Family Trip: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
*I was given complimentary passes to Busch Gardens Tampa bay in exchange for an honest review of the park. All opinions are 100% my own!
In trying to find a fun, and somewhat local, adventure for my family to take during Spring Break, I came upon Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL. A lot of friends recommended Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and since my boys are getting to that height that allows them to experience a lot more of the rides than a few years ago, I thought it would be the perfect adventure.
We packed up the Kia Sorento that we were test driving for a week and embarked on our family road trip. We were all set and super excited to arrive! The first day of our trip was focused on getting there (obviously LOL), checking in to the hotel, and then researching what rides and exhibits we wanted to hit first!
A LITTLE BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY HISTORY
You may know Busch Gardens as a (prior) hospitality center for Anheuser Busch. It was originally designed in the style of a German beer garden but since then, has grown into a huge amusement park. In the mid 1960’s they opened The Serengeti Plain, a 29-acre houses giraffes, zebras and more. Shortly after, in 1976 Busch Gardens introduced its very first roller coaster, the Python. Following coasters included Stanley Falls, Gwazi®, SheiKra®, Cheetah Hunt®, Falcon Fury (America’s tallest freestanding drop tower) and more!
Aside from the rides, Busch Gardens has grown into one of the largest zoos in the United States! There’s so much more to Busch Gardens than just rides…it’s amazing!
PARKING
General parking was $18 when we visited, with a tram that would bring you to the front of the park. We opted for the up-front parking for $6 more and walked a short distance to the entrance – I recommend this option. What is really nice is if you have a stroller, they provide special parking close to the entrance (since you cannot take the stroller on the trams).
BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY APP
One more important thing to do before you arrive, is download the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay app on your phone. You can check ride wait times, go over the map of the park, sign up for exclusive attractions like the safari, and more!
RIDES
As with a lot of amusement parks, Busch Gardens Tampa offers the option to purchase a separate ticket to bypass the lines (and they can get loooonnnngggg) called “Quick Pay Queue”. It saved us a lot of whining and complaining from the boys and allowed for us to spend more time at the other attractions. I highly recommend getting this and doing so online before you go to the park. You can get the pass inside the park at kiosks, but when we went it was double the price.
Definitely grab a map as it outlines each of the sections of the park and their attractions, animal habitats, dining and shopping. It will also show you where ATMs, bathrooms, cell phone recharging stations (nice perk), LED boards with wait times (super helpful), and more.
Of course the very first thing we did upon arriving at Busch Gardens was ride Cheetah Hunt. This was the first time my youngest son would ride a rollercoaster of this calibre. I have to say I was rather worried, but when I saw the shear look of excitement on his face when he came off, all worry disappeared. My little man was growing up before my eyes!
The boys couldn’t wait to get on the U-Banga Banga bumper cars – time to have fun and let go of some pent-up energy! They were hysterical laughing the entire time!
It was a bit chilly the day we visited, but that didn’t stop my little guy from riding the Tanganyika Tidal Wave. He was drenched but loved every minute of it!
SheiKra was INSANE but so much fun!!
ATTRACTIONS
We saw so many animals at the park, I was quite surprised at how many were there! Both of my boys loved the hyenas the best, but it was hard to find a favorite as they were all so spectacular.
Look at this guy sunning himself in the Myobe Reserve! I didn’t even realize when I was taking this picture that there was another one swimming my way!
We traveled over to the Edge of Africa habitat and couldn’t believe how up close the lion and lioness in the photos below were. The lioness looked like she was staring right at me!
The hyenas were dubbed my boys’ favorite animal of the park, as mentioned above. Here they are (photos taken by my little guy).
I love these big guys!
Did you know that the Saturday morning show Wildlife Docs is filmed at Busch Gardens? I didn’t and thought it was awesome that we could see the procedure and surgery center! There were no procedures going on at the time we were there, but if there was, you’d be able to watch it first hand. Now, that is cool!
There were 6 different shows to check out – we loved Iceploration! Other options included a comedy show, Opening Night Critters; “A” is for Africa – a great option for the little ones that love Sesame Street; Motown jams during Motor City Groove and more!
The Sesame Street Safari of fun is perfect for little ones with attractions geared just for them.
There were so many more habitats and attractions that I didn’t highlight – perfect surprises for when you visit.
DINING
We chose to eat at Dragon Fire Pub and Grill because there were so many food options available. I’ve heard that the Crown Colony Cafe and Pub is supposed to be delicious as well
TOPIARIES
I can’t not showcase the gorgeous topiaries…
We can’t wait to come back to Busch Gardens – this time on a weekend to enjoy the Food and Wine festival!
