area. The sidewalks are narrow. We had two electric scooters in our group and had trouble getting around people without running over them. The kids went on Escape from Pompeii, which they loved, but the wait in line was much longer than the ride, which is just once around the building and down the waterfall. The attraction we all wanted to ride was Dark Kastle. Much to our disppointment it was not running the day we were there. It was a warm day, so we wanted to take a break on the Rhine River Cruise. We thought it would be at least 20 minutes or so. Instead it took about 10 minutes before we were back at the dock. It was a very long day with very little activity other than walking/riding the scooters we rented from Busch Gardens. There were five in our group, two of which actually required the scooters, but by the end of the day we were all taking turns on them. The scooters proved to be more fun than the park. On the positive side, the grounds are beautiful, and if it's wild coasters you're after, Busch Gardens has them. But coasters can be found in parks that cost much less admission. If you really want something to please every age and taste, go to Disney or Universal. And if you would like to experience foreign countries in a theme park setting, EPCOT does it much better.

My wife and 2 kids age 4 & 10 stayed at the Best Western Capitol Inn, the place needs updating looks better in the photo. We went to busch gardens 2 days and the water park 1 day. I would recommend the water park but not the amusement park there was not enough rides for the kids. there was so many shops I thought I was at the mall. When we left when the park closed at 10:00pm there was not enough light to find our way out, bring a flashlight. I would not recommend this park to any one I would say go to Hershey Park over this dump.

I took my 2 kids (14 and 6) to Busch Gardens. We have been to Disney, Hershey and a few others and had heard great things about BG. I hate to say it but we were disappointed. The park was very clean and the staff very helpfull-my daughter cut her hand on Cork Screw Hill(unbuckling her little brother) and the staff were quick to take care of it. The country themes were cute but my 6 yr old was not interested. Overall the rides they have are typical of every other park and there aren't enough of them. DarKastle was the best ride-my kids and i loved it but we waited over an hour to get on it. Tried to go on early when the park first opened but there was something wrong with it and it didn't open till after 3 pm. BBW was also closed for a while. I am not into shopping at amusement parks and that seemed to be the thing to do. I had comp passes so I didn't have to pay to get in which made the day better but I would not rush back to BG anytime soon.

I have been visiting amusement parks for over twenty five years and no other park in the Mid-Atlantic region compares to the beauty of Busch Gardens. Actually, I have been to the Florida parks and even they don't compare to it's beauty!!!

My husband and I always have a wonderful time there and we have absolutely no complaints. Some of our favorite things about this park include: beautiful landscaping, plenty of shade and places to rest, lovely architecture, courteous and helpful staff, fantastic rides (I love every one of their coasters!!), good food (we love the "Festhaus" best. I don't know what that other reviewer was talking about!!!), beer school program with beer sampling, and an overall family atmosphere that makes you feel welcome.

I can't say enough about this park. If you aren't convinced that you want to visit, then you are going to miss out on a wonderful time. I am as excited about our next visit (in a few days, actually!) as a kid who is excited about Christmas morning.

Skip Six Flags, Kings Dominion, Hersheypark, etc., etc. Save your money and go have a wonderful time at Busch Gardens!!!