Which theme parks for 6 & 8 year olds- not Disney!

[crazydecorator]

We are off to Florida on 3 April for 2 weeks, have very reasonable accommodation by the coast and were not planning to go into Orlando as we were having a ‘cheap’ holiday.

However I’ve worked out how much we might spend on days out and so wonder whether it might be better to book a v cheap hotel near the parks and have a few park days.

We have done Disney several times, but never been anywhere else, so are considering either a few days @ universal or a few days with a discovery cove/Busch gardens/ aquatica/sea world or legoland package.

What have you most enjoyed with children of these ages? They both love the water and animals, have always loved characters and rides at Disney. My 8yo son has autism so might need fast passes or something if it’s going to be a busy park day.

Grateful for any recommendations as I’m lost!

Thanks x

[Guest]

We have done this with the SW/AQ/BG tickets. It's a reasonable combo of shows, animals, rides and water parks. Plus if you can get it for 3 parks for the price of two it's a winner.

If you do you could possibly slide Legoland in on top for much less than a univeral three park ticket.

Also depending on where by the coast you could do BG without going to Orlando so spread it out a bit.

[Megandllsmum]

My daughter enjoys all the parks, Busch Gardens and seaworld especially as she's also an animal fan so more than just the rides, she also has autism so loves to learn and found especially at BG staff were happy to answer all her zookeeping questions lol... All the parks do assistance passes so shouldnt be a problem getting one

[Guest]

Found this in my stock of useful links

autismattheparks/sw-disability-passes.html

[itz_baseline]

Have a look at the height restrictions for each park and work out which one has the best value for the height of your kids, then head to that one.

[RickT]

Bush Gardens, Sea World and AQ with the Legoland 14 day tickets are good value.

My 2 at similar ages, loved Gatorland (we got free tickets) - another good day out is Weeki Wachee Springs

[duchy]

There's an offer on the Sea World, Busch Gardens and Aquatica pass including parking at the moment for £110 . As parking at all theme parks now is $25 it's a bargain. Coasters, animals , shows and a water park , you can't go wrong ! The new Sesame Street land opens at the end of this month too so another reason to doit !
Cheap hotel on I Drive , try the Enclave , they have Studios with kitchens very cheaply.

[mushumadness]

We last went halloween 2018 and my kids are disneyd out
They’re 7/7/9/10 so when we go in easter 2020 we are doing universal, discovery cove sea world and Busch
Really looking forward to it it’ll be second time at discovery cove

[kathrynwdw123]

Attraction Tickets Direct do a combo package of Sea World, Aquatica, Busch Gardens and Legoland £145 adult £141 child

[Guest]

Orlandoattractions do similar at £135 per adult.

It is certainly worth looking at combo tickets for greater value.