Trip Planning Question

[jlandis44]

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place to post this, but couldn't figure out a better place to put it...

We are heading to WDW in early Dec. We'll be there for 8 days. We are huge roller coaster fans, and fans of amusement parks in general. We were thinking of taking one of the days and heading over to Tampa to see Busch Gardens there. Thing is, we're season pass holders at the Williamsburg, VA BG location. My question to anyone who knows is, "Are the two parks so different as to make the day trip to Tampa (away from WDW, no less!) worth it?"

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you can provide...

Jon

 

[sbkline]

I've been to Tampa Busch Gardens twice, but never to the Virginia location. However, from what I have read and seen on TV, they are very much different. Tampa is "Africa" and Williamsburg is "Europe". Different park layout, different theme, different rides.

 

[bmarkelon]

We did Tampa Busch Gardens quite a few years back but were happy with what we got done in the park in just the day trip. Definitely a must do for roller coasters!

 

[jlandis44]

Thanks! I guess I should clear up exactly what my concern is...at the BG VA location, it is a beautiful park, but honestly there really aren't that many rides. A bunch of shows, 4 roller coasters, and about 16 smaller rides. The Tampa location, per their website, looks like it only has 12 total rides. It looks like their main draw is a few coasters, and a safari similar to Kilimanjaro at AK. I'm trying to get a feel as to whether they just aren't listing some of the smaller rides, or whether it really is limited in what they have to offer. And, finally, is it worth "sacrificing a day with the Mouse" to visit?

 

[sbkline]

Unless they have shut down some roller coasters since we last went (2004), there should be plenty of roller coasters, since they have added two since our last visit. Here is what they had in the way of roller coasters on our last visit:

Python-not even worth the wait. It's a kiddie coaster that only lasts about 45 seconds or so.

Scorpion-a little better, but still mediocre

Gwazi-Now we're talkin'. Pretty awesome wooden coaster

Kumba-Good quality metal coaster

Montu-another good metal one, like the Kumba

Since our last visit, they have added another coaster, which I can't remember the name of, but I think it drops you on an almost 90 degree drop. And they recently added another one, called Cheetah Chase.

As far as water rides, they have their version of Kiliminjaro Safaris. They also have one of those splashdown rides, where they just take you up and then drop the boat down and soak everyone. And they have a "log ride", or whatever your local amusement park calls those kind of rides.

They also have a Haunted Lighthouse 4-D show.

And they have a "skyway".

I don't know exactly how many rides they have, but 12 is probably pretty close.

Just keep in mind that these are all rides that they had as of 2004 on our last visit. I can't guarantee that they are all still there now, so you may want to do your own research on that. But we enjoyed Busch Gardens and I would recommend a visit there. On every trip, we try to set aside 2 or 3 days for other things outside the parks. Last trip it was Universal and Islands of Adventure. Next time, it will be Sea World and LegoLand. The time after that, we may try to do Busch Gardens again, but we'll see.