Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers a thrilling combination of wild animal encounters and world-class rides that make it a must-visit theme park. With so many attractions to explore, it’s essential to plan ahead and make the most out of your day there. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Pack Light
Most rides at Busch Gardens do not allow bags, so you should pack as lightly as possible. If you can fit everything in your pockets or a small bag, great! If not, be prepared to rent a locker. Busch Garden locker sizes and rates vary, so plan accordingly.
Arrive Early
The park has varying hours of operation depending on the season and day of the week. Arriving early ensures you have ample time to experience everything the park has to offer, so be sure to check the hours of operation before you travel.
Dress Appropriately
Florida’s sun can be harsh, so wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect your face and eyes. Guests can bring clear water bottles into the park, so bring one and stay hydrated all day long.
Park Near the Tram
To enter the park, guests must park their vehicles and hop on a tram ride, so try to park as close to the tram as possible for your own convenience.
Decide the Theme of Your Day
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers an array of attractions, so decide on a theme for your day. Whether it’s seeing the animals, riding the coasters, or experiencing it all, having a plan of action helps prioritize which attractions to visit throughout your trip.
Grab a Map
While some visitors find it bothersome to carry a map, it’s a helpful tool to ensure you get to your destination with ease.
Consider Purchasing an All-Day Dining Pass
Since outside food and beverages (with the exception of water bottles) are not allowed in the park, an all-day dining pass can help you save money while enjoying delicious meals. With it you get one entrée platter, dessert or side, and soft drink (or water) once per hour at any of the designated locations.
Visit the Animals First
If you’re fascinated by animals, head to these areas of the park first, as some species tend to be more active in the morning. At Busch Gardens, you can see and learn more about a multitude of animals, including gorillas, cheetahs, tigers, elephants, sloths, penguins and flamingos.
Check Out the Busch Gardens Animal Care Center
For an extra fee, you can tour the Busch Gardens Animal Care Center and witness the exceptional animal health and rehabilitation work provided by the park. Throughout the tour, you’ll witness with your own eyes how well the animals are cared for and how passionate the crew is about them.
Experience More Wildlife Excursions
If you want to expand your zoological encounters, Busch Gardens offers some wildlife excursions. From giant tortoise feedings at the ZooTampa to dolphin greetings at Sea World® the activities are endless.
Ride the Serengeti Railway
This relaxing train ride will take you around the Serengeti Plain, offering you breathtaking views of giraffes, zebras, lions, and more. Whether you’re a roller coaster enthusiast or you’re just looking for a unique way to see the animals, the Serengeti Railway is not to be missed.
Prioritize the Big Rides
If you’re someone who loves thrill rides, you’ll want to head straight for the big rides as soon as you enter the park. To save time, walk in a counterclockwise path around the park. This will take you straight to Cheetah Hunt, one of Busch Gardens’ top coasters. From there, you can ride all of the park’s other big rides and thrill rides, without having to backtrack or waste time walking around the park.
Let the Kids Be Kids
If you’re visiting Busch Gardens with children, you’ll want to make sure they have plenty of opportunities to play and have fun. Head over to the Sesame Street Safari of Fun, where kids can enjoy kid-friendly rides, splash and play areas, and shows just for them. Plus, they can experience their first thrill ride on Air Grover!
Take Advantage of the Child Swap Card
If you’re visiting with young children who cannot ride the big coasters, don’t worry – you can still take turns riding them without having to wait in line twice. Just ask an attendant for a Child Swap card at the ride entrance. The card will have a specific ride time on it. One portion of your group can ride while the others wait with the kids, and then you can swap places so everyone gets a turn.
Maximize Your Ride Time
Many theme park visitors assume that they need to leave the park before closing time, but that’s not the case at Busch Gardens. You can still enter ride queues until the park closes, so if you’re in line when closing time arrives, you can still ride that coaster or thrill ride you’ve been eyeing all day.
Go to the Shows
Busch Gardens offers an impressive lineup of shows, from performances for kids to epic productions that will blow you away. Many of these shows are indoors, making them the perfect way to escape the Florida heat. Check out “Turn It Up!” for an unforgettable musical experience.
Find Out What Festivals are Happening
Busch Gardens hosts themed festivals throughout the year, adding even more fun and excitement to your visit. Before you go, find out what festival is happening and plan accordingly. From the Food & Wine Festival to Howl-O-Scream, there’s always something new and exciting to experience at Busch Gardens.
Know if You Need an Extra Ticket
Some events and experiences at Busch Gardens require an extra ticket, such as the annual Howl-O-Scream festival or certain tours and animal experiences. Make sure you know ahead of time if you need to purchase an extra ticket for these activities.
Busch Gardens offers something for everyone, whether you’re a roller coaster fanatic or a lover of animals and nature.
Check out Busch Garden’s newest ride the Serengeti Flyer Swing here: