Busch Gardens Tampa Water Ski and Southern Girls - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Never been to Busch Gardens and regret not going before the big change. In a few weeks, I will be in Tampa for nine days and staying right across the street from the entrance of Busch Gardents. Old movies were often filmed there and featured these beautiful boat rides with the hanging vines and "old Florida"-looking trees and flowers. Do they still do that? Are those areas still open in the park or have they all been converted to roller coasters and stuff like that?
Old postcards had the beautiful southern girls in those big gowns with the hoop skirts. Are those locations still in the park?
They used to have the big water ski shows. Do they still have the water ski shows and if so, what are the days they have them?
I am single and don't want to do the "theme park" thing, but from what I have read, that is about all they have there now. At least they kept the location and prevented codos from being built. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
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It has been so long sence ive been there around 20 years and i dont remember any boat ride like that but they still had a ski/boat/stunt show this will tell you how long it has been it was called Baywatch. sorry i cant help you much.
I'd look on the Busch Garden web site to see what they have now, and if it would appeal to you. We went a few years ago and loved it. But don't remember what you're describing. Lots of coasters, animals, bird show, other types of shows too, one in a theatre that was a big production, very nice.
I'm tempted to say, if you're just across the street- why not give it a try.
Are you sure you aren't remembering Cypress Gardens? That was the park with the southern girls in the big hoop skirts. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypress_Gardens
And Silver Springs had the glass bottom boats http://www.silversprings.com/. I haven't been to either since I was about 11.
Both are closer to Orlando than Tampa.
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Carolyn
Last edited by Carousel96; 07-08-2011 at 04:26 PM..
I was going to say the same thing as Carolyn - I think you're thinking of Cypress Gardens and Silver Springs. I went to both years and years ago. Cypress Gardens however is totally gone and the Legoland is being built in it's place. I'm not sure about Silver Springs though
I too am almost sure you're thinking Cypress Gardens. Gardens with girls in hoop skirts and known for its water ski show. But as Cinderabby said, it is closed and gone now.
Busch Gardens, however, is a very nice park even if you don't care for roller coaster type rides. It is partially a zoo, and is very large. You can walk around and look at the animals, they are all throughout the park. Don't miss the island with the white tigers. There is also a very pretty bird area. If you decide to go, enjoy! I worked at BG when I was in college (at USF, right around the corner) and as much as I love WDW, I still have a place in my heart for BG too.
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