How To Visit Busch Gardens Tampa

Busch Gardens, spanning 300 acres, seamlessly blends exhilarating rides, captivating live entertainment, and one of North America’s most extensive zoos. This African-themed park offers diverse attractions suitable for visitors of all ages and a tremendous multigenerational Florida attraction. Carefully planning your visit can enhance your experience and ensure you maximize what the park offers. Here is how to visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Understanding Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Located in Tampa, Florida, Busch Gardens is renowned for its unique combination of thrill rides and animal encounters. The park is divided into various themed areas, each offering distinct experiences:

Morocco: The park’s entrance features shops, dining, and the Moroccan Palace Theater.
Egypt: Home to the Montu roller coaster and archaeological-themed attractions.
Nairobi: Features animal exhibits like the Animal Care Center.
Pantopia: Known for Falcon’s Fury, a 335-foot drop tower (the tallest in North America!), and Phoenix Rising, a new suspended family-style coaster (up to 44 mph).

Congo: Offers the Kumba steel roller coaster (7 inversions) and Congo River Rapids.
Jungala: Provides up-close animal encounters, including tigers and orangutans.
Serengeti Plain: A vast habitat featuring free-roaming African wildlife.
Stanleyville: Home to water rides like Stanley Falls Flume and my favorite thrill ride, SheiKra (adrenaline-packed dive coaster).
Benga Bay: Iron Gwazi (a hybrid coaster with a 135-foot drop, diving loop, and a 360-degree spiral) is calling all thrillseekers.

Sesame Street Safari of Fun: A family-friendly area with rides and attractions for younger guests. Elmos Treehouse Trek will be the highlight of any kid’s Busch Gardens visit.

Planning Your Visit

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, consider the following tips:

Choose the Right Time to Visit: Weekdays typically have fewer crowds, especially during the off-peak season. Arriving early allows you to experience popular attractions with shorter wait times. Typical park hours are 10 AM — 7 PM (M-Th), 10 AM — 10 PM (Fri, Sat), and 10 AM — 9 PM (Sun).
Purchase Tickets in Advance: Buying tickets online can save time and sometimes money. Explore options like multi-park passes or annual memberships if you plan to visit other attractions. A single-day ticket runs as low as $66.
Download the Busch Gardens App: The official mobile app provides real-time information on ride wait times, show schedules, and an interactive map to help navigate the park.
Consider Quick Queue Passes: These passes allow expedited access to popular rides, which can be beneficial during peak times. Evaluate the cost versus potential time saved based on your visit date.
Plan for Parking: General parking is available, with options for preferred parking closer to the entrance. Purchasing parking passes in advance can streamline your arrival. I highly recommend not arriving at the park between 9:30 and 10:30, as the lines to reach the parking lot are very congested.

Busch Gardens Festivals

The festival game is strong at Busch Gardens. We visited during the Food & Wine (pictured above), where guests can enjoy 80+ flavors to taste the world through international cabins offering selected food and drinks. There are also 26 chart-topping musical acts provided throughout the festival.

A few other noteworthy Busch Gardens Tampa Bay festivals are Bier Fest Brews & BBQ (August), Howl-O-Scream (September and October), and Christmas Town (mid-November through the first of the year). Also, watch for Guy Harvey weekends, where you can enjoy meet-and-greets with this legendary Jamaican marine wildlife artist and conservationist and more.

SeaWorld Orlando is the sister park to Busch Gardens. It is another vibrant and exciting park to explore and can be added on as a two-day, two-park ticket for as low as $49.99 per day. Adventure Island and Aquatica Orlando are interchangeable in the park selection.

Navigating the Park

With a vast area to explore, having a strategy can enhance your experience:

Start with Popular Attractions: To avoid longer lines later, begin your day with high-demand rides like Iron Gwazi, Cheetah Hunt, and Falcon’s Fury.
Utilize the Park Map: Familiarize yourself with the park’s layout to plan efficient routes between attractions. The app’s GPS feature can assist in real-time navigation.
Take Advantage of Shows and Animal Exhibits: These can provide enjoyable breaks between thrill rides and are scheduled throughout the day. Check the app for showtimes and locations.
Stay Hydrated and Rested: Florida’s climate can be hot and humid. Utilize shaded areas, stay hydrated, and take breaks as needed to ensure comfort throughout the day.

Dining Options

Busch Gardens offers a variety of dining experiences:

All-Day Dining Plan: This plan allows you to enjoy meals and snacks throughout the day at participating restaurants. It can be a cost-effective option if you plan to dine multiple times. This is a $40 add-on when you buy tickets online and is of enormous value! Otherwise, the all-day dining deal is $59.99.
Diverse Cuisine: From quick-service to sit-down restaurants, the park caters to various tastes, including vegetarian and kid-friendly options. A couple of my favorites are Zambia Smokehouse and Zagora Cafe. There is even a Chick-fil-A for those who crave a recognizable brand name.
Outside Food Policy: Outside food and beverages are generally not permitted, except for bottled water or items for guests with special dietary needs.

Pro Tip: How would you like to get FREE shuttle service from Orlando to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay? Mears Destination Services provides complimentary daily round-trip motor coach transportation from SeaWorld Orlando, Publix Vineland Avenue Orlando, Doubletree Universal Orlando, and ICON Orlando. This free transportation is available with any valid Busch Gardens admission ticket, Fun Card, or Annual Pass. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

Busch Gardens Animal Encounters

Beyond rides, Busch Gardens is home to over 12,000 animals:

Animal Care Center: Observe veterinary care and learn about animal conservation efforts.
Serengeti Safari: An open-air vehicle tour offering close-up views of African wildlife.
Interactive Experiences: Opportunities to feed animals like kangaroos and giraffes are available, providing memorable experiences for all ages.

Family-Friendly Activities

For those visiting with children:

Sesame Street Safari of Fun: Features age-appropriate rides, shows, and character interactions.
Kid-Friendly Rides: Attractions with lower height requirements ensure younger guests have plenty to enjoy.
Stroller Rentals: Available near the park entrance for added convenience.

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Additional Tips

Dress Comfortably: Wear lightweight, breathable clothing and comfortable footwear suitable for walking. Consider bringing a poncho or raincoat for water rides or unexpected rain.