Sea World and Busch Gardens

[Picabo]

We're doing a non-Disney trip to Florida with our 8 and 9 yr old girls. We were thinking of a day at each Sea World and Busch Gardens. But we're going in August and I'm now wondering if the heat might be too much to endure full days at the parks. (A few of us are heat wimps!) Can we feasibly do those parks in a day? Or would it be better to plan on 2 days per park? We only have 2 days allotted for theme parks so if it's better to focus on one park in 2 days, we'll go that route. Which park would have more to interest animal-loving kids this age?

THANKS!

PS is there any way to get discounted tickets? I see they have 2 parksfor about $99 on their website but just wondering if AAA or Costco, etc has even cheaper tickets?

 

[robndani]

Both are great. I think that SeaWorld may be a bit "cooler" if that makes sense. I remember Busch Gardens being really, really hot. SeaWorld has a lot of shade, and a splash ride and even a little splash area. Even if your kids are a little older they can still cool off there.

There are also a few indoor exhibits that are cool (or even cold). ENJOY your trip, whatever you decide!

 

[Sehsun]

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens could easily be 2-day parks (each), if you want to see and do most things in the park (and also maybe repeat some things you did the previous day). However, if you only have 2 days for theme parks, I would see SW one day and BG the second.

Both parks have great animal exhibits, rides, and shows! There are also animal feeding opportunities at both parks, too (sea lions/seals, sharks/fish, and stingrays at SW; kangaroos/wallabies and lorikeets at BG). So I cannot honestly say which one has more to interest animal-loving kids. I guess it would mostly differ in what types of animals your girls are interested in - terrestrial animals or marine animals?

The 2 parks for $99 is a very good deal. I am also on the AAA website right now, and I'm seeing that a SW/BG combo ticket is $83.99 per person (ages 3+) - however, I cannot seem to find the details of this ticket, like how many days you can use it for. I would call AAA and/or Costco to ask.

 

[Ksquared]

We went to both parks our last trip. SW also has Aquatica, which is a water park, so you may want to spend two days there. But my kids really love Bush Gardens and there are definitely animal exhibits there. If they love roller coasters etc. you don't want to miss BG.

 

[DOOM1001]

Busch Gardens also has a water park,Adventure Island,across the street from the park on the NE corner,not as nice or new as Aquatica but still a nice park and any water park is great on a hot day.

 

[JaxDad]

Both parks are fun for animal-loving kids. As a previous poster noted, SW does feel cooler because of the shade and all the opportunities to get splashed. You could easily spend two relatively liesurely days just at SW, especially if you want to see all the shows (maybe some more than once).

Where are you staying? The parks are 1-1 1/2 hours drive from each other, and that's without traffic. You may want to consider staying in Orlando, go to SW for two days (and Aquatica too maybe), plus try some of the many other attractions in the area.