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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

September 06, 2023

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a 335-acre (136 ha) animal theme park located in Tampa, Florida, United States, with the entire park landscaped and designed around themes of Africa and Asia. Owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, the park opened on June 1, 1959. The park has an annual attendance consistently exceeding 4 million, often ranking second among SeaWorld parks behind SeaWorld Orlando.[2] The park features many roller coasters and thrill rides, including a Dive Coaster called SheiKra, a "family-style" thrill coaster themed around cheetahs called Cheetah Hunt, a launched roller coaster called Tigris, a classic seated steel roller coaster called Kumba, a wood-steel hybrid hypercoaster called Iron Gwazi, Falcon's Fury (the second-tallest free-standing drop tower in North America, and one of few to tilt and face riders towards the ground), and Montu, which was the tallest and fastest inverted roller coaster in the world when it opened. The park also features several rides and attractions aimed for children under the age of nine, as well as two water rides — a river rafting ride and a classic log flume.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
A view of the Serengeti Plains in 2006
LocationTampa, Florida, U.S.
Coordinates28°02′16″N 82°25′18″W / 28.0379°N 82.4216°W / 28.0379; -82.4216
StatusOperating
OpenedJune 1, 1959; 64 years ago (1959-06-01)
OwnerSeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
General managerNeal Thurman
ThemeAfrica
Asia
Operating seasonYear-round
Attendance3,210,000 (2021)[1]
Area335 acres (136 ha)
Attractions
Total29 as of 2023
Roller coasters10
Water rides2
WebsiteOfficial website

History Edit

1957–1959: Busch Brewery and Gardens Edit

 
The Busch Brewery in 1967

Anheuser-Busch proposed acquiring land in Florida to construct a brewery with Tampa and Jacksonville as potential sites in April 1957.[3][4] By June, unconfirmed rumors were reported that a $25–30 million brewery would be built in Tampa, but were initially denied by Anheuser-Busch.[5][6] Anheuser-Busch made public on July 25, that it had purchased a 160-acre (65 ha) plot of land in Tampa for $320,000 to construct a $20 million brewery. The construction of the Tampa brewery coincided with the construction of a competing brewery, Schlitz, in the Tampa Industrial Park complex.[7][8] August Busch Jr. remarked during the planning of the brewery that the company wanted to include gardens to attract the local community and contribute landscaped areas.[9][10] Busch Jr. held the opinion that functional parks could help widen Anheuser-Busch's interest.[11]

In March 1958, August Busch Jr. commemorated the groundbreaking for the Tampa brewery.[12] Construction took place through the rest of 1958 and the early 1959.[12] In February 1959, Anheuser-Busch acknowledged the brewery would open in March.[13] A dedication ceremony for the brewery was scheduled in March, though the opening of the Busch Gardens would not take place until June when the brewery's beer would begin to ship.[14] Manufacturing in the Busch brewery began on March 12.[15] The brewery was dedicated on March 31, by August Busch Jr. with around 2,000 people in attendance, including the press, political and local leaders.[9][10] Anheuser-Busch formally announced the operating hours of the Busch brewery and gardens in May.[16][17]

The brewery and gardens officially opened to the public for tours on June 1, 1959, as an admission-free facility with 250 attending the opening ceremony and around 1,000 attendees to Busch Gardens.[18][19] Busch Gardens opened on 15-acre (6.1 ha) of land southwest of the brewery at the cost of around $500,000.[14][15][18][20] The associated gardens featured lagoons and landscaping, with around 36,000 flowering plants and 300 trees.[21][22] Opening animal attractions for Busch Gardens included a bird show in an amphitheater seating around 200 individuals, a bird sanctuary featuring flamingos and a separate animal area named "Devil's Island," and caged enclosures for eagles and cockatoos.[15][23][24] Additional attractions included a dwarf village and the "Hospitality House," a William B. Harvard designed facility that sampled free beer to guests.[23][24][25] Another 118-acre (48 ha) was used for housing the brewers Budweiser Clydesdales, and planned to host buffalo, ostriches, and zebras located east of the brewery.[10][26][27] The original gardens was later dubbed the "Bird Gardens".[28]

1959–1968: Additions and African veldt Edit

 
The Stairway to the Stars escalator outside the Busch Brewery

A $5 million expansion was announced in July 1959 by Anheuser-Busch to the existing facility because of the newfound success.[29][30] In February 1960, construction started on a geodesic dome in the gardens that was 22.5-foot (6.9 m) high and 90 feet (27 m) in diameter,[31] later opening on March 22, at the cost of $75,000.[32][33] The dome, named the Adolphus Busch Space Frame, was constructed from anodized aluminum colored gold and located north of the bird amphitheater.[33] The dome featured landscaping, suspended birds nests, and ponds that connected to a lagoon outside.[32][33] Anheuser-Busch revealed its plan to construct the Stairway to the Stars attraction in October that would be a 86-foot (26 m) Otis escalator to the roof of the brewery.[34][35] The escalator opened on March 22, 1961, as part of a renovation to the Busch brewery and its public tours.[36][37] The escalator featured a 5,000-square-foot (460-square-metre) pool beneath, a 1,000-square-foot (93-square-metre) observation deck atop of the brewery, and a 150-foot (46 m) raised walkway to enter Busch Gardens.[34][35] The pool originally hosted penguins.[38]

Anheuser-Busch bought additional parcels of land in May 1962.[39] In the same month, Anheuser-Busch communicated its intentions to expand Busch Gardens at the cost of $3.5 to $4 million as the company projected a rise in attendance for the coming decade, necessitating growth. The expansion called for different themed lands, with an African veldt and the American Plains planned, accompanied by wildlife animals pertaining to each geography. The additions would also call for a railway and create more landscaped environments for animal habitats.[40][41] In October, Busch Gardens expanded its animal collection to around 1,000 birds.[42] As part of the expansion, Anheuser-Busch stated a monorail would be constructed through the African veldt in January 1963,[43][44] and a four-story Swiss-themed restaurant in December, both east of the brewery.[45][46] Another land purchase was made by Anheuser-Busch in April 1964, their third since the opening.[47][48] Thomas J. Pinta was named manager of Busch Gardens in July.[49] Busch Gardens debuted a trackless transportation train on October 1, to travel between the gardens and the Old Swiss House via the parking lot.[50][51] The Old Swiss House was completed in October.[52]

 
The monorail with the Old Swiss House in the background in 1977

The Wild Animal Kingdom, representing the African veldt, was completed in 1965,[53][54] in addition to a clock tower built adjacent to the Old Swiss House.[55] The African veldt contained a variety of animals mostly imported from Africa, including cheetahs, chimpanzees, elephants, gorillas, lions, and rhinos with habitats faithfully recreated by the park.[53] By November, Anheuser-Busch acquired land east of its existing property for a potential expansion of Busch Gardens or its brewery.[56] The gardens and brewery encompassed around 208 acres (84 ha),[57] with the total acreage owned by the brewer amounting to around 268 acres (108 ha).[56]

A portion of the 1965 land purchase would be used for a trackless transportation train to shuttle guests between a new parking lot and its facilities in the latter half of 1966.[58][59] Busch Gardens began charging guests for parking in August because of the increase in visitors and to offset costs.[60] The monorail, originally named the Skyrail, opened to the public on September 22.[61] The Skyrail opened as a 7,000-foot (2,100 m) long Arrow Development monorail taking parkgoers through the African veldt, which was an upcharge for adults and children initially costing $1 and ¢40 respectively.[62][63] Near the end of 1966, around 475 animals were exhibited in the African veldt.[64] A snack bar was constructed and opened in the parking lot in 1967.[65]

1969–1975: Boma and themed area expansions Edit

 
A sign located near the entrance of Busch Gardens in 1972

For the coming year, Anheuser-Busch announced in March 1969 a 2.5-acre (1.0 ha) zoo area expansion entitled "Boma" to the current gardens. The exhibit space would cost $1 million, located between the brewery and the monorail, and contribute to the growth of the brewery and park.[66][67] Busch Gardens saw short manager changes with Pinta being replaced by Franklin H. Rust in May 1969,[68][69][70] and Rust resigning in February 1970.[71][72] Anheuser-Busch expressed its intention to expand its animal habitats, coinciding with the development of Disney World in the vicinity of Orlando, Florida.[73][74] August Busch Jr. had toured the Disney World site and wanted the Tampa brewery and gardens to maintain its hold in the tourist market.[75] The Anheuser-Busch Tampa location was favored amongst its other four properties, being the company's leading model into the entertainment industry.[76]

During the preview event for the Boma area in June 1970, Anheuser-Busch announced a $12.6 million expansion for the coming decade. The expansion would initially call for the additions of an amphitheater seating 1,000 guests, a "tree tops" viewing platform of the African veldt, a locomotive train, and a log flume.[76][77] The plans also stipulated the end of free-admission and charging a general admission to the park as well as getting rid of parking admission.[77][78] General admission to the park was implemented on July 31, coinciding with the opening of the Boma area that featured African mammals, birds, and a manmade mountain.[79][80] The initial price of entry to the park was $1.25 for adults and ¢50 for children.[80] The park's entrance was relocated during the same day to an adjacent road.[81][82] The immediate extension of Busch Gardens called for the construction of a railroad, African village, and an amphitheater in the following years.[28][83][84]

 
Busch Gardens Trans-Veldt Railway from the Nairobi Junction station

Robert B. Bean was named the new general manager for the Busch Gardens park in April 1971.[85] The Trans-Veldt Railway opened on July 4, between the monorail and Boma section. The train departed from the "Nairobi Junction" station into the animal habitat and was an upcharge attraction.[86][87][88] In January 1972, the tree tops observation deck was being constructed at the cost of $250,000,[89] opening months later with the African village on June 19. The African village, located north of the original gardens, accommodated the Stanleyville station, an additional train station on the Trans-Veldt Railway. The African village contained the Tanzanian Theater featuring an elephant show, gorilla and okapi enclosures, and various shops.[90][91] The tree tops was a three-level observation deck in the northern half of the African veldt and only reachable by the Trans-Veldt Railway upon opening.[92] During this time, the monorail and railway upcharges were eliminated, with the general admission increased in price.[90] The boat ride in the African village, titled Livingstone's Landing, later opened in the summer 1972.[93]

A $6.5 million addition was announced in March 1973 for a phase two development of the 1970 expansion plans. The plans would affect three park sections: Boma, Stanleyville (renamed from the African village), and the African veldt. The plans called for a Morocco-themed area, a log flume, a dark ride, a gondola lift, an "animal training center," and a safari attraction.[94][95] Busch Gardens opened a nearby campervan park in May.[96][97] The first thrill ride at the park, the log flume, opened in June in the Stanleyville section.[98][99][100] Bean resigned as general manager and was replaced by Joseph C. Fincher in April 1974.[101] The sky ride transportation gondola opened in May, which linked the park's monorail station, tree tops outlook, and Stanleyville section together.[95][102]

By 1975, the park housed over 800 animals and expanded its live entertainment options throughout the park.[103] Busch Gardens opened its Morocco-themed village on April 16, acting as the new entrance to the park.[104][105] The Morocco area hosted shops, landscaped areas, eateries, and the Algiers Theater upon opening.[105][106] The snack bar originally located in the parking lot was incorporated into the Morocco area with thematic upgrades.[107] In September, the park disclosed a $7.6 million development that would include the park's first roller coaster, exhibits for tigers and elephants, extension to the Livingstone's Landing, extensive landscaping, and the addition of sound systems throughout the park.[108][109][110]

1975–1989: The Dark Continent and continued growth Edit

 
The Python roller coaster with a train traversing its corkscrew

Near the end of 1975, Busch Gardens launched a new campaign that sought to promote the Tampa park around a centralized older Africa theme.[111] The rebrand of the Busch Gardens park would introduce aspects of live entertainment, advertising, animal displays, and thrill rides.[111] The beginning of the 1976 year saw the park take on a new name as "The Dark Continent".[112][113] The Dark Continent was chosen to distinguish Busch Gardens from other comparably named attractions in Florida, such as the Tiki Gardens and Sunken Gardens.[114] As part of the campaign, the African veldt became known as the Serengeti Plain, Boma became Nairobi, and the Moroccan village was formally dubbed Marrakesh.[111][115][116]

Work on the last part of the $7.6 million development, another themed area known as the Congo, began in January 1976.[117] Python, a steel roller coaster manufactured by Arrow Development, premiered on July 1, as the park's first roller coaster.[118][119] An octopus-style flat ride, named the Monstrous Mamba, constructed by the Eyerly Aircraft Company was opened shortly after in 1976.[118][119] Both additions were part of Stanleyville and located in the northern half of the section.[120] A marching brass group known as the Mystic Sheiks of Morocco began performing throughout the park in 1976.[121] The Congo section opened on July 26, 1977, next to Stanleyville and located northwest in the park's layout.[122][123] The Congo incorporated the Python roller coaster and Monstrous Mamba into its themed land.[120] The land saw the transformation of Livingstone's Landing into the African Queen boat ride.[124] In addition, the land hosted a shooting gallery, the Bengal tiger's Claw Island exhibit, and an Intamin swing ride entitled the Swinging Vines.[123][125][124] Bumper cars were opened in 1977.[126]

 
The Timbuktu section with architecture and carousel

An unspecified addition to the park was disclosed in May 1978 at a cost of between $5 and $10 million, including a large dining facility.[127][128][129] During 1978, Anheuser-Busch made land acquisitions extending their total property to encompass around 350-acre (140 ha) in Tampa.[130] Construction was well underway in November for the expansion titled Timbuktu.[131] In February 1979, the park unveiled a $18.5 million expansion that would include the Timbuktu addition and a new water park adjacent to the park called Adventure Island.[132][133] The Timbuktu addition would mark the 20th anniversary of the park's opening. It would also connect the Congo and Nairobi sections, include a large dining facility, several attractions, and an amphitheater.[134][135] The Trans Veldt Railway operated a new station in the area in 1979.[132] Continuing with the developments for the past years was the announcement of a $20 million hotel in April,[136][137] though was later delayed.[138] Parts of the Timbuktu section began to open in late 1979.[139][140]

At the beginning of 1980, the park was operated by the newly formed Busch Entertainment Corporation, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch, to separately manage its entertainment and beer assets.[141][142] In the early 1980s, the tree tops observation platform closed in favor of a Congo train station.[92] A variety show debuted in the since renamed Stanleyville Theater in 1980.[143][144] The park officially opened the Timbuktu section of the park in January 1980. The section opened with a Chance Rides carousel and trabant, a dolphin show in the Dolphin Theater, the Sandstrom orbiter, the Festhaus dining hall with a dance show, an airplane ride, various game booths, and specialty shops.[145][146][147] Scorpion, a Schwarzkopf steel roller coaster, later opened in Timbuktu on May 16.[148] To boost attendance in the park, Busch Gardens revealed plans for a $6 million river rapids ride for the Congo section in 1981.[149][150] In 1982, the Old Swiss House closed indefinitely for structural renovations and white tigers were introduced to the park in the Claw Island exhibit.[151][152] The 1,380-foot (420 m) Intamin Congo River Rapids ride opened on May 26.[153][154]

For the 1983 season, the park added children rides to the Timbuktu and Congo sections.[155][156] Additionally, the Marrakesh Theater opened in the southern portion of the Marrakesh area with a Moroccan-American dance show.[157] In the latter half of 1983, Dwarf Village was reconstructed to appeal to younger audiences. The Dwarf Village reopened with a miniature log flume, a car ride, and various play areas.[155][158] In November, Anheuser-Busch stated it would deemphasize and slowly shift away from "The Dark Continent" name in favor of "Busch Gardens" as the name did not catch on with park visitors and was not as recognizable. The return of the prominent Busch Gardens name would bring changes to the slogan and logo.[159] The following year, an Intamin looping starship, Phoenix, opened in the Timbuktu section on June 5, 1984.[160] The eagle enclosure was relocated to a different location under the brewery escalator in January 1985.[161][162] A new elephant habitat was created in the Nairobi section in 1986.[163] The Moroccan Palace Theater was completed on August 11, and debuted the show, Kaleidoscope, on August 22.[164] Upon its opening, the Moroccan Palace Theater was the park's main venue to host larger style productions.[165] An animal nursery, named the Nairobi Field Station, opened on December 9.[166]

