Animal Kingdom or Busch Gardens?

NNM.

NNM.

Well-Known Member
Florida has two immensely popular theme parks that heavily feature - as well as advertise - exotic animals being featured there, and I have been lucky(?) enough to have visited both. I of course refer to Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando and Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay.

I should say I enjoyed my visits to both of these places, at least to a small extent, but I am also much more familiar with Animal Kingdom, since I have been there three times, two of which in the same week only two years ago, while I have only been to Busch Gardens once, that same year.

This thread is asking which people prefer, as I am genuinely curious.

Personally, I infinitely prefer Animal Kingdom, as not only do I think the animal exhibits are better, but the rides do not negatively impact the animal's well-being, nor do they disrupt the atmosphere of the exhibits. Both of these are huge problems at Busch Gardens, and while I did think most of the enclosures were quite good and it gets points for having some iconic animals Animal Kingdom does not (chimpanzees, orangutans, penguins), their quality felt diminished by the sky-spanning rollercoasters that hovered above them and whooshed over, which I imagine is also quite unsettling to the animals, not to mention the excessive noise and the vibrations they must create.
 
I prefer Busch's Savanah to DAK, which I know is almost sacrilege here. I like DAk's from a perspective of a safari tour, but I like the use of the train and Edge of Africa overlook at Busch. I feel it is a better overall viewing experience. I feel that Myombe Reserve does not get the recognition that it deserves, the immersivness and exhibits in that area are really well done, IMO on par with DAK.

Both have their strong points, but as a local Busch has to win for price and accessibility for me. I live in Tampa, so the Fun Pass is very reasonable and I can pop in frequently, unlike fighting the crazy Disney mobs to see DAK, which is easily a 2hr drive away. Although, the food at DAK is actually good, in comparison to Busch which quite honestly has seen a massive decline in food quality over the last 10 years.
 
SwampDonkey said:
I prefer Busch's Savanah to DAK, which I know is almost sacrilege here. I like DAk's from a perspective of a safari tour, but I like the use of the train and Edge of Africa overlook at Busch. I feel it is a better overall viewing experience. I feel that Myombe Reserve does not get the recognition that it deserves, the immersivness and exhibits in that area are really well done, IMO on par with DAK.

Both have their strong points, but as a local Busch has to win for price and accessibility for me. I live in Tampa, so the Fun Pass is very reasonable and I can pop in frequently, unlike fighting the crazy Disney mobs to see DAK, which is easily a 2hr drive away. Although, the food at DAK is actually good, in comparison to Busch which quite honestly has seen a massive decline in food quality over the last 10 years.
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You're entitled to your opinion, of course. Do the rides disturbing the animal part of the park not bother you, then?
 
I've only been to Disney's Animal Kingdom. It was what really inspired me to get into gear and try to visit Africa. The exhibits are ne t level, although it's too bad you can't see the Kilimanjaro Safari (or whatever it's called) at a more leisurely pace.

Forgive me if I'm hijacking the thread, but what are people's opinions on Lion Country Safari? That's like the OG of safari parks. I remember finding a booklet at my grandma's house after she passed away that must have been from the 60s or 70s. It looked amazing. Visiting the website and seeing pictures here it doesn't seem as impressive now. But I've also not been there so maybe I'm wrong.
 
I've only been to Animal Kingdom. I have wanted to go to Busch Gardens but my family is all about Disney and it is usually the only reason we go to Florida since we live in Pennsylvania. Animal Kingdom is nice, I like the rides, the food is amazing, and I love some of the live performances they have. I remember being in the African section and this band started playing "He Lives in You" from The Lion King and it was awesome. It is a very nice and immersive place and my favorite Disney park. Of course, all the rabid people and how expensive it has become are problems.
 
Nile Hippo Expert said:
I would have to say Busch Gardens is better than Disney because of the amazing savannah and also there are more experiences. Honestly though both are amazing to visit because you all know why. ;)
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If I’m being honest, while I liked Busch Gardens’ safari, I didn’t really think it was anything all that special. It was just kind of a typical savanna grassland vehicle ride, and to me it felt like a smaller version of the one at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. It doesn’t help that nearly everywhere I look I see roller coasters breaking the immersion by sticking out over the savanna making it feel less natural.
 
NNM. said:
You're entitled to your opinion, of course. Do the rides disturbing the animal part of the park not bother you, then?
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Not really, I take Busch for what it is. While both Busch and DAK are animal theme parks, Busch is geared more as a thrill park than DAK is. In the past it was more animal focused, but over the last 20 years they have moved more towards rides and away from animals, largely. DAK is more of a large traditional zoo that also has shows and rides, but they are not the same thrill rides that Busch focuses on.
 
