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Busch Gardens Tampa reviews

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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.

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Where to stay at Busch Gardens Tampa

Readers' reviews:

Attractions
Bird Gardens(Rating)(Height)
Lory Landing8
Aviary8
Walkabout Way8
Bird Gardens Theater8
Sesame Street Safari of Fun7
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 Tomb5
Jungala(Rating)(Height)
Jungle Flyers648
Wild Surge638
Tree Top Trails6
Morocco(Rating)(Height)
Iceploration8
Gwazi748
Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy6
Nairobi(Rating)(Height)
Animal Nursery8
Myombe Reserve8
Serengeti Express Railway7
Rhino Rally539
Stanleyville(Rating)(Height)
SheiKra954
Tanganyika Tidal Wave748
Stanley Falls646
Madagascar Live! Operation: Vacation
Timbuktu(Rating)(Height)
Phoenix748
Sand Serpent646
Scorpion642
Carousel Caravan5
Pirates 4-D4
The Sandstorm442

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Dining
Bird Gardens(Rating)
Garden Gate Cafe5
Crown Colony Plaza(Rating)
Crown Colony Restaurant8
Crown Colony Pizza7
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 Restaurant7

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