Comparing & Contrasting to Disney - attractions

Disney has the lead in the service end of theme parks, but how did Busch Gardens and Adventure Island stack up in the attraction end of things? Behold the results:

• Both Disney's Animal Kingdom and Busch Gardens have the whole safari thing going on with rides and attractions through out an African theme. Disney's Kilmanjaro safari is done in an open sided jeep across a desert preserve that is at times bumpy and dangerous (Disney style). The driver is in constant contact with a helicopter out scouting for poachers and when some are sighted you become involved in chasing them down. Along the way you see many animals including elephants, lions, and giraffe. The animals are sometimes so close to the truck that you can almost touch them. Busch Gardens Serengeti Plain safari is done in a train that rolls s l o w l y over the track through the preserve with the tour guide telling you what you are seeing in a monotone-this-is-my-billionth-time-saying-this tone of voice. There was no adventure and the animals were all far away. Apparently if you pony up an extra $33 you can travel the plain in an open-sided vehicle for a more close up view.
• Busch Gardens wins hands down on the roller coaster angle. They are everywhere in the park from a small coaster for the kiddies to Sheikra for the insane. But for those visitors afraid of heights or thrill seeking rides there are very few options. We split up in our group and Darcy and I had a hard time finding things to do besides shows. She spent some time playing in Sesame Street Safari and she rode a ride that lifted her in the air and spun around, but other than that we came up empty. Granted we did not get around the entire park, but the map didn't offer much more. At Animal Kingdom there is a wide variety of entertainment for people like Darcy and me and plenty of things to keep us busy.
• Which leads into the fact that Busch Gardens does not offer much in the way of indoor activities where Disney has plenty of choices in this area. The Florida heat is a big problem when hiking around these parks and the coolness is a welcome relief to get you back on your feet. Other than the Imagination Theater we couldn't find any indoor places except big dollar restaurants. Disney has the dinosaur ride, the bug adventure and the amazing conservation station where you can spend hours exploring all the activities there.
• Both parks offer a rafting ride down the rapids. While I have traveled Disney's Kali River more times then I can count and enjoy it immensely especially for cooling off, I was not able to travel Busch Garden's Congo River Rapids as the water had disappeared.
• Which leads into the difference between the handling of technical difficulties. We stood in the Congo River Rapids line for quite a while before a voice over a bad intercom informed us they were experiencing technical difficulties and the ride would be temporarily closed. No one came out and physically closed the ride so we stayed in line and listened to the same announcement repeated every 10 minutes or so. We gave up after 30 minutes and walked away over the bridge where we discovered the water in the rapids had totally drained. Had this happened at Disney an announcement would have been made, several cast members would have come out and ushered us to the exit, a rope would have sealed off the ride, a temporarily closed sign would have appeared, and a cast member would have guarded the entrance and been available to answer questions and explain the problem. No one would have wasted time standing in line waiting for it to re-open. Also, Disney would have sent out technicians to handle the problem. Busch Gardens River Rapids employees each kept taking turns trying to solve the problem, coming back each time shrugging their shoulders.
• At Disney they offer a fastpass for several rides. Go to the ride you don't want to stand in line long for, pop your ticket into a fastpass kiosk and get your pass, and return to the ride at the time stamped on your pass. Walk through the lines to the head. Easy as 1-2-3. At Busch Gardens they have what they call Quick Queue which puts you to the head of every line. Problem? It cost an extra $40 for this baby.
• In the water park area nothing beats Disney's Typhoon pool with its typhoon and tidal waves. I could stand and watch this over and over again. The cleanliness of the park was again far better at Disney then Adventure Island.
  

Hands down Disney wins again. It is by far the more superior park. Walt Disney was more than a creative genius. He was the master, and Disney has done a fine job of keeping his image and his dream a reality.