SwampDonkey said:
Not really, I take Busch for what it is. While both Busch and DAK are animal theme parks, Busch is geared more as a thrill park than DAK is. In the past it was more animal focused, but over the last 20 years they have moved more towards rides and away from animals, largely. DAK is more of a large traditional zoo that also has shows and rides, but they are not the same thrill rides that Busch focuses on.
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I mean, I guess so.

I didn’t really go to Busch Gardens for the rides. Hell, I only went on one singular ride, a small one too. My point of visit was the animals, and while the exhibits themselves were good, it honestly hardly matters when I have reason to believe that the animals are perpetually stressed because of their surroundings.
 
NNM. said:
I mean, I guess so.

I didn’t really go to Busch Gardens for the rides. Hell, I only went on one singular ride, a small one too. My point of visit was the animals, and while the exhibits themselves were good, it honestly hardly matters when I have reason to believe that the animals are perpetually stressed because of their surroundings.
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Are there any studies that show that the animals are "perpetually stressed because of their surroundings"? I am honestly curious, I have never seen any that show that to be the case. I don't go there for the rides either, just the animals, but our experience in that regard is unique as zoo fans in comparison to the vast majority of people going there.
 
As someone who has years of personal experience with both parks; it would be rather obvious to know which park I prefer when reading the following statements. However, I can say with certainty that both are equally strong animal theme parks; and I enjoy them greatly for what they are known for.

In the case of Busch Gardens, sure, most of the rides might be thought provoking at times in regards of animal welfare. But really, when compared the Animal Kingdom; you can clearly tell from their history that it’s more about being a standard theme park that just happens to have live animals on display. Does this mean that the rides at Busch are bothersome to me, no, not really; but from someone who only gets to visit Busch Gardens once a year, I tend to care more about the rides than I do the animals when I’m there.

Now from the opposite perspective, I adore Disney’s Animal Kingdom; as I’ve practically grown with the park and have lived through many of its significant changes. Now because their rides are well spread apart from most of the exhibits (save for the Wildlife Express for which you can practically hear its whistle from almost anywhere). I will agree that in their case, the atmosphere is far less disrupted by the rides and more so by the absurd amount of crowds that the park receives daily.

As for the biggest elephant in the room, I will agree that Kilimanjaro Safaris can feel significantly rushed when compared to Busch’s Serengeti Express. However, in the former’s defense; how can Busch possibly compare to the Safari’s amount of charismatic megafauna and variety of recreated environments. Especially in comparison to just the open savannas of the latter’s Serengeti Plains; and while I am a big fan of train rides that provide a unique viewing opportunity. It certainly pales to what the imagineers came up with when creating an authentic safari sensation that’s only possible with an attraction like Kilimanjaro; and even though Busch’s now defunct Rhino Rally was the closest thing that the park ever had to compare it with. There is nothing more than going out into a place like the Harambe Wildlife Preserve that invokes a sense of excitement and frustration that can only be expressed on Kilimanjaro Safaris.
 
Austin the Sengi said:
As someone who has years of personal experience with both parks; it would be rather obvious to know which park I prefer when reading the following statements. However, I can say with certainty that both are equally strong animal theme parks; and I enjoy them greatly for what they are known for.

In the case of Busch Gardens, sure, most of the rides might be thought provoking at times in regards of animal welfare. But really, when compared the Animal Kingdom; you can clearly tell from their history that it’s more about being a standard theme park that just happens to have live animals on display. Does this mean that the rides at Busch are bothersome to me, no, not really; but from someone who only gets to visit Busch Gardens once a year, I tend to care more about the rides than I do the animals when I’m there.

Now from the opposite perspective, I adore Disney’s Animal Kingdom; as I’ve practically grown with the park and have lived through many of its significant changes. Now because their rides are well spread apart from most of the exhibits (save for the Wildlife Express for which you can practically hear its whistle from almost anywhere). I will agree that in their case, the atmosphere is far less disrupted by the rides and more so by the absurd amount of crowds that the park receives daily.

As for the biggest elephant in the room, I will agree that Kilimanjaro Safaris can feel significantly rushed when compared to Busch’s Serengeti Express. However, in the former’s defense; how can Busch possibly compare to the Safari’s amount of charismatic megafauna and variety of recreated environments. Especially in comparison to just the open savannas of the latter’s Serengeti Plains; and while I am a big fan of train rides that provide a unique viewing opportunity. It certainly pales to what the imagineers came up with when creating an authentic safari sensation that’s only possible with an attraction like Kilimanjaro; and even though Busch’s now defunct Rhino Rally was the closest thing that the park ever had to compare it with. There is nothing more than going out into a place like the Harambe Wildlife Preserve that invokes a sense of excitement and frustration that can only be expressed on Kilimanjaro Safaris.
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These are all really valid points. However, as wonderful as the Kilimanjaro Safari is....the crowds are a MAJOR issue for me at DAK. Make it as immersive as you want, but walking shoulder to shoulder and squeezing past hordes of tourists ruins the experience for me. Waiting an hour or more for the Kilimanjaro Safari destroys any semblance of an actual safari. I wish that Busch still had cape buffalos on the safari train ride, but they still have white, rhino, black rhino, and giraffe on the train ride plus lions and hippo at the Edge.