 
The bird gardens of Busch Gardens

The bird show gained a birds of prey segment including falcons, eagles, and owls in February 1987.[167] Busch Gardens leased a pair of pandas from the Chinese government in October 1987, with a temporary 120-foot (37 m) exhibit opening in the bird gardens on November 17.[168][169] To accommodate the pandas, new bird aviaries were built in the gardens.[170] The first panda on loan left in April 1988 while the second left in October 1988.[171][172] The monorail received electric trains in 1988.[173][174] The aviary dome was removed in the same year due to the expansion of the brewery.[175] By the end of 1988, park officials were considering several additions such as a new boat ride, another show for the Moroccan Palace theater, new exhibit spaces, and reopening the Old Swiss House. The park had started a refurbishment of the Moroccan snack bar, the Zagora Café, and relocated the white tigers to the panda's previous enclosure. Busch Gardens officials planned to launch promotions to attract the European tourist market and draw on its unique position in the Florida amusement park industry.[176]

For the park's 30th anniversary, Busch Gardens announced a shoot the chute water ride named the Tanganyika Tidal Wave, a koala exhibit, and a Clydesdale stable for the coming year.[177][178] Previews of the Intamin-made Tanganyika Tidal Wave began on June 15,[179] and officially opened weeks later.[180] The water ride replaced the African Queen boat ride and featured a nature walk named the Orchid Canyon.[181][180] The koalas exhibit opened in the previous panda enclosure on June 28.[182] The Clydesdale Hamlet opened south of the monorail station on August 11, housing four Clydesdale horses.[183][184]

1990–1999: Thrill additions and animal habitats Edit

By the early 1990s, Busch Gardens sought to add more attractions to keep up the attention from the public and amusement industry trends. The panda exhibit, introduced in 1988, was the last significant attraction introduced to the park. Busch Gardens officials recognized the need for a subsequent addition.[185] The campervan park was closed in 1990 due to the decline in sales.[186] The former Old Swiss House reopened as the Crown Colony House in early 1990. A restaurant was added on the top floor of the renovated building utilizing an African theme.[187][188] The Swinging Vines attraction was removed around 1991.[124] The park announced Questor in May 1991, a motion simulator ride manufactured by Reflectone,[189] which opened on May 23.[190] Located near the Clydesdale stables and Crown Colony House, Questor featured the story of explorer Sir Edison Fitzwilly pursuing the Crystal of Zed through different landscapes.[191]

 
A train of the Kumba roller coaster ascending its lift hill

To maintain its hold in the Florida theme park market, Busch Gardens unveiled plans to construct the Myombe Reserve, a 3-acre (1.2 ha) chimpanzee and gorilla exhibit that would replace the Boma section.[192][193] The exhibit opened on June 17, 1992, with its entrance located near the Moroccan Palace Theater.[192][194] The park hosted a temporary Olympic village for the U.S. team in July as a sponsor of the 1992 Summer Olympics.[195][196] Continuing efforts to expand, the park revealed plans in November to construct a signature steel roller coaster within the Congo section named Kumba.[197][198] Manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, the roller coaster would be constructed in the northwest area of the park near the Congo River Rapids and bumper cars.[199] The roller coaster debuted with a height of 143 feet (44 m), a track length of 3,978 feet (1,212 m), and reached speeds of 60 mph (97 km/h) upon opening on April 21, 1993.[197][199] In 1994, a kids area named the Land of the Dragons was earmarked to replace the Dwarf Village.[200] The Stanleyville variety show saw its production close in 1994, after fourteen years,[144] and a new ice skating show debut in the Moroccan Palace Theater titled, Hollywood Live on Ice, in November.[201]

The construction of the Wild Animal Kingdom prompted Busch Gardens to map out a competitive strategy for the coming years in preparation for its first direct competitor in the Florida theme park market.[202][203] The Land of the Dragons opened on May 9, 1995, debuting on a 1.5-acre (0.61 ha) area featuring a large three-story tree house, miniature cars, a ferris wheel, and rope bridge.[204] The dragon retheme was done to update the area and adopted from its sister park in Williamsburg.[204][205] The success of Kumba prompted the park to file plans for an Egypt section in May that would include the park's fourth roller coaster, shopping, and a train station.[206][207] Additional details of the Egypt land were revealed in August.[208][209] Anheuser-Busch stated it would close the brewery inside the Busch Gardens Tampa location on October 25. The plant on the Busch Gardens property had become the smallest brewery of the company's 13 and was slated to close down because of the decreased beer consumption and high per-barrel costs. The shutdown was part of an overall restructuring effort, with the 17-acre (6.9 ha) land transferred to the park.[210][211] The Monstrous Mamba flat ride closed in the fall season.[119] A safari upcharge attraction was opened to the public in November riding through the Serengeti Plain section.[212] The park's brewery closed in December and was later demolished.[213]

The park began expanding its international marketing efforts in Brazil, Germany, and the United Kingdom in 1996.[214] In addition, the park hosted another temporary Olympic village as a sponsor of the 1996 Summer Olympics.[215] The Egypt section opened to guests on May 16, located in the south east portion of the park at the cost of $5 million.[206][216] The section included a recreation of King Tut's tomb, a sand pit, Egyptian hieroglyphs structures, and the Bolliger & Mabillard inverted roller coaster, Montu.[214] Montu was created at the cost of $10 million, opening as the world's longest and tallest inverted roller coaster.[216] Busch Gardens entered a theme park partnership in June with SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios Florida, and Wet 'n Wild Orlando to compete with Disney.[217] In the same month, the park considered the feasibility of a hotel, the latest effort since the 1980s.[218][219] In October, park officials disclosed plans for a animal exhibit section at the cost of $20 million.[220][221]

 
Various animals located in the Serengeti Plain

General manager Fincher was replaced by Robin D. Carson in a corporate shuffle in February 1997.[222][223] The Edge of Africa animal exhibit section opened on July 4. Located in the middle of the park on a 15-acre (6.1 ha) parcel of the Serengeti Plain, the animal exhibit featured crocodiles, hippos, hyenas, lions, meerkats, and vultures among an African village and wildlife themes.[224][225] Plans for an entertainment complex, the likes that would rival Disney's Animal Kingdom, were in the planning stages in December 1997.[226][227] Further improvements to the park were disclosed, including an refurbished simulator ride and a bird walk through exhibit.[228] An arcade area would open in the Egypt section in April 1998.[229] The simulator ride, Akbar's Adventure Tours, opened on May 12, replacing Questor.[230][231] The walk through Lory Landing bird exhibit opened in May 5, near the Land of the Dragons.[232] In June, updated plans for the entertainment complex cited a $10 million ride to open in the coming year,[227] which would later be revealed as the dueling wooden roller coasters, Gwazi, in July.[233] Busch Gardens purchased a 108-acre (44 ha) area north of San Antonio, Florida, for an animal retirement facility in September.[234]

In the ensuing year, the Tangiers Theater was replaced by a confectionary store.[235] The monorail closed on May 13, 1999, with demolition occurring on the same day.[236][237] Gwazi opened on June 18, on the former site of the Anheuser-Busch brewery.[238][239] The park would debut its first family-friendly Halloween event, titled the Spooky Safari, in October.[240] Occurring in the same month, the San Antonio facility for the park's animals opened,[241] as well as plans to revitalize the Serengeti Plain were announced.[242] Landscaping and physical barriers were planned to separate animals, bring wildlife closer to the train, and include several animals such as antelopes, gazelles, giraffes, and zebras.[243]

2000–2009: Updates and end of Anheuser-Busch ownership Edit

Up to 2000, Busch Gardens' manager, Carson, had replaced several long-time executives and created a new leadership team to rejuvenate the park because of growing competition from other Florida theme parks. Instead of investing in technologically innovative and expensive rides, the park sought to attract guests through unique experiences with interactive wildlife elements. The park began advertising its location as a holiday destination within the Tampa Bay area as Disney had done in Orlando.[244] To retain attendance from returning visitors, Anheuser-Busch began offering a "Fun Card" to Florida residents at their Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando theme parks beginning in 2000.[244][245] The pass would provide benefits and ability to visit the park to the end of the year and would replace most of its discount programs previously offered.[245][246] Park officials revealed plans to construct Rhino Rally in May, a Land Rover safari attraction for the coming year.[247][248] The revitalized 29-acre (12 ha) land of the Serengeti Plain debuted to the public on June 22, including an add-on tour in a truck through the animal habitat.[249][250] Busch Gardens premiered Howl-O-Scream, a new iteration of its Halloween event from the previous year in October, adopting the event from its sister park in Williamsburg after its success and in hopes of challenging Universal's Halloween event.[251][252]

 
The Busch Gardens logo implemented during the 2003 season

After its success, the Fun Card was reintroduced in 2001 for Florida residents.[246] Rhino Rally opened to the public on May 23.[253] After the events on September 11 attacks, Anheuser-Busch temporarily closed its parks, but reopened the following day.[254] Starting in June 2002, the park was the first Florida to offer a second day free entrance when it rained during a guests stay.[255] In August, the park indicated it would replace its Dolphin Theater with a 4D film theater.[256] Several projects were proposed to open during the 2003 season, including a white rhino habitat, an add-on zoo keeper experience, a revitalized Timbuktu area with the Das Festhaus restaurant being rethemed, and the premiere of the 4D film, Haunted Lighthouse. A new logo would also be introduce to phase out an old one used for 20 years prior.[257] General manager Carson was replaced by Dan Brown in mid-May.[258] The 4D film debuted in the newly constructed 750-seat theater in May, with the Timbuktu revamp and the Kasbah restaurant scheduled to open soon after.[259][260][261] The 26-acre (11 ha) area for the three white rhinos from South Africa debuted in June.[262][263]

Starting in June 2003, Busch Gardens introduced the "Summer Nights" event offering extended hours during the summer season nights.[264] The park began construction in late-2003 on its parking lot to accommodate new tunnels to be built under McKinley Drive for easier access to the park. With August Busch III taking more interest in the Anheuser-Busch parks to help in monetary gains, Busch Gardens also announced an overhaul to its entertainment options. During this time, park officials formally scrap the hotel entertainment complex plan.[265] Busch Entertainment stated it would move its wild mouse roller coaster, Wild Maus, from Busch Gardens Williamsburg to its Tampa park and replace the Crazy Camel trabant flat ride.[266]

 
A SheiKra train entering the second drop into a tunnel

The Kasbah restaurant would be renamed the Desert Grill in 2004.[267] The wild mouse roller coaster, Cheetah Chase, opened in February.[268] The park announced in October the construction of SheiKra, a 200-foot (61 m) steel roller coaster to be located in the Stanleyville section and built by Bolliger and Mabillard.[269] In January 2005, the park implemented fingerprint scans to replace ticket photo identification, deployed kiosks for self-service, and a new entrance. A gift shop in the bird gardens was reintroduced as the Xcursions shop. In addition, construction on the road tunnel for transportation trams and parking were completed and opened on January 7.[270] SheiKra opened on May 21, becoming the tallest roller coaster in Florida and the first Dive Coaster model built in the United States. A barbeque restaurant also opened within the confines of the Stanleyville section.[271][272]

Beginning in 2006, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay began marketing itself in the short term as Busch Gardens Africa, with its sister park Williamsburg having similarly adopted "Europe" to its name. The name change came as part of an effort to distinguish both parks as unique from each other and to drive more visitors. However, the use of Tampa Bay would still be used in local marketing.[273][274] By 2006, the park had also updated five activity areas.[275] A new 4D film, Pirates 4-D, debuted in the Timbuktu Theater on February 18, replacing the Haunted Lighthouse.[276] After 30 years of operation, the Python roller coaster closed on October 31, for a planned expansion in 2008. The closure included part of the Congo section surrounding the roller coaster, including the Claw Island exhibit and a restaurant.[275][277]

The park's bird show in the Bird Gardens ended in 2007, after 48 years of production. The bird show would later be replaced by an animal show titled, Critter Castaways.[278] The roller coaster, SheiKra, closed temporarily in May 2007 and reopened in June with floorless trains.[279][280] Busch Gardens revealed its plans in September to build a $16 million dollar section, named Jungala, where the Python roller coaster once stood. The 4-acre (1.6 ha) land would house several animal habitats, involving Bengal tigers, Tomistoma, flying foxes, gibbons, and orangutans. The area would also host several attractions that included a "mini space shot", a sit-down zip line, a play area, educational areas, and restaurants.[281] General manager was taken over by Donnie Mills, as Brown left for a position at Busch Entertainment in December.[282][283]

 
The Jungala play pavilion

Jungala opened on April 5, at a higher estimated cost of around $40 million. The park section was marketed for age groups between older adolescents and young teenagers, who would be too young for their SheiKra roller coaster but too old for the Land of the Dragons area.[284][285] Belgian brewer InBev was reported in May to make a potential bid for Anheuser-Busch. The bid by InBev came when consolidation of companies was largely taking place and amid national competition for Anheuser-Busch. The Belgian brewer considered the sale of the Busch Entertainment division to help fund its buyout of Anheuser-Busch, which composed of ten theme parks including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.[286][287][288] InBev formally proposed its bid to Anheuser-Busch's board of directors on June 11.[289] By June 26, Anheuser-Busch contemplated restructuring and dropping some of its assets, such as Busch Entertainment, to strengthen its profitability and rationalize its refusal of InBev's bid.[289][290][291] The next day, InBev filed suit to prepare a facilitated takeover bid of Anheuser-Busch through the removal of its board of directors.[289][292] InBev formally drafted its takeover bid on July 7,[289][293] placing speculation as to a possible buyer for Busch parks, anticipated changes to park operations, and its identity.[294]

A friendly agreement between Anheuser-Busch and InBev was negotiated on July 13, forming Anheuser-Busch InBev.[289][295] In the deal, InBev reaffirmed the merger would be funded by the sale of subsidiary assets, which added into the uncertain future of Busch Gardens Tampa park. It was theorized the Busch Entertainment parks may form their own company, be sold off independently, or be bought together. Potential buying participants were speculated, to be the Blackstone Group, Cedar Fair, Parques Reunidos, and Six Flags, as all were operating parks domestically or globally.[296][297][298] In early August, it was reported that the Blackstone Group, operating Merlin Entertainment, and Parques Reunidos, were emerging to bid for the Busch parks.[299][300] Talks of the acquisition were ongoing in November, with industry officials signaling a deal might take place during summer in 2009.[301] As part of its plan to sell off Busch parks, Anheuser-Busch InBev ceased free beer samples for guests at the beginning of 2009, having been in place since the parks opening.[302] The park also deemphasize Anheuser-Busch products by reducing, removing, or replacing several offerings.[303] For the park's 50th anniversary, park officials asked the public to bring in memorabilia to be displayed in a temporary historic museum. The building that housed the former Akbar's Adventure Tour simulator ride and U.S. Horseshow Jumping Hall of Fame was turned into a museum in March, with guest and corporate contributions displayed.[304][303]

In June 2009, it was anticipated the Busch Gardens Tampa park would replace its Land of the Dragons area with a Sesame Street area as its Williamsburg sister park had completed.[305][306] Busch Gardens revealed in August it would build the kids area, with the plans calling to enlarge the section, add a roller coaster for kids, and retheme several attractions to fit the Sesame Street theme.[307] Rumors of Busch Gardens' sale were reported in September, as the Blackstone Group was becoming more prominent to purchase the parks[308] with a deal close in October.[309] Anheuser-Busch InBev announced it would sell Busch Entertainment to the Blackstone Group on October 7.[310] The acquisition saw the Clydesdale horses removed, but allow the continuation of the Busch Gardens name, as well as previous programs, employees, and leadership from before its purchase.[311][312][313] Busch Gardens Tampa Bay began to be operated by the renamed SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment division in December, with the last Anheuser-Busch symbols from the park taken out.[314]

