Theme Park Insider

Busch Gardens Tampa reviews

Written by
Posted: September 6, 2011

Location: Busch Gardens Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida. You can obtain driving directions by clicking the park's link on Theme Park Insider's Google map of U.S. theme parks.

History: Busch Gardens Tampa opened in 1959 as an animal exhibit and gardens adjacent to Anheuser Busch's Tampa Brewery. It was later developed into a full theme park called Busch Gardens: The Dark Continent. The Park is comprised of nine themed areas including Morocco, Bird Gardens, Stanleyville, Congo, Jungala, Timbuktu, Nairobi, Crown Colony Plaza, and Egypt. It is meticulously well-maintained and features several major roller coasters, the requisite water rides, plenty of kid-sized attractions, some midway amusements, high quality live shows, expansive animal exhibits, themed shops, and above average theme park dining.

Busch Gardens Tampa is currently operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a division of The Blackstone Group.

Hours: http://www.buschgardens.com. Busch Gardens is open 365 days a year.

Tickets: Buy online. Always try to buy your tickets in advance, to save time when you get to the park.

Reservations: Busch Gardens offers a variety of guided tours for both animal exhibits and rides. You can book these tours online.

Strategy: If you want to see animals, they tend to be more active in the morning. If you're visiting for rides, the lines for the major coasters and water rides get longer as the day goes on (except at around an hour before park closing, then the lines are mostly nonexistent everywhere). If you want to see it all, check the show schedules online before you arrive (www.buschgardens.com), arrive early and start at the back of the park, working your way to the front.

[Update this description | Read previous versions]

Photo of Busch Gardens Tampa

See all photos | Submit Photo

Readers' Tips for Visiting Busch Gardens Tampa

Where to stay at Busch Gardens Tampa

Readers' reviews:

Attractions
Bird Gardens(Rating)(Height)
Bird Gardens Theater8
Lory Landing8
Aviary8
Sesame Street Safari of Fun8
Walkabout Way7
Congo(Rating)(Height)
Kumba954
Congo River Rapids742
Ubanga-Banga642
Crown Colony Plaza(Rating)(Height)
Cheetah Hunt948
Egypt(Rating)(Height)
Montu954
Edge of Africa9
Skyride7
King Tut's Tomb6
Jungala(Rating)(Height)
Tree Top Trails7
Wild Surge638
Jungle Flyers648
Morocco(Rating)(Height)
Iceploration9
Gwazi648
Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy6
Nairobi(Rating)(Height)
Animal Nursery8
Myombe Reserve8
Serengeti Express Railway7
Rhino Rally639
Stanleyville(Rating)(Height)
SheiKra954
Tanganyika Tidal Wave748
Stanley Falls646
Timbuktu(Rating)(Height)
Phoenix748
Scorpion642
Sand Serpent646
Carousel Caravan5
The Sandstorm542
Pirates 4-D4

[Add a missing attraction]

Dining
Bird Gardens(Rating)
Garden Gate Cafe7
Crown Colony Plaza(Rating)
Crown Colony Restaurant9
Crown Colony Pizza6
Jungala(Rating)
Bengal Bistro8
Orang Cafe3
Morocco(Rating)
Ice Cream Parlor9
Sultans Sweets8
Zagora Cafe6
Nairobi(Rating)
Kenya Kanteen4
Stanleyville(Rating)
Stanleyville Smokehouse8
Timbuktu(Rating)
Oasis8
Desert Grill Restaurant6

[Add a missing restaurant]

Search Theme Park Insider

News, Video and Photo Updates

Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube RSS Newsfeed E-mail Newsletter

Reader Reviews, by Theme Park

United States Top 10 *

International parks

Readers' Top Themed Rides

Top Roller Coasters

Top Theme Park Shows

Theme Park Reviews, Features, Advice

Theme Park News Archive

2012

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May

2011

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2010

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2009

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2008

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2007

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2006

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2005

Dec.

2004-2005

Staff column archive