FLA Coaster Trip-BGT or Sea World?

I am going to FLA this June to go to Islands of Adventure. Now, we all know there are many parks in the area to decide where else to go. Is BGT worth driving an hour there and an hour back? Or should I stay in the area and go to Sea World Orlando? It's a hard decision. 5 world class class coasters and an hour's drive or Kraken and stay in the area. Any help?

Busch Gardens Tampa. No question. AND THE BEER IS FREE!

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Your village called. They're missing their idiot.

I love Kraken and when I did IOA for the first time I didn't go to BGT. If you don't think that you will ever be back to Florida for a while then go to BGT. I went there a few weeks ago and was sorta dissapointed though. Just don't go in expecting BGW, because it is totally different. The rides at BGT are really great though. I wasn't really that impressed with Montu but Kumba and Scorpion were cool. I came in expecting Montu to blow me away but it just didn't. I liked Alpengeist a lot more, but I haven't ridden that for a while so my opinion isn't really that solid. I have ridden the dragons and Top Gun though and I think that Montu isn't as good. That is just my opinion though. Kraken is cool though. It is the only floorless that I have been on but I still loved it and compare it to B&M floorlesses. I think as a sitdown looper, Kumba is better but Kraken shouldn't be missed.

In conlclusion:), go to BGT if you aren't going to be in the area again. Actually, go there regardless. You will get something comparable to Kraken and much more at BGT, just don't go in expecting BGW(that is if you have been there;).)

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Lake Compounce: New England's Holiday World

I remember last year, I was in the Orlando area. Of course, I went to IOA, and had a choice of BGT or SWF. Me, being my clumsy self, chose Sea World. Now, Kraken is a piece of art, and JTA was good, but If you relly want coasters, go to BGT.

I was just actually at BGT (see tr) and I'll tell you, Kumba and Montu alone were better than all of SWF. I didn't get a chance to ride Gwazi, but I'm sure it would have made it even better. There are the other coasters, as well as Rhino Rally and some water rides. Plus, there is that good old Busch spirit in the park, which is hardly matched by sea world (although they're owned by the same company). IMHO, Sea World was looking run-down and not as nice as previous visits.

All in all, go to BGT. You'll be actually astonished by Montu and Kumba, as well as the park and (probably) Gwazi. Plus, I think you can get a free shuttle bus from Orlando to BGT complememnts of the park or something.

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How much more floorless can they get?

I just went to SWO, IOA, and BGT and I would choose BGT over SWO, just simply because there is more to do. Both have the animals, but BGT obviously has more rides.
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You are bold, but are you also...daring?
And all the sea around Kraken darkened.
SFEG awaits The Flying Coaster-coming in 2002!

It's worth the drive, trust me. Heck, Montu alone is worth the drive. (I have a soft spot for inverts) Plus, BGT is like a zoo with coasters so you won't be missing out, I mean as far as animals go.

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So many coasters, so little vacation time....

Thanks for your help, anyone know more about a shuttle service from Orlando to BGT?

K-town Coaster said:
"Busch Gardens Tampa. No question. AND THE BEER IS FREE!"

Actually, you can get free beer at Sea World as well (They are both Busch Properties).

Once again though, you are the only one who can really answer that question. Basically, what *you* want to do? Do you want a bunch of rides and a few shows, or do you want a bunch of shows and a few rides? That's basically the only decision to be made. They both have just about everything else (operations, food, hospitality, etc..) the same as they are both Busch Parks.

Now I *loved* Kraken, even moreso than Kumba (though Montu trumps both :)) but even still *I* would choose BGT. I think BGT is the perfect blend of thrills and theme *for me* (yes, moreso than IOA). And unlike ditto, I actully liked BGT more than BGW (though admittedly, I went to BGT *first*)
take it easy,
jeremy
--"I dont mean to offend, but this tastes like vomit!"

Ah, so Sea World has one awesome roller coaster, but not much else besides that in terms of thrills. BGT looks to be the opposite and then some. 5 world class coasters and it still has shows and animals. Since I prefer the coasters over animals, I believe you have all convinced me to go to BGT. Any other thoughts?

