Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Have been going to Busch Gardens for over 30 years when my children were babies, and now with friends,family and our grandchildren. The new improved children's play area with splash pads, and a maze of ropes to climb and play is terrific. For the roller coaster enthusiasts you've come to the right place for your thrills, along with other rides to get your heart pumping. Beautiful areas to see amazing animals from Zebras, Gorillas, tigers, cheetas, apes , fish, hippopotamus, penguins etc..there is something to see and do for everyone. The shows were great especially the ice-skating with amazing costumes and stunning sets. There are many little shops from clothing, hats, toys. The cafeteria food is extremely high for the value that you would expect to pay at a high end restaurant especially what they charge for admission. Aside from burgers and fries, etc..I think they would be amazed that people are looking for healthier options and will pay for that. Food is the weakest link, and needs an over haul. There are no more Florida resident rates which brought a ton of business in the past, but yearly membership rates do exist.

Having been to many zoos, I would say this is one of the best, even on par with San Diego Zoo. I did not go on the rides here, as I came for the animals. We did go on the giraffe and sloth tours. The giraffe tour was magnificent. The sloth one wasn't as impressive, but it was cool to see. The giraffe tour was spectacular because we got to fee the giraffes and we got up real close to them. It is expensive, but was well worth getting close to the giraffes. The zoo itself has animals of almost every typical kind you would find in a zoo, but they have particular spots where you can view close up, such as the Bengal tiger exhibit. It looks like most of the animals also have plenty of room, which is fantastic. There is a jeep tour throughout the zoo, but your best bet for getting close it to pay for the giraffe encounter. This is a better zoo experience than Animal Kingdom and is probably on par with San Diego Zoo, except that the some of the animals are not as rare as the ones you would find there. Don't forget to to go the aviary house and petting zoos. This is easily one of the best zoos I have been to.

We visited Busch Gardens as a big family and the kids had a blast! It was my first time back in 20 years and I loved the new additions. The rides and animal exhibits were great. We got cheap tickets on UndercoverTourist.com and saved a lot. That said, the park is completely cashless, which was inconvenient. Parking was $35 per car (also cashless), and food was crazy expensive—two burgers, two fries, and drinks cost us about $80. We weren’t able to ride everything due to heavy rain, and the trams don’t run when it rains. What really bothered us was the lack of accessibility. They refused to let my grandma on the tram with her mobility scooter, even though it was small and could be folded and held. We had to walk all the way back to the car to drive her to the front, then go back and park. Very disappointing. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves, but Busch Gardens definitely needs to improve accessibility and rethink their cashless-only and pricing policies.

This park is awesome if you enjoy rollercoasters!! My family does however, the day we went the rides were closed down for almost 3 hrs due to storms nearby. Unfortunately, we don’t live nearby and had to leave the park and there is a “no refund” policy so they give rain checks but, the weather didn’t state there would be storms that day and I feel like they should’ve been more reasonable with that due to the fact that my family and I are unable to return to that park again within a year.

Fun place to take the family and fairly priced considering amusement park prices in general. Plenty of food/dining options and the all day dining option is great! Rides were all operational and the lines were late not bad at all. We also did the sloth encounter and it was great. So darn cute and the ladies proving the educational information were very knowledgeable and friendly. Took away a star for the $43 parking for non season pass holders.

Fun for all Ages 🌿🎢 A Thrilling Escape in the Heart of Tampa! Busch Gardens Tampa is the perfect blend of adventure, nature, and excitement! From pulse-pounding roller coasters like Iron Gwazi to the serene beauty of the animal habitats, there’s something for every kind of explorer. The park is impeccably clean, the staff are friendly and helpful, and the lush landscaping makes you feel like you’re in another world. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or strolling through vibrant themed areas, it’s a memorable experience that keeps you coming back for more. Totally worth the visit—especially if you love a dash of wild fun mixed with a splash of safari magic! 🐘🌍 Superb Drone Show and Fireworks amazing

Alongside Sea World, in Orlando, it has the best roller coasters. The Rhythm of Nature ice skating show is amazing. There is story, there is technique, there is good music, the stage looks beautiful in every step of the show; please, do yourself a favor and watch it. The drones and fireworks show: the drone part is very nice, but the fireworks part looks a bit loose, with no particular purpose; the music sounds a bit fragmented. Overall, it is a nice way to end your day in the park, but could use some improvements here and there. I recommend this park for families, friends, groups and individuals who love a good thrilling and enjoyable day at a theme park (in the summer bring hat, sunscreen, water, healthy snacks because you will need it)

Thrilling rides Queue pass was worth while, inc the all inc drinks and food - saved money with this. Not as well run as Orlando in terms of queues / ac but there is ample shading. A great day out & young kids can ride big coasters

Explore Certainly! Here's a Yelp review for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay:  Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: A Thrilling Adventure with Wildlife and Coasters!  I recently visited Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and it was an exhilarating experience! This African-themed theme park seamlessly blends world-class thrill rides with captivating wildlife encounters.  Thrilling Coasters: The roller coasters are the heart of Busch Gardens. I raced like a cheetah on the Cheetah Hunt coaster, and the adrenaline rush was incredible. But my absolute favorite was Sheikra, a dive coaster that left me breathless as it plummeted 335 feet!  Orangutans and Wildlife: The park isn't just about coasters; it's also home to over 12,000 animals. The orangutan exhibit was a highlight for me. Watching these intelligent creatures swing through the trees was mesmerizing.  Scenic Railroad Safari: Hop aboard the Serengeti Express scenic railroad for a unique safari experience. As the train chugged along, I spotted giraffes, zebras, and other African animals roaming freely. It's a relaxing way to explore the park while enjoying the wildlife.  Food and Snacks: Now, let's talk about the food. While it's true that Busch Gardens serves typical theme park fare (think sweet fried treats), I appreciated the variety. From funnel cakes to soft pretzels, there's something for everyone. Plus, the park offers all-day dining upgrades if you want more options.  Overall Impression: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a must-visit for thrill-seekers and animal lovers alike. Whether you're screaming on a coaster or admiring the animals.