That said, I will fully admit that I have an issue suspending belief on immersive rides. So, my aversion to these crowds and the long wait feeling like it ruins the ride are probably not shared by most visitors.

However, the actual environment feels more like Kruger Park in reality, the "Imagineers" (wow, I hate that term) did a great job at making it feel like Africa. I haven't been to the Serengeti or Kilimanjaro, but the DAK Safari ride does look like a real park in Africa (I have been to Kruger park). Busch's Serengeti does do a good job of emulating that environment from my understanding. Given the tight integration between Edge of Africa and the savannah I don't feel that there is much of a lack of mega fauna other than elephants.
 
I suppose you do bring up some very valid reasons that understandably contradict my previous commentary; but personally, I will agree that while Kilimanjaro is by no means a perfect attraction (that is between the rushed experience and the frequently long lines). It is still just a ride that gets you closer to some of the average Joe’s favorite megafauna after all. But at the end of the day, I’m just attempting to share my own opinions on the subject from someone who visits the park on a semi-regular basis.
 
Austin the Sengi said:
I suppose you do bring up some very valid reasons that understandably contradict my previous commentary; but personally, I will agree that while Kilimanjaro is by no means a perfect attraction (that is between the rushed experience and the frequently long lines). It is still just a ride that gets you closer to some of the average Joe’s favorite megafauna after all. But at the end of the day, I’m just attempting to share my own opinions on the subject from someone who visits the park on a semi-regular basis.
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Oh no, please don't get me wrong, your reasons are completely valid and I can also totally understand why you prefer DAK and their safari ride - it is certainly a world class ride.

I think we can hold opposing views without any issue, there are all just our own opinions after all :)
 
Technically, I was just agreeing with the problems you have with the crowds and hour-long queues, as it too bothers me to some degree.

But yes, I agree that we should keep our opposing views to ourselves, and to focus more on the original focus of this discussion.
 
As someone from Europe, but having visited both parks multiple times between 1998 and now (I'm on family vacation in Florida, starting a week ago), there is no question to me who's no 1: DAK.
First: It is indeed created like an African National Park (I've been to the original Serengeti and Kruger Park among others). Everything looks like in the wild (maybe beside some plants), no walls, no rollercoasters, no fence in the back and even moats and electric/hot wires are mostly invisible. Second: You can see a wider variety of animals in comparison with Busch Gardens. Third: Doing a safari in trucks is much more realistic then doing it in a small train.
Although the lines can be indeed long, they don't bother me in general. You will be entertained during the waiting by screens. And when you go right after the park opens and/or you are able to catch the last train, then there are mostly no lines.
There are only 2 points that displease me: The enormous entrance fee (afaik starting from 150 US-D - plus tax - per adult for one-day/one park-pass) and that the drive can be fast (although I always had drivers that were considerate and generous when ever possible to give passengers the time for taking pictures when an animal was close by).
 
SwampDonkey said:
Are there any studies that show that the animals are "perpetually stressed because of their surroundings"? I am honestly curious, I have never seen any that show that to be the case.
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I take no position, as the matter is complex and I haven't read-up on it, but I remembered this question.

I'm a fan of Jon Coe, and today I found Jon Coe and Sabrina Brando's paper, "Confronting Back-of-House Traditions: Primates as a Case Study" (Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens, published 26 July 2022), available at https://joncoe.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Confronting-Back-of-House-Traditions-2022.pdf.

Page 385 begins the discussion of the effect of back-of-house noise on animals. It reads, in part:

4.9. Acoustic

“Many zoos are acoustically boring for species whose dominant sense is audition; that is, they lack acoustic complexity and variation (including temporal) that would be encountered in the wild. For example, no dawn bird chorus”.
(Robert Young, animal behavior and environmental enrichment specialist, personal communication 24 July 2021.)

