Busch Gardens worth the trip?

[DisWDWMay]

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right forum to put this but.. Has anyone been to Busch Gardens. We're going to Orlando for 5 days in May but we're thinking of going to Busch Gardens or USO for 1 day, with the other 4 going to WDW. We have two toddlers (2, 3) and two older kids (9,10). Is Busch Garden worth the trip, or should we spend another day at Disney (first time, btw), or spend a day at Universal?

 

[AJKMOM]

You should really look at the various websites to see what might work with your family. There are a lot of big coasters at both places you little ones won't be able to go on. Busch Gardens has a nice "jungle" atmosphere that the little ones might like.

One day at US, and another at IOA might be enough for all 4 kids. If you stay onsite at Universal overnight, you get front-of-the-line priviledges, which is a great perk.

 

[Immelman]

we love BG, we've got passports. but it's not worth the trip over right now. I-4 construction is way too bad with the kids. visit US or IOA for a less stressful vacation. both UO parks are great for those age ranges. when this I-4 mess is done, it's definately worth the trip over.

 

[Sandyincanada]

We just went to Busch last week, I was really impressed with the park but most of the rides are big (and I mean big) roller coasters which my ds15 loved. For kids your age, I would head off to Usf or IOA. If your older ones like coasters, IOA is the way to go as your little ones will love Suess Landing which is also at IOA.

 

[DisWDWMay]

Thank you all for your input. My oldest are thrillseekers and for whatever reason (maybe friends at school?) think Disney is for babies and wants only to ride the big rides. Like I wrote earlier we've never been to Disney World so I'm sure they'll change their mind when they get there. In the meantime I have to throw them a bone and take them to a park with a big roller coaster. Of course I need something for the younger kids to do or they'll drive us crazy. Is there really enough to do at Universal to entertain the toddlers?

 

[Sandyincanada]

there is at IOA. SUess Landing has lots for them to do and the older ones will love the coasters and of course, Spiderman. There is alot of information if you go to the Universal/IOA board especially on small children.

 

[minijeanie]

had to laugh when comment made stating teens think they are to old for disney. going through this now with my DS who will be 14
we are also thinking of taking a day off and going to Busch Gardens for something different.
DS seems to like this idea...

Tough with the ages of the kids going because toddlers obviously can't go on coasters and the older ones certaintly don't want Dumbo.

IOA in my opinion is more for older. The only area is in Suess Landings for the little ones. If you don't have to pay for them to get in, go to IOA.
Theming is fabulous.

 

[Immelman]

BG has land of the dragons for the 2 little ones. it's the best kids area I've seen in any theme park. it's a little amusement park with rides, water areas, climbing nets, jumpy things. perfect for the tiny ones. it even has a little water ride with a drop. very cute.

 

[dixipixi]

We LOVE BG!! When we went our children were 16, 13, and 9. The teens rode everything and really enjoyed themselves. Our 9 y/o doesn't like roller coasters or things that drop. He didn't ride any of the coasters but he did do the tidal wave ride (flume with big drop) and enjoyed that. Although he didn't ride as many rides as everyone else, he is a nature lover and he was in HEAVEN. Birds are his favorite and the Lory Landing exhibit was one of the highlights of the trip for him. For little ones (or anyone not excited about coasters), I'd give the edge to BG over US. Just because it seems like there is more to keep you entertained. If you love animals, beautiful gardens, and things like that, then BG would definitely be worth your while.

 

[Disney Daddy et al]

If it were up to me, my kids and I would spend the entire two and a half weeks at WDW but after taking them in 2003 to UNV/IOA I now must spend at least 4 days at these parks. My ds (then 7) and dd (then 5) just "have to" ride ripsaw falls and bluto's barge. They both say they prefer IOA for these two particular rides. I think it has more to do with getting soaked than you will on Splash Mountain or Kali at WDW. Anyway....definitely worth going but be prepared to go back every time you go back to the world.
Good luck and best"WISHES"