The rollercoasters were great. They were thrilling and pretty varied as to what type of ride they were. However, the staff at the park were incredibly rude and had no sense of urgency. We ate lunch at the Nairobi BBQ place. We watched one of the employees behind the counter playing with her hair with her gloves on then touch the food with the same gloves on. The other staff members were barking at customers asking what they wanted to eat or acted as if the customer was an inconvenience to them. The ride loading is incredibly slow and drawn out. We were in the heat of June with 90+ temperatures and many of the queue lines had poor ventilation and areas of full sun. This was absolutely brutal waiting for rides that at any other theme park would have had a significantly shorter wait time. Multiple rides were running only one car which made wait times multiply. The food is below average theme park food and fortunately, with the all day dining, I didn't have to pay full price because it was incredibly expensive for what you get. The bathrooms were dirty, there are only a few water filling bottle stations around the park. I will skip this park and pay more to go to Disney or Universal in the future.

I had a caricature drawn of my Gramma many years ago by a fella named Jared. It was a bit odd looking, but he was the only "artist" not drawing at the time, so I figured I'd give him a shot. I wheeled her over to the easel and he got to work and lemme tell ya--his drawing made no sense. It has all of these weird wobbly shapes all over it and it looked like he was doing scribble colors like a little kid would. My Gramma seemed to like it, so I gave him my money and even bought a frame so she could hang it up. Fast forward 9 years later and my Gramma is now the newest angel to pass through the pearly gates of heaven. We decided to display her drawing at her funeral right next to the casket. It's what she would've wanted. Well...lemme tell ya--that drawing made a lot of folks upset! They felt like the drawing was some sort of cruel joke that turned the funeral into a carnival. I had to hide it after most of the family complained. It was a sad sight to say the least. Anyways...don't let Jared draw your Gramma, and if he does--keep that drawing in a dark room where no one can see it!

This theme park is a really cool combination of thrilling rides & animal experiences, something you cannot often find. It makes a great fit for our family with the littles enjoying the animals and train through the African grasslands with the parents enjoying a ride or two throughout our time. And the Sesame Street land is a big hit with our 4 year old, who loves the rides and the massive treehouse. I'm impressed by the variety and intensity of the thrill rides too! The keepers are excellent, always happy to teach about the animals at the keeper talks. And the cheetah run is can't miss, so cool to see the animal enrichment in front of you. It's a great experience and we love only having to drive 30-45 minutes for theme park fun!

My family and I had a great time at Busch gardens! We ride 3 coasters over the span of 4 hours so about a 50 minute wait. There was a private event happening in the park so that added more traffic than usual. Overall, always a great time here

We have now visited all of the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens park now and spent 2 full days here. One on a Sunday, when it was more busy and the other on a Tuesday when less busy, but less hours to have fun. If you go on the weekends, you are getting more shows and more food options to be opened especially if you plan on buying the all dining pass. I would recommend getting the pass on the weekends as on a less busy day, the food passes that are not as good are closed. Layout can be confusing and some of the paths can be hidden as I tend to get lost some of the times, but I followed the signs to get where I was at. I did like the themes, the Egyptian, Africa and Morocco. The theming is pretty good, but it is not as beautiful as Williamsburg, but I prefer this park. I would suggest riding the Serengeti Train one time, however, they do take forever to load and you might need to wait 25 minutes for them to depart. But you get to see the animals without doing the extra charge of going on the safari car. The park is huge and prepare to walk. We did not see any shows as they were not showing on the weekend and focus more of the rides and seeing the animals. We rode the following rides and my quick thoughts on these as I did a full review on these. Sheikra, Skyride and Congo River Rapids were closed which I enjoy riding on. 1. Iron Gwazi - you might need to wait 30 minutes before this ride opens and on the weekday they were having technical difficulties so we waited till 2pm to start riding 2. Cheetah Hunt - this is a popular ride 3. Montu - they only run 1 train 4. Cobra's Curse - long line on the weekday 5. Falcon's Fury - must do, but do not do this if you are scared of heights 6. Tigiris 7. Stanley Flume Falls - you do get soaked on there 8. Scorpion - line moves slow, but ride once if you need the credit 9. Kumba - this shakes quite a bit 10. Train Station - the scenery is cool and seeing the animals, but the wait might be long I did take a look at the Sesame Street, but the place was small, but they do have a small showing area. It looked nice of the kids to play on. Food - we ate at the following, please note that some of the places do not take the dining plan and close 1 hour before the park closes 1. Zambia Smokehouse - must go to, we loved the ribs 2. Chick Fila - beware of the birds while eating outside, they will follow you and if you drop the food they will be aggressive 3. Moroccan Delights - they serve burgers, chicken strips - not too bad if you want a bit to eat 4. Sergenti Cafe - We ate the pizza and was not too bad. I think at that point I was getting full. Overall, I had a great experience and would definitely come here again for 2 days.