2010–present: New ownership and additions Edit

 
The Sesame Street Safari Fun section

General manager Mills was replaced by Jim Dean in the role as park president in February 2010.[315][316] The Mystic Sheiks of Morocco band ceased performances in 2010,[121] and a new 4-D film based on the Sesame Street cast would debut in the Timbuktu Theater, replacing Pirates 4-D.[317] The Sesame Street section opened as Sesame Street Safari of Fun on March 27, on a 2.5-acre (1.0 ha) area.[318][319] A walk through kangaroo enclosure, titled the Walkabout Way, opened in the Bird Gardens area on June 14.[320][321] Busch Gardens announced two attractions for the coming year on October 13, with an Intamin-made launched roller coaster named Cheetah Hunt located in the former monorail station and a cheetah enclosure titled Cheetah Run.[322][323]

Busch Gardens disclosed on May 16, 2011, a replacement to the old rhinoceros enclosure with a 16,000 sq ft (1,500 m2) Animal Care & Nutrition Center.[324] Cheetah Hunt and its associated Cheetah Run enclosure opened on May 27.[325] Disney discontinued their Grad Night event in 2011, leading to Busch Gardens to pick up its own event for graduating local high schools.[326][327]

 
The Pantopia section, with the carousel and Falcon's Fury drop tower

Busch Gardens opened its Animal Care Center on January 23, 2012, at an estimated cost of $5 million in the Nairobi section.[328][329][330] A winter event, titled Christmas Town premiered in November and would continue on into December.[331][332] SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment changed the logo and slogan of its Busch Gardens parks in February 2013, choosing a "coaster tree" to represent the park's environment and rides.[333] The Stanleyville Theater was enclosed in 2013.[334][335] The Sandstorm orbiter flat ride would close in June,[336] which would make way for a 335-foot (102 m) drop tower named Falcon's Fury to open within the next year. The Intamin-made drop tower would be located in the Timbuktu section and drop riders face down.[337][338] The park's Crown Colony restaurant closed indefinitely by mid-2013, with industry observers citing budget cuts and slow attendance for the change in operation.[339][340] Busch Gardens later revealed in November a retheme of the Timbuktu section into "Pantopia", where Falcon's Fury would be located. The Pantopia section would feature a vibrant color pallet for existing buildings, introduce a new story line for the fictional land and refreshments, keep existing rides, and open with the drop tower.[341][342]

The animal show, Critter Castaways, in the Bird Gardens Theater would be moved to the Pantopia Theater following the former theater's closure in February 2014,[343][344] which was subsequently demolished having been at the park since its opening.[278] Within the same month, the park opted into Tampa's City Pass alongside other local zoos and aquariums.[345][346] Falcon's Fury was delayed from its initial opening date on May 1,[347] though, the Pantopia section officially opened.[348][349] The drop tower would later open on September 2, after varied soft-openings.[350] The safari attraction Rhino Rally permanently closed in September.[351] The park would disclose in December that wooden roller coasters Gwazi would close in the coming months due to rising costs in operation and feedback from guests.[352] Gwazi closed on February 1, 2015, after 15 years of operation.[353] A new attraction for the Egypt section was disclosed in February 2015, to come the next year.[354] A replacement of the park's Bands, Brew, and BBQ event debuted in March, as the Food and Wine Festival.[355] Busch Gardens formally announced its Egyptian addition in May as Cobra's Curse, a spinning roller coaster to debut the following year.[356][357] The previous Desert Grill reopened as the Dragon Fire Grill on June 1.[358]

The Tanganyika Tidal Wave closed on April 10, 2016, with no plans to replace the attraction.[359] The former Crown Colony opened with the addition of a new restaurant in May.[360] The spinning roller coaster, Cobra's Curse, opened on June 17, in the Egypt section of the park adjacent to Montu.[361] The Jambo Junction animal center closed indefinitely on December 9, due to corporate layoffs.[362] Stewart Clark replaced Dean as Busch Gardens President in January 2017 following the formers departure to become President of Orlando's SeaWorld parks.[363][364] Free beer samples returned to the park in May 2018, being hosted within the former Hospitality House since renamed to the Garden Gate Cafe.[365] A Premier Rides triple-launch roller coaster, named Tigris, was announced in September to open the following year.[366][367]

 
Iron Gwazi's lift hill and inversion

The park later announced in March 2019 the replacement for Gwazi as Iron Gwazi, a Rocky Mountain Construction conversion of the wooden roller coasters into a steel roller coaster.[368][369] Busch Gardens opened Tigris, its ninth roller coaster, on April 19.[370] Iron Gwazi, was expected to be completed by Spring 2020, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida, the park temporarily closed from March 16 to June 11, to assist in slowing down the exposure of guests.[371][372] As a result of the pandemic, the opening of Iron Gwazi was initially delayed until 2021.[373] SeaWorld Entertainment parks as a whole saw a 96% drop in attendance figures.[374]

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay named Neal Thurman as its new president in August, amid Clark leaving to pursue a role at SeaWorld Entertainment in September.[375][376] Iron Gwazi, after several months of previews, opened on March 11, 2022.[377][378] A new entrance plaza, entertainment, and pass member lounge were planned in April to come during the season.[379] In October, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced the Serengeti Flyer, a Screamin' Swing, which debuted in Spring 2023.[380][381] The former Garden Gate Cafe reopened as the Springs Taproom in January 2023.[382] The wild mouse roller coaster closed and was subsequently removed in July.[383][384]

Park layout and attractions Edit

 
Train cars from the Serengeti Express in the foreground with the Skyride in the background
See also: List of attractions at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Morocco Edit

The park's main entrance. Treats can be purchased at the Sultan's Sweets and the Zagora Cafe. The Moroccan Palace is located here, as well as the outdoor Marrakesh Theater.

  • Gwazi Gliders, a small hang glider flat ride relocated from the Congo section's defunct Pygmy Village kids' area.[388]
  • Myombe Reserve, a 3-acre (12,000 m2) home for six lowland gorillas and nine chimpanzees located in Nairobi, opened in 1992.[389]
  • Moroccan Palace, A palace themed theater nearby Myombe Reserve chimpanzee entrance. It is home for Busch Gardens's newly award-winning ice skating show, Turn It Up! The Hottest Show On Ice.
  • Iron Gwazi, a hybrid wooden-steel roller coaster. In 2019, Busch Gardens Tampa announced that a new hybrid coaster would be built on the space where Gwazi once stood. It was built by world-famous roller coaster manufacturer Rocky Mountain Construction. Upon its opening, it became North America's tallest hybrid coaster as well as the world's fastest and steepest hybrid coaster.

Sesame Street Safari of Fun Edit

Former "Land of the Dragons" children's section of the park. Land of the Dragons, which itself replaced the Dwarf Village in 1995, was replaced by Sesame Street Safari of Fun on March 27, 2010. It contains all the attractions from Land of the Dragons which are now re-themed.

  • Telly's Jungle Jam, an interactive play area.[390]
  • Rosita's Djembe Fly-Away, a swing ride.[391]
  • Bert & Ernie's Watering hole, a water play area.[392]
  • Air Grover, a children's roller coaster.[393]
 
SheiKra, the first Dive Coaster in North America, seen descending its first drop

Stanleyville Edit

This section of the park is home to one of the park's water rides, Stanley Falls Flume. It is also home to launch coaster Tigris, and SheiKra, which was the first and only Dive Coaster in the United States until the addition of Griffon at the sister park Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The section opened in 1973 with the addition of the Stanley Falls Flume. The African Queen Boat Ride opened in 1977 as Busch's version of Disney's Jungle Cruise. The African Queen featured live animals, including alligators, crocodiles, rhinoceroses and spider monkeys. A South American macaw rode on each boat. In 1989, the African Queen Boat Ride was converted into Tanganyika Tidal Wave with the addition of a 55-foot (17 m) drop that generates a large splash. The section remained unchanged until 2005 when SheiKra opened and the surrounding area was renovated.

Congo Edit

 
Kumba, a signature roller coaster to the park upon opening, entering the first interlocking corkscrew

This section, themed to the jungles of Congo, contains two of the park's rides, Kumba and Congo River Rapids. In November 2006, Congo underwent a major renovation, including the removal of the park's Python corkscrew roller coaster. Other former Congo attractions include the Swinging Vines, a family swing flat ride which closed in the early 1990s and the Monstrous Mamba octopus flat ride which closed in the late 1990s. The Pygmy Village kids area featuring three children's rides, a teacup ride, a kiddie swing ride relocated to Sesame Street Safari of Fun and the Gwazi Gliders moved to Morocco.

  • Kumba, meaning roar in Swahili, is a 143-foot (44 m) steel sit-down roller coaster with seven inversions. Built in 1993 by Bolliger & Mabillard, it remains a popular ride today. The ride was repainted in 2010, and again in 2019.[396]
  • Congo River Rapids, a river rapids ride opened in 1982. The queue also houses a Komodo dragon exhibit.[397]
  • Ubanga Banga Bumper Cars, a bumper cars ride.[398]

Jungala Edit

Opened on April 5, 2008, Jungala is a 4-acre (16,000 m2) family attraction featuring up-close animal encounters, rope bridges to explore three stories of jungle life, and a water-play area for children. Also located in this area is family attraction: Wild Surge, a shot tower that launches guests above a waterfall. Another attraction is Tiger Trail, which is a walkthrough with tigers where there is also a glass turret where guests can look out right in the middle of the tiger enclosure. During the Kareebu Jungala atmosphere show, stiltwalkers perform with puppets and interact with guests in the heart of Jungala.[399]

  • The Wild Surge, a Moser family launch tower ride. Closed In Early 2023. [400]
  • Orangutan Outpost, a tree-top observation platform to watch and interact with Bornean orangutans. As of 2017, Busch Gardens has 6 orangutans including 3 males and 3 females.
  • Tiger Lodge and Tiger Trail, Observation areas, trails and a bridge to watch and interact with tigers. Busch Gardens has at least 10 tigers. On March 31, 2013, Bzui, a female Malayan tiger, gave birth to three cubs sired by Mata. She had two males and one female. The males were named Bundar (meaning round)[401] and Rukayah (meaning delicate).[401] The female was named Cinta (meaning love).[401]
  • Kulu Canopy, a multi-species habitat for white-cheeked gibbons, flying foxes (fruit bats) and false gharial - a reclusive and very rare crocodilian native to Indonesia and Malaysia.[402]

Pantopia Edit

 
Falcon's Fury, added in 2014, as viewed from the ground with the gondola ascending

A section originally themed after the malls and bazaars of Africa that opened up in May 1980 as Timbuktu. The Phoenix was built in 1984, and removed in 2018. The section was renovated in 2003. Elements added during this facelift included the enclosing of the Timbuktu Theater, which replaced the park's Dolphin Theater with an indoor 4-D movie theater. The dolphins retired to other locations. The 4-D theater premiered with "R.L Stine's Haunted Lighthouse" film in 2003, followed by "Pirates 4-D" in 2006 and "Sesame Street Presents: Lights! Camera! Imagination!" in 2010. In 2004, Das Festhaus was transformed into the Desert Grill. In September 2014, Falcon's Fury, a 335-foot drop tower, opened, replacing the former Sandstorm orbiter flat ride. This section of the park was re-themed to Pantopia[403] alongside the opening of Falcon's Fury.

  • Scorpion, a steel, Schwarzkopf-designed sit-down roller coaster with one vertical loop. It is Busch Gardens' oldest operating roller coaster.[404]
  • Pantopia Theater, an indoor theater that originally housed Opening Night Critters with the opening of Pantopia in 2014. In Spring 2019, it is now home to Critters Inn Charge after Opening Night Critters closed.[405]
  • Caravan Carousel, a carousel with horses, camels, and chariots.[406]
  • Falcon's Fury, a drop tower that has a speed of 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) and tilts 90 degrees towards the ground. It is the tallest free-standing drop tower in North America at 335 feet (102 m).[407]
  • Bush Flyers, A kids plane ride
  • Desert Runners, A kids motorcycle ride
  • Kiddie Train, A kids train ride

Nairobi Edit

Alligators and crocodiles can be observed here up close. In Curiosity Cavern, guests can view mammal and reptile exhibits. Visitors to Nairobi can meet the Animal Ambassadors who travel the country and make educational appearances at Jambo Junction.[408] The area also contains Myombe Reserve, a tropical rainforest that is home to western gorillas and chimpanzees.[389] In 2012 the Animal Care Center opened, allowing guests to observe actual veterinary procedures, as well as meet the stars of Wildlife Docs, Busch Gardens' Saturday morning television show.[409] The main train station at Busch Gardens is located at Nairobi. Another popular attraction here is the Asian elephant exhibit. Nairobi used to have a safari truck ride called Rhino Rally, similar to Kilimanjaro Safaris at Walt Disney World. The attraction closed in 2015 and was replaced in 2023 by Serengeti Flyer.

  • Animal Care Center, a nearly 16,000-square-foot (1,500 m2) attraction, allows visitors the chance to view the Busch Gardens' veterinarians at work in a new state-of-the-art veterinary hospital.[410] The major visitor aspects of the facility include a nutrition demonstration kitchen, treatment rooms, a clinical lab and an interactive diagnostic activity. Behind the scenes the veterinary hospital also includes the animal nutrition center, animal recovery and holding rooms and vet offices. The park's former animal care center was located behind the scenes.[411]
  • Elephant Interaction Wall, the Nairobi section of the park has five female and one male (arrived from the Calgary Zoo in 2013) Asian elephants. The females are named Tina who is 53 years old, Rosie who is 50 years old, Simba who is 52 years old, Carina who is 48 years old and Carnaudi who is 30 years old. There are daily interactions at the Elephant Interaction and Husbandry Wall or during the Elephant Keeper Experience.[412]
  • Serengeti Flyer, a tall, intense Screamin' Swing that opened in 2023. In the morning hours, the ride runs “mild mode”, in which it only features half the height and speed, while in the afternoon, it runs “wild mode” in which it reaches its maximum height and speed.

Edge of Africa Edit

 
Crown Colony House

Edge of Africa, otherwise known as Cheetah Hunt Plaza, is the smallest section of the park. It features a restaurant, The Serengeti Overlook Restaurant and Pub, the Cheetah Hunt roller coaster, and the Skyride station.

  • Cheetah Hunt, a multi-launch steel roller coaster that opened in 2011. A suspended monorail which took guests around the Serengeti Plain previously occupied Cheetah Hunt's station but had sat empty since the attraction closed in 1999.[413][414]
  • Cheetah Run, an animal exhibit located next to Cheetah Hunt. It replaced the Clydesdale Hamlet.[415] In May 2011, Cheetah Run opened. Cheetah Run is home to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay collection of cheetahs. There are running demonstrations and Meet a Keeper sessions throughout the day. In addition, the exhibit has interactive screens with cheetah facts.[416] One of Cheetah Run's most notable residents is Kasi, a male cheetah, who was paired with Mtani, a female Labrador Retriever, from 2011 to 2013 when they were young. Mtani now lives with a zookeeper and Kasi has been paired with a female Cheetah.[417] As of 2013, Busch Gardens has 14 cheetahs.

Egypt Edit

 
Montu, being the fastest and tallest inverted roller coaster upon opening, seen making its way through the last series of corners

Bedouin tents, authentic handicrafts and art create an Egyptian marketplace feel. The primary attraction of the Egypt-themed area is Montu, an inverted steel coaster. Tut's Tomb, a former audio guided walk-through tomb excavation closed in Winter 2013 and the interior was gutted to make way for the queue for Cobra's Curse. The former Golden Scarab Gift Shop was converted into a gift shop at the exit of the attraction.

