Busch Gardens lets active duty military and their family into their theme parks for free one day a year. We have taken advantage of this a couple times. Since we were already in Virginia we decided to go to the Busch Gardens there. We started out in the Sesame Street section. This is my favorite spot! They have great rides.
Nathan wasn't tall enough to ride without an adult.
The park was practically empty. We could just walk onto any ride. Most of the rides went and they weren't full. Since it wasn't busy most of the characters were just waiting for people to come get pictures with them. We just missed Elmo, but Big Bird was there.
Andy walked in with Nathan. As soon as Nathan saw Big Bird...
He flipped out! Poor Nathan.
The other kids didn't want to get a picture with Big Bird, so I got mine all alone.
Nathan was a little too short for a couple of rides.
This ride take you up about 20 feet and them bounces you like a yo-yo on the way back down!
They were all really excited to go on the ride.
Going up...
Bouncing back down.
Eliza was slightly nervous.
Nathan played on a little playground while the other kids went on the rides.
Nathan waiting while Dad and Daniel go on a ride.
It was Escape From Pompeii!
These little boats weren't on. Bradley and Eliza were super sad because they were sure they would be good at driving them.
We also saw the train go by while we waited.
Dad and Daniel were the only riders on their boat.
This is the video of them coming out.
Bradley, Daniel and I went on it first. Then we sent Daniel with Andy so he could go. We didn't get very wet on our ride, but poor Daniel got soaked by some nasty little kids the second time. They used the water guns to shoot him and Andy on the last turn after the splash down. Luckily it wasn't too chilly that day.
Daniel loves the Pirate Ship and went twice with his Dad.
Eliza and Bradley caught a hot air balloon ride while we waited.
Next we hit the flying machines!
Poor Daniel lost his bar. You have to pull the bar towards you so you can go up.
He was a good sport about it.
Daniel really wanted to do the hot air balloons so Bradley went with him.
Nathan and Eliza rode together.
I didn't realize Nathan was big enough to go with an adult so we had to do the flying machines again.
Everyone is set.
Nathan felt so big.
Eliza lost her bar on the second time round. She was so sad she couldn't go higher.
I think Dad had as much fun as Nathan did.
As you can see Eliza was very upset!
There were actual tears!!
This roller coaster looked like a lot of fun so Daniel went on it with Dad.
It got starts outside and goes inside a building. It is dark the entire time!
It got pretty wild in there and Andy was worried Daniel would have whip lash!
It wasn't their favorite.
The air planes were a much calmer ride.
Nathan got to ride the baby swings. They are so cute!
"Hi Dad!"
Then Nathan and Eliza did the mini bumper cars.
Nathan didn't quite get the concept of bumper cars. He did like to sit in the drivers seat though.
We caught a live show during lunch.
The singing was pretty good and the acrobats were amazing!
Then we headed to the big bumper cars!
Bradley was ready to go! He actually went several times.
Eliza and I getting bumped by Daniel.
Daniel and Bradley ganging up on us.
For the record it is more difficult to drive when you have a small side seat driver with you.
She didn't get the concept of which way to turn the wheel.
Despite what the pictures show Eliza and I did get Daniel and Bradley.
Eliza was upset she didn't get to drive the big one, so Dad took her back to the little ones again.
She still wasn't mollified!
Daniel took Nathan on the air planes one more time before moving on.
We saw the Easter Bunny's paw prints.
We followed them and found him. When Nathan saw him it was trauma all over again.
Apparently he doesn't care for very large bunnies or birds!
He doesn't mind large frogs though.
This one is for you Aunt Brenda!
The whole family got to ride the carousel.
Eliza kissed her horse when she got down. That's how much she liked it!
The kids loved the Dino Land.
This is all I want for Easter. A happy Nathan boy!
This tree house was awesome. There were rope bridges to climb and cross.
It was monkey paradise.
Daniel, Eliza, Nathan and I walked across one of the rope bridges.
This is Dad waving from below. He kept both feet on the ground.
Daniel got too nervous and I ended up packing him and Nathan half way across!
Eliza walked on her own and Bradley was nowhere to be seen. They all had a lot of fun!
This is the Dino version of the "Dumbo" ride.
Dad got a little motion sick on the wild roller coaster and laid down to take a nap.
We did all the little Dinon rides while he rested.
He looks a little like a bum sleeping on a bench. :0)
This was a mini Ferris wheel. It took longer to get kids in and out of all the eggs than it took for the actual ride. :0) Eliza wanted to go alone...like a big girl.
Daniel also had to have his own.
Nathan had to ride with his mom if he wanted to go. He liked it, but he wanted to stand instead of sit.
Bradley was the last one on and therefore the last one off.
Eliza's shirt matched so well with this dragon that we had to get a picture.
The kids loved the fish in all the ponds. They thought we should have brought of fishing poles.
I loved all the spring flowers!
Andy is pretty sure we should have a water fall and pond in our yard some day.
I think it is a great plan!
We heard the wolves before we saw them. :0)
They really are beautiful animals.
This is one of about 6 Bald Eagles they have at the gardens.
All of their eagles had been wounded and can no longer live in the wild.
This was just a really cool tree!
I love pansies!!
We had to visit the Clydesdale barn before we left the park.
This horse tried to nibble Andy's coat collar. Nathan didn't trust this big horse and kept a close eye on him. After seeing Big Bird and the giant Easter Bunny he was weary of big animals. :0)
We had a great time and were all ready to head home to our nice comfy beds!
March 28, 2014