An iconic park and staple in every kid's roller coaster-loving, forming years. Every year we used to go to Busch Gardens, before annual passes were a thing (and so cheap!). This is one of my favorite (and underrated) amusement parks ever! Coming back so many years later as an adult totally made me so nostalgic of all the fun and great times at this incredible park. Re riding the roller coasters I once thought were the extreme or crazy ones only to find out the fear and excitement is gone was totally to be expected. The unexpected was re finding new thrilling rides to ride and be excited about like gwazi and cheetah hunt. Busch Gardens is and will always be my favorite roller coaster theme park and an absolute nostalgic and thrilling place to go to. Pro tip: if you catch the annual pass deal for $99, go for it! Also, the all day dining for $49.99 is pretty obnoxious even though you'll quickly end up spending that anyway. So just I guess if you do it smartly, you'll definitely get the most out of it. Just wished more establishments were open and the food was slightly better quality in some places, especially if you're paying regular price. Also, nothing like going here on a weekday where the lines are barely 5 minutes long. Can't wait to come back and do some of my favorite wet rides and other rides I didn't get to try this time around from just soaking it all in. If you love roller coasters, don't skip Busch Gardens.

I love the park itself; plenty of coasters and the fact that that there is also a zoo so to speak is cool. However; the food is less than to be desired. I know...it's a theme park but ...A family of 6 for lunch costs $150?! Not to mention a grilled chicken sandwich with a chicken breast that was about 3/4 the size of an iPhone and cold. I get inflation but come on, do better.

Busch Gardens stands as a renowned theme park, captivating visitors with a diverse array of rides and roller coasters that include iconic experiences like SheiKra, Montu, and Cheetah Hunt. These attractions collectively deliver thrilling experiences, creating lasting memories for those seeking an adrenaline-packed adventure. As a devoted visitor for the past four years, I've consistently found joy in the multifaceted offerings of Busch Gardens. The park's allure extends beyond exhilarating rides, encompassing captivating seasonal events like Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town. These events add an extra layer of excitement and festivity to the overall park experience. For me, the pinnacle of Busch Gardens' charm lies in the immersive Halloween atmosphere during the Howl-O-Scream event. The opportunity to enjoy the park's diverse rides at half the regular price while partaking in unique Halloween experiences makes it a standout time to visit. Beyond the thrill rides and seasonal festivities, Busch Gardens takes pride in its themes and attractions that cater to a wide audience. Visitors can engage in up-close animal encounters, attend live shows, and marvel at the beauty of various creatures, including Giraffes, Lions, Zebras, and Elephants. Busch Gardens transcends the typical theme park experience, offering a dynamic blend of excitement, entertainment, and natural wonders. Whether embracing the thrill of a roller coaster or appreciating the beauty of wildlife, each visit to Busch Gardens is a rich and varied adventure that keeps me coming back for more.

Buckle up, thrill-seekers and ghost-hunters! If you're on the lookout for spine-tingling thrills and Halloween chills, Busch Gardens Tampa's Howl-O-Scream event is where the spooky magic happens! This isn't my first rodeo at this haunted haven, and let me tell you, it won't be my last. Why? Because Busch Gardens Tampa knows how to throw a Halloween bash that's downright hauntingly fantastic. It's like they've brewed up a potion that perfectly balances the scare factor for adults without giving the kiddos nightmares. Let's talk about the star of the show--the haunted houses. These spooky spectacles are a testament to horror craftsmanship, offering just the right amount of spine-tingling fear factor. They'll have you jumping out of your skin while admiring the chilling attention to detail. And the best part? It's the perfect balance of scary for us grown-ups while not freaking out the little ones. Kudos to the masterminds behind these haunted dwellings! But it's not just about the screams; it's also about the screams of laughter and joy. The electrifying atmosphere, adorned with eerie decorations and ghastly characters roaming about, creates an otherworldly experience that's both thrilling and entertaining. Busch Gardens Tampa's Howl-O-Scream event isn't just about the scares; it's a celebration of all things Halloween. From the spooky shows to the eerie rides that take on a new life after dark, every corner of the park is infused with a ghoulish charm that keeps you spellbound. And let's not forget the jack-o'-lanterns, the costumed characters, and the bewitching ambiance that sets the stage for a wickedly good time. So, if you're a sucker for spooky shenanigans and thrilling Halloween fun, make sure Busch Gardens Tampa's Howl-O-Scream is on your must-do list. It's a hair-raising, heart-pounding adventure that'll have you coming back year after year--just like me!

I've been an annual pass holder for the past 10 years. Keep in mind that this includes the BG in Virginia (which is sooo much better than this one!) I finally bit the bullet and canceled my pass to move on to Universal parks. The benefits of this pass have declined and it's no longer an attractive offer. First of all, you get preferred parking with your annual pass. However, 95 percent of the time I visit, they tell me the lot is full. Full? Really? Again? I started ignoring this and have ALWAYS been able to find a space in the preferred lot. Secondly, the pass no longer offers 50 percent discount on tickets. And lastly, you still get free guest tickets, but can only use one at a time per quarter. The park itself is great, beautifully decorated during the holidays. The variety of shows is somewhat lacking, but the ones they do offer are excellent. The best one is the ice skating show. Love that they do pictures with Rudolph, the reindeer crew, at Christmas. The rides are thrilling and worth the wait in the lines. My favorite is iron gwazi. Now, the onto what needs improving.... the food! The food is mediocre. Compared to the food at the BG Virginia where they offer cuisine appropriate to the country you're visiting (the theme there is the European countries), the food here is not theme park worthy. They do have some diverse offerings during food festivals, but they really should offer that all the time. Bring the better benefits back to the passes, improve the food (maybe put in a couple nice full service restaurants) and stop lying to me about the preferred parking lot being full and maybe I'll consider coming back. Until then, I'm a universal pass holder

