Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure park offering
an array of fascinating attractions based on exotic encounters with the
African continent. A unique blend of thrilling rides, one of the
country's premier zoos featuring more than 2,000 animals, live shows,
restaurants, shops and games, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay provides unrivaled
excitement for guests of every age.
Busch
Gardens Tampa Single Day Ticket
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Busch Gardens Accelerates The Adventure
With Grand Opening Of
Cheetah Hunt
\Guests Experience Zero to Cheetah with Park’s
New Thrill Ride
and Animal Habitat Mega-Attraction
Nature’s most graceful predator comes to life Friday, May 27, in Busch
Gardens Tampa Bay’s newest mega-attraction,
Cheetah Hunt.
As Florida’s first triple-launch
coaster, Cheetah Hunt creates yet another world-class family attraction
by using state-of-the-art technology to deliver three adrenaline-fueled
surges of speed inspired by the world’s fastest land animal.
Cheetah Hunt was designed with Linear Synchronous
Motor (LSM) technology, using the force of repelling magnets to
accelerate riders to speeds up to 60 miles per hour. Inspired by the
sprint of the cheetah across the grasslands after its prey, Cheetah Hunt
surges with heart-pounding bursts of speed at multiple launch points to
surprise and excite guests. These surges propel riders up the iconic
102-foot Windcatcher Tower, down into four subterranean trenches, over
Busch Gardens’ historic Skyride, around a rocky canyon rushing with
whitewater currents, and through a heartline roll inversion.
With a ride time of more than 90 seconds from
first launch to final brake, Cheetah Hunt’s 4,429 feet of steel track
holds the record as Busch Gardens’ longest coaster, and its 13-acre
footprint makes it the most expansive thrill-ride in the park’s history.
“Cheetah
Hunt will be an iconic coaster for Busch Gardens. It’s the longest
coaster yet, and families are sure to enjoy its repeatability,” said Jim
Dean, Busch Gardens President. “With amazing views to both watch it and
ride it, three launch points and a one-of-a-kind animal habitat, Cheetah
Hunt and Cheetah Run solidify Busch Gardens’ portfolio of family
experiences.”
Cheetah Hunt has a 48-inch height requirement,
which is four inches less than the park’s other legendary thrill
machines, SheiKra and Montu, allowing families to enjoy this world-class
attraction together.
Also part of this new mega-attraction is Cheetah
Run, home to 14 of the agile cats who inspired the project. The new
habitat is reminiscent of the ruins of an ancient temple, and features
more than 11,000 square feet of grassland, natural rock formations,
shaded alcoves, a waterfall and a 220-foot path for the cheetahs to do
what they do best – run.
Several times each day, Busch Gardens’ animal
care experts will conduct sprints with the cheetahs, using a motorized
lure system to stimulate the cats’ natural instinct to chase.
Glass-panel viewing windows allow guests to get closer than ever before
to these highly endangered animals.
Video panels and interactive
touch-screen stations will help educate visitors of the plight of
cheetahs in the wild and why their numbers have dwindled to between
10,000 and 12,500 worldwide. Guests will also learn about Busch Gardens’
partnership with the Cheetah Conservation Fund in South Africa and how
the CCF’s efforts have helped build defense for cheetah populations,
both in their native lands and around the globe. Busch Gardens has been
a long-time supporter of cheetah conservation and research through the
SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund,
a
non-profit, private charitable foundation committed to supporting
wildlife and habitat conservation, research, education and animal rescue
programs worldwide
Together,
Cheetah Hunt and
Cheetah Run further cement
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s reputation as Florida’s thrill-ride leader and
as one of North America’s premier zoological institutions. Busch Gardens
is home to more than 2,500 exotic and endangered animals, and offers
adventure-seekers eight world-class roller coasters, as well as many
other thrill rides, original live shows, and a full calendar of special
events, concert series, holiday celebrations and age-appropriate
experiences for the whole family.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Overview:
What’s New:
Jungala: Discover a colorful village, nestled among towering trees,
flowing waterways and elaborate stone structures. Explore a 3-story play
land of climbing nets, mazes and exploration tunnels, soar above the
treetops on a zip line adventure or launch into the sky from inside a
35-foot waterfall. Then, connect up close with exotic jungle animals.