To learn more about the park such as hours, tickets, etc. click HERE!
Have you been Busch Gardens? Even if you haven’t (which you should!), which part of the park is your favorite?
I’ve never been to Busch Gardens but it sure seems fun!
xoxo, Jenny
We had a great time Jenny!
This is such a great review! So informative and packed with information! I’ve never been to Busch Gardens, so this was something I will definitely reference next time I’m planning a trip!
Thanks Annie!
I have never been to Busch Gardens before. I’ve heard great things about it though! It looks like you and your family had a blast. Hopefully one day I will get to visit.
Mistle, I hope you get to visit!
This is awesome, and I’ll totally be looking back at this when we go sometime. Great post. I love that they gave you free passes- I should try that more often 🙂 Looks like you had fun!
Kelsie, it was great. Definitely contact their media department. She was super helpful too!
Looks like such a fun trip! My family is thinking about taking a trip to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg this year and I’m looking forward to it! 🙂
Cara, I can’t wait to hear about it!
Looks like such a great time! I love theme parks – we’ve been to Busch Gardens Williamsburg a number of times (their food and wine festival is great too!), but never the one in Tampa. I really should head down to Tampa for a day or two on one of my future Disney trips to come visit here!
Definitely check it out when you’re in FL for Disney!
WOW! There’s just so much to see here. I love that your boys were brave enough to try all the scary rides (at least for me they’re scary, lol). That’s really awesome. There are a lot of animals to observe as well. The topiaries would have to be my favorite!
The rides are scary for me too Eliza! LOL. My favorite were those topiaries!
I’ve been, but it was with my Dad when I was 8 or 9….my love for theme parks has remained, so I’d definitely love to go again someday and see what it’s like these days!
Rachel, such fun memories for you and your dad!
I love amusement parks. I was sold when I saw that rollercoaster. I’ve been to the one in VA. I need to make my way to Florida. I have to try that ride. That looks like big fun!
I want to check out the one in Virginia! Is it different than this one?
My Mom would love to see something like this. She’s really into beautiful places.
Kathy, she’d love it then!
my daughter is 8 yrs old and she’s been dying to try to ride the rollercoaster although she pass the height limit I never allowed her to try it haha till she turns 10 haha im just too scared for her this themepark looks really fun
I totally understand the mom fear factor. I’m afraid of those rides myself 😉
Well that looks like so much fun! Being a west coaster I’ve never heard of the place. It looks like there’s plenty to do for everyone. I can’t believe how close you were able to get to the lions and tigers. Amazing!
It was a blast! Do you have any parks similar on the west coast?
I didn’t know Busch Gardens opened as part of a hospitality center for Anheuser Busch! Such an amazing place to visit! Thanks for the great review and wonderful photos! The topiaries look so gorgeous! I’d love to go there one day!
Wow! It looks like your family had a blast. The pictures are all beautiful. Florida is one of my bucket list. I always tell hubby that I want to go there someday. My kids half eldest sister lives in Melbourne.
I went to Bush Gardens a long time ago! It changed a lot! Thank you for sharing it! Loved your post!
My pleasure and thanks for stopping by Claudia!
Looks like you really enjoyed the day!
I am not a big fan of visiting amusement parks, I am too afraid of all the attractions!
It was a fun day! I am not as much of a rollercoaster lover but I loved everything else; and to see my boys’ faces as they went on the rides was priceless!
How fun! I would love to visit Busch Gardens. I’ve never been to any type of park like this and think it would be such fun!
Jeanine, it makes you feel like a kid again – I loved it as did my whole family 🙂
I haven’t been to an amusement park in such a long time! Looks like you had a fun time! 😀 Great review!
Thanks Farrah! Do you have any amusement parks nearby?
What an awesome trip. You guys looks like really enjoyed it! So Awesome!
Thanks Ron! We did have a great time 🙂
I love Busch Gardens! I don’t think I’ve ever been to the one in Tampa though. I think I’ve only been to the one in Virginia. But it’s so much fun!!
Okay now I really want to go to Busch Gardens! Maybe next time I’m in Florida we will have to check this out instead of just Disney 🙂
Looks like a great time!
From the first time I’ve heard about Busch gardens, I’ve wanted to visit. I hope to get to visit with the kids.
I love the photos. What a fun adventure!
Colette, I hope you can go with the kids as well! You’ll all love it!!
Ive always wanted to go to Tampa. I would love to go to Busch Gardens but so scared of some of these rides!
Awww, well what’s good is you don’t have to go on all of the rides! You can check out the animal habitats and their shows – and there are rides for people like us! (I’m not a big scary rider either 😉