My husband and I chose Busch gardens of all the Disney options in Florida because we wanted some fun rides and we got them :) We arrived right at opening (10am) and left right at closing (5pm) in January. We definitely needed the whole time to see and do everything. We successfully did all the rides minus the Sesame Street kid land, the water ride that wasn't open, and one coaster that wasn't operating. We were running around the park to try and do everything and we barely made it to Zagora cafe to close out our all day dining pass with one final meal at 4:30 before the park closed. Note: Zagora was the only place open at this time, so if you are looking for food close to park closing don't do what we did and run in a circle around the park, go straight here. The rides were a blast: I loved the iron gwazi the best, and the drop that tilts you to oook straight down before releasing into free fall. So we did those ones twice. The longest line on a Tuesday at the end of January was about 20 minutes. Even then, we barely got all the rides in during the parks hours so there is plenty to do even though it didn't seem like it at first glance. I also thoroughly enjoyed the animal exhibits. Normally I'm not into zoos but I felt good about the care of the animals here. The safari train ride was cool as were the bird aviaries. I really enjoyed the orangutans who were right up next to the view point saying hello to everyone. It's a fun park because it mixed the animals encounters with the thrills for a diverse day. They have a great team system from the parking lot. I would not park off the lot because the surrounding area is pretty sketchy feeling.

On the Iron Gwazi ride, my phone fell off it and Hannah, the supervisor helped me find it . Thank you so much.

Love Busch gardens. They have great roller coasters and they continue to add new ones. They have great food and drink options. Christmastown when the whole park is lit up is magical. Best time of the year. Great deal for those that live in Tampa to get a fun card or an annual pass.

It's really a 5 but a solid 4 for new price gap on holiday town food n drinks. Why? It's always a 5 cuz theres always enough to do in this theme park! It has something for everybody and the new rides will tame any fan of roller coasters and in trail blending lol i'm a weak sauce at my age. I know i know i am not that old! Im 43 but i reached my maxed out in my early 30's on rides. So nowadays i am a 1.5 ride human. Today!? Solid 1 ride! I got on one of the new rides! Oh my facking gwad!! It scared the begisus outa me!! It's called the Serengeti Flier! It's a giant swing set with two rows on each swing! While waiting on the 10-20min line? It didn't look that scary. I had psyched myself out for it. I was on a two year medical no rides situation. So my internal space has gone away. So i said, eh looks cute. CUTE!!? First off! The seat is deep but awkward deep! It tilts your pelvis in a weird angle. So your legs are dangling as if you got lift by your "Daddy" princess style. Then the seat belt is this tiny little arm that sits over your belly bottom. Little tiny strap holds it in place so that u go full rag doll when u at 85 degrees upside down! Lol it doesn't look like it will? But it WILL!!! I forgot the guys name, the ride operator was funny and cute. Made us stick our feet and arms out like kids and wouldn't let us go until we did. Lol bro......... BROOOOO!! That first swing was thrilling! Then the second one? I was like O_o then third just catapulted us so freaking hiiigghh!! I almost blacked out! Then my creepy evil laughter kicked in and every time it hit that 85 degree angle!? Omg!!! my spirit left my body lol i was rag-dolling hard!! Afterwards!? No more rides for me!!! I maxed out my gross factor. I seriously wanted to do the upgraded iron coaster but my own kid told me if the swing fack me? That one would've killed me lol his mom did that one with him. She has a better tolerance to these rides than me. I had a funny event when we went in at entrance. Since i have a medical condition that i don't age at all? And my kid has my name? They thought we were her kids. The face she made!! Lol the mofo looks like my older brother cuz he is tall as fack n has a beard. I still look like what i did in high school. Just girly. So anyways here's my 4 star problem. Easily can fall on 2-3 why? I have noticed throughout the years? Food n drinks have not change drastically in size but gone up in price! Yikes! I have noticed the drinks have become smaller and cost a whopping!? $14.99!! This year they are about 4-6 oz!! Thing look like a freaking double shot! You know what i mean!? 4 fingers for $14.99!? You crazy!!? Food samples are at $8.99-10 small as sampler. The food tag? Went up to $60+ this year! Thats crazy to me!! It used to be $15 many years ago, then $20+ my last time pre corona was $35! Now its $60+!? Hell naw! Do what others say and bring snacks in your bra. Hide a flask in yo panties! Make sure that thing is plastic. It's what i used to do. I would buy the plastic bladder ones? And shoved them between my belly and junk. Then wore a tunic dress top to hide it. Went to bathroom and clean it with hand sanitizer and just enjoyed my rum n coke all day. For the guys? Use cargo pants but i still recommend to hide it snuggled up to your junk. Cuz i been checked in my cargos before. Let your lady friend hide it under her boobs. Nobody will touch those areas. I used to hide a burger in my bra. Keeps em nice and warm to! Nice little boob burger for later, nothing makes people loose their shit when u pull a burger outa your bra in public lol Food wise? I still bet on the all day food pass. It is so worth it! I think its still a whopping 50-80$ why i ain't complaining on it? Every hour? U can pick a free meal! So give it to your bag holder? And while ya'll riding and doing shows? They can collect bbq chicken n ribs, burgers etc etc and when u ready to eat? Everybody eats whatever they hoarded. Then continue on, at the end of the day? You got dinner and school or work lunch! We did the math one time and i sat my butt at the smoke house near scorpion or tigra. And i brought home so much ribs! And potatoes! I had lunch and dinner for days! Way cheaper than ordering out if you are annual pass holder. No penalties just patience! Don't forget to bring a hot bag and a crap ton of ziplock bags! Have a buddy with you holding a table or bench. Rinse n repeat. This is great advice for college kids too. I always have fun but like i said, a date night might kill your wallet. I noticed they made a build a buddy on the way out. It looks hella cute all the gear they have. Way better quality than build a bear. They have a deal thats $39.99 for the first plush and then get the second for about $14.99! Great for when u got more than one kid or on cute dates.

