Busch Gardens a must see or not?

[DIS~n~JAN]

Hi everyone,
I was wondering if this would be a good idea or too many theme parks? We are doing Universal/ IOA, Seaworld, & Disney in 12 days, we thought about doing the Clearwater Beach tour, but my teens don't seem excited about that. I've seen this tour to Busch Gardens, but not sure if it's worth it. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[AJKMOM]

Just my thought, but it is a long trip to take for one day. As you leave WDW, it takes about 2 hours to get there. Then, obviously it's the same 2 hours back after you have toured the park. Last time we were there we enjoyed it, but we stayed in Clearwater at the time. It is a nice interesting park, though. Maybe the kids would like to tour the Kennedy Space Center on the Atlantic Ocean side?

 

[Camping Griswalds]

It didn't take us 2 hours if I remember. Honestly my family wasn't that impressed. We go to the Busch Gardens near us in Williamsburg Va and it is way better! Now I would leave Disney for a day for that park even if it was a 2 hour ride, but not the one in Tampa. do your second day free at Seaworld, or Kennedy Space instead!!

 

[Luv4Disney]

If you're going to go to Busch Gardens, hold off for the one in Williamsburg. It's really beautiful. Plus you have historic Williamsburg right there. It's a great weekend trip. However, it doesn't compare to Disney...nothing does.

 

[Adora]

I have to say that my family loved it (ages 65, 55, 46, 42, 22, 17)! We spent only 10 days in Flordia and while Disney was a two day adventure, Busch Gardens was a day we made sure to have time for too. It's a different type of park than Disney but enjoyable for people who enjoy the rollar coasters (me! me!) but without the magic. We went a couple days after a wicked April storm , so it was "Chilly" in Flordia standards, for us Newfoundlanders it was tank tops and shorts all the way. The great thing was it seemed noone wanted to go on a day like that, so we pretty much had the park to ourselfs. Were able to ride some of the rollar coasters a second time in the time it took my mother to get the pic of us on it. If you're looking for magic, it's not so much. But I loved it and thought it was well worth the day imho.

 

['Canes Fan]

BG's our backyard park and we love it. it's an hour and a half trip. but if you're going to be doing the central florida overload trip, stay there. you'd need 2-3 days over here for the beaches and BG. I agree with relaxed approach to the 2nd day at Seaworld. it's a big park, so be ready to walk. plus, there are a lot of shows, so seeing it all in one day is pretty hard to do.

 

[gjw007]

I have been to Busch Gardens (BG) near Tampa but I haven't been to Williamsburg. I would take the trip as it breaks up the Orando theme parks. BG is about 70 miles, give or take your specific location, from Orlando. I treat it as roughly an hour and a half drive but it probably is a little quicker. I like SeaWorld (I have an annual pass) but I would take the trip to Busch Gardens rather than a second day at SeaWorld. Kennedy might be a good idea but it depends on your kids. I went with a friend and her two children (2 and 10) and they were clearly bored. The 2-year old would have been happy to stay in the pool and go down the slide. The kids needed something to keep them busy. The theme parks will keep them busy (SeaWorld is more sedate).

There are some other options other than the beach or other theme parks in Orlando (museums, haunted houses, go-karts, etc.). You might to look at these as well.

 

[DIS~n~JAN]

Thanks for the great opinions everyone!

 

[riu girl]

We are staying south of Tampa Dec 17 - Dec 31 and are planning on going to Busch Gardens for several of those days. We are going to buy the 2005 fun cards ($62. adults, $52 kids) which allows unlimited visits during 2005. This way we can go as many days as we would like and not have to rush.
According to the map and web site it looks like they have a nice area for kids (play area and kids rides) as well as a ton of coaster for older kids/adults.

Suzy V.

 

[murcor]

I think there is lots to do in the Orlando area without taking the trek to Busch Gardens. Save it for another time when maybe you can stay on the Gulf Coast...thats what we plan to do in the future.

Angela

 

[Ellester]

If you are roller coaster junkies, Busch is a must see. They have some awesome costers that rank among the top in the world (Montu, Kumba, Gwazi) and the brand new Shaakira. It is a beautiful park as well. I've been to the one in Williamsburg too, the two Busch's are so different I find it hard to compare them to each other. I, personally, think it's worth the drive (about 90 minutes if traffic's not too bad).

 

['Canes Fan]

According to the map and web site it looks like they have a nice area for kids (play area and kids rides)

Suzy V.

Land of the Dragons. a very nice kids area. 56" and shorter. it's also right next to Lory Landing, where you can go in and hand feed Lorikeets and other exotic birds. very cool.

 

[riu girl]

How strict is Busch Gardens about the 56" rule for the childrens area? Dd8 is 56" with shoes on (55.5" without)and we don't go until the middle of December. She is eating a ton and must be in some sort of growth spurt. I know whe would really enjoy the childrens area.

Thank you
Suzy V

 

['Canes Fan]

it's not for the entire play area, sorry if I misled you. but there are a couple of rides they won't let you on if you're over 56". there's a gift shop, snack bar, restrooms, and a cute live show in the the playland.

it's got a huge 'treehouse' system with climbing nets, elastic bridges, water areas. there's a mini-ferris wheel, water ride, merry-go-round, speedway, flyer ride, moonwalk area. that kind of stuff.

 

[Gabriel&Nana]

If you are roller coaster junkies, Busch is a must see. They have some awesome costers that rank among the top in the world (Montu, Kumba, Gwazi) and the brand new Shaakira. It is a beautiful park as well. I've been to the one in Williamsburg too, the two Busch's are so different I find it hard to compare them to each other. I, personally, think it's worth the drive (about 90 minutes if traffic's not too bad).

I agree, BG is a very nice place.

I think the Teens will love the coasters, and the driving it's nothing so terrible.

But avoid the weekends.

 

[DOOM1001]

I agree that Busch Gardens in Williamsburg is a great park and probably the most beautiful park out there but the Busch Gardens in Tampa isn't very far behind and in my opinion a must do, especially if you enjoy rollercoasters!! As far as drive time unless you encounter an accident or construction on I-4 it's a 1 hr and 15 minute drive, you're there before you know it.

 

[julieannbabe]

i am from the UK and i really enjoyed Busch Gardens.

If you do decide to go - try not to compare it to WDW.

It is a totally different kind of park.

The animals were amazing - kool shopping too!

have fun whatever you decide to do!

xjx