Bucsh Gardens V Animal Kingdom ??

[Chris and Pooh]

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.

I agree with UKDEB,

You have to ask yourself if the Safari is of prime importance, if so do it, you can either drive to BG or catch a coach which the Busch group organizes , if not the AK safari ride is great fun and as long as you go early you can normally guarantee to see animals moving around and not resting in the shade to get out of the sun.
We have been many times and you cannot physically do everything in two weeks without wanting another holiday to rest afterwards. I would personally suggest that you draw up an itinery to make the visit as smooth and as pleasant as possible, it is like no other holiday you will have been on before. If you would like an example pm me and I will send you one.

One last comment , though you cannot do it all in one trip, go again if possible, and again and again and again, you will not be disappointed!

 

[T16GEM]

Personally, if this was my first trip I would leave Busch until another time.
But..... it is my fave park. I love that it has the best of both worlds with the animals and the thrill rides. I actually don't mind the trip down there either, an hour is nothing really.

I don't think that AK and BG are similar at all, and think that BG is far superior. I always feel crammed into AK, and it always seems a lot hotter in that park than in the others, I think because of lack of space for walkways etc.

As others have said, don't try to cram too much in or you will miss a lot