WDW and Busch Gardens in same trip

[JAM'S MOM]

Busch Gardens is a wonderful place. When last we were in Orlando, we took a shuttle bus (possibly Mears??) from Orlando directly to Busch Gardens. You might want to check with a travel agent or goggle the request for this shuttle. The bus was airconditioned and had a dvd playing. There also was a bathroom. The nice thing was that the drive on I-4 is very congested and we didn't have to drive it after a long day at the park. We had considered renting a car for the trip but decided that we'd prefer to be driven. You might also want to check the Busch Gardens site for any information they have about this shuttle. It delivers directly to the entry of the park. The cost was reasonable compared to getting a rental car, parking, gas, etc.

Hope this helps!!

 

[Ava]

If we flew into Orlando and didn't rent a car but took the Magical Express, or whatever it is called, how do we get to IOA? Is there some type of shuttle or should we rent a cab?

There are buses you can take from WDW to Universal/IOA or SeaWorld. I used it to go to SeaWorld from WDW a couple years ago. I think it cost about $15 per person and it picked us up and dropped us off right at our hotel (ASMusic). The only complaint I had with it was that we ended up having to wait for about 30-40 minutes after SeaWorld closed until our bus back to WDW showed up. I think there was some type of problem with the bus though, because they sent a few vans instead of the large bus we'd driven there in.

I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the bus company. Like someone else said, possibly the US/IOA board here will have some ideas.

 

[MEM]

We did both in the same trip. Flew into Tampa, stayed in Clearwater Beach and drove into Tampa two days in a row for Busch Gardens. Spent extra for the safari and were able to hand-feed the giraffes. Then on day three drove to Lake Buena Vista. Busch Gardens is wonderful in its own way and I recommend trying it out.

 

[MEM]

I really want to do BG but am having a problem working out the transportation. Here is my plan so far. Please help me where you can.

Fly to Orlando on a Saturday (this is in March, 2007)
Rent a car
Drive to Pop and do a park that day if there is time.
Turn car back in (but how to get back to hotel or are rental cars really cheap in Orlando?)
Sunday, drive to Tampa and do BG one day and drive back that night.
Monday-Saturday, WDW

Or

Fly to Tampa (Friday evening or Saturday afternoon)
Rent a car
Stay somewhere near BG that night
Do BG that day (Sunday) and drive to WDW that night
Monday-Saturday, WDW
Fly out of Orlando Saturday afternoon

Definitely do the second scenario. I don't think you will enjoy cramming the drive to and fro and visiting the park into one day.