Friday, September 19, 2008

Busch Gardens Florida

Its been a few weeks since we went to Florida, so lets go back for short visit today.

Busch Gardens Florida. I know nothing about it except what you see here on this vintage ticket and brochure. Looks like they had a brewery like the Busch Gardens in Van Nuys, California near where I grew up. Ah the vivid memories of my dad making my mom stand in line to get him free beers once he got his limit!
















The Florida version looks a little nicer than the Van Nuys version.

4 comments:

Major Pepperidge said...

The Florida one is still there, isn't it?

I have nice memories of the Van Nuys version. I live mere minutes from where it used to stand! Now of course it is all dedicated to the making of beer. You can smell the hops for quite a way, like if you eat at the Tommy's hamburger stand nearby! Anyway, I know I liked going to Busch Gardens, but it was good for maybe a couple of hours at the most. Ride the boats, go on the flume ride, watch a bird show, and take the brewery tour...

Disneyana World said...

I'm wearing a Florida Bush Gardens t-shirt right now.

Weird.

TokyoMagic! said...

I went to Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida last year. I was kind of hoping to relive my childhood memories of the one in Van Nuys. It wasn't too bad....just different. It still has a lot of old architecture, plus a lot of new thrill rides. They've mixed the two quite well and the landscaping was very established and lush. I asked someone if there ever was a brewery there and they said there was, but it was torn down to expand the theme park. It's interesting that Busch Gardens in Van Nuys was torn down and they expanded the brewery. That monorail station is still there too, but there is no longer a monorail. Part of the station is used for their "skyway" gondola ride which was similar to Walt Disney World's in that they completely change directions halfway through the trip. I would definitely recommend this park....and it's only about a 50 minute drive from Walt Disney World!

TokyoMagic! said...

P.S. I just found my map of the park. It looks like they have expanded it maybe about 4 times it's original size. Let me know if you would like me to scan it and send it to you.....I will! Thanks for the great vintage photos and info on this park!