[Larry_OToole]

My wife and I are getting ready for our January 2004 pilgrimage to Disney World.

I have been toying with the idea of making a day trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa. The sole reason we would do this is to see the animals there.

Here is the question: Is the trip to Busch Gardens to see the animals ONLY worth the trip?

The second question, a two-part one, has to do with the Celebration Hotel. This will be the first time we have not actually stayed on Disney property while visiting Disney World. We wanted to do something different without risking too much the Disney magic.

The question – part one: Any suggestions about what to do or not do while staying in Celebration?

The question – part two: Is there a best route by car to Disney property from the town of Celebration?

Thanks,

Larry OToole

By the way: I have thoroughly enjoyed the discussions and the wealth of information at DisneyCentral.


August 1998 All Star Music
January 1999 Coronado Springs
January 2000 Coronado Springs
January 2001 Caribbean Beach
January 2002 Animal Kingdom Lodge
May 2002 Grand Floridian
January 2003 Animal Kingdom Lodge
January 2004 The Celebration Hotel

[neen626]

Hi Larry! Hope you are enjoying DC! I live about 30 mins from Busch Gardens, and I know a few others live close by also, so you will get lots of info, but here is my opinion :)

I love Busch Gardens! It is a great park, and very different from WDW. The animals are great, and there is a great safari, that you pay a little extra for but is well worth it, so is the train and monorail rides (those 2 are not an additional fee) There is alot of fun stuff at Busch Gardens, and it is an enjoyable day.
If you go there not expecting WDW you will totally enjoy the park and your day. There is lots to do and lots to see. We always get the year passes and my sister in law and I meet there with our little ones during the day. We almost know that park like the back of our hands.

Not sure if you all like to ride rides, but there are also some great rides ~ awesome roller coasters (Gwazi (wooden roller coaster ~ more like and old fashioned roller coaster), Montu and for some reason the other names escape me right now...

I hope this helps you and you all have a great time. Please let us know what you decide and if you enjoy it :)

[15 mins to wdw]

Originally posted by Larry_OToole
The second question, a two-part one, has to do with the Celebration Hotel. This will be the first time we have not actually stayed on Disney property while visiting Disney World. We wanted to do something different without risking too much the Disney magic.

The question – part one: Any suggestions about what to do or not do while staying in Celebration?

staying in celebration is different from most toher towns, while I don't spend much time there, I would recomend have dinnere in one of the restuarants on the market street area. you might be able to rent a segway scooter, not sure on all the restrcitions or if they still offer it.

directions yes there is a good way to get to disney and I can drive but can't explain it, I'll have to take a drive over there and get streetnames and stuff like that for you. should have a update sometime tommarow.

[Larry_OToole]

Thanks for the recommendation for Busch Gardens. My DW and I really enjoy zoos. We will be going for certain to Tampa on one of the days we're in Florida (in 8 days, but who's counting? Yee Ha!).

I read at another WDW related site that the Backstage Safari at Animal Kingdom now has a private safari as part of the backstage tour. We took the tour on our last visit and went to the elephant habitat and understand that the safari has replaced seeing the elephants. Anyone know if this is still hapening?

[Park Hopper]

You won't have any problems driving to and from Celebration and WDW. It's only a few miles.

As you leave Celebration, turn left onto U.S. 192 (also called W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway) and go about 2 miles until you see the ramp for Disney World. The ramp will put you on World Drive, the main artery in and out of WDW, and from there you can follow the signs to the Disney destination of your choice.

Have fun. Celebration is an interesting place -- not for everyone, but interesting.

[Larry_OToole]

Thanks Park Hopper,

Sounds simple enough even for me. I appreciate the help.

[15 mins to wdw]

Originally posted by Park Hopper
You won't have any problems driving to and from Celebration and WDW. It's only a few miles.

As you leave Celebration, turn left onto U.S. 192 (also called W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway) and go about 2 miles until you see the ramp for Disney World. The ramp will put you on World Drive, the main artery in and out of WDW, and from there you can follow the signs to the Disney destination of your choice.