Animal habitats Edit

Busch Gardens is Tampa's largest zoo, with more than 200 species of animals.[420]

Animal Care Center Edit

Facility that allows visitors to view animal care being conducted from treatments to x-rays.[421]

  • The Wildlife Docs, an Emmy nominated television series that follows animal caretakers treating more than 12,000 different animals living in Busch Gardens Tampa.[422]

Bird Gardens Edit

A free flight aviary that shows over 500 tropical birds from around the globe including parrots, flamingos and others.[423] The original section of the park opened in 1959. The area for the most part remains mostly gardens and animal exhibits. A staple attraction that once stood in this section was the brewery. However, the brewery closed in 1995 and Gwazi now sits where the brewery was located. In 2014, the Bird Gardens theater was demolished and the outdoor show (Critter Castaways) was relocated inside the Pantopia Theater under the new name "Opening Night Critters". This ran until December 2018. A show showcasing animals that have a brought in to a facility and taken to (Seaworld Entertainment) Known as Rescue Tales which was already at Seaworld Orlando was coming to Busch gardens. as of (April 2023) is still running at the park.[424][425]

  • Walkabout Way, themed as an Australian outpost, opened in June 2010. This area allows guests to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, and see animals including kookaburras, magpies, black swans and tawny frogmouths. A male kangaroo, Horatio, arrived at the park in early 2014.[426] This experience is open to all guests 5 years of age or older.[427][426]
  • Lory Landing, an open aviary habitat that invites guest to walk around and be visited by lorikeets. Purchasing nectar is an optional part of the habitat, providing an experience of hand-feeding the birds.[428]

Edge of Africa Edit

Opened in 1997, Edge of Africa is a walk-through attraction where guests can observe African animals. Among the exhibits are a Nile crocodile named Sobek, meerkats, two prides of lions, a pack of spotted hyenas, three hippos named Moyo, Kita and Devi, vultures, and a troop of lemurs.[429]

The three newest members of the lion pride include a male named Kembe and two females named Shaba and Shtuko. They arrived at the park as cubs in 2013 from a zoo in Africa. Another pride of lions at the park include a male named Simon and two females named Rose and Iris. Iris and Rose are unable to have cubs as they have been spayed.

The hippos Moyo and Kita are never exhibited together, being father and daughter, and being unaware of this would try to mate with each other. Therefore, both are rotated into the exhibit and holding area day by day to avoid accidental inbreeding.

The Serengeti Plain Edit

In 1965, the park opened its Serengeti Plain animal habitat, the first of its kind to offer animals in a free-roaming environment. Over the years, the habitat has expanded from 29 acres (12 ha) to its current size of 65 acres (26 ha).[430] It is home to the Grévy's zebra, Grant's zebra, sable antelope, reticulated giraffe, Ankole-Watusi, addax, southern white rhinoceros, eland, impala, ostrich and marabou stork.[431] Also, in a secluded area of this region is a solitary female eastern black rhinoceros named Jody.[432]

Events Edit

From January to March, Busch Gardens hosts a weekly concert series which invites popular bands either in big band music or pop to perform classic or contemporary songs.[433]

(Previously called Bud & BBQ and Bands, Brew & BBQ) For the months of March & April, Busch Gardens hosts a series of concerts in Gwazi Field, mostly from classic rock and country music acts. Sometimes the event includes alternative rock, pop, hip hop and R&B acts as well as comedians. Also, there are special culinary offerings that include a variety of ethnic food and wine samplings from various local vendors along the walkway from the Gwazi Roller Coaster to the gate in Gwazi Field. The documentary film Blackfish and a subsequent online petition led to several popular musical groups cancelling performances at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens "Bands, Brew & BBQ" event in 2014.[434][435][436] This caused the removal of the event in Tampa, which was replaced by the annual Food and Wine Festival, resembling the one currently at Epcot in Walt Disney World Orlando. In March, several Latin music acts are hosted on the stage in Gwazi Field. There is a similar culinary setup with special offerings for the concert days as there is for Bands, Brew & BBQ.[437] During summer months, the park stays open later and includes concerts by performers like David Cassidy and Starship with Mickey Thomas. The park's Independence Day festivities add fireworks to the entertainment lineup.[438]

In 2010, Busch Gardens added a new nighttime show called Kinetix, the first special effect-heavy show put on in Gwazi Field. Also, they added many new special effects (i.e. Strobe, Lighting, Fog) to the existing rides just for the Summer Nights season. Kinetix discontinued after the 2016 Summer Nights.[439] Since 2017, Busch Gardens Summer Nights now includes party zones where guests can dance with Party Starters and DJs to the music and compete for special prizes. The most major party zones are ¡Fiesta Festa! in the Cheetah Hunt Plaza and Tigris's Party Zone (formally Viben Village) in Stanleyville. On every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, guests can compete in the "Dance Challenge" at Gwazi Park to win four free tickets to Adventure Island as well as a fireworks show directly afterward. In 2022, Busch Gardens Summer Nights was officially renamed to "Busch Gardens Summer Celebration," following general renovations to the park.

Every September and October since 2000, Busch Gardens is transformed into Howl-O-Scream. This event contains haunted houses, scare zones and shows.[440] Howl-O-Scream is one of the top rated Halloween events in the United States. Howl-O-Scream has featured some attractions of the park turned into "horrified" attractions at night. This includes Serengeti Safari Tours, which was turned into Evening Serengeti Safari Tours and Curiosity Caverns, which was turned into Dark Cavern, both in 2000. In 2012, Howl-O-Scream celebrated 13 "unlucky" years.[441]

From November to December, theaters throughout the park are transformed into Christmas-themed shows (Like Christmas On Ice in the Moroccan Palace) in celebration of the holiday season for an event called Christmas Town. The park is decorated with over a million Christmas lights and theming. At Snow World, guests may play in snow and ride down ice slides. This event was first introduced in 2012. At Santa's House, guests may bring their little ones and have pictures taken with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and Santa's Elves next to the Nairobi Train Station which circles around the Serengeti Plain as the Christmas Town Sing Along Train featuring select Christmas carols and songs. Guests may also meet the stars from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer over in Rudolph's Winter Wonderland since 2016. Two Christmas Town princesses can be spotted in the Icy Forest (Ice Princess), and the poinsettia trees (Poinsettia Princess) which guests can also have pictures taken. Princess Fae, a sugarplum princess made her debut during the 2019 Christmas Town season. The poinsettia, sugarplum and icy princesses can also be seen together there near closing time.[442]

During New Year's Eve, Busch Gardens celebrates the new year by hosting live music throughout the park, thrill rides opened through the night and fireworks located at the Gwazi Field. Including a park-wide countdown to the new year.[443]

Awards and recognition Edit

Rankings Edit

The following is a list of roller coasters at Busch Gardens Tampa that have placed on Amusement Today's award or nomination list, along with the highest ranking and year awarded or nominated. Busch Gardens Tampa has also been nominated for best landscaping in 1998 and 2007.[444][445]

Steel Edit

Wood Edit

Attendance Edit

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
4,410,000[451] 4,100,000[452] 4,200,000[453] 4,284,000[453] 4,348,000[454] 4,087,000[454] 4,128,000[455] 4,252,000[456] 4,169,000[457] 3,961,000[458] 4,139,000[459]

