Discovery cove in florida is it worth it to swim with dolphins and is it better to go to seaworld with the ticket or busch gardens

[dixieland]

[VHG]

Busch gardens is MILES away from the "main" theme parks, in Tampa

My guess is it is at LEAST a 2 hour drive (if not more) from the main theme park area in Orlando.

If you are staying anywhere near Sea World then go to another park near there rather than driving to Busch Gardens

[mikey0118]

Hi dixieland,

I have been in Florida since January and have visited the majority of the theme parks on offer, including Seaworld and Busch Gardens. I have never actually been to Discovery Cove but have heard nothing but good reviews about the place, even if it is very expensive!

Seaworld and Busch Gardens are two very different attractions, although both have lots of animals on show; the watery creatures at Seaworld or the African safari-like animals of Busch Gardens. If you are after rollercoasters and other thrilling rides, Busch Gardens is probably best. There are endless rides on offer, some of which are suitable for children or the whole family, but there are a number of good rollercoasters available. SheiKra with its two vertical drops is highly recommended. Seaworld has two rollercoasters; Manta (like riding on a giant stingray) and Kraken. It also has Journey to Atlantis, which is watercoaster - think of a rollercoaster combined with a log flume. If it were me deciding, I would go for Busch Gardens every time!

I think VHG has overestimated on the driving time from Orlando to Tampa, which is where you will find Busch Gardens. It took us a little over an hour, so I think 60 to 75 minutes is a realistic journey time.

[nabob]

When are you going to Florida? I only ask as the water the dolphins are kept in, is quite cool and not "pool" temperature. You are not in the water long though! There is also a reef there with fantastic exotic fish but again that is a lower temp as well. So if the Florida weather is not too hot you will feel the cold. Expensive , yes , but well worth it!
Busch gardens might be a better bet if you are going soon.

[VHG]

>I think VHG has overestimated on the driving time from Orlando to Tampa

I have down a route plan on Google for the distance from Tampa to Kissimmee and it is 74 miles, and they estimate a driving time of 1 hours 20 minutes (assuming you know your way around and dont get lost).

If you are staying further north or east than Kissimmee then I could easily see the journey taking anything up to 2 hours (each way).

[rachael88]

i would do anything to swim with doliphins

[dixieland]

Thanks to all for your advice, we don't go until August and just trying to get organised with tickets for the parks beforehand.