What makes Universal Orlando & Islands of Adventure a better park than Busch Gardens Tampa?
Universal Orlando: Thoughts?
I'm headed back to Orlando soon and have not been to Universal since i was 7 (24 now). I hear it is better than Busch Gardens and then I see it has a higher ranking on this website...just want some ideas because I really want to go but Busch Gardens has always had my heart.
Personally I love Busch Gardens as much as I love Universal, the Rides are brilliant & the animal attractions are well done, it's really down to you to decide which park is better as other people can only give their own opinions as to why one is better than the other & there is a lot of Universal (& Disney) fanboys around who will trash other parks regardless of how good they are.
I think the reason Busch Gardens doesn't get its praise on this site is because most people here have either been to SoCAL, Orlando, or their local park (usually Six Flags).
Two things kill Busch Gardens on this site (and in general I think(:
1. Its Distance
2. Animal Kingdom has greatly improved over the years.
Busch Gardens is definitively a good park, but the two reasons above I think is the problem.
Another thing is the area where it is located. I live in Tampa and I pass by Busch Gardens when I drive to school and i can tell you it's not in a very nice area compared to Universal.
First reason universal has two parks
And second bush garden has only rollercoasters and U niversal has rollercoasters,simulator on tracks simulators and shows
...and water rides, and dark rides...
It's mostly the themes. Busch's themeing is not much better than Six Flag's, with building slighty disguised as something other than cheap where Universal has eye candy everywhere (Except Suess's Landin IMO)
I meant that the only good rides at bush garden are roller coasters that's what I meant
From Justin M
Posted April 2, 2012 at 6:45 AM
I think Universal Resort is a overall better experience due to the variety of ride types, superior themeing, and multiple on-site resorts and restaurants. You could easily spend 3 or 4 days there. Busch Gardens I still love for its excellent coaster lineup, which is superior to anything the orlando parks have to offer. They also have some decent water rides but not as good as Universals. Busch Gardens does have a decent water park with Adventure Island, so thats one advantage I see as Universal has none.
Plus, Universal has world class hotel resorts and an excellent vibrant entertainment/dining complex Citi Walk. Heck, we spend 12 days there since it's so entertaining and soooo very relaxing at the on site hotels.
From Tom Rigg
Posted April 4, 2012 at 5:34 AM
I gotta say, when I went to Busch Gardens Tampa for the first time in a loong time a few years back it was the sleeper hit of my trip. First, while Disney's Animal Kingdom does better with themeing and putting you into an immersive environment, the animal interactions at Busch Gardens are far and away better. The train through their savanna, the kangaroo habitat and the tigers alone are better than any other park or zoo I've been to.
Also, Montu, Sheirka and Cheeta Hunt are amazing roller coasters.
In general I think Busch Gardens Tampa is the unsung hero of the Florida parks. It's also of note that it is the oldest the major Florida theme parks, dating all the way back to 1959.
Islands of Adventure is great and it definitely holds its own with WWOHP and what not, but I would say it's apples to oranges to compare the two. IOA is a more immersive park but can be done in a day for the most part whereas BGT is a more traditional park with some great animal attractions and I have yet to get everything at that park done in a day.
From Justin M
Posted April 4, 2012 at 8:09 AM
Tom you forgot Kumba, I think this is a very underated B&M coaster.
I think both parks are fun and its hard to compare the two. Any person who enjoys theme parks should visit both of these.
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