Universal or Seaworld/Busch Gardens

[Maple17]

Hi ...we have an upcoming Disney cruise and WDW visit. We will have 2 days to fill, kids are 7 and 9, what would be better...2 days at Universal or 1 day at SeaWorld and 1 day at Busch Gardens?

My first preference would be 1 day at Universal and 1 day at SeaWorld but that is too costly. We have never been to any of these 3 parks. Can't decide! Thanks in advance!

 

[cbsnyber1]

I'd vote for two days at Universal. You can get through both parks in two days and you won't have to travel to another park. I've never been to either Sea World or Busch Gardens (just the one in Williamsburg, VA) so I don't know what you'd be missing, but I guarantee you would have a blast at Universal.

I suggest you first check the height requirements of the Universal attractions to make sure you can get your kids on everything.

 

[Bonniec]

Honestly, they are all good. Busch Gardens is more of a drive since that's in Tampa. IOA and Busch Gardens are more for thrill seekers. Sea World and US are more laid back.

It's honestly a toss up.

 

[mesaboy2]

I'd vote for two days at Universal. You can get through both parks in two days and you won't have to travel to another park. I've never been to either Sea World or Busch Gardens (just the one in Williamsburg, VA) so I don't know what you'd be missing, but I guarantee you would have a blast at Universal.

I suggest you first check the height requirements of the Universal attractions to make sure you can get your kids on everything.

This.

I've been to both SW and BG Tampa and they are fun in their own rights, but I vote UO simply for the convenience factor. Everything there is together, while the other two are an hour or more apart. Save these for another trip IMO.

 

[macraven]

i love universal and BG.

stay at universal onsite.
use the free shuttle to SeaWorld the hotel offers.

if you want to do bg, use the luxury bus from the onsite hotels.
the fee is $10 pp rt.

 

[zack123]

I like BG, never been to SW, but with kids those ages I would probably vote for two days at Universal for the convenience factor also. Or perhaps a day at SW and another Orlando attraction.

Going to Busch Gardens, whether you drive yourself or ride the bus, is at least an hour each way. With kids ages 7 and 9, it might be easier to do a shorter trip to another attraction in Orlando than to make that drive - especially if you are going there, spending a full day in the park, and coming back on the same day.

I guess it also depends on what the kids are interested in. If you think they'd like seeing animals more than rides or other types of shows, you might choose BG and SW. If you think they'd rather do the other stuff, Universal is much closer and has a wider variety of rides than BG.

I liked the coasters at BG better than the coasters at Universal, but your kids may not be big coaster fans, and a 7 year old may not be tall enough for some of them. For other types of rides, I liked Universal better.

 

[Maple17]

Thanks everyone for the great advice!

 

[zack123]

I almost forgot about secret option #3 . . . if leaving Orlando and staying in Tampa for two days is an option, you could also consider a day at BG and a day at the beach . . .

 

[macraven]

i already gave you options if you wanted more than just one night at universal.

for me, 10 days at universal is how i do it.

i don't go offsite as i come from the motherland 7 night stay prior to the darkside.


i think once you are at universal you will find things that will occupy the entire stay there.


whatever you chose to do, it will be a fun one with the family!

 

[wrrock]

Bush gardens have roller coasters that I don't think can be matched at the other places. Universal has two parks--so depends on which one you will be attending. The theme park or the amusement park. However, in my view Bush garden's roller coasters are better and lines are generally shorter. There is Harry Potter @ universal that can't be matched anywhere.

 

[Maple17]

Thx! We have already rented a house in Kissimmee so accomodations are booked. We are heading into Tampa for a Lightning game (we're Canadians so have to include hockey in our trip!) but we thought doing BG in the same day might be too much for the kids. A beach day would be great if the weather is nice! What beach would you recommend or is there anything else to see in the Tampa area?

 

[wendyt_ca]

I'd say Universal for sure! We never miss Universal on our trip and recommend it to anyone going to Disney. Sea World and Busch did not wow us. They are both fun parks in their own way but to us not to the level of Universal and Disney. Sea World doesn't have that many rides and is mostly shows and animals. Busch is a lot of roller coasters and animals but the theming isn't as good plus it's an hour drive.