See also Edit

References Edit

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  2. ^ Brezina-Smith, Veronica (May 24, 2019). "Busch Gardens, Adventure Island attendance grows". Tampa Bay Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  3. ^ "Florida May Be Brewery Site". Miami Daily News. April 11, 1957. Retrieved January 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "New Brewery Eyes Tampa for New Plant". The Tampa Daily Times. April 12, 1957. Retrieved January 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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  7. ^ "Tampa Lands Another Big One". Tampa Morning Tribune. The Tribune Company. July 26, 1957. Retrieved January 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "Anheuser-Busch OKs Tampa Brewery Site". Miami Daily News. Retrieved January 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ a b "Busch Opens Brewery Today In Tampa". St. Petersburg Times. Times Publishing Company. March 31, 1959. p. 13. Retrieved January 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ a b c "Busch Gardens Dedicated". The Tampa Times. Tampa Publishing Company. March 31, 1959. p. 1. Retrieved January 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ MacIntosh 2011, chpt. 2.
  12. ^ a b McMorrow-Hernandez 2017, p. 11.
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  16. ^ Klein, Frank (May 21, 1959). "Tampa Bay Business". The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved June 1, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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  18. ^ a b "Anheuser-Busch Opens Brewers To Visitors". The Tampa Times. Tampa Publishing Company. June 1, 1959. p. 20. Retrieved January 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "Anheuser-Busch Opens New Brewery To Public Tours". The Tampa Tribune. June 2, 1959. p. 25. Retrieved January 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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  21. ^ McMorrow-Hernandez 2017, p. 20.
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September 06, 2023
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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a 335 acre 136 ha animal theme park located in Tampa Florida United States with the entire park landscaped and designed around themes of Africa and Asia Owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks amp Entertainment the park opened on June 1 1959 The park has an annual attendance consistently exceeding 4 million often ranking second among SeaWorld parks behind SeaWorld Orlando 2 The park features many roller coasters and thrill rides including a Dive Coaster called SheiKra a family style thrill coaster themed around cheetahs called Cheetah Hunt a launched roller coaster called Tigris a classic seated steel roller coaster called Kumba a wood steel hybrid hypercoaster called Iron Gwazi Falcon s Fury the second tallest free standing drop tower in North America and one of few to tilt and face riders towards the ground and Montu which was the tallest and fastest inverted roller coaster in the world when it opened The park also features several rides and attractions aimed for children under the age of nine as well as two water rides a river rafting ride and a classic log flume Busch Gardens Tampa BayA view of the Serengeti Plains in 2006LocationTampa Florida U S Coordinates28 02 16 N 82 25 18 W 28 0379 N 82 4216 W 28 0379 82 4216StatusOperatingOpenedJune 1 1959 64 years ago 1959 06 01 OwnerSeaWorld Parks amp EntertainmentGeneral managerNeal ThurmanThemeAfricaAsiaOperating seasonYear roundAttendance3 210 000 2021 1 Area335 acres 136 ha AttractionsTotal29 as of 2023Roller coasters10Water rides2WebsiteOfficial website Contents 1 History 1 1 1957 1959 Busch Brewery and Gardens 1 2 1959 1968 Additions and African veldt 1 3 1969 1975 Boma and themed area expansions 1 4 1975 1989 The Dark Continent and continued growth 1 5 1990 1999 Thrill additions and animal habitats 1 6 2000 2009 Updates and end of Anheuser Busch ownership 1 7 2010 present New ownership and additions 2 Park layout and attractions 2 1 Morocco 2 2 Sesame Street Safari of Fun 2 3 Stanleyville 2 4 Congo 2 5 Jungala 2 6 Pantopia 2 7 Nairobi 2 8 Edge of Africa 2 9 Egypt 3 Animal habitats 3 1 Animal Care Center 3 2 Bird Gardens 3 3 Edge of Africa 3 4 The Serengeti Plain 4 Events 5 Awards and recognition 5 1 Rankings 5 1 1 Steel 5 1 2 Wood 5 2 Attendance 6 See also 7 References 7 1 Bibliography 8 External linksHistory Edit1957 1959 Busch Brewery and Gardens Edit nbsp The Busch Brewery in 1967Anheuser Busch proposed acquiring land in Florida to construct a brewery with Tampa and Jacksonville as potential sites in April 1957 3 4 By June unconfirmed rumors were reported that a 25 30 million brewery would be built in Tampa but were initially denied by Anheuser Busch 5 6 Anheuser Busch made public on July 25 that it had purchased a 160 acre 65 ha plot of land in Tampa for 320 000 to construct a 20 million brewery The construction of the Tampa brewery coincided with the construction of a competing brewery Schlitz in the Tampa Industrial Park complex 7 8 August Busch Jr remarked during the planning of the brewery that the company wanted to include gardens to attract the local community and contribute landscaped areas 9 10 Busch Jr held the opinion that functional parks could help widen Anheuser Busch s interest 11 In March 1958 August Busch Jr commemorated the groundbreaking for the Tampa brewery 12 Construction took place through the rest of 1958 and the early 1959 12 In February 1959 Anheuser Busch acknowledged the brewery would open in March 13 A dedication ceremony for the brewery was scheduled in March though the opening of the Busch Gardens would not take place until June when the brewery s beer would begin to ship 14 Manufacturing in the Busch brewery began on March 12 15 The brewery was dedicated on March 31 by August Busch Jr with around 2 000 people in attendance including the press political and local leaders 9 10 Anheuser Busch formally announced the operating hours of the Busch brewery and gardens in May 16 17 The brewery and gardens officially opened to the public for tours on June 1 1959 as an admission free facility with 250 attending the opening ceremony and around 1 000 attendees to Busch Gardens 18 19 Busch Gardens opened on 15 acre 6 1 ha of land southwest of the brewery at the cost of around 500 000 14 15 18 20 The associated gardens featured lagoons and landscaping with around 36 000 flowering plants and 300 trees 21 22 Opening animal attractions for Busch Gardens included a bird show in an amphitheater seating around 200 individuals a bird sanctuary featuring flamingos and a separate animal area named Devil s Island and caged enclosures for eagles and cockatoos 15 23 24 Additional attractions included a dwarf village and the Hospitality House a William B Harvard designed facility that sampled free beer to guests 23 24 25 Another 118 acre 48 ha was used for housing the brewers Budweiser Clydesdales and planned to host buffalo ostriches and zebras located east of the brewery 10 26 27 The original gardens was later dubbed the Bird Gardens 28 1959 1968 Additions and African veldt Edit nbsp The Stairway to the Stars escalator outside the Busch BreweryA 5 million expansion was announced in July 1959 by Anheuser Busch to the existing facility because of the newfound success 29 30 In February 1960 construction started on a geodesic dome in the gardens that was 22 5 foot 6 9 m high and 90 feet 27 m in diameter 31 later opening on March 22 at the cost of 75 000 32 33 The dome named the Adolphus Busch Space Frame was constructed from anodized aluminum colored gold and located north of the bird amphitheater 33 The dome featured landscaping suspended birds nests and ponds that connected to a lagoon outside 32 33 Anheuser Busch revealed its plan to construct the Stairway to the Stars attraction in October that would be a 86 foot 26 m Otis escalator to the roof of the brewery 34 35 The escalator opened on March 22 1961 as part of a renovation to the Busch brewery and its public tours 36 37 The escalator featured a 5 000 square foot 460 square metre pool beneath a 1 000 square foot 93 square metre observation deck atop of the brewery and a 150 foot 46 m raised walkway to enter Busch Gardens 34 35 The pool originally hosted penguins 38 Anheuser Busch bought additional parcels of land in May 1962 39 In the same month Anheuser Busch communicated its intentions to expand Busch Gardens at the cost of 3 5 to 4 million as the company projected a rise in attendance for the coming decade necessitating growth The expansion called for different themed lands with an African veldt and the American Plains planned accompanied by wildlife animals pertaining to each geography The additions would also call for a railway and create more landscaped environments for animal habitats 40 41 In October Busch Gardens expanded its animal collection to around 1 000 birds 42 As part of the expansion Anheuser Busch stated a monorail would be constructed through the African veldt in January 1963 43 44 and a four story Swiss themed restaurant in December both east of the brewery 45 46 Another land purchase was made by Anheuser Busch in April 1964 their third since the opening 47 48 Thomas J Pinta was named manager of Busch Gardens in July 49 Busch Gardens debuted a trackless transportation train on October 1 to travel between the gardens and the Old Swiss House via the parking lot 50 51 The Old Swiss House was completed in October 52 nbsp The monorail with the Old Swiss House in the background in 1977The Wild Animal Kingdom representing the African veldt was completed in 1965 53 54 in addition to a clock tower built adjacent to the Old Swiss House 55 The African veldt contained a variety of animals mostly imported from Africa including cheetahs chimpanzees elephants gorillas lions and rhinos with habitats faithfully recreated by the park 53 By November Anheuser Busch acquired land east of its existing property for a potential expansion of Busch Gardens or its brewery 56 The gardens and brewery encompassed around 208 acres 84 ha 57 with the total acreage owned by the brewer amounting to around 268 acres 108 ha 56 A portion of the 1965 land purchase would be used for a trackless transportation train to shuttle guests between a new parking lot and its facilities in the latter half of 1966 58 59 Busch Gardens began charging guests for parking in August because of the increase in visitors and to offset costs 60 The monorail originally named the Skyrail opened to the public on September 22 61 The Skyrail opened as a 7 000 foot 2 100 m long Arrow Development monorail taking parkgoers through the African veldt which was an upcharge for adults and children initially costing 1 and 40 respectively 62 63 Near the end of 1966 around 475 animals were exhibited in the African veldt 64 A snack bar was constructed and opened in the parking lot in 1967 65 1969 1975 Boma and themed area expansions Edit nbsp A sign located near the entrance of Busch Gardens in 1972For the coming year Anheuser Busch announced in March 1969 a 2 5 acre 1 0 ha zoo area expansion entitled Boma to the current gardens The exhibit space would cost 1 million located between the brewery and the monorail and contribute to the growth of the brewery and park 66 67 Busch Gardens saw short manager changes with Pinta being replaced by Franklin H Rust in May 1969 68 69 70 and Rust resigning in February 1970 71 72 Anheuser Busch expressed its intention to expand its animal habitats coinciding with the development of Disney World in the vicinity of Orlando Florida 73 74 August Busch Jr had toured the Disney World site and wanted the Tampa brewery and gardens to maintain its hold in the tourist market 75 The Anheuser Busch Tampa location was favored amongst its other four properties being the company s leading model into the entertainment industry 76 During the preview event for the Boma area in June 1970 Anheuser Busch announced a 12 6 million expansion for the coming decade The expansion would initially call for the additions of an amphitheater seating 1 000 guests a tree tops viewing platform of the African veldt a locomotive train and a log flume 76 77 The plans also stipulated the end of free admission and charging a general admission to the park as well as getting rid of parking admission 77 78 General admission to the park was implemented on July 31 coinciding with the opening of the Boma area that featured African mammals birds and a manmade mountain 79 80 The initial price of entry to the park was 1 25 for adults and 50 for children 80 The park s entrance was relocated during the same day to an adjacent road 81 82 The immediate extension of Busch Gardens called for the construction of a railroad African village and an amphitheater in the following years 28 83 84 nbsp Busch Gardens Trans Veldt Railway from the Nairobi Junction stationRobert B Bean was named the new general manager for the Busch Gardens park in April 1971 85 The Trans Veldt Railway opened on July 4 between the monorail and Boma section The train departed from the Nairobi Junction station into the animal habitat and was an upcharge attraction 86 87 88 In January 1972 the tree tops observation deck was being constructed at the cost of 250 000 89 opening months later with the African village on June 19 The African village located north of the original gardens accommodated the Stanleyville station an additional train station on the Trans Veldt Railway The African village contained the Tanzanian Theater featuring an elephant show gorilla and okapi enclosures and various shops 90 91 The tree tops was a three level observation deck in the northern half of the African veldt and only reachable by the Trans Veldt Railway upon opening 92 During this time the monorail and railway upcharges were eliminated with the general admission increased in price 90 The boat ride in the African village titled Livingstone s Landing later opened in the summer 1972 93 A 6 5 million addition was announced in March 1973 for a phase two development of the 1970 expansion plans The plans would affect three park sections Boma Stanleyville renamed from the African village and the African veldt The plans called for a Morocco themed area a log flume a dark ride a gondola lift an animal training center and a safari attraction 94 95 Busch Gardens opened a nearby campervan park in May 96 97 The first thrill ride at the park the log flume opened in June in the Stanleyville section 98 99 100 Bean resigned as general manager and was replaced by Joseph C Fincher in April 1974 101 The sky ride transportation gondola opened in May which linked the park s monorail station tree tops outlook and Stanleyville section together 95 102 By 1975 the park housed over 800 animals and expanded its live entertainment options throughout the park 103 Busch Gardens opened its Morocco themed village on April 16 acting as the new entrance to the park 104 105 The Morocco area hosted shops landscaped areas eateries and the Algiers Theater upon opening 105 106 The snack bar originally located in the parking lot was incorporated into the Morocco area with thematic upgrades 107 In September the park disclosed a 7 6 million development that would include the park s first roller coaster exhibits for tigers and elephants extension to the Livingstone s Landing extensive landscaping and the addition of sound systems throughout the park 108 109 110 1975 1989 The Dark Continent and continued growth Edit nbsp The Python roller coaster with a train traversing its corkscrewNear the end of 1975 Busch Gardens launched a new campaign that sought to promote the Tampa park around a centralized older Africa theme 111 The rebrand of the Busch Gardens park would introduce aspects of live entertainment advertising animal displays and thrill rides 111 The beginning of the 1976 year saw the park take on a new name as The Dark Continent 112 113 The Dark Continent was chosen to distinguish Busch Gardens from other comparably named attractions in Florida such as the Tiki Gardens and Sunken Gardens 114 As part of the campaign the African veldt became known as the Serengeti Plain Boma became Nairobi and the Moroccan village was formally dubbed Marrakesh 111 115 116 Work on the last part of the 7 6 million development another themed area known as the Congo began in January 1976 117 Python a steel roller coaster manufactured by Arrow Development premiered on July 1 as the park s first roller coaster 118 119 An octopus style flat ride named the Monstrous Mamba constructed by the Eyerly Aircraft Company was opened shortly after in 1976 118 119 Both additions were part of Stanleyville and located in the northern half of the section 120 A marching brass group known as the Mystic Sheiks of Morocco began performing throughout the park in 1976 121 The Congo section opened on July 26 1977 next to Stanleyville and located northwest in the park s layout 122 123 The Congo incorporated the Python roller coaster and Monstrous Mamba into its themed land 120 The land saw the transformation of Livingstone s Landing into the African Queen boat ride 124 In addition the land hosted a shooting gallery the Bengal tiger s Claw Island exhibit and an Intamin swing ride entitled the Swinging Vines 123 125 124 Bumper cars were opened in 1977 126 nbsp The Timbuktu section with architecture and carouselAn unspecified addition to the park was disclosed in May 1978 at a cost of between 5 and 10 million including a large dining facility 127 128 129 During 1978 Anheuser Busch made land acquisitions extending their total property to encompass around 350 acre 140 ha in Tampa 130 Construction was well underway in November for the expansion titled Timbuktu 131 In February 1979 the park unveiled a 18 5 million expansion that would include the Timbuktu addition and a new water park adjacent to the park called Adventure Island 132 133 The Timbuktu addition would mark the 20th anniversary of the park s opening It would also connect the Congo and Nairobi sections include a large dining facility several attractions and an amphitheater 134 135 The Trans Veldt Railway operated a new station in the area in 1979 132 Continuing with the developments for the past years was the announcement of a 20 million hotel in April 136 137 though was later delayed 138 Parts of the Timbuktu section began to open in late 1979 139 140 At the beginning of 1980 the park was operated by the newly formed Busch Entertainment Corporation a subsidiary of Anheuser Busch to separately manage its entertainment and beer assets 141 142 In the early 1980s the tree tops observation platform closed in favor of a Congo train station 92 A variety show debuted in the since renamed Stanleyville Theater in 1980 143 144 The park officially opened the Timbuktu section of the park in January 1980 The section opened with a Chance Rides carousel and trabant a dolphin show in the Dolphin Theater the Sandstrom orbiter the Festhaus dining hall with a dance show an airplane ride various game booths and specialty shops 145 146 147 Scorpion a Schwarzkopf steel roller coaster later opened in Timbuktu on May 16 148 To boost attendance in the park Busch Gardens revealed plans for a 6 million river rapids ride for the Congo section in 1981 149 150 In 1982 the Old Swiss House closed indefinitely for structural renovations and white tigers were introduced to the park in the Claw Island exhibit 151 152 The 1 380 foot 420 m Intamin Congo River Rapids ride opened on May 26 153 154 For the 1983 season the park added children rides to the Timbuktu and Congo sections 155 156 Additionally the Marrakesh Theater opened in the southern portion of the Marrakesh area with a Moroccan American dance show 157 In the latter half of 1983 Dwarf Village was reconstructed to appeal to younger audiences The Dwarf Village reopened with a miniature log flume a car ride and various play areas 155 158 In November Anheuser Busch stated it would deemphasize and slowly shift away from The Dark Continent name in favor of Busch Gardens as the name did not catch on with park visitors and was not as recognizable The return of the prominent Busch Gardens name would bring changes to the slogan and logo 159 The following year an Intamin looping starship Phoenix opened in the Timbuktu section on June 5 1984 160 The eagle enclosure was relocated to a different location under the brewery escalator in January 1985 161 162 A new elephant habitat was created in the Nairobi section in 1986 163 The Moroccan Palace Theater was completed on August 11 and debuted the show Kaleidoscope on August 22 164 Upon its opening the Moroccan Palace Theater was the park s main venue to host larger style productions 165 An animal nursery named the Nairobi Field Station opened on December 9 166 nbsp The bird gardens of Busch GardensThe bird show gained a birds of prey segment including falcons eagles and owls in February 1987 167 Busch Gardens leased a pair of pandas from the Chinese government in October 1987 with a temporary 120 foot 37 m exhibit opening in the bird gardens on November 17 168 169 To accommodate the pandas new bird aviaries were built in the gardens 170 The first panda on loan left in April 1988 while the second left in October 1988 171 172 The monorail received electric trains in 1988 173 174 The aviary dome was removed in the same year due to the expansion of the brewery 175 By the end of 1988 park officials were considering several additions such as a new boat ride another show for the Moroccan Palace theater new exhibit spaces and reopening the Old Swiss House The park had started a refurbishment of the Moroccan snack bar the Zagora Cafe and relocated the white tigers to the panda s previous enclosure Busch Gardens officials planned to launch promotions to attract the European tourist market and draw on its unique position in the Florida amusement park