We went there on January 15 also MLK so many rides were down a lot of places in this park we're not open it was not a great experience they did give us tickets to come back. We'll see what happens next time. A downside is we paid for a package we had VIP parking we had all day food passes and we had the skip the line . When we go back, it's just the regular ticket to get in. so at this point, I am thinking they could do a lot better

Updating my review to improve the score because Busch Gardens outdid themselves with the 2023 annual pass members summer party they had for those who visited 20 times this summer. Whoever put this party together should be commended for far exceeding what was expected for Busch Gardens, especially lately. Almost everything they did that night was magical. From the champagne, including mocktails, as you entered, to allowing us to pick from whatever fancy drinks we wanted (times two), to snacks (x2) and even one free play on the fair games where every single person could have won a stuffed animal. No lines for the four coasters they had open this Special night! And then to blow our minds by handing out $35 huge beach towels AND a gourmet cupcake to go! OMG Being an annual pass holder this summer really meant something! They also recently had a special day in July where they allowed us to tour one of the haunted houses with a couple surprises at the end AND at the Giraffe Bar had Santa Clause available to visit. They are building a new coaster in Pantopia where Sand Serpent and a couple kids rides were located, so excited to see what that will be since they've already cleared the land but made no announcement yet. Thanks for improving Tampa's #1 playground destination and making it more fun again! Now if you could just get the sky ride open after being down the past five years, that would take the rating to five stars.

BGT has really gone downhill over the years. I remember the park being beautiful and very well run a decade ago. I was disappointed to see the state of the park when I visited last week. Gardens were not as well maintained. Bathrooms were in dire need of upgrades. Many attractions and areas closed with others running at super low capacity. I get a near equal experience at a Cedar Fair park for 2/3 the price amd I can get a way better experience at Disney or Universal for just a few dollars more. BG and Sea World need to improve their operations or it will catch up to them.

Busch Gardens really gets you in the mood for Christmas. The light shows were amazing! There was plenty of food and drink for purchase at the many food booths. Get a pass to make it a little easier on your budget. I recommend starting at about 3 so you can see the animals and then staying on into the night so you can really appreciate the lights. Rides stay open till 7:45pm. The park closes at 8:00. BG is a great way to enjoy Tampa Bay!

Omg, 8th grade field trip! Talk about Busch gardens need an upgrade!! They really need to do a renovation ASAP! Please wear comfortable sneakers or walking shoes because there's A LOT OF WALKING!! Also, pack your PATIENCE because the lines are CRAZY unless you get the Fast pass! Unfortunately, a lot of the restaurants weren't open which sucked!! It took us an hour and 40 mins to order lunch isn't that INSANE!! Like WTF.... Short staffed, limited options of food and rides because they were closed its not how you welcome students because they complained too much to the staff. Bush Gardens you need to do better and the prices shouldn't be so CRAZY TOO!! A bottle of water was $10 WTF OMG this trip

I always have a fun when I go to Busch gardens. It's one of my favorite theme parks. I love how they are always bringing new rides to the park or updating the current rides! There are so many roller coasters (which are my favorite things!) and I love that there are animals throughout the park to look at while you're walking around. Unfortunately I don't go that often, during the summer is so so hot and it's too brutal to go but as soon as it calms down, I make plans to go!

It was very good but the one bad thing was the wasps on the top of iron gwazi. But 5 stars if they take the nest away

Can never go wrong with an amusement park. I'm from VA and went every summer, Christmas, Halloween to Busch gardens and I could not wait to see what Tampa had going on. I would definitely recommend buying the fast track but figure out what rides you def want to ride bc the one we purchased did not come with ALL the rides. But over all our experience was soooo fun! Loved the train ride to see the animals and the rides seem to be the same as the Williamsburg just with diff names.

Always a family favorite. I can't give this anything less than a five star review. I respect the veteran appreciation days and really enjoy spending time seeing the animals and riding rides with the family. I would love to see bigger free beers (hint hint) from a place named after beer "Busch" but I understand, what could go wrong drinking and riding extreme coasters! The new Serengeti Flyer is an instant favorite!

well this park really needs an update of how they treat there customers. Last I went here was in 1984 or 1985. I had invited my friend for here since it's been a long time and I'm disappointed in some ways because of how they have an online website but when you try to scan your admission the guest services should really know how to scan versus bringing you back to the ticket line which waste more time. that extra day for the concession is not even worth it because after a howl and scream they limit you going over there. after this I don't think I would ever come over here there are ways need to change they're still living in the 1990s otherwise amusement parks like this place is way too expensive or overpriced thus 3 stars

This place was a great time for me and my family! We had so much fun with all the rides, found them to be a lot of fun and updated with the times. My favorite was the Iron kawazi it was my favorite rollercoaster here. We also really enjoyed the train ride as it showed us the animals and helped us get to the other side of the park with ease. What I didn't enjoy was not being informed when I purchased my ticket that it was grad night for a bunch of middle schoolers. Not sure if the park knew themselves but it was horrible (lol) and the monkey habitat was disgusting with bird poop everywhere and I only saw 1 gorilla. I also did not see the tigers or lions :/ The Sesame Street for the little kids was amazing! So many rides and giant jungle gym that they will surely enjoy

arazmin at parking was amazing so kind and informative def need more people like her! had a great time for my bbi's 13th burrfffdayyyy

We came here a few years back and the roller coasters were fun, but had much too long of a wait without the quick queue (which really is every amusement park now). The zoo area was very fun though and we had a blast feeding the giraffes. It's a pretty good place if you're primarily going to see the animals, but we probably wouldn't come back again.

