My DH has been to both. He said AK is the best HANDS DOWN!!! His reasons were:
- The animals at AK looked healthy.
- The animals at AK were not walking on concrete.
- The animals are not caged/fensed up (though we know that WDW uses structures around the parks so other animals don't wander around to another animal section.
- The park is much cleaner.
- AK is also educates you with the animals in the park.
- Much better customer service. THANKS TO ALL THE CMs!!!!!
I've been to both many times and actually like them both better than any of the other Disney Parks. Which is the best? You really can't compare them. There are good things about both. AK is done true Disney style and I was surprised that after it was open a few years I could change my opinion on it and actually say it is my favorite of the Disney parks.
At both parks the animals are cared for very well. Neither park uses cages and I am not sure where the cement floor animals are at BG because they seem to be roaming free unless they are in the nursery or alligators and such that you want to see close up without them being a danger to the park.
I don't see a lot of difference in cleanliness at the parks and know that both parks try their best to give you a good experience. Cleanliness is only as good as the people going to the park, actually. If you have stupid people who don't use trash cans than you have to clean up after. It is hard to pick up after everyone before someone else sees the mess left behind. Both parks do try.
As for friendliness of the employees, I really haven't seen a difference there either. Maybe my friendly smile and good nature works both places. Customer service has always been the max at both parks.
Busch Gardens also had the areas to learn about the animals in the petting area, nursery etc. In each area of the park there are employees who basically have question answer periods set up at set times and are usually available when ever the park is open. There are also signs to read about every animal if you take the time to read them.
Theming...... I think both parks have it. AK has the tropical look in some places and the tree of life and fake Africa trees really add to the atmosphere of the park. Shoot the tree of life is worth a visit to AK in my book.
You can actually see more animals and actually see them from a closer range at BG than you can on the safari at AK.
For example the lions are within a glass away area and may be lying in the truck so you see them through the back window........infortunately I have yet to see the lion at AK in all the times I have been on the safari. That lion king overhang is really far from the truck path. But we enjoy the walk- throughs in both parks. AT BG doing the tour to feed the giraffes is tops in my book.
Eating at the Colony House restaurant at BG is also a plus. It is a 4 star restaurant in a theme park with windows and an outdoor patio overlooking the giraffes etc. They serve real meals on the top floor and if you get the family style meals it isn't as expensive as the sit down restaurants in Disney. We usually feed four adults for less than $45 there.
BG is a huge park so be prepared for lots of walking-especially if you walk through all the different ways to see the animals.
The question that I think is the decision maker is.......Will you have a car this trip?
It is just over an hour to hour and half to get to BG from Disney.
They do have a bus that picks up in several spots of Orlando; but I think it gets to the park too late and leaves to soon to allow you to experience the whole park. AK you can see in a half day, but BG is a full day or more park if you want to see and do everything. During the summer they have late nights at BG and set up bands and shows around the park. BTW if you get a full rainy/stormy day that ends your fun at the park, you can get a return ticket.
Almost forgot. As for shows........Kotanga is a don't miss show. It is as as good as my favorite-Lion King at the AK. There usually are some really good singers. Also if you like old rock and roll the Rock the Casba show is corny but I love it. I try to go to the last shpow of the night and my sons hit the coasters over and over while we watch the show. If there are fireworks that night( really good ones near holidays) , you are in a great area to sit and watch them.
Of course BG has the rides that AK doesn't have so if you have teens they will enjoy that more than AK. There also is a great kids part of the park with rides, play areas, and shows for them there.
The aviary is also fun. Where else can you feed birds and have them sit on your hand etc. We also enjoy the bird show which adds entertainment to an educational show.
And something no one has mentioned----if you are there on the right weekends you can see Jack Hannah......... and the hospitality house gives out free beer samples. You can also go to beer school.
Either park you go to will be fun!
