Busch Gardens, Yay or Nay?

[madmumof2]

I've never been to BG so not really sure what's there. We'll be going to all the parks, Disney, Universal, Discovery Cove and Seaworld, including Animal Kingdom.

Those of you who have been to Busch Gardens before, is it worth a day trip? Or is it a case of I won't need to go if I'm going to Animal Kingdom?

 

[stacy87]

We did all the parks when we went last year, including Busch Gardens. It was a good day out, but it is a long day especially if you use the free transportation - as the pick up time coming home was around 7pm - so there's no chance to nip back to the hotel for a nap/swim mid-day!

We much preffered Animal Kingdom, but I think you would have to experience both parks first to be able to make the decision as to what you prefer - and obviously decide whether it is worth a very long day.

We also went at the start of July though, so it was an extremely hot day too which didn't make things any more pleasant! lol

 

[madmumof2]

We'll be driving so can leave when we like, just wondered if it's worth a day if we're already doing Animal Kingdom which we love. Is there enough there that's not at Animal Kingdom to warrant a visit??

 

[princess jackson]

Absolutely loved it, went in October and it was walk on rides. Cheetah hunt was fab.

Walking around looking at animals was great, preferred it compared to animal kingdom.

 

[wilma-bride]

We much prefer Busch Gardens to Animal Kingdom. I don't think, though, that you can compare the parks really - for me, AK is really about the animals. Busch is mainly for the rides.

There are some great rides at Busch Gardens but if you're not into thrill rides, you could easily give it a miss. If you are driving, it's not that long a day - about an hours' drive from Orlando.

 

[madmumof2]

I love the coasters, one of the main things I'm looking forward to this time as last time I was a lone parent with children not big enough to ride!

Not sure if the rides are too big for them though, I'll have a 6 year old and a very small for his age 9 year old (and baby who dh will be holding, he doesn't like the rides lol).

 

[queendisney]

If you have never done it then maybe you should give it a go. I do not like thrill rides so spend my day being a bag holder! There are other rides but imo it's more for the thrill seekers. There are some good things for the family as well though. Its not very far really, something like 75 miles from WDW so its not going to take you too long to get there in a car.

 

[wayneg]

Busch is my fave park by far, we were there in Aug, Oct and going again next trip. I could quite easily miss AK, my least fave park.
Busch has something for everyone and they are constantly developing it, The new Aussie area & Cheetah Hunt......
Jungala is amazing for the tigers, I love photographing animals, far better opportunities at Busch than AK, better rides, better dining, more for young children, Lily loved it in August age 3.

Pics
Post #84 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2820055&page=6

Post #224 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2771370&page=15

Post #396 & 398 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2524489&page=27

 

[madmumof2]

We have a thrill seeker mum who will try anything, 2 thrill seeking animal lovers but may be too short for most of the rides? 1 baby who will need entertaining as he won't be able to go on many rides and a wimpy dad who hates rides who will also need some entertainment as he'll be mainly following us around holding our bags while we go on the rides which isn't really fair.

Would we all be able to have a good day there?

At least with Disney/Universal I know me and the kids can get on most rides so some days we'll be leaving Ben at the villa to chill with the baby who will need more rest than the rest of us which suits them too

I'm youtubing it now but can only find ride clips, anyone know where I can find more of the park?

 

[MushLRC]

We go to BG EVERY year. We have a time share on the gulf beaches about 40 min away from BG. We love it! I don't compare it to AK really much at all. The animals are nice and all but it for us is WAY more of a Thrill ride park. I don't go there for the animals. I go for the rides. For the past few years we have hit Disney the week before TGiving and the week of TGiving we are on the beach. Of our beach week we spend 2 days @ BG.

 

[wayneg]

I'm youtubing it now but can only find ride clips, anyone know where I can find more of the park?

Their website is very good, has interactive map. http://buschgardens.com/bgt/Explore/ParkMap.aspx

There is plenty for all ages, animal lovers, thrill ride lovers, everyone.

As a photographer of animals AK doesn't come close to Busch,
What exactly is there at AK, 2 or 3 elephants that were not there in August, Busch had 5 out with trainers interacting, feeding and doing talks about.
AK a lion that I have seen his face once, Busch has Cheetahs, Tigers & white tigers plus other cats, see my pics in last post, very easy to get fantastic pics (I love cats)
I could go on but it will get boring, Busch is so big I believe people miss half the animals there are so many. I would say at least double what there are at AK.

 

[madmumof2]

Thanks for that link

AK for me is more about the fact it's included in the disney tickets, the disney theming, disney rides etc and obviously a lot closer lol

But think we may have to give BG a try if we can squeeze it in somewhere, would love to go to the beach again, we went to clearwater last time but it's too far JUST to go the beach for a day so would work well doing both

 

[MushLRC]

Thanks for that link

AK for me is more about the fact it's included in the disney tickets, the disney theming, disney rides etc and obviously a lot closer lol

But think we may have to give BG a try if we can squeeze it in somewhere, would love to go to the beach again, we went to clearwater last time but it's too far JUST to go the beach for a day so would work well doing both

Awww! Don't totally rule the beach out if you like it. Since I was 12 (and I'm now 40 LOL) My family has vacationed in Redington Beach which is just about 30 min south of Clearwater. We ALWAYS did Disney for day trips. I would think driving for a rigorous day in a park would be more tiresome than bumming on the beach. I think it's totally do-able. We have just started the past few years adding a week of Disney the week before our beach week but if I only could do one or the other I would still take a day to visit which ever one I wasn't at. Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful time!!

 

[DCLMan]

Busch is a great park and well worth a visit. It's a lovely park with something for everyone. I think it's much better than AK.