Busch Gardens Tampa

About

Busch Gardens puts test seats at the entrances of headliners like Cheetah Hunt, SheiKra, Montu and Kumba. Iron Gwazi runs tight with molded seats, and Montu's over-the-shoulder seating is snug. Some coasters have a few larger-belt seats; ask the attendant and try the test seat.

Free admission.

Parking fee applies.

Rides and attractions

• Air Grover roller coaster
• Anaconda: Fear Has No Escape
• Big Bird's Whirly Birdie
• Cheetah Hunt track · minimum height 54 in · Lap bar
• Circus of Fear: Killer Encore
• Cobra's Curse track · minimum height 48 in · Lap bar
• Falcon's Fury drop tower
• Grand Caravan Carousel
• Gwazi Gliders
• Iron Gwazi roller coaster · minimum height 48 in · Lap bar
• Kumba track · minimum height 54 in · Over-the-shoulder
• M.A.R.S.
• Montu track · minimum height 54 in · Over-the-shoulder
• Phoenix Rising minimum height 42 in · Lap bar
• Raven's Mill: Lambs To The Slaughter
• Serengeti Express (Nairobi Station)
• Serengeti Express (Stanleyville Station)
• Serengeti Flyer
• Shadows of Wonderland: Reign of Madness
• SheiKra roller coaster · minimum height 54 in · Over-the-shoulder
• Skyride (Egypt Station)
• Skyride (Jungala Station)
• Snuffy's Elephant Romp
• Stranglewood Estate: RePossessed
• The Count's Zambezi Rally
• Tigris minimum height 54 in · Over-the-shoulder
• Ubanga-Banga Bumper Cars
• Zoe-Patra's Hippos of the Nile
• Busch Garden
• Congo River Rapids
• Hippopotamus
• Kangaroo Petting zoo
• Stanleyville Falls
• The Wild Surge
• Treehouse trek

At the park

• Serengeti Safari animal encounter
• Playground play area
• Congo River Rapids water
• Elmo's Safari Go-Round animal encounter
• Cheetah House animal encounter
• Hippos animal encounter
• Lions and Hyenas animal encounter
• Myobe Reserve animal encounter

Shows and experiences

• Kangaroo Encounter
• Sunset on the Serengeti
• Cheetah Insider Tour
• Elite Adventure VIP Tour
• Marakesh Theater
• Moroccan Palace Theatre
• Pantopia Theatre
• Stanleyville Theatre

Events

• Real Music Series
• Food & Wine Festival included; weekend cabins and concerts
• Summer Nights included; extended hours, drone show
• Howl-O-Scream separately ticketed night event
• Christmas Town included; millions of lights

Places to eat

• Air Grover
• Burger King burger
• Busch Garden
• Char-Pal
• Cheetah Hunt
• China Latina
• Coaster Coffee coffee_shop
• Cobra's Curse
• Congo River Rapids
• Crown Colony House
• Dragon Fire Grill
• Garden Gyros
• Hippopotamus
• Iron Gwazi
• KFC chicken
• Kangaroo Petting zoo
• Kumba
• McDonald's burger
• Montu
• Olive Garden italian
• Popeyes chicken
• Serengeti Overlook Reserve
• Sheikra
• Snack N Geti
• Stanleyville Falls
• Treehouse trek
• Twisted Tails
• Ubanga-Banga Bumper Cars
• Very Berry Brunch
• Zagora Cafe
• Zambia Smokehouse
• Zekos Mediterranean Grill

Before you go

Outside food

No outside food, drinks or coolers; a sealed or refillable water bottle is allowed. Exceptions for dietary, allergy and baby needs. Confirm.

Bag policy

Backpacks are allowed; no wheeled bags, luggage, or coolers.

Loose articles

No bags or loose items on rides; use a locker or leave them with a non-rider. Ride cubbies hold phones and hats.

Lockers

All-day lockers about $15 standard, $20 large, $25 jumbo; single-use about $2 for the first two hours. Confirm pricing.

Mobility

Wheelchairs and ECVs rent near Guest Relations; reserve online ahead. Queue accessibility varies by ride.

Disability access

United Parks Ride Accessibility Program (IBCCES Accessibility Card) — United Parks Ride Accessibility Program; register for the IBCCES Accessibility Card (IAC) at accessibilitycard.org, then visit Guest Relations.

Sensory

Busch Gardens Tampa is a Certified Autism Center with a quiet room and per-ride sensory guides. Confirm.

First aid

Near the main entrance — ask at Guest Relations for the exact location. — First aid staff during park hours; basic wound care; OTC remedies; quiet rest area; help arranging transport to urgent care. — Available throughout the park. — Multiple urgent care and emergency facilities in the Tampa Bay area.

Limits

Children under 3 enter for free

Limits

More accessible parking for guests with disabilities is available for the general parking fee with a valid handicap parking permit

Limits

Please note that Selfie Sticks or any hand-held extension poles for mobile devices are not permitted on any ride

Limits

No outside food, beverages, or coolers are allowed to be brought into Busch Garden Tampa Bay, except you may bring a bottle of water or a refillable water bottle

Limits

You may bring a blanket for the pet's comfort, and a current shot record and rabies tag is required

Limits

Any guest who wishes to purchase an alcoholic beverage must present one of the following forms of identification: U.S

Limits

Smoking and vaping are allowed only in designated areas

Tip

Reserve your ECV at least 3 days ahead; they sell out.

Tip

Check the accessibility guide at Guest Relations for rides that fit your needs.

Quiet spot

Serengeti Plain viewing areas — Open-air Serengeti Plain offers visual calm and the soothing presence of animals at a distance.

Quiet spot

Jungala habitat corridors — Shaded paths and interactive habitat zones to slow down away from coaster queue paths.

Quiet spot

Edge of Africa animal habitats — Immersive, low-stimulation viewing areas providing a genuine break from the thrill ride atmosphere.

Facilities on the park map

2 arcade, 2 interactive play, 1 locker, 44 restroom, 14 shade zone.

Where to stay

• Holiday Inn Express USF to Busch Gardens Closest cluster to the gate
• Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Tampa Busch Gardens
• La Quinta Inn Tampa Near Busch Gardens
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa -Usf-Busch Gardens
• Baymont Inn and Suites Tampa near Busch Gardens/USF
• Quality Inn
• Red Roof Inn Tampa - Busch
• Red Roof PLUS+ & Suites Tampa 116 rooms · Wi-Fi
• Tampa Inn
• Garden View Motel
• Travelers Inn
• Sunset Inn
• Budget Inn

History

Opened

1959

• Park opened

Nearby

• The Forge Social Gaming Center