Please don´t be mad ;)

[Freyja]

Last time we went to Orlando we "only" did Disneyworld and Sea World. No Universal, no Bush Garden´s or anything else.

This time I´m wondering whether we should do Bush Gardens? Can anyone tell me what it´s like? Our kids are 2,5 10 and 12. Will there be something there for everyone? The 10 year old loves roller coasters and they all love animals.

We´ve been thinking of driving to the beach as well. What are the best beaches near Bush Gardens (Tampa Bay)? I thought maybe we could go to the beach one day, spend the night at a hotel by the beach and go to Bush Gardens the morning after. Does that make sense?

 

[5mins2disney]

I've been there 5x over the last 2 years and still haven't done anything besides WDW and Seaworld! TOO much to do there to get it all in, even in 5 trips! Our kids are too little to go on most of the rides at Universal, so we're holding off. We still haven't made it to any of the Disney water parks either. Next on our list though is Kennedy Space Center, before Busch Gardens, I've been to Busch many times (years ago though) as we used to vacation in Sarasota-Bradenton a lot, but not KSC.

 

[Freyja]

Hey, you cought me there. We actually did go to KSC last time, lol.

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

BG is definitely worth the drive. It's roughly an hour from WDW area, and is For beaches I personally prefer the Atlantic coast (Daytona) area, but there are nice beaches in the Tampa area(not that Clearwater is undergoing some construction thi summer and several have recommended to avoid that particular Gulf coast beach).

Sea World is fun too. Make sure you sit right down by the tank for the Shamu show so as not to miss the action. You might get a little wet, but just a minor splash

KSC is supposedly much improved over years ago(our last visit was '98). If so it may be worth it now.

 

[5mins2disney]

BG is definitely worth the drive. It's roughly an hour from WDW area, and is For beaches I personally prefer the Atlantic coast (Daytona) area, but there are nice beaches in the Tampa area(not that Clearwater is undergoing some construction thi summer and several have recommended to avoid that particular Gulf coast beach).

Hmm..people here keep saying the west coast beaches are nicer than the east coast ones...I've only been to Clearwater, Sarasota/Bradenton, and Longboat Key personally, not to the east coast ones yet. West coast ones are a bit of a further drive though.

Oh..I've also been to Vero Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, but those are not really within driving distance easily from Orlando. Oh, been to Cape Coral / Fort Myers, Sanibel Island too, that area was very nice, but much further down the coast!

 

[mbb]

If it makes you feel better, we've only ever been to WDW too

In all of our - what feels like a zillion - trips, we've only been to WDW, DTD and the water parks.

Every time, we say, ok! *This* is the trip we're going to US/IOA, SeaWorld, and a beach day!!

...and we never do
Honestly, we've never even really spent a whole, full day at the parks.
We'll do mornings, and go back in the evenings, but never a whole commando day.

Too much fun hanging out at whichever villa we're staying in

 

[mungo]

Busch Gardens are definatley worth it. We went for the first time last year,and thought it was great, and why hadn't we been before???

Universal is also great.

When we have been to the beach we travelled down to Sarasota and Naples stayed overnight in a hotel, and travelled back the next day.

The beaches on the west coast are completley different to the East, but both are fantastic

 

[isla bonita]

Last year we had year passes and loved it.

There are coaster, animals and lots more.

The ages ranged from 4-66 and there was plenty for everyone.

 

[Freyja]

If we go to Bush Gardens the second week of June, what should we expect the crowds to be like? Will the rides have long lines? Is there a fastpass system?

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

By the second week in June summer season is pretty much in full swing, i.e. crowded. No fastpasses at BG to my knowledge. BG is very popular with locals too, so I would go on a weekday, but that is honestly more a guess than anything. Go as early as possible - be there for opening. The worst waits we encountered were for the Safari Jeep ride(forget the attraction name), they were 45 minutes, during a Thankgiving week vacation several years ago.

 

[4eyedbuzzard]

I like the Atlantic coast beaches because the surf is better, my kids and I like to boogie board and such.

 

[SusanDK]

We prefer the gulf coast beaches. Last month we visited Siesta Key, south of Tampa / St. Petersburg and it was incredibly beautiful, so clean with pristine white sand. It is just south of Longboat Key.

Have you tried Universal/IOA in the past? Your 10 and 12 year olds might enjoy it, espcially the one who likes coasters. Check out the Universal forum for more info. There are some good ticket deals right now.

Susan

 

[mama4]

Hi there! BG passholder here. My sis lives in St Pete so we go often. No fastpasses, GREAT coasters, Land of the Dragons is great for the little ones (huge play structure built around a "tree" w/ water play areas-you go through tunnels under the tree- it's really cool.) Gotta stay close to them though or they may get lost and there aren't many shaded places to sit and rest so it can be HOT for the parents. Also some carnival style kiddie rides in Timbuktu. Have fun!

