Should You Visit Busch Gardens on Your Disney World Trip?

As you are planning your Disney World vacation, you may also be considering whether you should try to fit in visits to other nearby theme parks. Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando are very close to Disney World, less than 20 miles away. As well, Legoland Florida is about 35 miles from Disney World.

©Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

There is also Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, which is about 70 miles away from Disney World. Should you visit Busch Gardens on your Disney World trip? We are breaking it down for you!

First of all, let’s talk about what you can find at Busch Gardens. Busch Gardens is located in Tampa, FL, and it is a coaster-heavy park with lots of opportunities to see animals. For comparison, it is most similar to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but with a lot more roller coasters and fewer family attractions. Busch Gardens has eight intense roller coasters featuring large drops, upside-down maneuvers, and high speeds. Roller coaster enthusiasts will definitely be right at home at Busch Gardens!

©Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Attractions are still available for the kiddos, but you won’t find as many options as you would at a Disney World park. Many of the attractions have a fairly tall heigh requirement (42″ to 54″), so this park may not be the best option for families with little kids. However, in addition to the attractions, you will also find various animal habitats. From penguins to cheetahs, there are lots of animals to spot! You can even stroll through a kangaroo enclosure and purchase food to feed the kangaroos. Or you can hop on the Serengeti Express for a train ride through the Serengeti Plain, where you can see giraffes, zebras, gazelles, and more. If your kiddos love animals, this could be a good place to go but check height requirements to see what your kiddos will be able to do!

©Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens could be a great stop for you if you are a roller coaster enthusiast or are hoping to see more animals. However, there are a few things to consider if you want to fit a trip to Busch Gardens into your trip. A primary consideration is how you will get to the park. The park is located in Tampa, about 70 miles from Disney World. Traffic can get heavy on the route, but if you have a rental car, you can make it to Tampa and back in a day. Depending on where you are leaving from, you can expect the trip to take at least an hour and a half or so.

©Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

A shuttle bus is also available that picks up at four different locations in Orlando and takes you to the park. The shuttle is free if you have a Busch Gardens ticket, but you must follow the shuttle’s schedule. It will drop you off close to the park opening and then return after the park has closed. Its exact schedule depends on the day. You will need to book the shuttle in advance, but it could be a great option if you want to head to Busch Gardens and don’t have a car, or don’t want to make the drive yourself.

Making the trek to Busch Gardens likely won’t be for everyone, but it is definitely something to consider for your Disney World trip. Busch Gardens has lots of great coasters and plenty of attractions and animal exhibits to explore. If you are specifically looking for roller coasters, you can also consider a trip to SeaWorld Orlando which is a bit closer than Busch Gardens. SeaWorld Orlando also has some great roller coasters and lots of marine animal exhibits.