Friday, Jan. 17th, Pines Charter (PPCHS) freshmen, sophomores, and juniors attended the 2025 Busch Gardens field trip. From five in the morning to midnight, PPCHS students who attended this event spent a four-hour drive from Pembroke Pines to Tampa to visit the popular theme park.
Students had to head to school around five in the morning, only 15 minutes before the buses departed for their trip. After a four-hour drive and only one pit stop, PPCHS students arrived at Busch Gardens to begin their day filled with fun.
The first couple rides as you entered soon filled up, one being Busch Gardens most popular attraction: Iron Gwazi. PPCHS junior Jaden Lartery had never been on the Iron Gwazi and commented, “when coming last year, it was the only ride I didn’t go on,” as he looked at the coaster in fear and walks into the line.
After getting off the ride, Lartery expressed, “When I saw it do that drop, it was terrifying, but once being on it, you begin to shed tears and scream.” Multiple students reported how the thrill of Iron Gwazi grew, and as more continued to ride, they increasingly fell in love with the thrill.
However, when walking through the rest of the park, students noticed multiple rides had been closed for the day or closed while waiting in line. Popular coasters such as SheiKra and Kumba had been closed for the day, and coasters like the Cheetah Hunt would occasionally close for some time.
Bradley Powe, PPCHS junior, states, “I was annoyed and upset because it had seemed as if I had spent $200 to go on all the rides. But instead, about four to five of the good rides were closed or had been shut down momentarily for a couple of hours.”
As the sun had set, around 6:45 P.M., students headed back to the buses after experiencing a trip that was a great mix of fun, excitement, thrill, and time spent with friends. Although some rides were occasionally closed, students still enjoyed creating memories at the park and even on the trip to and from.
Whether riding the roller coasters, exploring the park, or just hanging out, it was a day filled with pleasure and excitement. As the PPCHS students head back to school, they continue to hide away in the dark bus making memories and blowing a kiss goodbye to their departure from the park.
