Busch Gardens worth the trip?

Franco54 · 12-29-2003

We will be staying a couple of nights at Universal and we were wondering about Busch Gardens? Other than the two big parks, we have not been anywhere else. Would the Gardens be a good day trip? Can we do it in a day? A couple of friends told me they make pretty good beer but are thier parks up to WDW? Your comments please!

preidel24 · 12-29-2003

Franco,

You can get the same beer at Sea World Orlando. We did Busch Garden and it was fun and beautiful but it was 90 minutes from Orlando and I felt not worth the trip since Sea World and Universal are right in Orlando. What we did this time (in Nov 2003) was Kennedy Space Center and my guys favorite daytona and this year Mickey is strating the Daytona 500 so there was lots of mouse gear up there. Daytona was about 1:15 minutes to get too and KSC was about 45 minutes. Good luck with your planning. Oh almost forgot Seaworld is great and they just expanded it an it's even better now.

Paula

gcbdad · 12-29-2003

I live right outside of Tampa and I really like Busch Gardens. Of course it isn't a Disney park so you will not get the same feel. It is an amusement park with lots of animals. Both Sea World and Busch Gardens are owned by Anheiser Busch so you will get the same service in both.
I think it depends on what you are looking for.

Sea World - few rides with animals from the seas and oceans.

Busch Gardens with allot of rides (Good Roller Coasters) and animals from the Jungle and Serengeti. (Similar to Animal Kingdom.)

Universal - I have heard that there are allot of good rides there but I have not been as of yet. I have small children and I have heard that it really isn't set up for families with small children.

LAURENGOLD · 12-29-2003

Franco-

At our last trip in September, we stayed in Tampa for 3 nights, specifically for BG. We had a great time, did the "serengeti safari" which, if you love animals, is worth the extra $ (the giraffes come right up to the truck, and you get to feed them, and take your picture with them) They have some great coasters too!!
That being said, I don't think I would take a day out of my Disney vacation to go down. If we had it planned at the beginning of our vacation (like we did) I would probabally do it again in a couple of years, but after the 1st day, I just really found myself looking foward to Disney-very anxiously;) .

I guess it depends on how long you're staying? If your not "taking away" from anything, then its worth the trip (if you like coasters) Its beautiful-but it aint Disney

:)
Lauren

neen626 · 12-29-2003

Granted BG is no Disney, but that being said, it is a great park.
We live about 30 mins away and enjoy going there. It actually is a totally different type of park than a Disney park. It has lots of great roller coasters and water rides that are awesome and there are some awesome animals.
I think it would be great if you could make it to Busch Gardens, it is an Anheiser park, so yes the beer is good :) and they really take great care of this park, it is always very clean.

I would definitly say it will be worth the trip. Enjoy!

DisneyAnne · 12-29-2003

Franco.... In my opinion.....

YES! YES! YES!

Don't expect Disney, but the rides are GREAT! Honestly, if you are a thrill-seeker, you ought to go. My hubby and I are roller coaster nuts and can't do enough at BG. Montu (hanging upside down coaster) and Gwazi (dual track wooden coaster) are not to be missed! The food prices seemed higher than Disney and the choices weren't as good, but we weren't there to eat. There are a couple of areas that are kiddie areas that my kids enjoyed. We enjoyed the animals too.

We never would have tried this park except for the free admission we got when our football team went to the Outback Bowl a couple of years ago. My kids STILL talk about it.

I would recommend it if you are looking for something to do on a non-Disney day. There is alot to see in Tampa as well.

LRTJS · 12-29-2003

When I go in March I will be staying with my DS in St. Pete. I plan on going to DW at least one or 2 days but think I will go to BG since it will be so close. We went once, 15 years ago, so I know there will be many changes to see. We really had fun when we went but that was when Disney was much smaller!

JTLLAL · 12-29-2003

My DH and I went to Busch Gardens last October when we were in Florida. The rides are great and the food was good. As for the lines, there were none. It seemed like we were the only ones in the park and this was on a Saturday. If you are going to both Seaworld and Busch Gardens, check out the website for Anhesier Busch as there are some great deals. We bought the Platnium membership and it is good for all of the AB parks and also gets you discounts and allows you to ride the rides again without a line(if there is one).

jeannej · 12-30-2003

I would go, particularly if you like roller coasters. I enjoy the different look of Busch Gardens. Plus it brings back childhood memories of living in the area and going there when it was the brewery tour and the fairy garden.:D

jeannej

12-29-2003	#1 (permalink)
Franco54 Mouse Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Quincy ma Posts: 1,231	Busch Gardens worth the trip? We will be staying a couple of nights at Universal and we were wondering about Busch Gardens? Other than the two big parks, we have not been anywhere else. Would the Gardens be a good day trip? Can we do it in a day? A couple of friends told me they make pretty good beer but are thier parks up to WDW? Your comments please! __________________ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Disney Trip 29 days 18 hours 27 minutes

12-29-2003	#2 (permalink)
preidel24 Big Cheese Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 902	Franco, You can get the same beer at Sea World Orlando. We did Busch Garden and it was fun and beautiful but it was 90 minutes from Orlando and I felt not worth the trip since Sea World and Universal are right in Orlando. What we did this time (in Nov 2003) was Kennedy Space Center and my guys favorite daytona and this year Mickey is strating the Daytona 500 so there was lots of mouse gear up there. Daytona was about 1:15 minutes to get too and KSC was about 45 minutes. Good luck with your planning. Oh almost forgot Seaworld is great and they just expanded it an it's even better now. Paula __________________ ^i^ * Postcard Pixie * ^i^ ~ Sharing the Disney magic ~ Discover the Magic - and you'll be hooked for life!!!