Come face-to-face with orangutans and test your strength in a tug of war
with a Bengal tiger. It’s an unforgettable adventure and an
extraordinary mix of discovery and fun in the only jungle in the world
that plays with you.
Serengeti Night Safari: Start your nighttime safari in the Edge of Africa witnessing feedings and the active nocturnal behaviors of hippos, lions and hyenas lit only by moonlight and lanterns. Then, on the Serengeti Plain, use night-vision monoculars and special filtered lighting to view free-roaming herds of giraffes, zebra, rhinos and other intriguing African animals. The tour begins and ends in the exclusive Safari Club, with savory appetizers and beverages and a night cap complete with coffee and desserts. The Serengeti Night Safari begins after sunset on select Friday and Saturday nights and costs $59.99 per person, plus tax. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to participate.
Location:
MAP
- Corner of Busch Boulevard and 40th Street - Two miles east of
Interstate 275 at the Busch Boulevard exit - Two miles west of
Interstate 75 at exit 54 - One hour from Orlando via Interstate 4 West -
Thirty minutes east of area beaches and Tampa International Airport
Park Hours:
Normal park hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. within a 365-day operating
schedule. Hours are extended during select weekend, summer and holiday
periods.
Admission:
Busch
Gardens Tampa Single Day Ticket
- Adults at Kid's Price plus 2nd day free!
Children 2 and younger
are admitted for free. A variety of combination tickets and Passport
Memberships are available. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Discounts available for guests with disabilities, senior citizens,
military personnel and AAA members.
Parking:
Spaces are available to cars for $11, motorcycles for $11 and trucks and
campers for $13. Tour buses are free. Preferred parking convenient to
the front gate is also available to day guests for $16 and annual
passport members for $8. Valet parking at the front gate is $20, or $18
for passport members. Annual passport members park free in standard
lots.
Information:
For general park information, call 1-888-800-5447, or visit the
interactive Web site at www.buschgardens.com
For our Animal Information Database, visit
www.buschgardens.org
Services:
Strollers, wheelchairs, lockers and pet kennels are available for
rental. Wheelchair seating is available at all facilities, and assisted
listening devices are offered at several attractions. Diaper-changing
and baby-nursing areas, first aid, automated teller machine, and taxi
and bus parking may be found on-site.
DINING HIGHLIGHTS:
Crown Colony House Restaurant: Relax in air-conditioned comfort and take
in a panoramic view of the Serengeti Plain while you enjoy courteous
full table service, authentic African roadhouse ambiance and a diverse
menu that includes delicious upscale entrees, refreshing salads and
hearty sandwiches all house-made with the freshest ingredients by our
culinary team.
Bengal Bistro: Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious lunch as your young adventurers explore Jungala. Bengal Bistro—the newly remodeled Vivi Restaurant—is the perfect place to view Jungala’s village. At this cafeteria-style bistro, the Busch Gardens’ culinary staff prepares your lunch fresh, offering Catch of the Jungle fish, wraps and sandwiches, salads and vegetarian options.
Orang Café: Watch endangered Bornean orangutans swing across their habitat from the patio of Orang Café. Whether it is snack items or entrees, Orang Café’s menu is designed to be “kid-siderate.” Children will appreciate the family-friendly menu items like “dirt sundaes,” chicken “stripes” and bug candy. The menu also includes assorted fresh fruit, wraps and other entrees.
Zambia Smokehouse: Witness the
power of SheiKra —America’s first dive coaster—as you dine on delicious
barbeque. The new 500-seat indoor/outdoor Zambia Smokehouse makes guests
part of the action, as diners sit directly beneath the wings of the new
roller coaster. Entrees include chicken, beef brisket and the park's
famous ribs, all slow-smoked for hours over real hickory and oak.
Desert Grill: Palatial architecture, exotic entertainment and
air-conditioned comfort come together to make your meal at the Desert
Grill truly unforgettable. Watch a live performance while you dine on
outstanding entrees like Baby Back Ribs or Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo —
all served fast and fresh. You'll also find specialty salads, hot and
hearty sandwiches, delectable desserts and a complete kid's menu.
