Busch Gardens vs. WDW NEED HELP!!!

[dragitoff]

I have a convention in January at Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa. My wife and kids were going on the trip with me. My daughters are 8 and 5. Neither ride anything crazy. They both like Test Track and DD8 loves Space Mountain and Splash Mountain, but that's the extent of it. She's ridden Rock n' rollercoaster and EE, but not a 2nd time. None of us have ever been to Busch Gardens and we thought of going there while on this trip. Looking at their attractions, it doesn't appear they have much for the kids other than the animals. My kids like animals much like any kids would, but am I wrong in thinking Busch Gardens would be nothing more than an overpriced zoo for them? DW and I would have a great time riding all the coasters if it were just us, but that's not the case. Would we be better off driving the 75 miles to WDW and hitting one of the parks for a day rather than going to Busch Gardens?

[Janet Hill]

Busch Gardens is a great park for kids that age. Jungula is a new area that is designed to appeal to that age range. Land of the Dragons has a lot of rides for the 5 yr old and a huge tree house like structure with lots of nets and ropes that is fun for a wide range of ages. There are definately more rides than the website shows. The serengeti safari is better than the one at Animal Kingdon IMO. The Ka Tonga show is a really good show that is also very good.

The parks are very different and if it's Disney theming you're after you won't get that here, but it's still a great park. When in Orlando we always spend a day here, because my kids have loved this park since they were about 4 or 5 years old.

Persoanally, I would go to Busch Gardens, but there are those who would choose to drive the 75 miles to Disney.

Just wanted to add there's a trip report over on the Sea World board, but I can't find it right now. I think there was a picture of the new zip line ride they have in the Jungula area.

[dragitoff]

Thanks. How does their 2nd day Free promotion work? I'll have another 5 or 6 hours free on Sunday as well that we could go back to the park.

[RabFlmom]

<<<<Looking at their attractions, it doesn't appear they have much for the kids other than the animals. My kids like animals much like any kids would, but am I wrong in thinking Busch Gardens would be nothing more than an overpriced zoo for them? DW and I would have a great time riding all the coasters if it were just us, but that's not the case. Would we be better off driving the 75 miles to WDW and hitting one of the parks for a day rather than going to Busch Gardens?
>>>>>>>>>

Have to tell you you are wrong. <g> BG has a whole section of the park for kids......actually 2 sections. Land of the Dragons has rides, playground, etc. Jungalya has rides, interaction with the tigers, and an overhead playground and a couple rides for kids-sort of a zip line one, too.

BG has bumper cars, the train, the sky ride, the Rhino Rally, the Stanley Falls, and the Tidal wave that the kids might like, too. Even seeing the animals is better than at most zoos. The Myombe Preserve is a favorite. The chimps can be funny and often they interact with people through the glass. Lori Landing where you can feed the birds is always a hit with younger kids, too.
There are some really good shows that kids might like too. They have a show sort of like Sea World's Pets Ahoy(Castaway Critters?) where they use animals from the shelters. It was really entertaining when we saw it. Katonga is well done and the other music shows are pretty good, too. Though Mystic sheiks is hoki<g> If going at Christmas there will be special shows.
BG is a family park and can be a full day park without going on any of the roller coasters. I think your family would love it. Food is good there, too. We usually eat in the Crown Colony restaurant so we can watch the giraffes etc. The BBQ in Zambia Smokehouse is good, too.

Another idea while in Tampa is to hit the Museum of Science and Industry which is just a little ways from BG on Fowler Ave. It is worth a trip.