Have fun. Celebration is an interesting place -- not for everyone, but interesting.

there is another way to go that is shorter basically you follow world drive beyond I-4 and it dead ends in celebration, just past the mickey telephone pole (hard to explain but you won't miss it). if you turn left this will take you into celebration, then its your first right after the the apartments on your right, (waterside drive) take this to the stop sign and turn left (unsure on street name) turn onto market street at the end go right then take your first left the hotel is on that road.

to get from the hotel to disney just follow the road out of the hotel pass the parking lot on the left side of the road and turn left at the stop sign, follow this road to waterside drive and at the end of waterside drive turn left then right onto world drive.



sorry I had forgotten about this thread. park hoppers directions will work as well.

[Larry_OToole]

Thanks 15 mins to wdw,

It's always great to have choices/options. I do believe we are ready for our trip.

[15 mins to wdw]

generally going on world drive will give you less traffic to deal with and when your unfamiliar with a area thats probly easier, however there are some areas you might be intrested in out on 192.

[Larry_OToole]

Thanks again to neen626 for the recommendations to Busch Gardens; Park Hopper for the front door to Disney World from Celebration; and to 15 mins to wdw for the back door to Disney from the Celebration Hotel.

We have been in Disney since yesterday, leaving the snow behind in Boston. The front door into Disney World got us in just fine when we first got here, and since then we have been using the back door to World Drive from Celebration -- it feels *right* in a Disney sort of way.

We are heading to Busch Gardens tomorrow.

[jmouse]

Have fun at Busch Gardens; it's a great park!

How do you like the Celebration Hotel?

[Larry_OToole]

There are two tours to see the animals, the 2-Hour Animal Adventure that runs $99.00 for each person, and the 1/2 Hour Serengeti Dining Safari for 49.99 for each person. Both tours require paid park admission.

My wife and I love animals:

* Is either tour worth taking?

* Which one would you take?


* * *


Celebration Hotel is very nice so far. The room, a king bed facing the water with balcony is a good room, larger than the standard rooms at AKL. The room is not perfect, but the hotel, and the common areas are really very very nice - decorated in a twenties Florida hotel style. The service at the Hotel is much better than we received our last stay at AKL - very pleasant, friendly, and helpful staff. Being in Celebration is very relaxing, in stark contrast to the excitement of Disney World which we also really enjoy. We were worried about staying Off-Disney, but have enjoyed this experience very much.

[LAURENGOLD]

Hi Larry!

Glad your enjoying your trip. My family (myself, DH, and DD-5) did the serengeti safarii on our trip in Sept. All I can say is OMG!!! It was so worth it. The giraffes come right over to the truck and you get to feed them , take pictures with them, pet them, etc.... I really had to talk my DH into this before we went, he was soooo pleased we did this...It was by far the best part of Busch Gardens for us!!! Make sure you do the bird aviary as well, and buy the nectar....hint...get two cups and split the nectar up...more birds land on you AND it saves how much you go through. It was so fun. You will have a great time!!

Lauren

PS.-I'm from the Boston area too!!

[neen626]

Hi Larry!

I can't wait to hear about your day at Busch Gardens!! I am sure you and DW will love it :)

[Larry_OToole]

Well. It was Busch Gardens today. The highlights of our trip:

1. The Serengeti 1/2 Hour Safari during which we fed several stork, Nanny an Eland Antelope, and Dolly the Giraffe. It was fun. We've done the behind the scenes at Animal Kingdom in the past and noted an edge the Disney cast members have over the employees at Busch in the knowledge about the animals department.

2. We were thrilled to be able to get as close we did to the Lion and Lioness in the Edge of Africa even if it was through glass -- less than one foot away from each of them at one point.

3. The Sky Ride was the best I have ever ridden: fast, smooth, and commanded a wonderful view of the park.

4. The Rhino Rally during which our driver pointed out the African Killer Ducks (Mallards) that one should see how easily they take down an elephant by grabbing hold of the trunk.

5. The best part of all was the Lory Haven (the Lory and Lorikeet habitat) where we fed nectar to Lorikeets and one Lory. What beautiful birds! At one point, there were at least seven Lorikeet on my arms and shoulders. My DW and I each got a second round of nectar to go through the habitat a second time.

---------------------------------------------

It wasn't Disney, but we would not have missed this trip. We got there shortly after opening and closed the park at 6:00PM. We stuck primarily to the animals, and wouldn't have had time in the day to include the thrill rides.

We came back with plenty of time to catch Illuminations at Epcot. The rest of our trip will be Disney.