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Recent Visit Observations at Busch Tampa

Busch Gardens Tampa: On a recent short visit I saw several changes at Busch Gardens Tampa, big and small, that may be of interest to TPI-ers.

From Tony Duda
Posted November 18, 2009 at 6:58 AM
I went to Busch Gardens Tampa on Saturday for the afternoon and noticed some changes. One non-change was that the Clydesdale horses were still there to see and get photos with. Next door, the horse jumping hall of fame display has been replaced by a 50th Anniversary of Busch Gardens exhibit that was very nice and informative. I rode the train and saw that the passenger cars were remodeled, the overhead animal info stuff is gone and the ceiling was painted one color and has a lot of orange globe lanterns hanging down. In the middle of the savanna, I saw an area with a fire pit and benches that I never noticed before. It was all fenced in and probably had to do with Jack Hanna there that weekend. Two trains were running, I was on Green and saw Yellow. Many hand sanitizer stations were mounted on walls all over the park (swine flu prevention?). The outdoor stage by the Desert Grill is gone with 6 picnic tables there now.


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted November 18, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Good stuff!

From Pyra Dong
Posted November 19, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Yay for the hand sanitizers-- after the swine flu scare it seemed everyone at BGT was using it like water. Almost drinking the stuff.

I'm surprised the Clydesdales are still there b/c they have nothing to do with Blackstone. Hmm. I bet after 2009 the 50th year commemoration building will be changed. Any guesses to what? I beg PLEASE put a small ride there. That Egypt area seems so lacking.

Did you also notice? The Anheuser gift shop in the front (where they'd sell AB beer related goodies) is gone??? During Halloween it became a Shop of Horrors and now it's like a Santa's workshop. Hmm, so if this trend continues can I expect a Valentine Sweetheart shop in February?

And I think those benches and fire pit were for the night safari tours that were more popular in the summer. Or for the kids' camps. I think they still use that for other safari-related tours.

From Tony Duda
Posted November 19, 2009 at 5:20 PM
I also noticed several of the small booths usually selling souvenirs were converted into snack and soda stands such as the one that used to be for the Bud NASCAR stuff at the Hospitality/Garden Gate house. Also, the Sesame Street Safari of Fun construction is ongoing with a Spring 2010 date.

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