We went here on vacation to Tampa, and weren't disappointed! I would like to disclose that we DIDN'T park at the parking lot, but had someone drop us off, so I have no idea what the parking situation is like. I do believe that there is a large golf cart that brings people to, and from, the parking lot. There is so much to see and do here. You can buy an admission ticket to enter, and see many animals, and cool sights. You can also purchase tickets for tours, safaris, rides, water park, and more! Not to mention the several gift shops around the park. We are doing the Serengeti tour, and I'm sure it will be great! The food is also reasonably prices for an amusement park!

Visited on what seemed like the hottest day of the year - Fourth of July! The park was clean, well kept, and fun. The layout was confusing but maybe that's because it was so hot . Would visit again, but with my own snacks and drinks. Like most amusement parks, the food can be pretty pricey. I would like to visit again

Doing tourist things this was on the list of to-do's on our family vacation to the Tampa/Bradenton beach area.....Great place to see all the different things Busch Gardens had to offer. This park was a great time for us as a family. The food stations/vendors had a variety of menus and were sporadic throughout the park. and pricing was pretty expensive considering the quality of foods....we did the all day dining option.... probably would do again.... The BBQ place had a staffing issue that caused a HUGE delay. In line over 50 mins. Whoever is in charge of logistics for the food staffing should go to Disney...see how they do things and do that here... I would definitely smooth things out. I applaud the Chick-fil-A station.... They had a better process. The beverage stands had reasonable prices and I was pleasantly surprised. We got to see quite a few animals. I highly recommend the train ride... The parking is out a ways...but I saw tram lines and teams taking people to outskirts parking lots. We had a handicap parking placard thanks to the in-laws... I am in firm belief that the overall planning and logistics of this park are professionally done and handled fairly well. This venue is easy to get to if in the area and can go to a Busch gardens The family had fun and that is what matters most!! 7/10 times I would return... The sesame street experience and all the toddler rides didn't disappoint! All in all if they smooth out a few things... I'm quite sure we would return. (Questions reach out) Respectfully, Bryan Oklahoma City

Wow! We had a such a great time here and I haven't been to an amusement park in about 10 years, and it was the same park! So thrilling to be a part of the roller coaster action again. Except, I did get a bit frightened when we rode the Scorpion coaster. Specifically, it was after the loop and towards the end of the ride when you go on your side in a funnel-like movement. I was terrified for my life at this point and had to take a minute to calm myself back down to reality after the ride ended. We also walked through the bird sanctuary and saw flamingos on our way to it in their own outdoor habitat. The birds flew00 freely in the sanctuary and you can feed them if your heart desires as they fly on you. Ended up meeting with our friend Paige who works with the elephants in the park and she gave us a detailed description of their work with the elephants and how they develop relationships with them throughout the years. So interesting and appreciative of what they do day-to-day to take care of the elephants and their habitat. Highly recommend stepping into the park if you're craving a thrill for the day in Tampa!

Horrible! Disgustingly rude hospitality staff! Girl named Karma working at an outpost spat in my drink when I asked her if she could make me cup of water. Crazy she thought I wouldn't notice and I was standing right there. A family standing near by waiting also saw her do it. The park was okay but I wouldn't trust the staff with your food or drinks.

One of N. America's largest zoos located right here in Tampa Bay! There are so many things to do here. If you aren't one for rides you can definitely see the various animals and shows they have throughout the day. There are even animal encounters where can interact and feed the animals. They have a lot of thrill rides and roller coasters. They also have the Sesame Street Safari area that is dedicated to the kiddos. This area has rides for the kids as well as an above ground rope course and water play area. You can even book breakfast and lunch with Elmo and friends! Various times of the year they have other special engagements happening such as food and wine. I've literally been coming here since I was little.

We always have a great time visiting Busch Gardens. This time it's for spring break and boy were we ready! We went to the aviary and were able to get two parakeets to land on us. My son was super excited. He raved about it all the way back home. I especially love visiting because there is so much to do besides just doing rides. It's creates a unique experience for both adults and children.

Rides are really fun and they have a great selection of coasters. The giraffe experience was also a highlight, along with some of the bigger coasters. Bernie is awesome! Kind, gentle, curious, and very interactive. (I'm sure the other giraffes are also wonderful, but we spent our time with Bernie.) I do wish they didn't hit you with another $45/head, though. $15-25 per person would have been much more reasonable. As for the food, don't expect much. It might have been better if the Oasis Pizza place hadn't been shut or if we hadn't missed the closing time for the BBQ place - two of the better reviewed restaurants at the park. So, maybe there is better food available than what we had. The all-day food pass is worth while (especially if you can get it on sale for $30/head), but only because the prices are otherwise insane (i.e., pretty much what you'd expect at an amusement park). I'm serious though -- without the pass, a family of four could easily spend upwards of $160+ for a lunch of burgers and fries. However, as a comparison, I would say that their food was infinitely better than the swill we paid dearly for in DisneyLand many years ago. Ugh. I'd have to make a concerted effort to make food that bad (Disney). It's great to have a mix of animals and rides. Watching the cheetah training was also really neat (and no extra cost). If you go during the off season, you'll likely have the run of the place. That's awesome. However, certain things will be closed or close early - not so good. You probably don't need the quick-pass during off season. We certainly did not. It's definitely worth going during off season, just know what to expect. So much better than Disney's parks in so many ways and a much better value. I'm never going back to Disney.