12-29-2003	#5 (permalink)
neen626 Big Cheese Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Seminole, FL Posts: 800	Granted BG is no Disney, but that being said, it is a great park. We live about 30 mins away and enjoy going there. It actually is a totally different type of park than a Disney park. It has lots of great roller coasters and water rides that are awesome and there are some awesome animals. I think it would be great if you could make it to Busch Gardens, it is an Anheiser park, so yes the beer is good :) and they really take great care of this park, it is always very clean. I would definitly say it will be worth the trip. Enjoy! __________________ Prepare to be awed. Inspired. Thrilled and enchanted. You're about to enter a world where anything can happen, and often does! A world where imagination and adventure come alive all around you! x´¨) x¸.•´ ¸.•´¨)xxxx¸.•¨) (¸.•´xxxxxx(¸.•`xxxxx Nina *´¨) Port Orleans Riverside Grand Floridian~ 2006 Polynesian ~ 2006 Grand Floridian Pop Century Coronado Springs ~ 2005 Port Orleans Riverside ~ 2004 Coronado Springs ~ 2003

12-29-2003	#6 (permalink)
DisneyAnne Palmetto Pixie Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,148	Franco.... In my opinion..... YES! YES! YES! Don't expect Disney, but the rides are GREAT! Honestly, if you are a thrill-seeker, you ought to go. My hubby and I are roller coaster nuts and can't do enough at BG. Montu (hanging upside down coaster) and Gwazi (dual track wooden coaster) are not to be missed! The food prices seemed higher than Disney and the choices weren't as good, but we weren't there to eat. There are a couple of areas that are kiddie areas that my kids enjoyed. We enjoyed the animals too. We never would have tried this park except for the free admission we got when our football team went to the Outback Bowl a couple of years ago. My kids STILL talk about it. I would recommend it if you are looking for something to do on a non-Disney day. There is alot to see in Tampa as well. __________________

12-29-2003	#7 (permalink)
LRTJS Southern Disney Belle Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,403	When I go in March I will be staying with my DS in St. Pete. I plan on going to DW at least one or 2 days but think I will go to BG since it will be so close. We went once, 15 years ago, so I know there will be many changes to see. We really had fun when we went but that was when Disney was much smaller! __________________ Laughter is timeless,Imagination has no age, and dreams are forever! SUPER SOAP WEEKEND!!!!! DW Trip 30 ....CSR ROCKS!! French Quarter All Star Sports All Star Music Pop Century ^i^ * Postcard Pixie * ^i^ ~ Sharing the Disney magic ~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Thanksgiving Trip what a way to give thanks!!

		MouseBuzz.com > Walt Disney World > Orlando Hotels and Attractions
Busch Gardens worth the trip?

12-29-2003	#3 (permalink)
gcbdad Big Cheese Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Brandon, Florida Posts: 936	I live right outside of Tampa and I really like Busch Gardens. Of course it isn't a Disney park so you will not get the same feel. It is an amusement park with lots of animals. Both Sea World and Busch Gardens are owned by Anheiser Busch so you will get the same service in both. I think it depends on what you are looking for. Sea World - few rides with animals from the seas and oceans. Busch Gardens with allot of rides (Good Roller Coasters) and animals from the Jungle and Serengeti. (Similar to Animal Kingdom.) Universal - I have heard that there are allot of good rides there but I have not been as of yet. I have small children and I have heard that it really isn't set up for families with small children.

12-29-2003	#4 (permalink)
LAURENGOLD Mouse Meister Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,076	Franco- At our last trip in September, we stayed in Tampa for 3 nights, specifically for BG. We had a great time, did the "serengeti safari" which, if you love animals, is worth the extra $ (the giraffes come right up to the truck, and you get to feed them, and take your picture with them) They have some great coasters too!! That being said, I don't think I would take a day out of my Disney vacation to go down. If we had it planned at the beginning of our vacation (like we did) I would probabally do it again in a couple of years, but after the 1st day, I just really found myself looking foward to Disney-very anxiously;) . I guess it depends on how long you're staying? If your not "taking away" from anything, then its worth the trip (if you like coasters) Its beautiful-but it aint Disney :) Lauren

12-29-2003	#8 (permalink)
JTLLAL Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 112	My DH and I went to Busch Gardens last October when we were in Florida. The rides are great and the food was good. As for the lines, there were none. It seemed like we were the only ones in the park and this was on a Saturday. If you are going to both Seaworld and Busch Gardens, check out the website for Anhesier Busch as there are some great deals. We bought the Platnium membership and it is good for all of the AB parks and also gets you discounts and allows you to ride the rides again without a line(if there is one). __________________ All Star Music 2/2000 All Star Sports 2/2002 Off Site (Condo)10/2003 Off Site - Newport Beach - 11/2004 DisneyLand! Off Site - Condo - 10/2005 Last Trip with my DAD! I'm Missing it this year!!! 2006 Again in 2007- No Disney - Condo - May 2008 Going twice in 2008 - DW in May and DL in Sept

12-30-2003	#9 (permalink)
jeannej Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2002 Location: South Florida Posts: 190	I would go, particularly if you like roller coasters. I enjoy the different look of Busch Gardens. Plus it brings back childhood memories of living in the area and going there when it was the brewery tour and the fairy garden.:D jeannej __________________ 1995- Contemporary Tower: waterview 1996- Poly waterview 1997- Poly waterview Contemporary Tower waterview 1998- Quality Inn Suites 2001- Coranado Springs Ranchos 7B 2003 - Nana's home Howard Johnson Plaza Resort 2004 - Spring Hill Suites at the Marriott Village Gaylord Palms Emerald Bay 2005 - November/Huricane Wilma Escapee Hampton Inn

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