One Day at a non-disney park..

[kasey1988]

We would like to take one day on our next trip to visit a non-disney park.
We are 3 young women(21,21,20).
We are debating between bush gardens, sea world, and universal studios. We have never been to any of them, and are debating renting a car for one day to visit one of these parks and visit a mall.
What park do you reccomend?? Also what park is closest, via taxi incase we cant rent a car, because of our age?

 

[nolatron]

Personally, I found SeaWorld more entertaining that Universal Studios. I'm not a big coaster person, and some of the rides were not that exciting for the wait (Jaws, King Kong, etc...) when I went in 2001.

Feeding the dolphins is pretty fun at SeaWorld. The Atlantis ride was pretty fun too. And all of the shows are good.

Never been to bush gardens though. My vote goes for SeaWorld.

 

[Adventure]

Sea World is closest, then Universal with Busch Gardens being the farthest. If you like rides then definitely go to Universal. Sea World is nice if you love the animal shows but only a few rides. They do have a new waterpark though. I would only rent a car if you were going to Busch Gardens. You guys could split a taxi or shuttle service to the closer parks.

 

[Boray]

I would do the two parks at Universal (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure). You can buy tickets for one day/two parks and it's almost as close to Disney as SeaWorld (in my opinion, not as much fun as Universal) via Taxi. Busch Gardens is too far for a taxi, but if you're staying off site from Disney, you might have axcess to a shuttle (it's over an hour drive away from Disney). And, depending on the time of year you're visiting, you could have very little wait at any of the attractions at either of the Universal parks.

My family usually spends at least one day (often, two days) at Universal during our visits. Our family has never gone to SeaWorld or Busch Gardens (both of which I have visited, but when I was younger and not with my husband or kids.)

 

[Laura]

I would do the two parks at Universal (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure). You can buy tickets for one day/two parks and it's almost as close to Disney as SeaWorld (in my opinion, not as much fun as Universal) via Taxi.

Definitely do this. You won't want to miss either of them! Contrary to what some people like to say, Universal is not all about thrills. We skipped all the thrill rides last time and had an awesome time and there was more than enough to do.

Also I highly recommend the express plus passes so you don't have to wait in any lines!

 

[Legacy]

Strike Busch Gardens from your list. Traveling alone will wipe two or three hours from your day and renting a car for soul purpose of going out there is a tad bit of overkill. Furthermore, if you CAN'T rent the car... the cab fare would be horrendous.

Sea World is more of an ambiance park than anything else. The rides are limited to three thrill rides; Journey to Atlantis, Kraken and Wild Artic plus a kids section. There are several shows and exhibits though that are worth watching and exploring.

Universal has more to do. As stated before, you also get the benefit of being able to choose from two parks. Several thrill rides and unique attractions (Spiderman, T2:3D, Mummy, Poisiden's Fury) fill it. The resturaunts are great and rides are fun.

It depends on what you want to do. If you want to ride rides... go to Universal. If you want to relax and enjoy ambiance... go to Seaworld. If you want to pay a bunch to travel and go a good mix of the two... go to Busch Gardens (but I don't recommend that one).

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I would do the two parks at Universal (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure). You can buy tickets for one day/two parks and it's almost as close to Disney as SeaWorld

Universal is at least another 20 minutes along I4

SeaWorld would be my choice - unless you're coaster freaks

 

[Boray]

As posted above, Spiderman and The Mummy are very unique. You will not find rides like these anywhere but at the Universal parks. They are truly one-of-a-kind. That and they are 2 of my all time favorites, anywhere.

Universal, definately....

 

[RebeccaMA]

I would do Universal. I think it would be the most fun. Bush gardens is too far away. Sea World might be not as much fun I think. Definitely go with Universal. Lots to do (2 parks), affordable, and easy to get to.

 

[Boray]

Universal is at least another 20 minutes along I4

To me, 20 minutes really isn't that far. I guess it's all perspective. It's only another 20 minutes for a really cool set of theme parks.

 

[willythelab]

If it's thrill rides and excitement you want, do Universal and buy the express pass for both parks. No lines for each ride one time. Doing both parks is about one days worth of time. If budget isn't a problem, I suggest you go to discovery cove. It is amazing, not crowded and at the end of the day you can shuttle over to seaworld for the afterrnoon and night shows with no additional charge. Just have fun whatever you choose.

 

[KaliSplash]

While I'd prefer Sea World or Kennedy Space Center, I suspect Universal and Islands of Adventure would give you the best bang for your buck in terms of total number of different things to do.