industry 176 For the park s 30th anniversary Busch Gardens announced a shoot the chute water ride named the Tanganyika Tidal Wave a koala exhibit and a Clydesdale stable for the coming year 177 178 Previews of the Intamin made Tanganyika Tidal Wave began on June 15 179 and officially opened weeks later 180 The water ride replaced the African Queen boat ride and featured a nature walk named the Orchid Canyon 181 180 The koalas exhibit opened in the previous panda enclosure on June 28 182 The Clydesdale Hamlet opened south of the monorail station on August 11 housing four Clydesdale horses 183 184 1990 1999 Thrill additions and animal habitats EditBy the early 1990s Busch Gardens sought to add more attractions to keep up the attention from the public and amusement industry trends The panda exhibit introduced in 1988 was the last significant attraction introduced to the park Busch Gardens officials recognized the need for a subsequent addition 185 The campervan park was closed in 1990 due to the decline in sales 186 The former Old Swiss House reopened as the Crown Colony House in early 1990 A restaurant was added on the top floor of the renovated building utilizing an African theme 187 188 The Swinging Vines attraction was removed around 1991 124 The park announced Questor in May 1991 a motion simulator ride manufactured by Reflectone 189 which opened on May 23 190 Located near the Clydesdale stables and Crown Colony House Questor featured the story of explorer Sir Edison Fitzwilly pursuing the Crystal of Zed through different landscapes 191 nbsp A train of the Kumba roller coaster ascending its lift hillTo maintain its hold in the Florida theme park market Busch Gardens unveiled plans to construct the Myombe Reserve a 3 acre 1 2 ha chimpanzee and gorilla exhibit that would replace the Boma section 192 193 The exhibit opened on June 17 1992 with its entrance located near the Moroccan Palace Theater 192 194 The park hosted a temporary Olympic village for the U S team in July as a sponsor of the 1992 Summer Olympics 195 196 Continuing efforts to expand the park revealed plans in November to construct a signature steel roller coaster within the Congo section named Kumba 197 198 Manufactured by Bolliger amp Mabillard the roller coaster would be constructed in the northwest area of the park near the Congo River Rapids and bumper cars 199 The roller coaster debuted with a height of 143 feet 44 m a track length of 3 978 feet 1 212 m and reached speeds of 60 mph 97 km h upon opening on April 21 1993 197 199 In 1994 a kids area named the Land of the Dragons was earmarked to replace the Dwarf Village 200 The Stanleyville variety show saw its production close in 1994 after fourteen years 144 and a new ice skating show debut in the Moroccan Palace Theater titled Hollywood Live on Ice in November 201 The construction of the Wild Animal Kingdom prompted Busch Gardens to map out a competitive strategy for the coming years in preparation for its first direct competitor in the Florida theme park market 202 203 The Land of the Dragons opened on May 9 1995 debuting on a 1 5 acre 0 61 ha area featuring a large three story tree house miniature cars a ferris wheel and rope bridge 204 The dragon retheme was done to update the area and adopted from its sister park in Williamsburg 204 205 The success of Kumba prompted the park to file plans for an Egypt section in May that would include the park s fourth roller coaster shopping and a train station 206 207 Additional details of the Egypt land were revealed in August 208 209 Anheuser Busch stated it would close the brewery inside the Busch Gardens Tampa location on October 25 The plant on the Busch Gardens property had become the smallest brewery of the company s 13 and was slated to close down because of the decreased beer consumption and high per barrel costs The shutdown was part of an overall restructuring effort with the 17 acre 6 9 ha land transferred to the park 210 211 The Monstrous Mamba flat ride closed in the fall season 119 A safari upcharge attraction was opened to the public in November riding through the Serengeti Plain section 212 The park s brewery closed in December and was later demolished 213 The park began expanding its international marketing efforts in Brazil Germany and the United Kingdom in 1996 214 In addition the park hosted another temporary Olympic village as a sponsor of the 1996 Summer Olympics 215 The Egypt section opened to guests on May 16 located in the south east portion of the park at the cost of 5 million 206 216 The section included a recreation of King Tut s tomb a sand pit Egyptian hieroglyphs structures and the Bolliger amp Mabillard inverted roller coaster Montu 214 Montu was created at the cost of 10 million opening as the world s longest and tallest inverted roller coaster 216 Busch Gardens entered a theme park partnership in June with SeaWorld Orlando Universal Studios Florida and Wet n Wild Orlando to compete with Disney 217 In the same month the park considered the feasibility of a hotel the latest effort since the 1980s 218 219 In October park officials disclosed plans for a animal exhibit section at the cost of 20 million 220 221 nbsp Various animals located in the Serengeti PlainGeneral manager Fincher was replaced by Robin D Carson in a corporate shuffle in February 1997 222 223 The Edge of Africa animal exhibit section opened on July 4 Located in the middle of the park on a 15 acre 6 1 ha parcel of the Serengeti Plain the animal exhibit featured crocodiles hippos hyenas lions meerkats and vultures among an African village and wildlife themes 224 225 Plans for an entertainment complex the likes that would rival Disney s Animal Kingdom were in the planning stages in December 1997 226 227 Further improvements to the park were disclosed including an refurbished simulator ride and a bird walk through exhibit 228 An arcade area would open in the Egypt section in April 1998 229 The simulator ride Akbar s Adventure Tours opened on May 12 replacing Questor 230 231 The walk through Lory Landing bird exhibit opened in May 5 near the Land of the Dragons 232 In June updated plans for the entertainment complex cited a 10 million ride to open in the coming year 227 which would later be revealed as the dueling wooden roller coasters Gwazi in July 233 Busch Gardens purchased a 108 acre 44 ha area north of San Antonio Florida for an animal retirement facility in September 234 In the ensuing year the Tangiers Theater was replaced by a confectionary store 235 The monorail closed on May 13 1999 with demolition occurring on the same day 236 237 Gwazi opened on June 18 on the former site of the Anheuser Busch brewery 238 239 The park would debut its first family friendly Halloween event titled the Spooky Safari in October 240 Occurring in the same month the San Antonio facility for the park s animals opened 241 as well as plans to revitalize the Serengeti Plain were announced 242 Landscaping and physical barriers were planned to separate animals bring wildlife closer to the train and include several animals such as antelopes gazelles giraffes and zebras 243 2000 2009 Updates and end of Anheuser Busch ownership Edit Up to 2000 Busch Gardens manager Carson had replaced several long time executives and created a new leadership team to rejuvenate the park because of growing competition from other Florida theme parks Instead of investing in technologically innovative and expensive rides the park sought to attract guests through unique experiences with interactive wildlife elements The park began advertising its location as a holiday destination within the Tampa Bay area as Disney had done in Orlando 244 To retain attendance from returning visitors Anheuser Busch began offering a Fun Card to Florida residents at their Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando theme parks beginning in 2000 244 245 The pass would provide benefits and ability to visit the park to the end of the year and would replace most of its discount programs previously offered 245 246 Park officials revealed plans to construct Rhino Rally in May a Land Rover safari attraction for the coming year 247 248 The revitalized 29 acre 12 ha land of the Serengeti Plain debuted to the public on June 22 including an add on tour in a truck through the animal habitat 249 250 Busch Gardens premiered Howl O Scream a new iteration of its Halloween event from the previous year in October adopting the event from its sister park in Williamsburg after its success and in hopes of challenging Universal s Halloween event 251 252 nbsp The Busch Gardens logo implemented during the 2003 seasonAfter its success the Fun Card was reintroduced in 2001 for Florida residents 246 Rhino Rally opened to the public on May 23 253 After the events on September 11 attacks Anheuser Busch temporarily closed its parks but reopened the following day 254 Starting in June 2002 the park was the first Florida to offer a second day free entrance when it rained during a guests stay 255 In August the park indicated it would replace its Dolphin Theater with a 4D film theater 256 Several projects were proposed to open during the 2003 season including a white rhino habitat an add on zoo keeper experience a revitalized Timbuktu area with the Das Festhaus restaurant being rethemed and the premiere of the 4D film Haunted Lighthouse A new logo would also be introduce to phase out an old one used for 20 years prior 257 General manager Carson was replaced by Dan Brown in mid May 258 The 4D film debuted in the newly constructed 750 seat theater in May with the Timbuktu revamp and the Kasbah restaurant scheduled to open soon after 259 260 261 The 26 acre 11 ha area for the three white rhinos from South Africa debuted in June 262 263 Starting in June 2003 Busch Gardens introduced the Summer Nights event offering extended hours during the summer season nights 264 The park began construction in late 2003 on its parking lot to accommodate new tunnels to be built under McKinley Drive for easier access to the park With August Busch III taking more interest in the Anheuser Busch parks to help in monetary gains Busch Gardens also announced an overhaul to its entertainment options During this time park officials formally scrap the hotel entertainment complex plan 265 Busch Entertainment stated it would move its wild mouse roller coaster Wild Maus from Busch Gardens Williamsburg to its Tampa park and replace the Crazy Camel trabant flat ride 266 nbsp A SheiKra train entering the second drop into a tunnelThe Kasbah restaurant would be renamed the Desert Grill in 2004 267 The wild mouse roller coaster Cheetah Chase opened in February 268 The park announced in October the construction of SheiKra a 200 foot 61 m steel roller coaster to be located in the Stanleyville section and built by Bolliger and Mabillard 269 In January 2005 the park implemented fingerprint scans to replace ticket photo identification deployed kiosks for self service and a new entrance A gift shop in the bird gardens was reintroduced as the Xcursions shop In addition construction on the road tunnel for transportation trams and parking were completed and opened on January 7 270 SheiKra opened on May 21 becoming the tallest roller coaster in Florida and the first Dive Coaster model built in the United States A barbeque restaurant also opened within the confines of the Stanleyville section 271 272 Beginning in 2006 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay began marketing itself in the short term as Busch Gardens Africa with its sister park Williamsburg having similarly adopted Europe to its name The name change came as part of an effort to distinguish both parks as unique from each other and to drive more visitors However the use of Tampa Bay would still be used in local marketing 273 274 By 2006 the park had also updated five activity areas 275 A new 4D film Pirates 4 D debuted in the Timbuktu Theater on February 18 replacing the Haunted Lighthouse 276 After 30 years of operation the Python roller coaster closed on October 31 for a planned expansion in 2008 The closure included part of the Congo section surrounding the roller coaster including the Claw Island exhibit and a restaurant 275 277 The park s bird show in the Bird Gardens ended in 2007 after 48 years of production The bird show would later be replaced by an animal show titled Critter Castaways 278 The roller coaster SheiKra closed temporarily in May 2007 and reopened in June with floorless trains 279 280 Busch Gardens revealed its plans in September to build a 16 million dollar section named Jungala where the Python roller coaster once stood The 4 acre 1 6 ha land would house several animal habitats involving Bengal tigers Tomistoma flying foxes gibbons and orangutans The area would also host several attractions that included a mini space shot a sit down zip line a play area educational areas and restaurants 281 General manager was taken over by Donnie Mills as Brown left for a position at Busch Entertainment in December 282 283 nbsp The Jungala play pavilionJungala opened on April 5 at a higher estimated cost of around 40 million The park section was marketed for age groups between older adolescents and young teenagers who would be too young for their SheiKra roller coaster but too old for the Land of the Dragons area 284 285 Belgian brewer InBev was reported in May to make a potential bid for Anheuser Busch The bid by InBev came when consolidation of companies was largely taking place and amid national competition for Anheuser Busch The Belgian brewer considered the sale of the Busch Entertainment division to help fund its buyout of Anheuser Busch which composed of ten theme parks including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 286 287 288 InBev formally proposed its bid to Anheuser Busch s board of directors on June 11 289 By June 26 Anheuser Busch contemplated restructuring and dropping some of its assets such as Busch Entertainment to strengthen its profitability and rationalize its refusal of InBev s bid 289 290 291 The next day InBev filed suit to prepare a facilitated takeover bid of Anheuser Busch through the removal of its board of directors 289 292 InBev formally drafted its takeover bid on July 7 289 293 placing speculation as to a possible buyer for Busch parks anticipated changes to park operations and its identity 294 A friendly agreement between Anheuser Busch and InBev was negotiated on July 13 forming Anheuser Busch InBev 289 295 In the deal InBev reaffirmed the merger would be funded by the sale of subsidiary assets which added into the uncertain future of Busch Gardens Tampa park It was theorized the Busch Entertainment parks may form their own company be sold off independently or be bought together Potential buying participants were speculated to be the Blackstone Group Cedar Fair Parques Reunidos and Six Flags as all were operating parks domestically or globally 296 297 298 In early August it was reported that the Blackstone Group operating Merlin Entertainment and Parques Reunidos were emerging to bid for the Busch parks 299 300 Talks of the acquisition were ongoing in November with industry officials signaling a deal might take place during summer in 2009 301 As part of its plan to sell off Busch parks Anheuser Busch InBev ceased free beer samples for guests at the beginning of 2009 having been in place since the parks opening 302 The park also deemphasize Anheuser Busch products by reducing removing or replacing several offerings 303 For the park s 50th anniversary park officials asked the public to bring in memorabilia to be displayed in a temporary historic museum The building that housed the former Akbar s Adventure Tour simulator ride and U S Horseshow Jumping Hall of Fame was turned into a museum in March with guest and corporate contributions displayed 304 303 In June 2009 it was anticipated the Busch Gardens Tampa park would replace its Land of the Dragons area with a Sesame Street area as its Williamsburg sister park had completed 305 306 Busch Gardens revealed in August it would build the kids area with the plans calling to enlarge the section add a roller coaster for kids and retheme several attractions to fit the Sesame Street theme 307 Rumors of Busch Gardens sale were reported in September as the Blackstone Group was becoming more prominent to purchase the parks 308 with a deal close in October 309 Anheuser Busch InBev announced it would sell Busch Entertainment to the Blackstone Group on October 7 310 The acquisition saw the Clydesdale horses removed but allow the continuation of the Busch Gardens name as well as previous programs employees and leadership from before its purchase 311 312 313 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay began to be operated by the renamed SeaWorld Parks amp Entertainment division in December with the last Anheuser Busch symbols from the park taken out 314 2010 present New ownership and additions Edit nbsp The Sesame Street Safari Fun sectionGeneral manager Mills was replaced by Jim Dean in the role as park president in February 2010 315 316 The Mystic Sheiks of Morocco band ceased performances in 2010 121 and a new 4 D film based on the Sesame Street cast would debut in the Timbuktu Theater replacing Pirates 4 D 317 The Sesame Street section opened as Sesame Street Safari of Fun on March 27 on a 2 5 acre 1 0 ha area 318 319 A walk through kangaroo enclosure titled the Walkabout Way opened in the Bird Gardens area on June 14 320 321 Busch Gardens announced two attractions for the coming year on October 13 with an Intamin made launched roller coaster named Cheetah Hunt located in the former monorail station and a cheetah enclosure titled Cheetah Run 322 323 Busch Gardens disclosed on May 16 2011 a replacement to the old rhinoceros enclosure with a 16 000 sq ft 1 500 m2 Animal Care amp Nutrition Center 324 Cheetah Hunt and its associated Cheetah Run enclosure opened on May 27 325 Disney discontinued their Grad Night event in 2011 leading to Busch Gardens to pick up its own event for graduating local high schools 326 327 nbsp The Pantopia section with the carousel and Falcon s Fury drop towerBusch Gardens opened its Animal Care Center on January 23 2012 at an estimated cost of 5 million in the Nairobi section 328 329 330 A winter event titled Christmas Town premiered in November and would continue on into December 331 332 SeaWorld Parks amp Entertainment changed the logo and slogan of its Busch Gardens parks in February 2013 choosing a coaster tree to represent the park s environment and rides 333 The Stanleyville Theater was enclosed in 2013 334 335 The Sandstorm orbiter flat ride would close in June 336 which would make way for a 335 foot 102 m drop tower named Falcon s Fury to open within the next year The Intamin made drop tower would be located in the Timbuktu section and drop riders face down 337 338 The park s Crown Colony restaurant closed indefinitely by mid 2013 with industry observers citing budget cuts and slow attendance for the change in operation 339 340 Busch Gardens later revealed in November a retheme of the Timbuktu section into Pantopia where Falcon s Fury would be located The Pantopia section would feature a vibrant color pallet for existing buildings introduce a new story line for the fictional land and refreshments keep existing rides and open with the drop tower 341 342 The animal show Critter Castaways in the Bird Gardens Theater would be moved to the Pantopia Theater following the former theater s closure in February 2014 343 344 which was subsequently demolished having been at the park since its opening 278 Within the same month the park opted into Tampa s City Pass alongside other local zoos and aquariums 345 346 Falcon s Fury was delayed from its initial opening date on May 1 347 though the Pantopia section officially opened 348 349 The drop tower would later open on September 2 after varied soft openings 350 The safari attraction Rhino Rally permanently closed in September 351 The park would disclose in December that wooden roller coasters Gwazi would close in the coming months due to rising costs in operation and feedback from guests 352 Gwazi closed on February 1 2015 after 15 years of operation 353 A new attraction for the Egypt section was disclosed in February 2015 to come the next year 354 A replacement of the park s Bands Brew and BBQ event debuted in March as the Food and Wine Festival 355 Busch Gardens formally announced its Egyptian addition in May as Cobra s Curse a spinning roller coaster to debut the following year 356 357 The previous Desert Grill reopened as the Dragon Fire Grill on June 1 358 The Tanganyika Tidal Wave closed on April 10 2016 with no plans to replace the attraction 359 The former Crown Colony opened with the addition of a new restaurant in May 360 The spinning roller coaster Cobra s Curse opened on June 17 in the Egypt section of the park adjacent to Montu 361 The Jambo Junction animal center closed indefinitely on December 9 due to corporate layoffs 362 Stewart Clark replaced Dean as Busch Gardens President in January 2017 following the formers departure to become President of Orlando s SeaWorld parks 363 364 Free beer samples returned to the park in May 2018 being hosted within the former Hospitality House since renamed to the Garden Gate Cafe 365 A Premier Rides triple launch roller coaster named Tigris was announced in September to open the following year 366 367 nbsp Iron Gwazi s lift hill and inversionThe park later announced in March 2019 the replacement for Gwazi as Iron Gwazi a Rocky Mountain Construction conversion of the wooden roller coasters into a steel roller coaster 368 369 Busch Gardens opened Tigris its ninth roller coaster on April 19 370 Iron Gwazi was expected to be completed by Spring 2020 however due to the COVID 19 pandemic in Florida the park temporarily closed from March 16 to June 11 to assist in slowing down the exposure of guests 371 372 As a result of the pandemic the