 

[Andy B]

I enjoy US/IOA BG I can take or leave but SW is one of my favourites.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

If you don't mind the drive, Busch Gardens is a great park. With the wide range of ages you have, it would probably be better to split up some, if possible. Land Of Dragons is great for little ones. My DS could spend the day there, when he was young. If your older kids like coasters, they'll love it. If they're not quite into the thrill rides yet, I'd wait a couple years. They eventually will be, & BG will be their favorite park. The lines at BG aren't as bad as the standby lines at WDW. As was suggested, get there early & head straight to Rhino Rally in the back of the park. Next, ride the water rides. When it gets hot out, the lines are longer for the water rides than the coasters. See the shows, during the heat of the day. The crowds thin substantially late in the day.

Tampa Bay isn't actually on the ocean. It's inland waters, hence the Bay part of the name. The beach there is very narrow, but nice. It's on each side of the causeway. The water is calm like the gulf, but not as clear. If you want to spend the night in the area, there's lots to do & some nice hotels near the downtown area. The Port of Tampa is also pretty interesting. That said, we never stop at the Bay. We prefer to drive on over to the Gulf. IMHO, the Gulf Coast beaches are much nicer than the Atlantic. The water is more clear also. As has been noted, if you're looking for waves, you won't find them on the gulf. Imagine a huge lake with clear water & wide, fluffy sand beaches. That's the gulf.

For waves, you need to go to the Atlantic. We usually go to Daytona or Cocoa Beach once a year for my guys to play in the waves. Other than that, we spend our time on the gulf.

You could always go to Ft. Desoto (public beach & fort) for the day, then stay closer to BG for the night. Note: Ft Desoto is a great beach for families. We've been there & literally been the only people on the beach. I feel I must warn you, if you walk far enough, you may happen upon the topless beach. In all our visits there, we've only seen people there once. We accidentally walked too far, & it was a real eye opener. Just thought that fell under the category of "good to know".

 

[Freyja]

If you don't mind the drive, Busch Gardens is a great park. With the wide range of ages you have, it would probably be better to split up some, if possible. Land Of Dragons is great for little ones. My DS could spend the day there, when he was young. If your older kids like coasters, they'll love it. If they're not quite into the thrill rides yet, I'd wait a couple years. They eventually will be, & BG will be their favorite park. The lines at BG aren't as bad as the standby lines at WDW. As was suggested, get there early & head straight to Rhino Rally in the back of the park. Next, ride the water rides. When it gets hot out, the lines are longer for the water rides than the coasters. See the shows, during the heat of the day. The crowds thin substantially late in the day.

Tampa Bay isn't actually on the ocean. It's inland waters, hence the Bay part of the name. The beach there is very narrow, but nice. It's on each side of the causeway. The water is calm like the gulf, but not as clear. If you want to spend the night in the area, there's lots to do & some nice hotels near the downtown area. The Port of Tampa is also pretty interesting. That said, we never stop at the Bay. We prefer to drive on over to the Gulf. IMHO, the Gulf Coast beaches are much nicer than the Atlantic. The water is more clear also. As has been noted, if you're looking for waves, you won't find them on the gulf. Imagine a huge lake with clear water & wide, fluffy sand beaches. That's the gulf.

For waves, you need to go to the Atlantic. We usually go to Daytona or Cocoa Beach once a year for my guys to play in the waves. Other than that, we spend our time on the gulf.

You could always go to Ft. Desoto (public beach & fort) for the day, then stay closer to BG for the night. Note: Ft Desoto is a great beach for families. We've been there & literally been the only people on the beach. I feel I must warn you, if you walk far enough, you may happen upon the topless beach. In all our visits there, we've only seen people there once. We accidentally walked too far, & it was a real eye opener. Just thought that fell under the category of "good to know".

Thanks for the info. Topless is no prob for us Europeans I don´t think I´ve ever been to a beach in Europe where women did not go topless.

The gulf beaches seem to be exactly what we´re looking for. We don´t want waves but would much rather like to have clear, still water and a nice sandy beach.

I´ve been checking out the Bush Gardens website, and as you said, it seems to be that we would have to split up pretty much. The little ones are too small for the big rides and the big kids are too big for the kiddie rides.
I wonder if Universal would be better then?

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for the info. Topless is no prob for us Europeans I don´t think I´ve ever been to a beach in Europe where women did not go topless.

The gulf beaches seem to be exactly what we´re looking for. We don´t want waves but would much rather like to have clear, still water and a nice sandy beach.

I´ve been checking out the Bush Gardens website, and as you said, it seems to be that we would have to split up pretty much. The little ones are too small for the big rides and the big kids are too big for the kiddie rides.
I wonder if Universal would be better then?

Yea, I forget everyone's not a prude American, like we are. We absolutely love going to Universal, but always stay onsite. I'm not much help, when it comes to staying offsite & going for the day. From what I've read, staying onsite & offsite is a different experience. I wouldn't want to advise you incorrectly. I do know that UO has plenty to do for all ages, & your older kids would absolutely love the rides there.

FWIW, Busch Gardens does have plenty of rides & shows the whole family would enjoy. It's just that the best attractions for little ones & the best attractions for older kids don't really work for the other age group. Does that make sense?

Feel free to ask any more questions you may have. I do think you'd all love the gulf. Take a fun noodle or float & lounge around in the ocean all day. It doesn't get any better than that.