Is it worth driving to Busch Gardens?

[ChisJo]

I went to Busch Gardens in 1999, and the only thing I remember is how sick I was (food poisoning....).

Now, 8 years later, I am debating going back. A couple of dilemmas though...we are only going to Orlando for 8 days - so a side trip to Tampa would take the entire day. I cannot remember how big Busch Gardens is, or how the rides are (obviously, alot can have changed since our last visit). We would mostly be going for the rides, since they look like they have a great selection of roller coasters (is this right?? I remember a couple of them being down when we were there...). I know they have an animal theme - how is it?

Mostly, I am wondering if it's worth going to both Busch Gardens and Sea World...would we be happy with just Sea World? Or should we try Busch Gardens....and are there Roller Coasters alone worth the trip?

Thanks - Jo

 

[damo]

Busch Gardens is a really nice park. If you are a coaster lover, you will love it. Sheikra is an absolutely hoot!!!

I would skip Sea World and do Busch Gardens instead.

 

[webworm]

I went to Busch Gardens in 1999, and the only thing I remember is how sick I was (food poisoning....).

Now, 8 years later, I am debating going back. A couple of dilemmas though...we are only going to Orlando for 8 days - so a side trip to Tampa would take the entire day. I cannot remember how big Busch Gardens is, or how the rides are (obviously, alot can have changed since our last visit). We would mostly be going for the rides, since they look like they have a great selection of roller coasters (is this right?? I remember a couple of them being down when we were there...). I know they have an animal theme - how is it?

Mostly, I am wondering if it's worth going to both Busch Gardens and Sea World...would we be happy with just Sea World? Or should we try Busch Gardens....and are there Roller Coasters alone worth the trip?

Thanks - Jo

We got back from Orlando last week and went to Busch Gardens. The roller coasters are great. It was a bit busy during the march break. Your best buy for tickets is online at www.atpar.ca since it is $49.50US for an adult.

Cypress Gardens is great as well in Winter Haven which is just over half an hour from Orlando on highway 27. No crowds or line ups at all for all thge rides. It is great and you can get tickets for $35US.

 

[satman1962]

We took a day trip to Busch Gardens this past January, and yes it is great for those coaster lovers, not much for the young kids though in my opinion. Price is high just for the day, course that was for the six in my gang!

 

[ChisJo]

found a link on the SeaWorld website that had a better ticket price than the atpar....

Both parks @ $85/ticket...

Heres the link:
http://commerce.4adventure.com/store/dept_tickets.asp?ShopperID=V4987C8AE58764163AF4391450643064&Token=DILHGEFFHDGFDDK&dept_id=203

 

[Disneyof3]

If you go in thinking it will be like WDW please think again. We took the kids last year instead of disney and what a waste of time. I think CW is better than BG. They try to imitate WDW like anything. The rides that my 5 year old could go on at WDW couldn't at BG. If I had known the way it is I would of spent the extra and gone to WDW for 1 day. Now this is just my opinion but beware.

 

[grover]

BG rocked! For our family anyways..it only took us a hour to get there..the coasters were awesome..we like those thrills and there were a few of them!
The scenery is gorgeous in that park! Was a great non-disney thrill park day!

 

[Pokemom]

Sea World also has a promo on that if you buy a ticket for Sea World, you can get a free ticket for Busch Gardens. This is available with any ticket you buy, even promos. Right now they have a promo on where adults pay the kids price, so it's a really good deal - you can get both parks for about $50. You can ride their bus from several locations in Orlando to Busch Gardens for $10 round trip.

 

[Pokemom]

Sorry, the promo I mentioned above appears to be over. It was on the Sea World site last week, but I just checked and it's not there anymore.

 

[Northstar]

Be careful about the dates for the atpar.ca offer... I think your visit has to be before April 30th for the current offer.

We did BG last year... had only limited time there and just scratched the surface. It's a really big park. We're not coaster people but enjoyed the animals and the shows. Found the Serengeti Safari, an add-on where you get to drive out on the savannah in a "people-pen" truck and feed giraffes and bongos and see everything REALLY close up, well worth the money. Check Busch Gardens website for the details. The only real downer, we found, was the food... very limited snack options, inconvenient and limited restaurant hours. DON'T get the nachos... unless you like melted Velveeta.

 

[misslissa]

CAA has a discounted BG/SW offer for members. They also have information on a new shuttle from SW to BG that is about $10.

 

[heathera]

I was just at Busch Gardens last week, in my opinion it is totally worth it, the animal park and viewing is far better than WDW AK and the rides are AWESOME, Sheikra had me screaming my lungs out, sooo much fun! I LOVED it! We did it in about 5 hours- 2 adults, last week on all the coasters, rhino ralley, lunch at the colony house- you have to try their fruit salad it is awesome! Any questions PM me!

Heather

 

[Sillyminny40]

OMG! We loved BGs!!!! We were in Orlando for 8 days in Feb 2007 of this year.
We have been to WDW four times but his time NO disney. We had 7 days of Univ/IofA and 7 days of BG/SW. What a nice time!

There were eight of us and our two teens and preteen boys LOVED BG so much we went back for two days.

Yes, the roller coasters are amazing but very small kids may not like them.
IN all, even my sister loved it who sat out on the roller coasters.

The gorilla and baby are amazing.