Park Duels: Busch Gardens Tampa vs. Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Sunday, January 9, 2022 - 20:45

Events

Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Winter Weekends — Image: Busch Gardens

There is a good bit of overlap when it comes to the two parks' event offerings, such as Howl-O-Scream, Christmas Town, Bier Fest, and the annual Food & Wine Festival. And while Busch Gardens Tampa is not a seasonal park, allowing for a greater quantity of events, Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Winter Weekends and St. Patrick's Day Celebration push the Virginia park into the number one spot for events.

There's a rare wonder that comes from going to theme parks in the proper Winter, in riding your favorite coaster in mittens and stepping off the train with wind-whipped cheeks. Though the park is open with limited rides and offerings, this event is one you don't want to miss.

Theming

Cobra's Curse at Busch Gardens Tampa — Image: Busch Gardens

Both Busch Gardens landscapes operate with minimal theming, focusing more on lush landscapes and clean walkways to immerse you into the world of the park. Focusing on two different continents, both parks do a stellar job with subtle touches that make you feel like you're walking the streets of Germany or exploring the plains of Africa.

Though Williamsburg and Tampa deliver in theming, Williamsburg's European street scenes, shops, and detailed queue lines bring it to the forefront.

Overall Experience

River Cruise at Busch Gardens Williamsburg — Image: Busch Gardens

These parks' similarities are many, but the experiences feel wholly unique from one another. These are both large parks, doing the most with their funds, location, and space. They both have helpful, more-than-competent staff members, ready to assist you with a smile, and somehow manage to feel like small, intimate parks despite their acreage.

Given all this, there is something special about Busch Gardens Tampa. Maybe it's in the music, or in the flamingos that greet you at the front of the park, or the amount of iconic attractions in one place, but Tampa stands out not only among its chain, but among theme parks in general. When it comes to overall experience, it is hard to beat Busch Gardens Tampa.

The Verdict

The final score is 2-3, with Busch Gardens Tampa narrowly coming out on top!

These are both world-class parks, as lovely in their similarities as they are in their differences, and I'd encourage anyone who has the opportunity to visit one or both Busch Gardens locations to see for yourself and make your own call.

What Park Duels would you like to see in the future?

Peyton E. DerrickView Profile

Peyton is a writer and roller coaster enthusiast living just outside Orlando, Florida. She is currently seeking her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida, taking classes by day and hitting the theme parks by night. When she's not in the single rider line, you can find Peyton playing music or at the movies.