Sea World, Universal & IOA, or Busch Gardens???

[k_null81]

I'm now in the process of planning our annual trip and was thinking of taking a day and going to one of these 3 parks. We have been to US & IOA but neither of us have been to Sea World or Busch Gardens.

Which one would you recommend? We are both in are late 20's and we enjoy thrill rides.

Thanks!

Kristin

 

[Detailor]

I voted for Busch Gardens as it would be new to you. However, my preference of the three choices would be IOA/Universal.
The drawback for Busch Gardens is the travel - it's about an hour away from the general Disney area - but the theme park has a lot of variety and some great coasters.

Dick Taylor

 

[Disney1976]

IOA is close and has some really good thrill rides, but maybe you don't want to do it again. Sea World has Krakken, one of the best floorless roller coasters out there and the Journey to Atlantis ride, but no other big thrill rides. As the previous poster mentioned, Busch Gardens has lots of coasters and attractions and if you've never been, might be worth it, but it's more than an hour away. I'd say closer to 1 hour 15 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic, etc.

 

[englishteacha]

I really enjoyed Busch Gardens. We rode all the coasters, and spent lots of time watching the animals. I really loved the giraffes. We ate at the Crown Colony restaurant with a table overlooking the "savannah" and got to watch the animals at sunset. It was the most beautiful dinner. The food was delicious, too, and reasonably priced. We got there at park opening and rode all the coasters with no wait for the first 2 hours, then spent a leisurely afternoon strolling, riding the other rides, and enjoying the lovely park and animals. It was truly one of my most memorable theme park days ever.

 

[DOOM1001]

If you've been to US/IOA and love coasters then hands down go to Busch Gardens,some of the best coasters in the southeast.

 

[gjw007]

Since you've been to IOA, Busch Gardens sounds more like what you are looking for since it has some thrill rides in addition to the animals. I personally like SeaWorld but it is more a relaxing visit rather than thrill seeking.

 

[isla bonita]

Busch Gardens is the bomb my boys who are coaster freaks say all the time. They love the park.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I'm newly converted to coasters, and adored Busch Gardens. Must do Sheikra and Montu! Without a doubt best coasters I've done to date. I wanted to do Kraken at Seaworld, but it was down, as was Dueling Dragons (I think) at IoA, so I don't have too many coasters to compare to...but I have done Hulk, and it was good...but both BG coasters were better. I hear Kumba (BG) is very much like Hulk (IoA). But I really liked the theming, CMs, and cleanliness of BG so much more than USO/IoA, as well as the traffic patterns.

Oh, and if you want to consider SeaWorld, understand they only have Kraken and one water flume ride...the rest is shows and exhibits. Not enough for thrill seekers at all. I still want to try Kraken, though.

If it weren't for Busch Gardens, I'd probably never leave WDW again.

Must do more coasters....

 

[Robinrs]

I've had APs for all three parks, BIG fan of USf and SW, not a fan of BG. I went on a VERY crowded BAD day and spent most of the time on lines and that's not fun to me! Also, I was not a fan of the atmosphere, and my son and I are big thrill ride freaks.

I love SeaWorld, the shows are incredible and the rides are few but fun. As for USf I've been there about 35 times in the past few years and find something new everytime.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Busch Gardens all the way. You will enjoy it and it is a really nice park.

 

[k_null81]

Thanks to all the responses! It looks like we will try to make it to Busch Gardens. We have family in the Tampa area so we'll probably stay the 1st 4 nights at Disney World and then head to Tampa on the 5th night after Wishes!

My only concern with Busch Gardens would be crowds. We are going the 1st part of May. Does BG have a Fast Pass system??? If so does it cost? That's why we haven't been back to US/IOA in a couple years. The fast pass now costs and I think they should have left it like Disney.

Thanks again for the replies!

Kristin

 

[Eclpz314]

Thanks to all the responses! It looks like we will try to make it to Busch Gardens. We have family in the Tampa area so we'll probably stay the 1st 4 nights at Disney World and then head to Tampa on the 5th night after Wishes!

My only concern with Busch Gardens would be crowds. We are going the 1st part of May. Does BG have a Fast Pass system??? If so does it cost? That's why we haven't been back to US/IOA in a couple years. The fast pass now costs and I think they should have left it like Disney.

Thanks again for the replies!

Kristin

Just a thought about US/IOA.....if you stay onsite at one of their 3 hotels, your room key acts as your 'front of the line' pass for rides and attractions. It's good from the time you check-in until midnight the day you check out. That means you could get two days worth of 'front of the line' out of just one overnight stay. They've had some good ticket deals lately too. Have fun wherever you decide to go.