Seaworld vs. Busch Gardens ????

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

I have learned so many valubale things from the people on the Budget Board that is why I am posting this question here. We will be going soon to Disney, we may leave a day or two early and visit another park. What park would be a better choice Seaworld or Busch Gardens?

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We go to Sea World as our first day in Orlando every trip (mainly because we have free passes because my Dad works part time for Busch Gardens here). It's such a relaxing, fun way to start the trip. There's really no lines as there's only a few rides. It's nice to be able just to walk around, look at things, and see the shows.

Also, if you're staying in Orlando Sea World is right there as apposed to the 1ish hour drive to Busch Gardens in Tampa. I like Busch Gardens (although I do think it's laid out strangely) but I find Sea World better.

 

[DOOM1001]

If you have younger kids then I would suggest Sea World as it has more shows while Busch Gardens is more about coasters.They're both great parks so it's all about what you would enjoy.They both have a lot of animal attractions but Sea World has more shows.If you love major coasters then I would suggest Busch but Sea World now has 2 major coasters along with their Journey to Atlantis water ride so it is gaining as far as thrill rides go.I love rollercoasters and even when Sea World only had Kraken I still loved my visits there since it has such a nice relaxing atmosphere.

 

[MinnieForMe]

We love both of them but SeaWorld is my kid's favorite. We actually spent three full days at SeaWorld this year. We saw absolutely everything there (twice) but they adore it and asked to go back next year. It relaxing, clean and a completely different experience from Disney. Pay the $7.00 and feed the dolphins, my four year old is still talking about it!

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

We love both of them but SeaWorld is my kid's favorite. We actually spent three full days at SeaWorld this year. We saw absolutely everything there (twice) but they adore it and asked to go back next year. It relaxing, clean and a completely different experience from Disney. Pay the $7.00 and feed the dolphins, my four year old is still talking about it!

Thank you very much. You just answered my question. I did not know that you could feed the dolphins, my DD is going to love that.

 

[eeyoregon]

We are doing both for the first time in October. The tickets were only a few dollars more to include both parks plus the free bus transportation to Tampa.

 

[tngramma]

. Pay the $7.00 and feed the dolphins, my four year old is still talking about it!

Do you just put fish in the tank with the dolphins or what.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Do you just put fish in the tank with the dolphins or what.

You stand at the edge of the tank holding several dolphins (I edited to add that you are standing on a regular flat walkway area with a concrete barrier that comes up about waist high. The dolphins are on the other side in a huge, deep tank swimming around. You don't have climb up anything. Also, you can watch this without feeding them but it does get wall to wall with people trying to stand around petting the dolphins). The dolphins come up and you feed them and pet their heads/bodies. It is a lot of fun but they only do it certain times of the days and can get very crowded so be sure to check it out when you get there for times.

You can also feed the sea lions and sting rays pretty much all day (although they do stop selling food if it's very busy to prevent the animals from being overfed but will start it up again later. I've never been there when they weren't selling food for the sea lions and sting rays) and is cheaper. Some of the sea lions will do little tricks to get you to throw the little fish to them. The sting ray tanks are really neat and even if you aren't feeding them you can stick your hands in to touch them as they swim by.

I also wanted to add that the shows are really good and kids would find equally entertaining as adults. Blue Horizons has dolphins, whales, birds flying over the audience, people doing high dives and flips into the water. Clyde and Seymour is a cute Pirate themed show with sea lions and people interacting. Pets Ahoy is a show with rescued animals from S.P.C.A.'s that have been trained to do cute tricks. Of course, there's the Shamu show and they also have a waterskiing show. Sea World is very pretty (very nicely landscaped). There's street bands that perform throughout and many other attractions such as Sharks encounter, the Penguins exhibit, the Dolphin nursery, Wild Adventure where you can see polar bears, walrus, etc., and the two rollercoasters and Journey to Atlantis ride. I also really love the manatee exhibit.

 

[princessbride6205]

Definitely Sea World. I think that park is more of an experience and is unique, whereas Busch Gardens feels like another amusement park with roller coasters to me. Blue Horizons (dolphin show) is a must see. I've enjoyed SeaWorld on several recent all adult trips, including one with my boss. She loved it so much she wanted to go and work there!