Bucsh Gardens V Animal Kingdom ??

[sara969]

Ive been looking into both of these and they appear to look quite similar.
Apart from Bucsh Gardens seems to have more Thrill rides.

But as regards the theme, atmosphere, shows, attractions and animals which one is better?
Do they both offer a Animal Safari Tour? Which is better?
WOW ive always wanted to go on a Safari Tour

Just wanted to know what the difference is between AK and BG?
Are they both worth visiting??

 

[orangetiggs]

we have never done BG but always go to AK

we love AK and love their safari, its not like a normal safari, it has a story etc but you get to see some good animals, i think BG is bigger but have never been so not sure

 

[Pinky166]

They are definately both worth a visit. We always spend one day each trip at Busch Gardens, don't forget to book one of the tours - you can go out into the Serengeti in a flat bed truck & feed the Giraffe's.
Busch Gardens is a lovely park, it has a good mix or rides, shows & lots of animals.

 

[UKDEB]

Despite their obvious similarities, they really are very different in atmosphere. Whilst they're certainly both worth a visit, there's only so much you can do in a 2 week trip and my advice is not to try to do too much. That way you'll get so much more out of the things you do choose. My top tip for first-timers is to take time to stop and smell the roses. It's so easy to rush from attraction to attraction and, before you know it, you'll be back home thinking it all went by in a whirl. Tampa is a good hour's drive from the Orlando area and, whilst it would be a no-brainer if it was on your doorstep, with everything else on offer close at hand, Busch Gardens is a park too far for a first trip, IMHO. Animal Kingdom, on the other hand, is a must-do.

 

[sara969]

They are definately both worth a visit. We always spend one day each trip at Busch Gardens, don't forget to book one of the tours - you can go out into the Serengeti in a flat bed truck & feed the Giraffe's.
Busch Gardens is a lovely park, it has a good mix or rides, shows & lots of animals.

Wow feeding the Giraffe's sounds amazing!! How do you book this Tour and when should i book it? Must you pay extra for this Tour?
Sounds fab!

 

[sara969]

Thanks everyone

Where exactly is Bucsh Gardens ? Is it far ??
I am imagining it to be near Seaworld etc... dont know why

 

[Lisa x]

Yeh I totally agree, they are very different parks even though they both are similar themed!

All I would say is the same as previous post, you dont want be rushing from park to park, it will go by in a flash and you will actually miss out on more....

I dont know whether this will help your decision, but AK is also included in your Disney ticket, BG is not!

 

[Lisa x]

BG is at Tampa, its about an hours drive from Orlando!

 

[Pinky166]

Wow feeding the Giraffe's sounds amazing!! How do you book this Tour and when should i book it? Must you pay extra for this Tour?
Sounds fab!

Here is a link to all the different tours they do. The Seregeti safari one is $34 per person.

http://www.buschgardens.com/bgt2/Explore/UpClose.aspx?id=735

 

[sara969]

Yeh I totally agree, they are very different parks even though they both are similar themed!

All I would say is the same as previous post, you dont want be rushing from park to park, it will go by in a flash and you will actually miss out on more....

I dont know whether this will help your decision, but AK is also included in your Disney ticket, BG is not!

Thanks Lisa,

We are thinking about getting a Flexi plus ticket but not 100% sure yet, we need to have a closer look at what we think we can realisticaly do in 2 weeks. But i need to get a rough idea about each park and locations, attractions and size first.
I am just so overwhelmed about how big everything is over there and i am not even there yet!!

 

[sara969]

Here is a link to all the different tours they do. The Seregeti safari one is $34 per person.

http://www.buschgardens.com/bgt2/Explore/UpClose.aspx?id=735

Wow thank you so much for that link, The Seregeti Safari looks the best one because its only a 30min Tour the other Tours are much longer and my daughter wouldnt last that long
$34 per person is not bad, do we pay same price for kids too ?
Daughter will be 4yrs old at time of travel.
Thanks so much

 

[sara969]

ANIMAL KINGDOM..... Does anyone know:

*If we have to pay extra for the Animal Safari in Animal Kingdom?
*How do you book it?
*What kind of vechical do you sit in?
*Do you get to see lots of animals?
*Is it a long tour?

 

[wilma-bride]

Yes, kids are the same price however your 4 yo wouldn't be able to do the Serengeti Safari - minimum age is 5. The reason being because you travel on flat-bed trucks and have to stand so there is a H&S issue with very young children.

We did Busch Gardens on our very first trip back in 2004 and really enjoyed it. Deb is right, though, when she says it is easy to plan too much and then feel as though you've somehow just 'rushed' through your holiday.

We are going back to Busch on our next trip because some members of our party have never been but we had to forego a day at Sea World in order to fit it in.

I don't think Busch and AK are that similar at all - Busch is almost like two different parks - there are lots of big rides, coasters and the like and then lots of animal attractions too. We missed a lot of the animal stuff when we went last time but we will focus more on the animals this trip because that is what the kids will enjoy. Rhino Rally, in my opinion, is much better than the safari at AK.

 

[sara969]

BG is at Tampa, its about an hours drive from Orlando!

OMG 1 HOURS DRIVE from Orlando NOWAY!!!!
Definately NOT what i was expecting to hear!

Thank you so much for that info cus that info will help my planning ALOT!
I think i am now going to plan the parks that are closest if i think we have a spare day then we can add BG into one of our days. But if not then its not going to be a priority as this park is the furthest.

 

[Lisa x]

Animal Kingdom safari is included in your price. You dont need to prebook it, you just queue like any other ride, the queues go down pretty quickly in there!!

You are in a jeep kinda thing and go round a ready prepared track, there is a storyline along the way too which is quite fun!

Loads of animals, giraffes elephants lions rhinos crocs....so many more!!

 

[natalielongstaff]

We are going back to Busch on our next trip because some members of our party have never been but we had to forego a day at Sea World in order to fit it in.

That would be me !!!

on your 1st trip i strongly advise you to stick to the disney parks plus US/IOA

you are not going to have much time for anything else in two weeks, save seaworld and busch for a future trip !

 

[Pinky166]

Kilimanjaro Safari at Animal Kingsom is an attraction, it has a storyline. You sit in a safari type truck which drives around a track amongst the animals, it does not stop so you can watch them as you would in the wild but they slow the vehicle down so you can take pics.

Have a look at this link & you will see a pic of the truck & some of the animals. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/animalkingdom/ak-africa-safari.htm

Hope that helps.

 

[natalielongstaff]

We are going back to Busch on our next trip because some members of our party have never been but we had to forego a day at Sea World in order to fit it in.

That would be me !!!

on your 1st trip i strongly advise you to stick to the disney parks plus US/IOA

you are not going to have much time for anything else in two weeks, save seaworld and busch for a future trip !

 

[wayneg]

I am not a big fan of AK, much prefer BG, been down quite a few times past 2 years as we had annual passports but as others have said for your 1st trip you will have enough around Disney area without driving to Busch. Even though its my fave park I would say save it for another trip.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

For a first trip and loking at your overall plans personally I would skip Busch Gardens and leave for another holiday.
I wouldn't try and cram too much into your plans.