Busch gardens coasters are always a 10/10. However, they really need to put a SLIVER of their budget back into events. Howl'o'scream this year AND Christmas town this year were so lacking. Do NOT get the sampler at Christmas town. The food was inedible, the drinks were batched, and it was 60 bucks. Please please BG put money back into entertainment!!! Love the animals too. Always. Can't beat it.

During these hot summer days, having an annual pass means you can come and go as you please. With the silver pass we also get complimentary parking - $35 daily or $55 for preferred. This month I got a bonus pass and I can buy 2 extra passes for $40 each. I also get $10 to spend on souvenirs, or food this month.

I can said now the current Busch Garden is lower their standard tremendously. It is drop of two stars from my previous review. Here are reasons why. 1. The tram service do not take you to the gate. We were parking on the overflow parking lot and the tram drop off on the main parking lot. We have to walk 15 minutes from the main parking lot. This is a change from our previous visit. However they do pick up at night at the gate to parking lot. 2. Show cut to 3 different show in the park. We use to see at lease six different shows. Since they cut the difference show. But didn't increase the frequency of the presence show. Only three shows for each different show. This cause majority cannot get in to the show. Basically three show only allow 1500 people to enjoy each show with minimum 10000 park goers. That doesn't measure up. 3. Food line is long. Each time to line up for the food is one hour. Even though they have two line each restaurant or cafe. But the people who assemble the food is only one person. There are a lot of kitchen crew but the order line is only one person each line. The line is slowly moving. Why they cannot hire a person each line. With $15 an hour rate. They should be able to afford it. Which mean only $300 a day. The price of the food in the park are not cheap. The customer at least deserves a faster line for the price paid. If the restaurant set outside the park, they will be no customers visit because of the experience. 4. I saw the park change the system in the park on the rapid. If you want to shot water gun to the rapid goers below, you have to paid. With so many change, this park becomes done that been there situation. At least Florida residents like me, will not revisit.

It's our go to theme park when we try to get out of the house. Great rides and atmosphere; fun for the entire family!

If I could give this place a zero star I would. Most ghetto theme park ever, employees rude asf and I mean RUDE!!! Also good luck finding the exit. I spent literally 20 mins trying to find an exit and yes I followed the exit signs but they led to dead ends. Food was disgusting and cold. Really mad I wasted my time, money and gas to drive to Tampa from Daytona for a sub par theme park. Y'all really need to do better I won't be coming back

When we arrived at the park we went to get our tickets scanned and were told that our passes were not for park admission but only a "Fast Pass". We couldn't even gain entry to the park. Upon realizing this was were quite upset and asked for assistance. We spoke to a nice gentlemen who advised us of the error we made in purchasing the initial tickets online. He advised us that he'd "void" out our initial tickets that were purchased in error, and get us the tickets that we needed to both get into the park and also gain admission to the "Fast Pass". He said he'd be back in 15 minutes and true to his word he provided us with the correct tickets of which we paid another $420.31. He advised that he voided out the initial charges of $320.32 and that we should see a refund to our credit card within 5-7 days (receipt/proof enclosed). I went to check my credit card statement last night and the initial charges were not refunded. I then called the customer service number (813-884-4386). In speaking with a representative there I was advise that the initial tickets were "used" that they could not refund our money. These tickets were never used as they were supposed to be voided out when our new tickets were issued. On two difference occasions I was told I'd have to physically go to Busch Gardens in Tampa and request a refund in person. Twice I told the representative that I was from out of town and that this wasn't an option. I went back and forth and once I realized that I wasn't getting anywhere I asked to speak with a Manager. Upon my request I was told that a Manager couldn't assist me either. Nevertheless I still asked to speak with Manager and twice was denied my request. Feeling neglected and clearly not being helped, I advised that I was recording our encounter and that if he didn't forward me to a Manager I'd file a formal complaint. At this point the representative reluctantly placed me on hold and advised me that he would forward me to a Manager. I sat on hold for 45 minutes but a Manager never took my call. Unfortunately I couldn't wait any longer as I had a Zoom work call at works and had to hang up. About week later I e-mailed this time (versus a call) and was told twice I was not allowed to speak to a Manager. I've NEVER been denied access to a Manager at any company in ,y entire life. This entire ordeal and been the most disappointing experience I've ever had at an amusement park. The experience completed ruined our day. Even though we paid for a "Fast Pass" we were only able to go on TWO rides the entire day due to how crowded the park was. Each ride we waited for over an hour. When we tried to go on a third ride we were told the "Fast Pass" line was 60-75 minutes long and at that point we had enough and left the park both frustrated and in disgust. While I understand it was a holiday week, I am not clear on why Fast Passes were clearly oversold. Waiting over an hour for each ride is not my idea of expectation of paying extra money for a "Fast Pass".