The BOH [(Back-of-House)] acoustic environment is divided into two types: beneficial sounds and stressful noise. Table 2 gives an overview of acoustic problems and opportunities. [for Table 2, see the PDF]

Noise is defined as any sound that is undesired or interferes with one’s hearing (Definition of NOISE) (accessed on 18 June 2022). What is considered noise is species-specific and dependent on the individual, and noise from both within and outside BOH areas can be a stressor [75–77]. Soltis noted the following: “A general guideline for noise exposure to animals may be difficult due to, among other things, different frequency ranges of hearing for different species and individuals; species and individuals’ reactivity; differences between chronic and acute exposure to noxious sound; and differences in characteristics of sounds” (J. Soltis, sensory environment researcher, Disney Animal Kingdom personal communication, 8 February 2019). For detailed discussions of harmful effects of anthropogenic acoustic environments, see [77–79]. Several types of noises and their potential impacts on animals have been studied [80–82]. BOH areas may provide a haven when animals seek to evade external noise generated by visitor crowds, entertainment, or construction or when building acoustic insulation is inadequate. External noise may be especially vexing when it coincides with the animals’ natural rest periods.​

Built-in BOH internal noise sources include clanging steel gates and counterweights, mechanized gate operating systems, ventilation systems, plumbing, and pumps. The noise of the ventilation in one orangutan BOH exceeded external concert noise [77]. Available technologies exist for noise reduction. Built-in internal noise sources can be avoided with proper design and construction but are difficult to correct in existing facilities. Pressure washers are a common internal noise source. When multiple species are housed within hearing-range of each other, species-typical sounds from one species may become disruptive noise to another. Noise-cancelling technology works best for predictable, constant noise in highly localized areas (J. Soltis, personal communication, 8 February 2019) and may be effective in providing a degree of acoustic isolation in small primate nest boxes, for example.

Once noise is counteracted, it is possible to add BOH soundscapes. Anthony, noting the lack of data on noise tolerance in laboratory animals, suggested creating acoustic environments similar to those found in the species’ natural habitats [82].​


Here are the citations, if anyone wants to follow-up on them. 77 to 79 seem to address the matter (I'll probably take a look as well, when I have time.):

75. Clark, F.; King, A.J. A critical review of zoo-based olfactory enrichment. In Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 11; Springer: New York, NY, USA, 2008; pp. 391–398.

76. Orban, D.A.; Soltis, J.; Perkins, L.; Mellen, J.D. Sound at the zoo: Using animal monitoring, sound measurement, and noise reduction in zoo animal management. Zoo Biol. 2017, 36, 231–236. [CrossRef] (http://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21366)

77. Morgan, K.N.; Tromborg, C.T. Sources of stress in captivity. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2007, 102, 262–302. [CrossRef] (Redirecting) [I found it here (p. 265 begins the noise discussion): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228667970_Sources_of_stress_in_captivity_Appl_Anim_Behav_Sci#:~:text=These include abiotic, environmental sources,and uncomfortable temperatures or substrates.]

78. Cronin, K.A.; Bethell, E.J.; Jacobson, S.L.; Egelkamp, C.; Hopper, L.M.; Ross, S.R. Evaluating mood changes in response to anthropogenic noise with a response-slowing task in three species of zoo-housed primates. Anim. Behav. Cogn. 2018, 5, 209–221. [CrossRef] (Evaluating mood changes in response to anthropogenic noise with a response-slowing task in three species of zoo-housed primates — Animal Behavior and Cognition) [this is a direct link to the PDF of the article: https://www.animalbehaviorandcognition.org/uploads/journals/19/AB_C_2018_Vol5(2)_Cronin et al.pdf]

79. De Queiroz, B. How Does the Zoo Soundscape Affect the Zoo Experience for Animals and Visitors? Ph.D. Thesis, University of Salford, Salford, UK, June 2018. Available online [link from Coe's PDF corrected here, link to the PDF is on the right side of the page]: How does the zoo soundscape affect the zoo experience for animals and visitors?

80. Wells, D.L.; Coleman, D.; Challis, M.G. A note on the effect of auditory stimulation on the behaviour and welfare of zoo-housed gorillas. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2006, 100, 327–332. [CrossRef] (Redirecting)

81. Anthony, A. Criteria for acoustics in animal housing. Lab. Anim. Care 1963, 2, 340. [PubMed] (Criteria for acoustics in animal housing - PubMed)

82. Robbins, L.; Margulis, S.W. The effects of auditory enrichment on gorillas. Zoo Biol. 2014, 33, 197–203. [CrossRef] (http://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21127)
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As much as I criticize Animal Kingdom for their new “cost-cutting “ business model, at the end of the day I acknowledge that it’s more of a management failure rather than a park-specific one. With that said, DAK is easily my favorite, with many of my first zoo memories coming from said park. Busch Gardens is enjoyable, but the towering steel rollercoasters and the park’s tendency to throw random attractions in with no theming and immersion concerns kind of ruins it for me. I hope that Animal Kingdom introduces new species into their “Tropical American” expansion, but with the Chapek-Iger business model still in play, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
 
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