BG Tampa vs. IOA

I am considering on going to Florida for vacation this year. However, I cannot decide which park may be better. Any opinions?

From what I hear its IOA all the way. I'm not certain, but I think BGTampa has more coasters, but all in all IOA seems to be better.

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Randy Hutchinson
You build it, I'll ride it...eventually

IOA is a better park if you are going there for the whole experience. Theming, Simulators, Coasters, Water Rides, Shows, and such. However if you are going for just the coasters Busch Has More Large Coasters.

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#1 Steel-Incredible Hulk
#1 Wood--Timber Wolf

Why not both. they are only 30 to 45 minutes apart and you can get a multipark ticket.... I did this last year. What a great run...

If you simply cannot go to both, definitely go to IOA. It's a bit cheaper, has many more thrill rides, and has absolute top notch theming, untouched by any other park I've been to. Hulk, Fire Dragon and Ice Dragon are all top 20 steel coasters. Spiderman is the best simulator in existence. Their water rides beat any other water rides I've done hands down. It's simply a must visit park! Hope you chose wisely.

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If you are looking for trouble, you found it. -- Steven Hawking

IOA is one of the only parks I've been to where every type of thing they have is top notch. My favorite part is the great water rides. Dudley Do-Right has to be the best flume right now. As well as Popeye being the best of it's kind. IMHO IOA has:Best Theming(overall), Simulator(Spiderman), Flume(DDR), another top 10 flume(JPRA), Raft Ride(Popeye), 2 top 10 coasters(Hulk,DD), Top 5 kids area(Suess Landing), Dark Ride(Cat in the Hat, Spiderman), and a Top 5 park(my #2). Even though I've not been to BGT, I think IOA will be best. You won't be disappointed.

IOA is the superior park. But do try to go to both - it's like B&M maddness down there!

And BGT is more like 90 miles from Orlando, not 30 minutes...well, I guess that depends on how fast you drive.

IOA is the best park in the WORLD!!!Muhhaahaaa!!
Seriously though. IOA is the better of the two.
Here are the coparisons:
Coasters:
BGT- Montu-inverted(good)
Kumba-sit down(good)
Gwazi- deuling wooden(ok)
Scorpion- Scwarzkopf looper(fun)
Phyton- Arrow corkscrew(skip it)
IOA- Deuling Dragons-deuling inverted(good)
The Incredible Hulk- sit down(good)
Rides:
BGT- Congo River Rapids- River rapids ride
Tidal Wave- flume ride
Pheonix- looping pirate ship
Akbar's Adventure Tours- simulator
Other Attractions- Bumper Cars, Land of the Dragons(kiddie land), dolphin show, Myombe Reserve(Gorilla viewing area), Edge of Africa(Animals form Africa,lion,giraffes,hippos...)Some other flat rides, skylift
IOA- Spiderman- simulator type ride
Jurassic Park- flume ride
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls- flume ride
Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges- river rapids
Doctor Doom's Fearfall- S&S space shot
Cat in the Hat- dark ride
Flying Unicorn- Family Coaster
Pternadon Flyers- Family coaster
Carosuessel- merry-go-round
Storm Force- spinning tea cups
I personally like IOA. It is a much better quality park in terms of rides and theming.
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"FEAR the Four!"





*** This post was edited by Mr. Peanut on 1/25/2001. ***

You can't get a multi-park ticket. BGT is Busch, IOA is Universal.

IOA seems like there isn't enough to do, although I have never been.

BGT is awesome!

Had the same problem when we went to Florida last October. Having been to BGT (which has more coasters) we chose IOA and were not disappointed in the least. IOA is unbeatable for the all round experience but if you are looking for just coasters, BGT is better. Either way, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

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Thank you for riding America's Roller Coast

My take having been to both parks is that IOA is the better park, especially if you are already in the Orlando area. Although it is a fantastic park, Busch Gardens is not as spectacular as IOA. Everything from the coasters, Spiderman, the water rides, right down to the restaurants are top notch at IOA. At IOA you will get two completely unique coasters while at Busch you will get two very good, but not really extraordinary steel coasters. Basically, you should go to IOA because it is completely unique while Busch is more of an average park, although very definitely worth visiting in the more distant future.

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Theme Park New England
http://tpne.8m.com

IOA all the way! You can't beat 3 b+m's in one park, not to mention they all rule. Throw in great theming, great water rides, and the best flat ride around(spidey), and you got a quality park.

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Parks for 2000: CP, Great Escape, Great Adventure, SFA, Islands of Adventure, Kennywood

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Mongoose said:
"You can't get a multi-park ticket. BGT is Busch, IOA is Universal.
IOA seems like there isn't enough to do, although I have never been.
BGT is awesome!"

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Actually, you can. If you go to the BGT website there is a combo ticket that is good for 10 consecutive days that includes USF/IOA/SWF/BGT/WetnWild....downsides are the unused days expire and the pass is almost 200 bucks. Also, I dont know if you can park hop on the same day (e.g. ride spidey then hop on MIB then on to Kraken). My sis and I were thinking about doing that when we go to FL in March, but since we are only going for 6 days and dont care for WetnWild, with a AAA discount, its cheaper to get two separate two day tickets, one for USF/IOA the other for SWF/BGT (about $150 total).

IOA all the way! IOA has got those imagineers at Disney in a panic and for good reason too. Taking regular amusement park rides that we all know and love and giving them a twist with theming and great story telling. Disney tried to use this concept in their new park, California Adventures, but from what I see it doesn't even touch IOA. BGT is a good park though, but if you only have time for one go to IOA.

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Slash "Deeeeee-de-de-de-de-dee.."
November Rain

For an overall better experience go to I.O.A., even though I must admit that B.G.T. is in itself a beautiful park, I.O.A. is more diverse in terms of attractions!!

I would take IOA because the Dueling Dragons coasters beat anything at BGT in my opinion. But I haven't read Montu, so that info might not be worth much. As for the Hulk, it's good but I was a little disappointed. I liked the Kumba much more.

As for IOA being a better overall experience, I'm not so sure. BGT has LOTS to do in the way of shows and the like; it's impossible to get bored there no matter how long you stay. On the other hand, IOA has rides and...well, rides.

I think a single day would be better spent at IOA but if you're looking at spending more than one day there, go to both.