Busch Gardens TampaTampa, FloridaLast edited by James Rao 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 eight themed areas including Morocco, Bird Gardens, Stanleyville, Congo, Jungala, Timbuktu, Nairobi, 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 there 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. Coming In 2010: Busch Gardens Tampa opens an all-new, Sesame Street-themed play land featuring Elmo, Big Bird, and cohorts. Sesame Street Safari of Fun will include a new junior roller coaster called Air Grover designed for parents and children to ride together. Other kid-sized rides include Zoe-Patra & the Hippos of the Nile (a flume ride), Rosita’s Djembe Fly-Away (a swing ride), Elmo’s Safari Go-Round (a carousel), and two play areas: Oscar’s Swamp Stomp and Bert & Ernie’s Water Hole. This new destination will replace (and double the size of) the Land of the Dragons and is scheduled to open in April. Additionally, families can watch their favorite characters on the big screen in Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination! which will run in the park’s 4-D theater, located in Timbuktu. Finally, families can participate in a character breakfast and lunch with Elmo and the rest of the characters on select days at an outdoor dining facility near Sesame Street Safari of Fun. [Update this description | Read previous versions] Photos:
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