Sultan’s Sweets: Start your day at Busch Gardens with a steaming cup of gourmet coffee and muffins, cinnamon buns and pastries made fresh daily in the park. Stroll through the shop and feast your eyes on an incredible array of sweet treats including hand-made candies, cakes and the deliciously decadent Wild Indulgence Fudge.
RIDES:
SheiKra: North America’s first dive coaster sends riders through a
breathtaking three-minute journey 200 feet up, then 90 degrees straight
down — and that's just the beginning. “Floorless” cars give riders an
unobstructed view of the 70 mph rush, and SheiKra was the first dive
coaster to incorporate an Immelmann loop (a simultaneous loop and roll),
a second, 138-foot vertical drop into an underground tunnel and a water
feature finale, all packed into a half-mile of steel track.
Kumba: After the blood-curdling thrill of an initial 135 foot drop, you will plunge from 110 feet into a diving loop, feel a full 3 seconds of absolute weightlessness while spiraling 360 degrees, and tear through one of the world's largest vertical loops.
Montu: Feel the ultimate rush on one of the tallest and longest inverted roller coasters in the world! Experience the thrill of an inverse diving loop and a 60-foot vertical loop while you endure speeds of more than 60 miles per hour and a G-force of 3.85.
Gwazi: Challenge the dueling forces of Gwazi: two wooden tracks intertwined into the Southeast’s largest and fastest double wooden roller coaster. Boasting more than 1.25 million board feet of lumber, Gwazi’s Lion and Tiger tracks offer two distinct ride experiences.
Cheetah Chase: Families will love the curves, drops and corkscrews of Cheetah Chase, a five-story “wild mouse” style coaster in Timbuktu. With its top speed of 22 mph and 46” height requirement, Cheetah Chase is the perfect ride for a child’s first coaster experience.
Scorpion: Feel the “sting” of Scorpion's terrifying 60-foot drop and 360-degree loop at incredible speeds.
The Wild Surge: Launch out of a
35-foot mountain crater up above a towering waterfall for a thrilling
view of Jungala’s village below.
Jungle Flyers: Young adventurers choose from three different flight
patterns to soar 50 feet above Jungala’s village.
Rhino Rally: This wild jeep tour transports guests aboard an off-road adventure through the wilds of Africa, blending up-close animal encounters with an unpredictable safari competition.
Congo River Rapids: Encounter the swift-flowing white water of the Congo River Rapids. Spin through a geyser and face an ominous waterfall and other thrilling obstacles in a 12-person raft.
Stanley Falls: Our Log Flume whisks your whole family through a splashing trip ending in a 40-foot drop that's sure to get you soaked!
Tanganyika Tidal Wave: Watch
out when your seemingly tranquil jungle journey aboard a 20-passenger
boat ends with a sudden plunge down a 55-foot drop, creating a tidal
wave that gets everyone sopping wet.
SHOWS:
“KaTonga: Musical Tales From the Jungle” takes you on a journey to the
heart of Africa in a 35-minute musical celebration of animal folklore.
The show follows a day in the lives of aspiring storytellers, called
Griots, as they strive to become masters of their craft. To accomplish
this rite of passage, the performers evoke traditional African stories
that mesmerize and entertain! Masterful puppet design, magical folklore,
energetic original music and spectacular African-inspired dance combine
to create the first theme park show of Broadway-production caliber.
Rock A Doo Wop: This all-new show at the Marrakesh Theater features the greatest hits of the ’50s and ’60s, performed by eight talented singers and dancers. Guests will enjoy favorite songs like “This Magic Moment” and “Sherry” as they travel back in time to the doo-wop era.
Pirates 4-D: A swashbuckling
4-D comedy for the entire family, the Caribbean caper combines the
latest 4-D special-effects technology with multi-sensory theater effects
to thrill guests of all ages. The 750-seat Timbuktu Theater features
four digital projectors that run simultaneously, and guests wear 3-D
glasses to view the visual effects that allow the film action to vault
off the screen. Surround-sound speakers built into the seats and special
effects, including wind and sprays of water, further immerse the
audience in this treasure-hunt adventure.
Mystic Sheiks of Morocco: Snap your fingers and move your feet to the
music of this high-energy brass and percussion marching band.
