Need Opinion! Second Trip to Sea World, or Try Busch Gardens?

[rowan555]

As I posted a few weeks ago, my DD and I are returning to Universal for a second trip in May. Manta at Sea World was her favorite coaster, so she asked about doing another Sea World/Aquatica trip while there. Honestly, all we'd want to do at Sea World is ride Manta and Kraken as many times each as possible. We did all the shows and don't care to do them, or the other rides, again. That being said, should I skip SW and head to Tampa after Universal to do Busch Gardens instead?

Currently there are no vacation packages that include the water park there. When I called, they said that the site would update to include those in "a few weeks" - is the water park worth a visit, or should we plan on two days at BG instead? Also, how are the lines there? Should I buy QQ so we can hit all the coasters after it gets more crowded and not spend all day in line?

I'm also perfectly content doing SW again if you guys think that's the better choice (we love Aquatica and love the free dining deal)! Just not sure which way to go with this...

 

[FLOIR]

Busch Gardens is more of a coaster park then SeaWorld is, so if you are strictly wanting to ride them I would recommend making the drive down to Tampa.

Granted, there is nothing down there like Manta (which is my personal fav) but they have a wider variety, and while I didn't like it when it first opened, Cheetah Hunt is really starting to grow on me. If your DD is old enough, or brave enough, to go on SheiKra then that is a coaster unlike many others out there.

 

[DOOM1001]

Since you guys like coasters and Busch Gardens is the best coaster park in Florida I can't see why you wouldn't visit it.Sea World has two great coasters,Busch Gardens has seven coasters with Montu,Sheikra,Kumba and Cheetah Hunt being their top of the line world class coasters.Gwazi their wood coaster gets a bad rap for being rough but I like it.Basically I highly suggest you visit.As far as getting Quick Queue I would ask if you're visiting on the weekend as during the week you could probably do fine without it,even on the weekend you may want to wait to see how busy the park is since you're not going during the summer break.Adventure Island the waterpark next to Busch Gardens is very good and worth a visit if you get a deal on admission but it's not on the level of Aquatica or the two Disney waterparks.I know Sea World has has like a $20 or $25 add on to visit Aquatica that you can purchase in Guest services inside Sea World and I'm 99% certain Busch Gardens has the same type of deal to visit Adventure Island,I think I remember seeing signs advertising it on a previous visit.

 

[rowan555]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to give this some serious thought. The original plan was to go to Universal M-W and then do the other park Th-F. Would you suggest only one day for BG?

 

[johde]

It wouldn't be a day at a water park but, now through May 15th they are offering a day at Sea World and a day at Busch Gardens for $99. I would probably do that if your trip is early in May. Busch Gardens is a great park with several great roller coasters. I'm hoping to get back there on my next trip. I'm planning on flying into Tampa then flying out of Orlando so I only need to make the drive once.

 

[DOOM1001]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to give this some serious thought. The original plan was to go to Universal M-W and then do the other park Th-F. Would you suggest only one day for BG?

If you go on a weekday that school is in session and get there early you can do a whole lot in one day.Being in Tampa it doesn't get the constant insane crowds like the Orlando parks do.

 

[2girlsmom]

Even on "busy" days at BG, the ride that really gets extended waits is Cheetah Hunt, the other coasters are generally 10-15 minutes at the longest. This spring BG is opening Falcon's Fury, which is a drop tower that rotates the seats like Manta at Seaworld. You go up facing outward, then seats rotate before the drop. I would expect this to be somewhat longer lines like Cheetah, at least on the weekend, though being in the middle of the park, it may not get as bad. I have literally WALKED ON at Montu, though, which is a suspended coaster and really a terrific ride, on CHRISTMAS DAY. So I would definitely see what the wait times look like before buying express. The 2 day BG/SW ticket sounds like a great option for a coaster enthusiast (I agree that Manta is absolutely worth doing as often as possible). Adventure Island is a fun waterpark, but not as neat as Aquatica, (the only Orlando one we've been to so far). It has a good mix of slides, though, along with lazy river, wave pool, etc. I went in March and June last year, and found the water there to be fairly chilly both times, for what that's worth.

 

[Woodview]

If you have " Done " Seaworld then go to Busch Gardens


Far better than any other Park for Coasters & Have a " Go "


on the Pirate Ship that goes " All the Way Round "

Now you will not find that in Disney Parks .

With the New Falcons Furey starting soon then Bush Gardens is the

place to go.

 

[2girlsmom]

Woodview is right, and I meant to mention that if you like "thrill" rides, the Phoenix, which is a viking ship which does full revolutions, is a terrific ride. It took me a couple years to work up my nerve, but when I did, I loved it!

 

[MarciaBrady]

First I gotta say: MANTA IS AWESOME!! My favorite ride ever! Ok, got that out of the way...

I think you should go to BGT. There are more coasters (SheiKra, Cheetah Hunt, Scorpion, Montu, Kumba, Sand Serpent, and Gwazi, plus a kiddie coaster) and Falcon's Fury will be opening sometime in the spring. Just my two cents!

 

[Herbie]

If you do go to BG, make sure to do Cheetah Hunt and Sheikra as early as possible because they can have long lines later in the day