opening of Iron Gwazi was initially delayed until 2021 373 SeaWorld Entertainment parks as a whole saw a 96 drop in attendance figures 374 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay named Neal Thurman as its new president in August amid Clark leaving to pursue a role at SeaWorld Entertainment in September 375 376 Iron Gwazi after several months of previews opened on March 11 2022 377 378 A new entrance plaza entertainment and pass member lounge were planned in April to come during the season 379 In October Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced the Serengeti Flyer a Screamin Swing which debuted in Spring 2023 380 381 The former Garden Gate Cafe reopened as the Springs Taproom in January 2023 382 The wild mouse roller coaster closed and was subsequently removed in July 383 384 Park layout and attractions Edit nbsp Train cars from the Serengeti Express in the foreground with the Skyride in the backgroundSee also List of attractions at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay The Serengeti Express a 3 ft 914 mm narrow gauge 385 railway consists of a steam train that runs along the back end of the park and makes stops at the Nairobi Congo and Stanleyville themed areas 386 The Skyride transports guests between the Edge of Africa near Cheetah Hunt and Stanleyville 387 Morocco Edit The park s main entrance Treats can be purchased at the Sultan s Sweets and the Zagora Cafe The Moroccan Palace is located here as well as the outdoor Marrakesh Theater Gwazi Gliders a small hang glider flat ride relocated from the Congo section s defunct Pygmy Village kids area 388 Myombe Reserve a 3 acre 12 000 m2 home for six lowland gorillas and nine chimpanzees located in Nairobi opened in 1992 389 Moroccan Palace A palace themed theater nearby Myombe Reserve chimpanzee entrance It is home for Busch Gardens s newly award winning ice skating show Turn It Up The Hottest Show On Ice Iron Gwazi a hybrid wooden steel roller coaster In 2019 Busch Gardens Tampa announced that a new hybrid coaster would be built on the space where Gwazi once stood It was built by world famous roller coaster manufacturer Rocky Mountain Construction Upon its opening it became North America s tallest hybrid coaster as well as the world s fastest and steepest hybrid coaster Sesame Street Safari of Fun Edit Former Land of the Dragons children s section of the park Land of the Dragons which itself replaced the Dwarf Village in 1995 was replaced by Sesame Street Safari of Fun on March 27 2010 It contains all the attractions from Land of the Dragons which are now re themed Telly s Jungle Jam an interactive play area 390 Rosita s Djembe Fly Away a swing ride 391 Bert amp Ernie s Watering hole a water play area 392 Air Grover a children s roller coaster 393 nbsp SheiKra the first Dive Coaster in North America seen descending its first dropStanleyville Edit This section of the park is home to one of the park s water rides Stanley Falls Flume It is also home to launch coaster Tigris and SheiKra which was the first and only Dive Coaster in the United States until the addition of Griffon at the sister park Busch Gardens Williamsburg The section opened in 1973 with the addition of the Stanley Falls Flume The African Queen Boat Ride opened in 1977 as Busch s version of Disney s Jungle Cruise The African Queen featured live animals including alligators crocodiles rhinoceroses and spider monkeys A South American macaw rode on each boat In 1989 the African Queen Boat Ride was converted into Tanganyika Tidal Wave with the addition of a 55 foot 17 m drop that generates a large splash The section remained unchanged until 2005 when SheiKra opened and the surrounding area was renovated SheiKra a 200 foot 61 m Bolliger amp Mabillard floorless dive roller coaster with a 90 degree vertical drop This was North America s first vertical dive coaster The ride originally operated with floors until these were replaced with floorless trains in 2007 The ride was repainted in 2013 394 Stanley Falls Flume a log flume with a 43 foot 13 m drop 395 Tigris a Premier Rides Sky Rocket II It is located on the site of Tanganyika Tidal Wave Tigris officially opened on April 19 2019 Congo Edit nbsp Kumba a signature roller coaster to the park upon opening entering the first interlocking corkscrewThis section themed to the jungles of Congo contains two of the park s rides Kumba and Congo River Rapids In November 2006 Congo underwent a major renovation including the removal of the park s Python corkscrew roller coaster Other former Congo attractions include the Swinging Vines a family swing flat ride which closed in the early 1990s and the Monstrous Mamba octopus flat ride which closed in the late 1990s The Pygmy Village kids area featuring three children s rides a teacup ride a kiddie swing ride relocated to Sesame Street Safari of Fun and the Gwazi Gliders moved to Morocco Kumba meaning roar in Swahili is a 143 foot 44 m steel sit down roller coaster with seven inversions Built in 1993 by Bolliger amp Mabillard it remains a popular ride today The ride was repainted in 2010 and again in 2019 396 Congo River Rapids a river rapids ride opened in 1982 The queue also houses a Komodo dragon exhibit 397 Ubanga Banga Bumper Cars a bumper cars ride 398 Jungala Edit Opened on April 5 2008 Jungala is a 4 acre 16 000 m2 family attraction featuring up close animal encounters rope bridges to explore three stories of jungle life and a water play area for children Also located in this area is family attraction Wild Surge a shot tower that launches guests above a waterfall Another attraction is Tiger Trail which is a walkthrough with tigers where there is also a glass turret where guests can look out right in the middle of the tiger enclosure During the Kareebu Jungala atmosphere show stiltwalkers perform with puppets and interact with guests in the heart of Jungala 399 The Wild Surge a Moser family launch tower ride Closed In Early 2023 400 Orangutan Outpost a tree top observation platform to watch and interact with Bornean orangutans As of 2017 Busch Gardens has 6 orangutans including 3 males and 3 females Tiger Lodge and Tiger Trail Observation areas trails and a bridge to watch and interact with tigers Busch Gardens has at least 10 tigers On March 31 2013 Bzui a female Malayan tiger gave birth to three cubs sired by Mata She had two males and one female The males were named Bundar meaning round 401 and Rukayah meaning delicate 401 The female was named Cinta meaning love 401 Kulu Canopy a multi species habitat for white cheeked gibbons flying foxes fruit bats and false gharial a reclusive and very rare crocodilian native to Indonesia and Malaysia 402 Pantopia Edit nbsp Falcon s Fury added in 2014 as viewed from the ground with the gondola ascendingA section originally themed after the malls and bazaars of Africa that opened up in May 1980 as Timbuktu The Phoenix was built in 1984 and removed in 2018 The section was renovated in 2003 Elements added during this facelift included the enclosing of the Timbuktu Theater which replaced the park s Dolphin Theater with an indoor 4 D movie theater The dolphins retired to other locations The 4 D theater premiered with R L Stine s Haunted Lighthouse film in 2003 followed by Pirates 4 D in 2006 and Sesame Street Presents Lights Camera Imagination in 2010 In 2004 Das Festhaus was transformed into the Desert Grill In September 2014 Falcon s Fury a 335 foot drop tower opened replacing the former Sandstorm orbiter flat ride This section of the park was re themed to Pantopia 403 alongside the opening of Falcon s Fury Scorpion a steel Schwarzkopf designed sit down roller coaster with one vertical loop It is Busch Gardens oldest operating roller coaster 404 Pantopia Theater an indoor theater that originally housed Opening Night Critters with the opening of Pantopia in 2014 In Spring 2019 it is now home to Critters Inn Charge after Opening Night Critters closed 405 Caravan Carousel a carousel with horses camels and chariots 406 Falcon s Fury a drop tower that has a speed of 60 miles per hour 97 km h and tilts 90 degrees towards the ground It is the tallest free standing drop tower in North America at 335 feet 102 m 407 Bush Flyers A kids plane ride Desert Runners A kids motorcycle ride Kiddie Train A kids train rideNairobi Edit Alligators and crocodiles can be observed here up close In Curiosity Cavern guests can view mammal and reptile exhibits Visitors to Nairobi can meet the Animal Ambassadors who travel the country and make educational appearances at Jambo Junction 408 The area also contains Myombe Reserve a tropical rainforest that is home to western gorillas and chimpanzees 389 In 2012 the Animal Care Center opened allowing guests to observe actual veterinary procedures as well as meet the stars of Wildlife Docs Busch Gardens Saturday morning television show 409 The main train station at Busch Gardens is located at Nairobi Another popular attraction here is the Asian elephant exhibit Nairobi used to have a safari truck ride called Rhino Rally similar to Kilimanjaro Safaris at Walt Disney World The attraction closed in 2015 and was replaced in 2023 by Serengeti Flyer Animal Care Center a nearly 16 000 square foot 1 500 m2 attraction allows visitors the chance to view the Busch Gardens veterinarians at work in a new state of the art veterinary hospital 410 The major visitor aspects of the facility include a nutrition demonstration kitchen treatment rooms a clinical lab and an interactive diagnostic activity Behind the scenes the veterinary hospital also includes the animal nutrition center animal recovery and holding rooms and vet offices The park s former animal care center was located behind the scenes 411 Elephant Interaction Wall the Nairobi section of the park has five female and one male arrived from the Calgary Zoo in 2013 Asian elephants The females are named Tina who is 53 years old Rosie who is 50 years old Simba who is 52 years old Carina who is 48 years old and Carnaudi who is 30 years old There are daily interactions at the Elephant Interaction and Husbandry Wall or during the Elephant Keeper Experience 412 Serengeti Flyer a tall intense Screamin Swing that opened in 2023 In the morning hours the ride runs mild mode in which it only features half the height and speed while in the afternoon it runs wild mode in which it reaches its maximum height and speed Edge of Africa Edit nbsp Crown Colony HouseEdge of Africa otherwise known as Cheetah Hunt Plaza is the smallest section of the park It features a restaurant The Serengeti Overlook Restaurant and Pub the Cheetah Hunt roller coaster and the Skyride station Cheetah Hunt a multi launch steel roller coaster that opened in 2011 A suspended monorail which took guests around the Serengeti Plain previously occupied Cheetah Hunt s station but had sat empty since the attraction closed in 1999 413 414 Cheetah Run an animal exhibit located next to Cheetah Hunt It replaced the Clydesdale Hamlet 415 In May 2011 Cheetah Run opened Cheetah Run is home to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay collection of cheetahs There are running demonstrations and Meet a Keeper sessions throughout the day In addition the exhibit has interactive screens with cheetah facts 416 One of Cheetah Run s most notable residents is Kasi a male cheetah who was paired with Mtani a female Labrador Retriever from 2011 to 2013 when they were young Mtani now lives with a zookeeper and Kasi has been paired with a female Cheetah 417 As of 2013 Busch Gardens has 14 cheetahs Egypt Edit nbsp Montu being the fastest and tallest inverted roller coaster upon opening seen making its way through the last series of cornersBedouin tents authentic handicrafts and art create an Egyptian marketplace feel The primary attraction of the Egypt themed area is Montu an inverted steel coaster Tut s Tomb a former audio guided walk through tomb excavation closed in Winter 2013 and the interior was gutted to make way for the queue for Cobra s Curse The former Golden Scarab Gift Shop was converted into a gift shop at the exit of the attraction Cobra s Curse a Mack Rides steel spinning coaster that replaced Tut s Tomb and opened on June 17 2016 418 Montu named after the Egyptian falcon god of war a 150 foot 46 m steel inverted Bolliger amp Mabillard roller coaster with seven inversions 419 Animal habitats EditBusch Gardens is Tampa s largest zoo with more than 200 species of animals 420 Animal Care Center Edit Facility that allows visitors to view animal care being conducted from treatments to x rays 421 The Wildlife Docs an Emmy nominated television series that follows animal caretakers treating more than 12 000 different animals living in Busch Gardens Tampa 422 Bird Gardens Edit A free flight aviary that shows over 500 tropical birds from around the globe including parrots flamingos and others 423 The original section of the park opened in 1959 The area for the most part remains mostly gardens and animal exhibits A staple attraction that once stood in this section was the brewery However the brewery closed in 1995 and Gwazi now sits where the brewery was located In 2014 the Bird Gardens theater was demolished and the outdoor show Critter Castaways was relocated inside the Pantopia Theater under the new name Opening Night Critters This ran until December 2018 A show showcasing animals that have a brought in to a facility and taken to Seaworld Entertainment Known as Rescue Tales which was already at Seaworld Orlando was coming to Busch gardens as of April 2023 is still running at the park 424 425 Walkabout Way themed as an Australian outpost opened in June 2010 This area allows guests to hand feed kangaroos and wallabies and see animals including kookaburras magpies black swans and tawny frogmouths A male kangaroo Horatio arrived at the park in early 2014 426 This experience is open to all guests 5 years of age or older 427 426 Lory Landing an open aviary habitat that invites guest to walk around and be visited by lorikeets Purchasing nectar is an optional part of the habitat providing an experience of hand feeding the birds 428 Edge of Africa Edit Opened in 1997 Edge of Africa is a walk through attraction where guests can observe African animals Among the exhibits are a Nile crocodile named Sobek meerkats two prides of lions a pack of spotted hyenas three hippos named Moyo Kita and Devi vultures and a troop of lemurs 429 The three newest members of the lion pride include a male named Kembe and two females named Shaba and Shtuko They arrived at the park as cubs in 2013 from a zoo in Africa Another pride of lions at the park include a male named Simon and two females named Rose and Iris Iris and Rose are unable to have cubs as they have been spayed The hippos Moyo and Kita are never exhibited together being father and daughter and being unaware of this would try to mate with each other Therefore both are rotated into the exhibit and holding area day by day to avoid accidental inbreeding The Serengeti Plain Edit In 1965 the park opened its Serengeti Plain animal habitat the first of its kind to offer animals in a free roaming environment Over the years the habitat has expanded from 29 acres 12 ha to its current size of 65 acres 26 ha 430 It is home to the Grevy s zebra Grant s zebra sable antelope reticulated giraffe Ankole Watusi addax southern white rhinoceros eland impala ostrich and marabou stork 431 Also in a secluded area of this region is a solitary female eastern black rhinoceros named Jody 432 Events EditFrom January to March Busch Gardens hosts a weekly concert series which invites popular bands either in big band music or pop to perform classic or contemporary songs 433 Previously called Bud amp BBQ and Bands Brew amp BBQ For the months of March amp April Busch Gardens hosts a series of concerts in Gwazi Field mostly from classic rock and country music acts Sometimes the event includes alternative rock pop hip hop and R amp B acts as well as comedians Also there are special culinary offerings that include a variety of ethnic food and wine samplings from various local vendors along the walkway from the Gwazi Roller Coaster to the gate in Gwazi Field The documentary film Blackfish and a subsequent online petition led to several popular musical groups cancelling performances at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Bands Brew amp BBQ event in 2014 434 435 436 This caused the removal of the event in Tampa which was replaced by the annual Food and Wine Festival resembling the one currently at Epcot in Walt Disney World Orlando In March several Latin music acts are hosted on the stage in Gwazi Field There is a similar culinary setup with special offerings for the concert days as there is for Bands Brew amp BBQ 437 During summer months the park stays open later and includes concerts by performers like David Cassidy and Starship with Mickey Thomas The park s Independence Day festivities add fireworks to the entertainment lineup 438 In 2010 Busch Gardens added a new nighttime show called Kinetix the first special effect heavy show put on in Gwazi Field Also they added many new special effects i e Strobe Lighting Fog to the existing rides just for the Summer Nights season Kinetix discontinued after the 2016 Summer Nights 439 Since 2017 Busch Gardens Summer Nights now includes party zones where guests can dance with Party Starters and DJs to the music and compete for special prizes The most major party zones are Fiesta Festa in the Cheetah Hunt Plaza and Tigris s Party Zone formally Viben Village in Stanleyville On every Friday Saturday and Sunday night guests can compete in the Dance Challenge at Gwazi Park to win four free tickets to Adventure Island as well as a fireworks show directly afterward In 2022 Busch Gardens Summer Nights was officially renamed to Busch Gardens Summer Celebration following general renovations to the park Every September and October since 2000 Busch Gardens is transformed into Howl O Scream This event contains haunted houses scare zones and shows 440 Howl O Scream is one of the top rated Halloween events in the United States Howl O Scream has featured some attractions of the park turned into horrified attractions at night This includes Serengeti Safari Tours which was turned into Evening Serengeti Safari Tours and Curiosity Caverns which was turned into Dark Cavern both in 2000 In 2012 Howl O Scream celebrated 13 unlucky years 441 From November to December theaters throughout the park are transformed into Christmas themed shows Like Christmas On Ice in the Moroccan Palace in celebration of the holiday season for an event called Christmas Town The park is decorated with over a million Christmas lights and theming At Snow World guests may play in snow and ride down ice slides This event was first introduced in 2012 At Santa s House guests may bring their little ones and have pictures taken with Santa Claus Mrs Claus and Santa s Elves next to the Nairobi Train Station which circles around the Serengeti Plain as the Christmas Town Sing Along Train featuring select Christmas carols and songs Guests may also meet the stars from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer over in Rudolph s Winter Wonderland since 2016 Two Christmas Town princesses can be spotted in the Icy Forest Ice Princess and the poinsettia trees Poinsettia Princess which guests can also have pictures taken Princess Fae a sugarplum princess made her debut during the 2019 Christmas Town season The poinsettia sugarplum and icy princesses can also be seen together there near closing time 442 During New Year s Eve Busch Gardens celebrates the new year by hosting live music throughout the park thrill rides opened through the night and fireworks located at the Gwazi Field Including a park wide countdown to the new year 443 Awards and recognition EditRankings Edit The following is a list of roller coasters at Busch Gardens Tampa that have placed on Amusement Today s award or nomination list along with the highest ranking and year awarded or nominated Busch Gardens Tampa has also been nominated for best landscaping in 1998 and 2007 444 445 Steel Edit Montu 2 1999 446 Kumba 4 1998 SheiKra 13 2006 447 Cheetah Hunt 29 2011 448 Iron Gwazi 29 2022 449 Wood Edit Gwazi 40 2007 450 Attendance Edit 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 20184 410 000 451 4 100 000 452 4 200 000 453 4 284 000 453 4 348 000 454 4 087 000 454 4 128 000 455 4 252 000 456 4 169 000 457 3 961 000 458 4 139 000 459 See also Edit nbsp Animals portal nbsp Trains portal nbsp Florida portalIncidents at SeaWorld parks SeaWorld San Antonio SeaWorld San Diego Sesame Place Pennsylvania References Edit TEA AECOM 2021 Global Attractions Report PDF Themed Entertainment Association 2022 Retrieved October 17 2022 Brezina Smith Veronica May 24 2019 Busch Gardens Adventure Island attendance grows Tampa Bay Business Journal American City Business Journals Retrieved August 26 2020 Florida May Be Brewery Site Miami Daily News April 11 1957 Retrieved January 7 2021 via Newspapers com a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a CS1 maint url status link New Brewery Eyes Tampa for New Plant The Tampa Daily Times April 12 1957 Retrieved January 7 2021 via Newspapers com a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a CS1 maint url status link Fellows Bob June 21 1957 Reports Budweiser Plant To Be Built Here Unconfirmed Tampa Morning Tribune The Tribune Company Retrieved January 7 2021 via Newspapers com a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a CS1 maint url status link Busch Firm Denies Tampa Site Rumor St Petersburg Times June 21 1957 Retrieved January 7 2021 via Newspapers com a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a CS1 maint url status link Tampa Lands Another Big One Tampa Morning Tribune The Tribune Company July 26 1957 Retrieved January 7 2021 via Newspapers com a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a CS1 maint url status link Anheuser Busch