[madmonkeygirl]

Louis the StarFlyer is amazing. I can't even imagine riding the ones you have there. The ride operator was nice enough to let us bring our cameras onboard. I asked him nicely and he said "go ahead". Much to my amazement since the theme parks in the US discourage and won't let you bring cameras onboard. We almost flew Southwest but they didn't fly directly to Orlando. Now i can see why the airline industry is suffering. If they continue to charge for things no one will fly. Cutting off the hand that should help them.

Ok onto the trip report....

DAY 2 BUSH GARDENS TAMPA FL

Today since the weather is so gorgeous we initially were going to Walt Disney World parks but decided to change itinerary plans and head to Bush Gardens today since i have never been to this park before and i needed all the coaster credits (which i managed to get before the downpour). This would be our longest drive and much to my dismay i love driving in Orlando. I'll give anything to live there and drive on a daily basis compared to our freeway system here. Our freeway system here stinks and is so horrible here compared to there.

Arriving prior to park opening and already purchased our theme park tickets online we were set to head to the front gate. When they opened the park we headed to Gwazi first. Let me tell you i HATE that wooden coaster. First side was Tiger i think (can't remember). The ride ops were horrible in their dispatch times. For me a wooden coaster needs to be a combination of smooth, and air time, twisting of track etc. Gwazi was just the opposite but maybe because we were riding ontop of a wheel in the car so that could have made a difference. After our first disappointing ride we decide to do the other side Lion side for the credit since they had both sides open. This was much smoother and a bit better but they stacked the train on the brake run for what seemed like 5 minutes. I was really like hopefully the rest of the day won't be like this.

So after a very iffy ride on Gwazi we head to Shiekra. I loved watching video of this coaster and hearing reviews of it. So i was anxious to ride. We should have waited for front row (not a long line at all) for our first ride but we went for second row and i took the outside seat. Maybe that's why it made a difference to me compared to Matt's thoughts and feelings. We were able to get in a second ride before the storm hit later in the evening in the front row and made a HUGE difference in our opinions.

We rode Kumba (so many times i forget how many) i love this more than Riddler's Revenge. I like their log ride and their rapids ride is amazing and you won't get off the raft dry. Montu is so intense we only managed 2 rides on it once in the front once in the back. It kicks that after the second ride i could barely walk. Scorpion only lap bars only amazing. We don't have that here. No seat belt. I wish CA would leave alone the fact a lap bar is just fine but whatever. Cheetah Chase disappointing but had to ride it for the credit. The animals were awesome to watch and at one point the tiger was right against the glass as i took Matt's picture he lunged forward my heart stopped thinking he was going to break thru the glass/material and maul Matt. Rhino Ralley wasn't open but it was ok. We saw alot of animals and took the Sky Ride (buckets) across the park.

It started to pour about 45 minutes prior to park closing. Thus as we were waiting for the SkyRide to go ride Montu for a 3rd and final time it started to thunder and lighting. They had to close everything down except for the train that goes around the park. So we went over to the train station to wait a good 20 minutes for the train. Once the train came it was the final train of the day and was only going halfway around the park. So we took it to the last stop and walked the rest of the way to the park exit. Overall we rode everything and most of the coasters except for Scorpion and Cheetah Chase many times over.

Up next Day 3 and Sea World.