Knowing that we would return to Busch Gardens this summer, we decided to purchase the Silver Passport family passes. These were a few dollars more per person but were good for an entire year. In addition, the pass allowed for free parking and discounts on food and gifts. Even if you don't intend on returning, buying one pass may be a good idea just for the discounts. They have the information on the Busch Gardens website.
The park, about 1 hour from Sarasota up I75 is both an amusement park and a zoo. The zoo was mostly accessed through the train and range-rover rides, with some areas for walking. This was perfect for my small children and mother, who normally get tired walking through large zoos. For an extra fee, you can purchase safari rides on open-air trucks through the Serengeti. Although expensive, it was well-worth the money to feed the giraffes and other animals. It is an experience of a lifetime!
My husband enjoyed the roller coasters while the rest of us liked the more tamer rides (the kids had fun at the Rhino Rally).
The Colonial House restaurant offered a nice menu with a family-style fried chicken dinner for $11.95 per person with all of the trimmings. The view of the Serengeti was beautiful. They also featured salads and larger entrées.
I would highly recommend Busch Gardens. We didn't get to see everything in 1 day (including all of the shows and rides) and look forward to returning.