Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pantopia The imaginary Pantopia with its Painted Camel bazaar and animal- and
travel-themed dining options opened in 2014. At its center is the park's newest ride, Fal-
con's Fury, a 335ft-high freestanding drop tower that plunges riders earthwards at
60mph.
Congo The Kumba roller coaster is a long-standing favorite. It features three gulp-indu-
cing loops and a 360-degree spiral. Recover on the Congo River Rapids, a water ride.
Jungala Designed for younger kids, Jungala has a fantastic climbing structure, a splash
area and a zip-line ride, as well as encounters with tigers and orangutans.
Stanleyville Another all-star coaster, SheiKra is North America's first dive coaster,
which plunges straight down and even goes underground.
Safari of Fun & Bird Gardens The Sesame Street-themed Safari of Fun has awesome
fenced-in play and climbing structures and splash zones that will keep kids busy for
hours. Don't miss the Elmo and Friends show; reserve ahead to dine with costumed char-
acters. Adjacent Bird Gardens (the seed of the modern park) has the quintessential flock
of flamingos and a walk-in aviary.
ADVENTURE ISLAND
This 30-acre water park ( GOOGLE MAP ; 888-800-5447; www.adventureisland.com ; 10001
McKinley Dr; adult/child 3-9yr $42/38; 10am-5pm) has everything a modern, top-flight wa-
ter park requires: a long, lazy river, huge wave pool, bucket-dumping splash zones, swim-
ming pool, sandy lounge areas and enough twisting, plunging, adrenaline-fueled waters-
lides to keep teens lining up till closing.
SLEEPING & EATING
Within the park, cafes and food carts outnumber rides. They're merely adequate and get
expensive, though; bring plenty of snacks, to save time and money.
Near Busch Gardens, at the corner of Busch Blvd and 30th St, you'll find several
midrange chain hotels: Holiday Inn Express, La Quinta and Days Inn. While they may ad-
vertise being 'walkable' to the park, it is an extremelylong walk that isn't recommended
(especially with young kids). Just north of Busch Gardens, and across from University of
South Florida, Fowler Ave also is home to a string of dependable midrange chains.
Drinking & Nightlife
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