Theme Park Discussion / June/July Orlando Trip

So Im finally going to WDW/Orlando in late June/early July and just wondered... if you had to go to Sea World or Busch Gardens, which would you choose? There's a possibility we can do both (since I can us in for free to one, being Military). We got a hotel right outside the gate (Baymont) for $40 a night (more than half off, huzzah military). I don't think we're doing IOA/UO due to time constraints. Also, does Adix or Iris still work at Epcot?

Definitely hit up BG, since their new cheetah roller coaster will be open by then, and sheikra is always awesome.
But if Tampa is an inconvenient drive for you, Sea world is awesome as well. Manta is so sick haha.

Busch Gardens has much more to keep you occupied for an entire day than sea world does.

Definitely Busch Gardens
Not only does their coaster lineup completely outclass anything else in Florida but I honestly find their animal exhibits more interesting than anything at Sea World as well. Although they may pale in comparison to Animal Kingdom if you do that first

brent, dude, you have to get to islands of adventure. the attraction at harry potter is worth the admission price alone. i'm not even a fan of the series, but shit, that ride is fucking mind boggling. but, if you had to choose something else, go to busch gardens!

Still not so sure about IOA... but here's an early timeline for us.

25 - Leave Sill @ Midnight, possibly staying overnight in Destin
26 - Arrive in Orland. TBA MK: 9-11, AK: 9-7, HS: 9-7, Ep 9-9 FW, 11-9 WS
27 - MK 9-11
28 - AK 9-7
29 - HS 9-9
30 - Epcot 11-9 WS, 9-9 FW
01 - SWO/BG 9-10
02 - SWO/BG 9-10
03 - MK 9-11
04 - Beach
05 - Epcot 11-9 WS, 9-9 FS
06 - UO/IOA/WDW?
07 - Drive home
08 - Back to Sill... but it's a weekend

Our anniversary is on the third, so definitely MK that day. Her birthday is on the 5th and she's not really wanting to go to Epcot that day and we're not too sure about the beach on the fourth so those things will probably change.

Man you have soo much time to comfortably fit two straight days at Universal and a day at both BG and SWO in there
The way you have the Disney parks right now even without the 26th and 6th you have plenty of time at all the parks

I'd say start the trip with SWO on the 26th, you could get there in the afternoon and still have enough time, you also wouldn't need to rush that day to get to a WDW park
Then end the trip with BG on the 6th

That frees up the 1st and 2nd for two straight days at Universal which should be plenty to soak everything in there, especially if you get the multi-park passes cause you might wanna go to IOA both mornings to get early rides in there. Don't know what the money situation is though

Also if you wanna free up the 5th I'd say get a parkhopper on the 28th and do Animal Kingdom from 9-3, then Epcot from 4-9. That should more than enough to time at Animal Kingdom even if you want to do all the animal stuff. Everest won't take more than a half hour in the morning and then you can get a fast pass to ride it again later, if you follow that with the Safari that won't take more than 45 minutes, Dinoland won't take more than an hour, then you'll have three hours to explore the rest of the park. If you get to Epcot around 4 you'll probably be able to get a really late fast pass for either Soarin', Space, or Test Track, then you can spend some time at the World Showcase at night waiting for the Fast Pass time and end the night with Illuminations
That might've been more in depth than you wanted I'm just trying to say if you do a AK/EPCOT day and another full EPCOT day that should be enough time at both parks
You could also do HS and EPCOT in a day, they're just a 10 minute boat ride away and you can stop at the Boardwalk on the way which is a pretty cool place. I just don't know how much time you're gonna need at the Studios with Toy Story and the new Star Tours there now

Def. BG imo...
Should've let me know earlier! I could've hit you up to WDW since I'm a seasonal CM. lol... I'll be there early June to complete my hours.

Damn that would've been awesome. How much earlier, lol.... We're still finalizing things and haven't had too much time to plan. Army's been working me crazy lately.

lol I'm going late May/early June.
Your wife also did the DCP?

Oooh, well you've got plenty of days.

To start off-- between BG and SW, choose BG.
I love SeaWorld (not just cause I work there, but in general). It beats out Universal by a long shot and I'll generally take it over Disney. But that said, Busch is better than all of that with a much better coaster lineup, great food, and great exhibits. So I would spend a day or two there. SeaWorld is doable in 1 day, but to take it easy 2 is great (and you get a 2nd day free with a regular price ticket-- same as Busch).

Of course, I might really recommend you do Discovery Cove. If you haven't heard much on it-- look it up, it's absolutely wonderful coming from someone whose worked there and visited as a guest. Though it is expensive, it's all-inclusive (food, etc) and you get the next 14 consecutive days at either BG or SW. So you could tie that into the prices for the other things. Plus, they'll be opening the Grand Reef in June, which is shaping up to be really great. But anyway, that's my best suggestion.

For Disney, one day is enough for each park, but it's nice to spend more time hanging out at some-- Magic Kingdom especially. Animal Kingdom is a 1 day for me, as is Hollywood Studios, but the lines for everything there take forever, so consider a 2nd day. Also, EPCOT is great-- so I'd recommend 2 days if you can.

As for Universal, I feel you can probably do the highlights of both parks in 1 day. Neither park feels terribly large. Depending on how much you like Harry Potter, that can take a little while. So if you want to go and are pressed for time, 1 day 2 park will work, I think, but 1 park for each day never hurts. But of the stuff in Orlando, I leave this at the bottom under SW and Disney.

If you need anything else, feel free to ask-- I'm at each of these parks nearly once a week, haha.

Yea, for Hollywood Studios, get FASTPASS the FIRST thing you go into the park. They are gone within the first 2 hours AND after that you have to wait on average 90-120 minutes.

I just have to say this... fuck the army. denying my leave... fuck....