Busch Gardens Tampa: Whether you’re an animal lover or a thrill seeker, Busch Gardens is sure to delight you. Home to over 200 animal species and many adrenaline-pumping rides and kid-friendly attractions, this zoo and theme park is one of the best places for a fun outing in Florida.
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Planning your epic trip to this incredible destination?
Dive into our ultimate guide to Busch Gardens to find out everything you need to know for an unforgettable outing: –
Timings
The park’s opening time is 10 AM and closing time on most weekdays during winter, spring, and fall is 6 PM.
In case of holidays and weekends, the park closes late at around 9 or 10 PM.
If you’re visiting during summer, you’ll find the park open from 10 AM until 10 PM.
Location & Parking
Busch Gardens is only around an hour’s drive away from Orlando. The exact address is 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612.
The general parking fee is $30 while the seasonal pricing fee starts around $35.
The space for general parking is across the street from the park. If you don’t prefer to walk from there, you can hop on a tram.
If you’re an annual pass holder, you’ll get discounted or free parking depending upon the type of pass you have.
Tickets
You can choose from single-day tickets or multi-day tickets. Base single-day tickets are quite affordable as they are around $106.73 each.
You can also pick Any Day Ticket which is around $136.83, if you don’t have a specific day planned for the outing.
Note that ticket prices may increase on busier days such as holidays and weekends. You can also get an all-day dining deal with your single-day ticket for as low as $144.35.
Don’t feel like waiting too much in line?
Get an add-on of Quick Queue on your ticket to skip the lines.
Plan on staying in Central Florida for a few days?
You might like to opt for multi-day tickets. You can choose your admission to Busch Gardens Tampa, Adventure Island Water Park, SeaWorld Orlando, or the Aquatica Orlando Water Park.
These are valid for six months after the day of purchase but you must make your visits within 14 days from your first visit.
The best one here that covers everything is the four-park ticket with unlimited visitors and free parking at $234.60.
If you’d like to be a frequent visitor here, you can also check out the annual pass options.
Busch Gardens Tampa Attractions
Adrenaline-pumping Rides #1
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you’ll love the wild rides here. The park has nine coasters and several other adventurous rides.
One of the most popular is Iron Gwazi, the fastest and steepest coaster in the world. It is also the tallest in the country and goes up to 76 miles per hour.
Another highlight is Falcon’s Fury, a drop tower that makes you pivot 90 degrees before dropping 335 feet.
Another one is Tigris, the state’s tallest launch coaster that takes you forward and backward with several twists and loops.
Adventure lovers will also enjoy numerous other thrilling rides including SheiKra, Cheetah Hunt, Kumba, and Montu.
Want to try something different?
Hop on the Serengeti Flyer.
It swings back and forth, going higher each time, offering spectacular views. It does so at an impressive speed of 68 miles per hour.
Gentle Rides #2
If you don’t prefer rides that make your heart beat way too fast, there are many gentle ride options that you can enjoy.
From getting into the driving seat at Ubanga-Banga Bumper Cars, getting slightly drenched at Stanley Falls Flume to enjoying mesmerizing views of the park at Skyride, there are many options to try here.
Want to explore the park with an easy-going ride?
Hop on the Serengeti Express Train.
Busch Gardens Wildlife #3
One of the best things about Busch Gardens is that it is a zoo and theme park rolled into one.
From watching the vets take care of injured or sick animals at the Animal Care Center, to feeding giraffes and observing trainers interacting with cheetahs, there are endless special experiences that await animal lovers here.
You can also get on the Serengeti Express Train and witness zebras, rhinos, gazelles, giraffes, and more.
The Skyride is also great to view the animals from above.
Busch Gardens Tampa Tips
Here are some of the tips that can save you time and effort: –
- Get there early. At the opening time, it can get crowded and parking can take longer than expected. Allot an extra 30 minutes to reach the Busch Gardens Tampa on time.
- Do not bring outside food and drinks since they aren’t allowed inside. Carry only water bottles.
- Take a picture of where you’ve parked your car. This will save you a lot of time afterward to locate your car.
- Bags are not allowed on any of the big rides. For optimal convenience, get the multi-use locker for the whole day at $15/day. They are quite spacious.
- If you’re going for an all-day trip, it’s best to get the all-day dining package. At only $30, you can get one entrée, one side or dessert, and one beverage every 90 minutes.
So, get your travel bags out and get ready for an epic outing at this incredible destination.
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FAQs:-
Q. Why is Busch Gardens Tampa so expensive?
Since it is a theme park and zoo in one, Busch Gardens Tampa also offers animal encounters along with the rides which is possibly the reason for the high-ticket price.
Q. Is Busch Gardens part of Disney?
No, Busch Gardens is over an hour’s drive from Walt Disney World.
Q. How long should I spend at Busch Gardens Tampa?
It is advised to spend at least 4-6 hours to enjoy the park’s offerings.