Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay opened in 1959, years before any of the Orlando theme parks. Once a simple tropical garden next to a brewery tour, Busch Gardens has evolved into Florida's top thrill park.

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Our recommendations below come from our annual survey of Theme Park Insider newsletter subscribers. Locations with star ratings ★ ranked especially highly among our readers. Click here to subscribe to our free, twice-weekly email of theme park news and to participate in the next ranking survey.

Certain locations may not be available due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Roller coasters

Busch Gardens' new coaster opening March 2022 will be Iron Gwazi, a Rocky Mountain Construction IBox rebuild of the former Gwazi wooden coaster. Iron Gwazi will feature a 206-foot beyond-vertical drop and two inversions on its 4,075 feet of track, making it the world's fastest and steepest hybrid coaster.

Ranking

  1. Montu ★
    A 3,983-foot Bolliger & Mabillard inverted coaster, with a 128-foot drop, top speed of 60 mph and seven inversions. Height requirement: 54 inches
  2. Cheetah Hunt
    A 4,429-foot Intamin blitz coaster, with a 130-foot drop, top speed of 60 mph, three launches and one inversion. Height requirement: 48 inches
    › Read Domenik Jost's Cheetah Hunt review.
  3. Sheikra
    A 3,188-foot Bolliger & Mabillard dive coaster, with a 200-foot drop, top speed of 70 mph and one inversion. Height requirement: 54 inches
  4. Scorpion
    A 1,818-foot, 60-foot-tall Schwarzkopf silver arrow, with a top speed of 41 mph and one inversion. Height requirement: 42 inches
  5. Tigris
    A 863-foot-long, 150-foot tall Premier Rides Sky Rocket II coaster, with a multi-pass LSM launch and top speed of 62 mph. Height requirement: 54 inches
  6. Kumba
    A 3,978-foot Bolliger & Mabillard coaster, with a 135-foot drop, top speed of 60 mph and seven inversions. Height requirement: 54 inches
  7. Cobra's Curse
    A 2,100-foot Mack Rides spinning coaster, with an elevator lift, 70-foot drop and top speed of 40 mph. Height requirement: 42 inches
    › Read Jeff Siegal's review of Cobra's Curse.
  8. Sand Serpent
    A 1,214-foot, 57-foot-tall Mack Rides wild mouse coaster, with a top speed of 28 mph. Height requirement: 46 inches

Other rides

The most recommended other ride in the park is the drop tower Falcon's Fury. Other notable attractions include Congo River Rapids and the Serengeti Express Railway for views of the park's many species of African wildlife.

Dining

Top recommendations

  1. Zambia Smokehouse
    Counter service barbecue, located near Sheikra
  2. Dragon Fire Grill & Pub
    Counter service pizza, chicken, burgers and Asian food, located near Scorpion and Falcon's Fury, in Pantopia.

Map

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is located between Interstates 75 and 275, about eight miles north of downtown Tampa, Florida.