is Busch Gardens worth it?

[Kermit257]

Going to be staying at the world Dec 6 to 18, and was wondering if Busch Gardens is worth the trouble and commute?

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I have lived in the Tampa Bay area my whole life. (Untill this past June when we were stationed in TX)

I personally love BG. There is a TON to do there. There are around 5 large steel coasters that are awesome and one wooden one. There are enough animals to rival Animal Kingdom too!

You can do the whole park in probably a little more than half a day, but if you take you time and see all of the nice animal areas it's an easy all day park.

I think the food there is really good too. The smoke house near Shiekra has amazing food. The only downside (for me being a 23 year old) is that they no longer give you your 2 free samples of beer. I loved this because they had samles of product that hasn't come out yet.

I say if you have a free day and feel like doing a theme park, to go for it. I really don't think you'll be dissapointed.

 

[wmharley]

yes its worth it as you can get closer to the animals now with the new area they did. They have more top ranked roller coasters than WDW has.... Go for it.. you won't be disappointed.

 

[Bete]

We will be at WDW for 15 days and we plan on going to Busch for two of those days. We will be driving ourselves (about 75 minutes one way), but there is service to go there, as well.

They have the equivalent of the QSDP for $30 each adult, too. It's open to all who go to the park. SeaWorld is the same for this aspect.

If you're willing to spend more money their tours are fabulous especially the close up encounter ones with the animals. Disney's AK tours fail greatly by comparison.

There's a lot of walking, but AK is a lot of walking, too. For a teenager this park is better than AK; because, the rides are better.

 

[Feralpeg]

I have an AP to Busch Gardens. It is an amazing park. I'm not into roller coasters, but they appear to put Disney and Universal to shame in that category.

The animals are amazing. They have the coolest enclosures. You can get up into little spaces that make you feel like you are in with the animals.

It is a beautiful park. A previous poster said you could do the entire park in a half day. I don't think so. I like to take my time and look into shops and exhibits. I spent an entire day there and could have spent more...and that is without doing the roller coasters.

 

[jb01]

I would say yes it is worth doing. Some great thrill rides and animal park. Good change-up from Disney.

 

[Darcy03231]

BG Tampa is one of my kid's favorite parks. They'd rather go there than WDW.

 

[Kermit257]

wow! Thanks for the replies!

Here's the kicker. Is BG better then Seaworld?
Wife really really wants to visit Seaworld.

 

[Darcy03231]

If you like roller coasters BG is definitely a must over Seaworld. If you're going for the animals, I would rate them about the same. We love both parks, but they are very different.

 

[wmharley]

wow! Thanks for the replies!

Here's the kicker. Is BG better then Seaworld?
Wife really really wants to visit Seaworld.

do both... they are geared differently...

 

[Kermit257]

I dunno if we'll have time to do both. Most of our days and especially evenings is booked solid with xmas festivities.

Does BG or SW do anything for xmas festivities?

 

[minniebeth]

It's good to hear such favorable reviews of BG! This has always been on our wish list, just have never gotten there. One day...

 

[ogreenlee]

we went over spring break this past year. we all had fun. i took my cousin's kids, 12 and 14. i also had my dd6. all had something to do and had a good time!

 

[RabFlmom]

I dunno if we'll have time to do both. Most of our days and especially evenings is booked solid with xmas festivities.

Does BG or SW do anything for xmas festivities?

BG is probably my favorite park in Florida, but since you are limited for time and your wife wants to go to SW, I say make her happy and go to SW. You won't be disappointed. SW converts the Wild Arctic ride to the Polar Express which is really cool. They do a special Shamu Christmas show, have a great Santa, and it seems like I am forgetting something else they do for Christmas that is cool. They also have the new Manta coaster and aquarium that is awesome. Food is just as good as at BG and they have the all day all you can eat/drink deal at both parks which we love.

BG also does some Christmas decorations and changes some shows for Christmas.

 

[topmonkeygirl]

I live about 4 hours away from BG so I haven't been in a few years but yes it's worth it. The park isn't very crowded like Disney and it's really clean. I love it.

 

[hbehrman]

wow! Thanks for the replies!

Here's the kicker. Is BG better then Seaworld?
Wife really really wants to visit Seaworld.

Do both. Also since Busch owns both you can buy a package to see both, and they have a shuttle that would take you to BG from Seaworld.
Here is that info from http://www.seaworld.com/Tickets/Visitors.aspx

2 Parks
SeaWorld + Busch Gardens
Our combination tickets offer fantastic benefits and savings. Additionally, adults can take advantage of select tickets at kid prices when you pre-purchase on our Web site at least 7 days in advance.

• Enjoy both SeaWorld and Busch Gardens at your leisure.
• Our unique Length of Stay Benefit* allows unlimited admission during your vacation so you can come and go as you please, at no extra charge.
• Also included is free roundtrip transportation on our Shuttle Express for the short ride to Busch Gardens in Tampa.
• E-Ticket allows you to print your ticket at home and go straight to the turnstiles.
• Tickets are Non-Transferable.
• This offer is not to be combined with any other special events or discounts.

*tickets expire 14 days after first use

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Since this thread isn't about WDW attractions and strategies, I've moved it to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

 

[Frothy]

Yes...absolutely. We love BG as it is a great mix of things to do for all the family.

 

[sjanus]

We were just down and it was our first time to Busch Gardens in Tampa and Sea World in Orlando (we had been to Busch Gardens in Virginia and Sea World when it was in Ohio).

We absolutely loved both! The shows at Sea World were wonderful! Busch Gardens has a mix of shows (we saw an Oldies show and an African show that was like a broadway show), and rollercoasters, the jeep ride (which we went on twice it was a blast), and the animals were great!

If you can fit them in, would do both. If you can only do one, depends on what you like to do best.

Honestly, I would have a hard time choosing between the two. Sea World is closer, but Busch Gardens was worth the drive!

This is probably not much help, but if you go to one of them this time, the other is a must do the next time.

Sandy

 

[LSUFAN1103]

yep!!