I will say that Busch Gardens was definitely hard to do in one day. The placement of coasters/attractions are very far apart, with not a lot of food options in between, but plenty of strange carnival like games. Not too mention, it is safari hot here in Southwest Florida. Thank goodness for the train, if it's in service while you are there. About third of the rides were out of service. I am grateful I won tickets with a parking pass so I only had to pay $45 for two orders of Chik-Fil-A nuggets, waffle fries, and drinks. Food definitely overpriced but it is a theme park. However, the food at the buffet was much more reasonably priced and more for your money than at Chik. The employees were not too welcoming, and the train employees didn't seem to want to do their job keeping people safely away from entrances/exits. The employees on the coasters didn't seem to really care if you were locked in on the rides, which is quite concerning, especially when it is the Iron Gwazi. Definitely overrated, overpriced, and disgusting. And why does everyone drink at theme parks down here? I get that it's five o' clock somewhere but you are seriously at a theme park, with your kids. Why do they make drinking and driving so easily obtainable here? Its a theme park, not a bar. Would I go again? I do have two more passes but I think I'll just let them expire and save up for a trip to Universal or Disney.

First time going but was accompanied by people that had been there before in the past. For a well known theme park it seemed underwhelming. Almost like we will make money off of past popularity but have given up. My expectations were high thinking I would feel like I was in a true safari park with stunning views, plants and animals. No everything was kind of sad. For the money I just think you have to do better.. that being said please go because it's iconic and your kids will appreciate it. I'm just saying they could do a lot better.

This is one of my favorite theme parks for a couple of reasons. Although it caters more to the rollercoaster enthusiasts, it has things for the little ones and the helpful kiddie wranglers (grandparents) while the rest of the gang is in line or riding a coaster. Iron Gawzi is my absolute fave. What's not to love?!It's fast. It's high, and that first drop is a doozy. Definitely gets the blood pumping. Sheikira comes a close second for similar reasons. Tried to experience the Sarangeti Flyer, but it got shut down when we were one group away from us getting on. It got closed for inclement weather, which is unpredictable for how long the storm will take to pass. So we left our spot in line for something else. This time around, Tigris was down multiple times, and we weren't able to ride it. The woman working the line there said it's been going down 4x/day. There is a Sesame Street Land with kiddie rides for the little ones. Kid friendly foods. They even have a Chik Fil A in the park. For the grandparents who don't want to ride the rollercoasters, there are nice shows they can partake for entertainment such as a cirque show, ice skating show, and live band performances. Also, it is a plus to get out of the hot Florida summer sun for some rest and cooling off. Tips: Get to the park early. The parking opens 30 mins before the park opens. Some rides don't have someone standing on the side you board. So pay attention and split up into the different lines. If you're staying all day, get the all-day dining. You're not supposed to share it.. but.. let's just say that it easily feeds 2 people per band as you can grab a meal every 90 mins. Keep a timer on your phone so you know when you can get another meal. The 90 min timer also helps remind you to take a break and get out of the sun for a bit of rest btwn rides. Check the weather! All the rides get shut down when inclement weather is in the area. It's hard to tell how long the rides will be down for. The fireworks show is spectacular check for which nights they have it and go on that day. Go make fun memories with your loved ones!

I gotta give the Busch Gardens lost and found some love. My husband decided to take his most expensive pair of sunglasses to Busch gardens (*eye roll*) even after I told him not to lol. Long story short they flew off during one of the roller coast rides and LUCKILY our friend who didn't go on the ride saw them fly off and land on one of the nets right outside the ride. We reported it to lost and found and within 3-ish hours, they called us back and were able to retrieve them. The theme park itself: well, it's a theme park. It's mostly busy most of the year, but come on a Monday off season and you can get on every ride with a 10 minute or less wait. Howl-o-scream I don't personally care for. We went for a second time this past October and only got to experience 3 of the 5 haunted houses before the park closed even tho we arrived at 7pm. Our last house we waited about 2.5 hours and it wasn't even thrilling.

Busch Gardens is a fun, educational, thrill seekers playground. From things like the Ice Show, to the endless tours and animal experiences (feed a Giraffe or a Kangaroo- you can here!), to some to thrill rides like Iron Gwazi, this park has something for everyone. The Ambassadors were all friendly and smiling (maybe it's the magic of Christmas Town), and work so hard to keep areas clean and the ride's running smoothly. They have lots of locations to get drinks, which is helpful on a hot day. We really enjoy the down season during the weekday when you can go at your own pace, see what you want, ride what you want, and leave feeling happy and exhausted from a long day. If you have the opportunity to go during the weekday, you would be surprised by the difference it makes in the park.

Thoroughly enjoyed all of the shows at the park! The skating show was very good and the costumes were the most beautiful I've seen! The Cirque Electric was exciting and entertaining. The acrobats were thrilling and the lights were beautiful. The Animal Encounters was fun and the information was interesting. The Icons show was entertaining, but I thought some of the music was maybe too "today" to be considered iconic. But the costumes were pretty and the band was great. Had a good time all around!

The Gardens used to be fantastic.It is now just a shell of its former self. Animals are way down in numbers. The food is basically the same in each location.It almost seems like Chick fil A is their star restaurant.Guest services acts like you are a nuisance to request help.Never again.On top of that $40 parking...yup $20 wasn't enough.Rides seem to be fun as long as the lines are not huge. Ambience was so bad..used to give you a great feel now it is non existent.

This diversity Hiring has ruined the experience. These families pay a lot of money and travel from around the world just to feel like the employees are at war with the guests. I mean it was bad! The rude interactions when asking a questions to an employee. It was the worst most racist experience I e ever had at a theme park. As every one on the ride was trying to get her name. She refused and her co workers were not trying to help the situation because , you know, that loyalty thing. I'll never go again. The diversity employees aren't even doing their jobs. Almost as if they are at singles club flirting with each other not afraid of losing their jobs.