Busch Gardens or Kings Dominion?

HI everyone...I am planning a trip to Virginia this summer. We were thinking about stopping at either Busch Gardens or Dominion for a two or three nights before we hit the beach.

We are looking for a park with thrills but has a bit of character...also a nice childrens area...also a kind of change in pace/scenery from Cp!

I was wondering the opinions on which park you would go to? Which park offers the best value for the money? What you recomend at the park? And if you have any other tips about the areas like dining, entertainment, etc.

Should we go for Dominion with a new shiney Giga or Busch with the B&M triplets?

Busch is so nice. I like Busch Gardens Better so i would go with Busch. Kings dominion is nice to though.

Go to both!

CoastMani I wish I could but the budget just doesn't allow. A family of four would cost us a lot more money with tickets and inpark spending.

If you can only go to one, I strongly recommend Busch Gardens. Aside from maybe Disney, it's easily the most beautiful park I've ever been to. And their roller coasters are very good.

I'd love to get to Busch Gardens in Virginia this summer. If only it wasn't so far. I went to their Tampa park a couple of years ago and loved it. The rides were great and the atmosphere was even better. Not to mention getting a second days admission free wasn't bad either. From what if seen the Virginia park might be even better.

I go to both parks each year. I prefer King's Dominion over Busch just over the layout. Busch is laid out with many dead ends and is hilly. KD's coasters are awesome and the promise of I305 makes the park even more appealing.
How old are your kids? Mine are 3 and 8 and they love both parks. Busch's new Sesame Street area was a big hit last year, the kids loved seeing the characters. KD had Nick and Hanna Barbarra last year but I read that they were getting rid of them this year. So I figure Snoopy is moving in to VA, but the kid rides are great at KD.We also go to KD the weekend after opening weekend and the weather is usually good.
And remember your platinium pass gets you in KD free with free parking. and if the Point Perks are the same as last year, Scooby Dollars (beagle bucks) are 10% off which saves on in park spending. So one night or two at KD then 2 at Busch could be possible..

If everything worksout, we are hoping on visiting both parks. A day at Kings Dominion and two days at Busch Gardens and Water Country. It looks like KD has some good Platinum pass perks this year, although they are a little generic on discription with Bring a Friend discount everyday and Walk on Wednesdays?

And just a heads up, if you need to process your pass before you go to opening day, be aware that they are not offering any preseason processing and that processing starts 1 hour before park open on opening day.

Never been to KD, but I've been to Busch Garden's there a very beautiful park!

With all due respect to Cedar Point, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is perhaps one of the best parks in the country. The setting, food, entertainment, integration of rides with the environment, and just overall quality is on par with the best of the Orlando parks in many ways. It's a wonderful park.

Kings Dominion is a solid park as well, although much more thrill-oriented than Busch Gardens. So it's all a matter of personal preference ultimately, whatever it is one is looking for in a park.

Has anyone done the Behind the Scenes Coaster Tour at Busch? I'm looking into doing it Sunday, and was wondering what its like?