ANIMAL ATTRACTIONS:
Serengeti Plain: This habitat features hundreds of exotic African
animals that can be seen from the Serengeti Express Railway, Skyride,
Serengeti Safari and various walkways. The 65-acre environment includes
expansive berms, the largest of which is four acres; tiered and open
landscapes covered with native and African grasses, scrub trees and
shrubs; rock outcroppings and bluffs replicating natural formations; and
naturalistic creek beds and mud banks.
Myombe Reserve: Enter the lush forest where gorillas and chimpanzees can be viewed in this naturalistic rainforest habitat. Tour the Great Ape Domain amid waterfalls and through shrouds of mist and fog to get an up-close look at these majestic primates.
Edge of Africa: This habitat
offers an intense walking safari where guests can experience
hippopotamus, lions, lemurs, meerkats, crocodiles and lappet-faced
vultures in natural habitats themed around an abandoned African fishing
village.
Jambo Junction: The former Busch Gardens’ Nairobi Field Station now
allows greater interaction between guests and the park’s animal
ambassadors. The new area is called Jambo Junction, a name inspired by a
Swahili greeting. At Jambo Junction, you can participate in animal
feedings, lessons in husbandry and behavior training. Featured animals
include Caribbean flamingos, lemurs, cuscuses, sloths and opossums.
Bird Gardens: Soar over to our
Bird Gardens area to check out almost 500 tropical birds from around the
globe. You can enjoy the Wild Wings of Africa show, see our
feather-filled aviary, and experience the powerful presence of bald and
golden eagles in Eagle Canyon. After the show you can talk to
conservation educators about how to attract birds to your own backyard.
Lory Landing: The domed habitat showcases a variety of brilliantly
colored birds including several species of parrots, including lorikeets,
as well as hornbills and pheasants in both free flight and observational
environments.
Clydesdale Hamlet: Guests can pose for a picture with one of the World
Famous Budweiser Clydesdales during daily photo and petting sessions.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS:
Tree Top Trails: With climbing nets, bridges, crawl tubes and a
multi-level maze for bigger kids, plus a water-play area for younger
children, this 3-story family play area allows visitors to explore the
different levels of jungle life.
Land of the Dragons: Includes our three-story-tall tree house, an enchanted forest, one-of-a-kind slides, a gentle waterfall, wonderful rides and, of course, friendly dragons! The Land of the Dragons' stage features a family-friendly show staring Dumphrey the dragon and friends.
Serengeti Express Train: See
the beauty of the Serengeti Plains as you make a round-trip journey from
our Nairobi train station on the Serengeti Express Train.
King Tut’s Tomb: Travel back in time to the mysteries of King Tut's
Tomb. You'll get to visit a realistic replication of King Tut's burial
site as it was being excavated in the 1920s. The park’s Egypt area also
includes an area for kids to do their own digging.
Skyride: View the spectacular scenery as you fly through the air in a cable car that runs between the Crown Colony area and the Congo on the opposite side of the park.
EDUCATIONAL TOURS AND PROGRAMS:
Serengeti Safari: For animal enthusiasts, we offer half hour Serengeti
Safari tours daily. This open truck tour offers guests a unique look at
our Serengeti Plain habitat and the opportunity to feed giraffes,
antelopes and birds by hand! Encounter African wildlife up close with a
Busch Gardens education specialist as your guide. Cost of the tour is
$33.99 per person plus tax in addition to park admission.
Heart of Jungala Tour: Go deep into the heart of Jungala with this 30-minute behind-the-scenes tour. With a knowledgeable zoo educator as your tour guide, you will quickly become an animal expert as you go face-to face with endangered Bengal tigers and Bornean orangutans. On this walking tour, you will also witness behavior training and interactions led by the keepers. Cost of the tour is $33.99 per person, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.
Family-Friendly Safari: This half hour open truck tour is geared for families with small children. It offers guests an opportunity to meet an animal ambassador, as well as a unique look at our Serengeti Plain habitat hosted by a Busch Gardens’ tour guide. Encounter African wildlife up close and hand-feed giraffes! Cost of the tour is $33.99 per person plus tax in addition to park admission.
