busch gardens/ sea world questions About This Page:

[ariel1]

a friend of ours has a condo in indian shores, fl that we can use for free pretty much whenever we want to. we're thinking of taking a week in sep, oct, or nov. it looks like busch gardens is only an hour away, and we've never been, so we're going to check it out. we haven't been to sea world in 8 years, so we're thinking about getting a combo ticket and doing them on different days. questions:
will either of these parks require more than one full day to explore? i really would like to see and do as much as possble, so i'm considering getting a combo season pass if we need more than a day at either one.
when would you go during the sep-nov time frame based on crowds, weather, etc?
what are some don't-miss attractions at each park?

any other advice would be welcome!

[DVC_Don]

We have done both (although Bush Gardens was in 1987) and consider them one day parks.

We have never been in the season you are asking about though.

[statelady01]

I've only been to BG once and it was fine but much preferred Sea World- went there every year from 1982-1997- been there more than I have been to Disney. Worked there too for a year so it's a favorite place o' mine!

Some Not To Be Missed Stuff:

Feeding the Dolphins in the Key West Section: you have to catch the feeding times and buy fish ( We usually drop about $30-it's THAT fun!)

Shamu Show ( Of course!)

Feeding the Sting Rays - near the dolphin feeding area- it's funky but fun!

They have some back stage tours- I forget the names but one takes you to their Manatee Rehab Areas- we loved that one, as well as the attraction Manatees: The Last Generation.

Hope this was of some help! Have a great time!

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[chezp]

We've been to both on quite a few occasions and consider them to be one day parks as well.

Must-do's:

BG - Rhino Rally, River Rapids (not as good as AK though IMHO), log flume, Edge of Africa to see the animals and the white tigers. As we're not coaster fans, I can't help you on those, but there are plenty of them. There is another water ride that soaks everyone on a bridge as you come down the final stretch, but I can't remember what it's called. DH always does that one and loves it. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Sea World - Dolphin show, Dolphin feeding, Wild Arctic, Terrors of the Deep, Penguins, Journey to Atlantis, Shamu show (although we preferred the Dolphin show).

We've only been in November during the months you're talking about and we just picked days that had reasonably nice weather, as both parks have water rides and you're out a lot to see the animals in their natural environment.

[AKLRULZ]

Lisa, I would consider them day parks too - especially if visiting in the "off season".

Both are outstanding parks, well run and managed by Busch. They're clean and they've got outstanding attractions.

Don't miss attractions at Busch:

Montu - a huge inverted steel coaster buried in an excavation dig setting.

Kumba - another huge multi looping steel coaster but you sit down above the tracks on this one.

Gwazi - two coasters wooden coasters in one. Actually, a dueling coaster with two distinct separate tracks.

There are also several animal attractions throughout the park - very much like a zoon and a theme park combo.

At Sea World don't miss:

Shamu Adventure - a classic show with the infamous killer whale and friends. Be warned - you'll get SOAKED in the Soak Seating section.

Feeding the Dolphins/Stingrays - you can get up front and personal with them and probably was the highlight of the day for us!

Shark Encounted - you'll travel through an acrylic tunnel while sharks swim above and around you. WAY COOL!

Kraken - Florida's BEST roller coaster (IMHO). You sit above the tracks on barstool like vehichles and before you depart from the station the floor falls away. Get ready to drop and flip upside down 7 times!

Hope you have a blast!