Sea World or Busch Gardens...

[ChisJo]

Hey everyone,

My boyfriend and me are having a hard time deciding what to do on our upcoming trip. We don't have time to do both parks, but know we want to do one. I have been to both, but it's been awhile since I've been to Busch Gardens. I have been to Sea World 3 times. He has been once. The only thing that turns us off of Busch Gardens is the distance it is to Tampa and also we are worried that the park isn't going to be up to our standards or we will be dissapointed, and for that reason, we keep choosing Sea World. Any suggestions? If you only could pick one, which one would you pick and why?

Thanks - Jo

 

[Mom2Rae]

We're sorta in the same boat. We do WDW 2x a year and wanted to do other stuff for our dd's 7th birthday in July...we have a Busch Gardens here in Virginia (Williamsburg) that we are season pass holders of and the park is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. Ever year it's voted the most beautiful amusement park on the Travel Channel so I think the one in Tampa must be as nice since the same company owns them both...well, they also own Sea World. I wasn't blown over by Sea World in 2004, but we're going to give it another try.

I saw somewhere on this board that the drive to Tampa from Orlando is about an hour and a half. DH thought it was more like two and a half which I'm not keen on driving.

I'm no help at all, but I don't think you would be disappointed in BG if that's what you decide on. Other than WDW, it's the cleanest park we've ever been to - at least the one in Williamsburg is!

 

[mmessler]

I've been to both, and we usually do SeaWorld every trip because we really enjoy the marine animals. I think the last time we went to Busch Gardens, we did so because we were headed out that way for a hockey game as well, we did BG during the day.

Distance. I don't remember it actually even taking the hour and a half, I must've hit it perfectly. Of course, when it took DH 2 1/2, he apparently hit it badly. I-4 can be like that. I always leave oodles of extra time when traveling through central Florida. Once you clear the general Orlando area, it's not as bad though.

So I'm not much help with the choice. But the main differences to make your choice should be what you like, not distance. Marine animals versus land animals. BG has more rides. I think SW might have more shows. (Someone feel free to correct me on that one, it's been a while since I've been to BG.) Distance is in SW's favor, but if you're early risers and get to Tampa for opening, you could still do quite a bit and even get back to WDW to visit one of their parks on a late night, if you so chose. Remember to grab a parking pass from your resort so you don't have to pay if you drive to a park on the way back.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

We did Busch Gardens last year on our way to Tampa and I'm still in awe of how much I loved it. (We had gone about 3 years earlier and it seemed better than ever)! I really love that park, it has everything. That being said also like SeaWorld. They had gardens and rides and the animals, orchid gardens, it really is a park for all ages, free beer also at one of the areas we went to, can't remember name, on north side. Saw the baby gorilla that was then pretty big sitting right next to the glass window, really memorable. Really really loved it, so beautiful, what a really beautiful park that is.

 

[Amity 3]

I don't know what your 'standards' are for a theme park. BGT isn't as heavily themed as Animal Kingdom, but it surpasses it as an animal/thrill park. AK teaches conservation, BGT and SW actually practice it.

if you like the beauty of SW, it's the same at BGT. and it's an easy drive, about an hour from WDW's west gate.

 

[ChisJo]

Thanks everyone....ok, I think we decided that we will be heading it to Tampa and go to Busch Gardens. I truthfully cannot remember it anyways, so a trip down there will be nice for a change. Maybe this next time, I won't have food poisoning and can ride the rides (I know I wasn't able to last time!!).

Thanks again for the help! Jo