Sundowner Safari: As the sun sets over the Serengeti Plain and the day’s adventure draws to a close, experience an animal encounter unlike any Busch Gardens has ever offered. It begins in the Crown Colony’s Brew Master’s Club, where guests can sample premium lagers. Then, the journey continues on the park’s 65-acre Serengeti Plain, where participants will hand-feed giraffes and encounter other African wildlife while indulging in Anheuser-Busch’s world-class beers. This 45-minute tour is offered daily for $39.99 per person, plus tax, for ages 21 and older with proper identification.
Animal Adventure Tours:
Experience the ultimate adventure during our two-hour behind-the-scenes
Animal Adventure Tour, featuring some of the park’s most famous animals.
The tour combines a walking safari with an off-road truck tour, hosted
by a Busch Gardens education specialist and animal care staff. Cost of
the tour is $119.99 per person plus tax in addition to park admission.
Saving a Species: During this 45-minute safari, guests can meet giraffes
up close, observe some truly wild behavior from our white rhinos, and
then meet our famous black rhinos. Talk to zookeepers who are working to
save these endangered species, and learn about the different
conservation efforts that Busch Gardens and the World Wildlife Fund are
making to protect wild places. Cost of the tour is $44.99 per person
plus tax in addition to park admission, and a portion of the proceeds
will benefit World Wildlife Fund conservation projects.
Keeper For A Day: Go behind-the-scenes and get a crash course in Zoo Keeping 101! This program gives you the opportunity to experience one of the coolest careers in the world — be a zookeeper at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Your adventure begins early in the morning by assisting zookeepers feed, train and care for the animals that inhabit the Serengeti Plain; including birds, antelope and giraffes. Cost of the tour is $350.00 each, tax included in addition to park admission.
Busch Gardens Adventure Camps: Busch Gardens’ education department also offers many summer classes, sleepover opportunities, residential programs and adventure camps for kids of all ages, as well as the whole family. For information, call (877)-BGT-CAMP or e-mail education@buschgardens.org.
GUIDED TOURS:
Animal Adventure: Are you up to the next challenge? Can you handle the
extreme? This tour combines a walking safari with an off-road truck tour
right to the heart of Busch Gardens. Cost for both adults and children
are $119.99 each plus tax.
Guided Adventure: Love animals? Can't get enough coasters? Trek through Busch Gardens with an expert guide. The cost for adults is $149.95 each plus tax, and for children the cost is $119.95 plus tax.
Thrill-Seekers: Thrill-Seekers Tours are semi-private 3-hour guided tours that include front of the line access to all major rides and attractions, including Gwazi, Montu, Kumba, SheiKra, Congo River Rapids and Tanganyika Tidal Wave. The cost for adults is $99.95 plus tax, and for children the cost is $79.95 each plus tax.
Elite Adventure Tour: This unique, 8-hour private tour begins with you and your private tour guide creating your day’s adventure. Then, you are off to experience it VIP style with front-of-the-line access to most major rides, reserved seating to the world-class Katonga show, lunch at the upper-level Crown Colony Restaurant and a one-of-a-kind experience hand-feeding a giraffe on our Serengeti Safari tour.
Tour components and prices are subject to change without notice. Tours must be canceled a minimum of 48 hours in advance or total payment is forfeited and a tour voucher will be issued. Park admission is required, but not included. For reservations, call (813) 984-4043 or (813) 984-4073, or e-mail Bgt.viptours@buschgardens.com
Busch Entertainment Corporation
(BEC) operates 10 Worlds of Discovery, including SeaWorld parks in
Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio; Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and
Adventure Island in Tampa Bay and Busch Gardens Europe and Water Country
USA in Williamsburg, Va.; Discovery Cove and Aquatica in Orlando; and
Sesame Place near Philadelphia. BEC, the family entertainment division
of Anheuser-Busch InBev, plays host to 25 million guests each year and
employs 26,000 people nationwide. To learn more about the Worlds of
Discovery, visit www.4adventure.com or call toll-free (800)4ADVENTURE.
Additionally, the BEC created the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation
Fund, a non-profit, private charitable foundation committed to
supporting wildlife and habitat conservation, research, education and
animal rescue programs worldwide.
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