BGT, no question. It's one of my fav. parks, and the rides are stunning.

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Texas Coasters... wow I'm lucky... IM me if you feel like talking about coasters.

If your purpose is coasters definitely go to BGT. Sea World is very nice as well though, and probably more interesting from the animal side. In addition to Kraken, Sea World offers a couple of other fairly decent rides and is certainly worth a visit.

2Hostyl-I know exactly what you mean. I am sure that if I had gone to BGT first then BGW wouldn't have been as good. I just liked the isolation more than the city block. Did you like Montu more than Alpengeist? Once again, I guess what park you go to first might play a role. I don't know, I just don't think I was in the coaster mood that day. Wait, I am always in the coaster mood. Guess I just didn't like BGT.:)

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Lake Compounce: New England's Holiday World

ditto: Suprisingly enough, yes, I *did* (or do) prefer Montu to Alpengeist (though TG:TJC is sandwiched betwist the twain). Admittedly, I ended up liking Alpie a *hell* of a lot more than I expected. Also, I'm not convinced that I liked BGT more just because I went there first. I think I was just more into the African theme than the European theme (...hmmm, I wonder why *that* might be...). Not to mention all the bloody hills of BGW really wore on a 'flatlander' like myself. ;)

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Besides, if we were really shutting down people we disagreed with, would Jeremy (2Hostyl) still be around? :) I think not. - Jeff 1/24/02

IMHO both BGT and SWO are both outstanding parks. I myself would take SWO if I had to choose. One of my other "interests" besides coasters is scuba and all things sealife so this park basically has two of my favorite things in life. Kraken is IMHO the best coaster in Florida. I think it is marginally better than Hulk and Montu and blows everything else away.

BGT on the other hand has some really good coasters like Montu, Scorpion, and Gwazi and some not so great coasters like Kumba and Python.(ducks incoming artillery from all the people out there that insist that Kumba doesnt run on square wheels)

BGT also has the animals which are OK with the exception of the Lorikeet exhibit which is great.

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Bob Hansen

Bolliger/Mabillard for President/VP 2004

I've been to SWO several times. Here is what they have for rides:

Kraken (B&M floorless, obviously), Journey To Atlantis (Premier liquid coaster if I'm not mistaken), Wild Arctic (motion simulator with a rather large Arctic base-themed animal exhibit following) and Sky Tower (observation tower). I don't think I forgot anything there.

Again, like others have been saying, if you're primarily looking for thrill rides, go to BGT; I'd say do both if possible.

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RCT hypercoaster crazy!

ditto....what does the 716 mean in your name? That's my birthday, 7/16

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Rollercoasters are my life, I think about them more than I think about....wait, thats all I think about :)

Proud Owner of www.coasterkingdom.cjb.net

The 716 means really nothing. In sixth grade I got a 71 on a math test and the 6 is just random. Yep, I have had this screen name since then. It just makes everything easier if I try to log onto something that I haven;t been on in a while. I might change it over to bandmioa though like my aol instant messenger name. That is funny that it fit like that. LOL:)

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Lake Compounce: New England's Holiday World

Jim Fisher said:

If your purpose is coasters definitely go to BGT. Sea World is very nice as well though, and probably more interesting from the animal side. In addition to Kraken, Sea World offers a couple of other fairly decent rides and is certainly worth a visit.

Kraken

Atlantis

and a observation tower that you have to pay for....

No comment

Kraken may be awsome, but three mechanical rides is just not enough, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay wins 79 to 3 in terms of rides.

...and Artic Adventure or whatever. 79 to 4. That might change it now, don't you think?;)

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Lake Compounce: New England's Holiday World

Both. There is a special admission ticket that you can buy that will give you a big discount on the normal admission prices. I would head to Sea World at opening. After 3-4hours (which is PLENTY!), head to BGT. It's only an hour, maybe an hour and ahalf if traffic is heavy to BGT. Stay there til closing. It'd be the easiest way to get the best of both Busch parks, and still leaves you with plenty of ride time and time to experience the whole park!

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Corey
"Have you ever tried backing out of a drive-through bank?" - George Carlin