OKs Tampa Brewery Site Miami Daily News Retrieved January 7 2021 via Newspapers com a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a CS1 maint url status link a b Busch Opens Brewery Today In Tampa St Petersburg Times Times Publishing Company March 31 1959 p 13 Retrieved January 7 2021 via Newspapers com a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a CS1 maint url status link a b c Busch Gardens Dedicated The Tampa Times Tampa Publishing Company March 31 1959 p 1 Retrieved January 7 2021 via Newspapers com a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a CS1 maint url status link MacIntosh 2011 chpt 2 a b McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 11 N Jersey Firm To Market Spent Grains Of Brewery The Tampa Tribune February 8 1959 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com a b New Busch Plant To Start Brewing Beer Within Week The Tampa Tribune March 7 1959 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com a b c Budweiser To Dedicate Busch Gardens The Tampa Times March 30 1959 Retrieved June 1 2022 Klein Frank May 21 1959 Tampa Bay Business The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Brewery Tour Schedule Set For June 1 St Petersburg Times May 29 1959 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com a b Anheuser Busch Opens Brewers To Visitors The Tampa Times Tampa Publishing Company June 1 1959 p 20 Retrieved January 7 2021 via Newspapers com a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a CS1 maint url status link Anheuser Busch Opens New Brewery To Public Tours The Tampa Tribune June 2 1959 p 25 Retrieved January 7 2021 via Newspapers com a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a CS1 maint url status link Budweiser To Dedicate New Gardens The Tampa Tribune March 31 1959 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 20 1 600 Attend Busch Gardens Opening Fete St Petersburg Times June 2 1959 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com a b New Busch Brewery Unveils Gardens St Petersburg Times April 1 1959 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com a b Be Our Guest at Busch Gardens The Tampa Times June 13 1959 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 pp 15 16 Knight George April 1 1959 Great Grandson Unveils Adolphus Busch Marker The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Kay Russel April 14 1959 Florida Industries Develop Attractions The Orlando Sentinel Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com a b Emmons Earl October 24 1970 Busch To Add Amphitheater African Railway Attraction The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Denley Bob July 21 1959 350 000 Barrel Capacity Boost The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com 5 Million Tampa Busch Addition Set St Petersburg Times July 22 1959 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Strictly by the Bird The Tampa Tribune February 9 1960 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com a b Unique Space Frame To Open on Tuesday The Tampa Tribune March 18 1960 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com a b c Geodesic Dome Built for Birds at Gardens Herre The Tampa Tribune March 20 1960 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com a b Busch Putting Giant Escalator in Gardens The Tampa Tribune October 23 1960 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com a b Brewery Makes Changes The Tampa Times October 22 1960 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Stairway To Stars Escalator Opening Today The Tampa Times March 22 1961 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Budweiser To Open Stairway to Stars The Tampa Tribune March 22 1961 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Penguins At Busch Gardens The Evening Tribune April 19 1961 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Inglis Tom May 16 1962 Anheuser Busch Expansion Revealed The Tampa Times Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com O Connor Tom May 26 1962 Busch Plans 4 Million Expansion of Gardens The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com 4 Million Expansion Program Announced For Busch Gardens St Petersburg Times May 26 1962 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens is having a bird population explosion lately The Tampa Tribune October 25 1962 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Gardens To Get Monorail The Tampa Times January 24 1963 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens Gets Its Own Monorail Orlando Sentinel January 26 1963 Retrieved June 1 2022 Busch To Add 1 Million Restaurant to Gardens The Tampa Tribune December 27 1963 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens Swiss Chalet Being Built St Petersburg Times December 28 1963 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Land Purchase Set By Anheuser Busch St Petersburg Times April 15 1964 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Tampa Bay Briefs The Tampa Tribune April 15 1964 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Business Briefs The Tampa Tribune July 18 1964 Retrieved June 4 2022 via Newspapers com Davis Virginia September 23 1964 Busch Monorail Work Starts Soon The Tampa Times Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com Davis Virginia October 1 1964 Busch Special Train Runs Late The Tampa Times Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com A New Old Chalet The Tampa Times October 2 1964 Retrieved June 1 2022 via Newspapers com a b Busch Gardens Plans for 2 Million Winter Visitors The Tampa Tribune September 12 1965 Retrieved June 2 2022 via Newspapers com Schwallie Terry September 12 1965 Delegates Wives Will Get Acquainted The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 2 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 21 a b Raymond Steve November 4 1965 Busch Adds 248 000 Industrial Park Tract The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved October 21 2022 via Newspapers com Davis Virginia February 8 1965 Busch Gardens Has Become Top Attraction in Southeast U S The Tampa Times p 13 C Retrieved October 21 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens trackless transportation construction 1966 The Bradenton Herald July 15 1966 p 1 B Retrieved October 21 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens Adding Trackless Shuttle Trains Fort Lauderdale News August 7 1966 p 19E Retrieved October 21 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Charges for Parking The Tampa Times August 26 1966 Retrieved June 3 2022 via Newspapers com Raymond Steve September 14 1966 Busch Opens Skyrail The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 2 2022 via Newspapers com Lane Elvis September 11 1966 Tampa Await New Monorail Orlando Sentinel Retrieved June 2 2022 via Newspapers com Lane Elvis September 14 1966 Tampa Monorail In Use Orlando Sentinel p 2 A Retrieved June 2 2022 via Newspapers com Once Condemned Animals Arrive At Busch Gardens The Tampa Tribune November 14 1966 Retrieved June 3 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 26 Emmons Earl March 27 1969 Gardens To Build Zoo The Tampa Tribune p 1 B Retrieved June 4 2022 via Newspapers com Emmons Earl March 27 1969 Gardens To Build Zoo The Tampa Tribune p 3 B Retrieved June 4 2022 via Newspapers com Staff March 27 1969 Busch Plans 2 1 2 Acre Zoo For Gardens St Petersburg Times Retrieved June 4 2022 via Newspapers com Tampa s Busch Gardens Shuffles Management The Tampa Tribune May 13 1969 Retrieved June 4 2022 via Newspapers com New Manager Is Announced For Tampa s Busch Gardens St Petersburg Times May 14 1969 Retrieved June 4 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Names Manager The Tampa Tribune May 30 1969 Retrieved June 4 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens Manager Resigns St Lucie News Tribune February 4 1970 Retrieved June 4 2022 via Newspapers com Illinois Indicts Tampa Man Fort Lauderdale News February 4 1970 Retrieved June 4 2022 via Newspapers com Beer Firm Plans Tampa Compound For Wild Animals News Press May 27 1970 Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Busch plans to rival Disney The Tampa Times May 26 1970 Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens To Detail Major Expansion Program The Tampa Tribune May 27 1970 Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com a b Blackman Ben June 5 1970 Busch unveils expansion Brewing company enters outdoors The Tampa Times p 1 A Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Blackman Ben June 5 1970 Busch unveils expansion Brewing company enters outdoors The Tampa Tribune p 17 A Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com a b Busch To Expand Gardens The Miami Herald June 6 1970 Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Purvis Bill June 6 1970 Vast Busch Gardens Expansion Detailed The Tampa Tribune p 1 A Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Purvis Bill June 6 1970 Vast Busch Gardens Expansion Detailed The Tampa Tribune p 4 A Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com DeGennaro Jim August 1 1970 Public Scales Walls of Boma The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com a b Myers Tom August 4 1970 Busch Gardens No Longer Free Florida Today Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Suds and Scenery Florida Today August 9 1970 Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Jones Dick August 6 1970 Area businesses hit by re routing of Busch traffic The Tampa Times Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens Expansion Set The Naples Daily News October 25 1970 Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens Turns To Train St Petersburg Times October 25 1970 Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens Names New GM The Tampa Tribune April 15 1971 Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Newest Busch Attraction is Trans Veldt Railway St Petersburg Times July 4 1971 Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Railway Operating At Busch Gardens News Press July 4 1971 Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com New Attraction At Busch Gardens The Bradenton Herald July 10 1971 Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Busch plans treetop viewing The Tampa Times January 15 1972 Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com a b Dodge Richard June 20 1972 Tampa hails new Busch attractions The Tampa Times Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens Opens Newest Attractions The Naples Daily News June 22 1972 Retrieved June 7 2022 via Newspapers com a b McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 32 McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 31 Yogman Ron March 28 1973 Busch Gardens Expansion Will Cost 6 5 Million St Petersburg Times Retrieved June 14 2022 via Newspapers com a b Bertke Roy March 28 1973 Busch Gardens Additions Set The Tampa Tribune p 1 A 7 A Retrieved June 14 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens Travel Park Is Now Open The Naples Daily New May 13 1973 Retrieved June 14 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 pp 33 34 A Steep Ride At Busch Gardens St Petersburg Times June 7 1973 Retrieved June 14 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens New Area Open The Naples Daily News June 17 1973 Retrieved June 14 2022 via Newspapers com Kennedy Wynne Sharon June 5 2019 What a wild ride Look back at 60 years of Busch Gardens thrill rides Tampa Bay Times Times Publishing Company Retrieved August 28 2020 Petit Boosted By GMAC St Petersburg Times April 2 1974 Retrieved June 14 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 35 Busch Gardens Africa In Florida Orlando Sentinel January 12 1975 Retrieved June 14 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens Officially Opens Moroccan Village The Tampa Tribune April 17 1975 Retrieved June 14 2022 via Newspapers com a b Another touch of Africa added to Suncoast St Petersburg Times April 18 1975 Retrieved June 14 2022 via Newspapers com Moroccan Village The Tampa Times April 16 1975 Retrieved June 14 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 41 Costello Harry September 25 1975 Busch Gardens plans 7 6 million expansion program The Tampa Times Retrieved June 14 2022 via Newspapers com Board Okays Expansion Of Busch Gardens Orlando Sentinel September 25 1975 Retrieved June 14 2022 via Newspapers com Deibler Dan September 26 1975 Python Is Coming Busch Gardens To Add New Thrill Ride The Tampa Tribune Retrieved August 29 2020 via Newspapers com a b c Bertke Roy November 28 1975 Busch Gardens Unveils New African Theme The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 16 2022 via Newspapers com Cosford Bill January 8 1976 Busch Gardens is heck of a way to run a brewery The Bradenton Herald Retrieved June 14 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 pp 41 42 Hoffman Ken August 11 1977 Selling The Dark Continent Florida Today Retrieved June 16 2022 via Newspapers com Africa Goes Latin The Tampa Tribune Advertisement November 2 1975 Retrieved June 16 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 42 Busch Gardens unveils completion of expansion The Tampa Times July 26 1977 Retrieved June 16 2022 via Newspapers com a b Nolte Watts Carolyn July 29 1977 Tigers The big cats are the crowd pleasers at Busch Gardens Congo addition St Petersburg Times Times Publishing Company Retrieved August 23 2020 via Google News a b c McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 43 a b McMorrow Hernandez 2017 pp 42 44 a b McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 48 Rand Sumner September 11 1977 Africa Busch gardens style Orlando Sentinel p 3 H Retrieved June 16 2022 via Newspapers com a b Glamsch Panky July 27 1977 Busch Gardens Congo Measures Up The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 16 2022 via Newspapers com a b c McMorrow Hernandez 2017 pp 45 46 The Dark Continent Adds African Queen The Tampa Tribune July 26 1977 Retrieved June 16 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 46 Deibler Dan May 10 1978 Busch Launches Expansion of Dark Continent The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Costello Harry May 17 1978 Theme park expansions mark battle to bring in tourist dollar The Tampa Times Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Costello Harry Peck Jon May 18 1978 Busch may add dining facility The Tampa Times Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Aldrich Harold June 19 1978 Busch buys land next to brewery The Tampa Times Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com More Busch Gardens Construction The Tampa Tribune November 11 1978 Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com a b Hice Joe February 5 1979 Busch Gardens to get 18 5 million Timbuktu attraction The Tampa Times Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Evertz Mary February 6 1979 Busch Gardens announces new water festival hall projects St Petersburg Times Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Phillips Lynn February 6 1979 Busch Gardens plans expansion Orlando Sentinel Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens Marks 20th Year With 18 5 Million Expansion Fort Lauderdale News February 6 1979 Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Hice Joe April 5 1979 Is Busch Gardens planning an on site luxury hotel The Tampa Times Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Hice Joe April 10 1979 20 million resort hotel planned at Busch Gardens The Tampa Times p 1 A Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Costello Harry November 11 1981 Busch Officials Say Hotel Still In The Plans The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Evertz Mary October 15 1979 Tampa s African veldt is growing rapidly St Petersburg Times Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Phillips Lynn December 7 1979 One more time Orlando Sentinel p 66 Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Forms New Company St Louis Post Dispatch January 4 1980 Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Business Capsules Name change The Tampa Times January 10 1980 Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Discover old Africa The News Tribune April 6 1980 p 2 Retrieved June 20 2022 via Newspapers com a b McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 57 Maynard John January 26 1980 Busch Gardens Hoopla Opens New Timbuktu Attraction The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Lake Lenora January 26 1980 Timbuktu And Dinah Too The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 pp 49 55 64 McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 54 Nordhoff Geoff November 11 1981 Gardens plans 6 million Congo River Rapids The Tampa Times Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Ritchie Lauren November 11 1981 Busch Gardens to open a new river ride in June Orlando Sentinel Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Smith Jeff January 23 1982 Old Swiss House set for major renovations The Tampa Times Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Huntley Helen June 30 1982 White tigers an instant hit at Busch Gardens St Petersburg Times Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Smith Jeff May 27 1982 New Congo River Rapids expected to increase Busch Gardens crowds The Tampa Times Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 pp 57 58 a b Ruth Kilpatrick Anita December 12 1983 The little folks have a big time at Dwarf Village St Petersburg Times Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com New Dwarf Village The Courier Journal October 23 1983 Retrieved June 18 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens belly dancing newest wriggle Kingsport Times News July 24 1983 Retrieved June 18 2022 via Newspapers com Dwarf Village opens at Busch Gardens The Bradenton Herald September 9 1983 Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Smith Jeff November 6 1983 Busch Gardens to be Busch Gardens again The Tampa Tribune p 1 E 5 E Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com Lou Janson Mary June 6 1984 Phoenix gives park riders a rise The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 17 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 63 Injured American eagles living at Busch Gardens St Lucie News Tribune February 22 1985 Retrieved June 18 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens elephants have never had it so good Florida Today May 16 986 Retrieved June 18 2022 via Newspapers com Szymanski David August 22 1986 The Dark Continent finds the spotlight The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 18 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 65 Sanders Jacquin December 10 1986 It s a rare bird that isn t moved by animal babies St Petersburg Times Retrieved June 18 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens now features birds of prey St Lucie News Tribune May 15 1987 p 16 Retrieved August 14 2022 via Newspapers com Loft Kurt October 9 1987 Panda pair definitely on the way The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 19 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens opens exhibit on two pandas The Naples Daily News November 17 1987 Retrieved June 19 2022 via Newspapers com Hill John October 19 1987 Pandering To Chinese Pandas Orlando Sentinel p 11 Retrieved August 14 2022 via Newspapers com Burkins Glenn April 9 1988 Female panda leaves for the motherland St Petersburg Times Retrieved June 19 2022 via Newspapers com Ling Ling s tenure at Busch Gardens comes to an end Tallahassee Democrat October 4 1988 Retrieved June 19 2022 via Newspapers com Herman Jeff July 27 1987 Park officials pledge safety as monorail service to resume The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 19 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 25 McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 17 Valente Mickie December 5 1988 Pondering a post panda future The Tampa Tribune p 14 D Retrieved June 20 2022 via Newspapers com Valente Mickie December 5 1988 Pondering a post panda future The Tampa Tribune p 15 D Retrieved June 20 2022 via Newspapers com Stidham Jeff May 19 1989 Busch Gardens adds koalas water ride The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 20 2022 via Newspapers com Vaughan Vicki May 22 1989 Busch Gardens plans to add cute and cuddly koala pair Orlando Sentinel Retrieved June 20 2022 via Newspapers com Maguregui John June 16 1989 Park s new ride creates splash The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 20 2022 via Newspapers com a b McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 70 Hickman Breuse July 28 1989 New ride makes splash at Busch Gardens Florida Today Retrieved June 24 2022 via Newspapers com Stidham Jeff June 28 1989 Koalas debut at Busch Gardens The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 20 2022 via Newspapers com Feeney Kathy August 10 1989 Clydesdales horse around at Tampa s Busch Gardens The Tampa Tribune Retrieved June 20 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 72 Szymanski David April 10 1991 Theme park plans for future expansions with land buys The Tampa Tribune pp 1 8 Retrieved August 9 2022 via Newspapers com Szymanski David April 10 1991 Theme park plans ahead with land buys The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 9 2022 via Newspapers com Feeney Kathy March 16 1990 Fictional group s respite for travelers to open next week at Busch Gardens The Tampa Tribune p 5 Retrieved August 8 2022 via Newspapers com Clarke Jay April 29 1990 For dining atmosphere Crown Colony has a real zoo Miami Herald pp 4K Retrieved August 8 2022 via Newspapers com Szymanski David May 16 1991 Busch Gardens ride is next best thing to being there The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 9 2022 via Newspapers com Ovack Kathleen May 25 1991 A jarring journey without even leaving the room St Petersburg Times p 1 Retrieved August 9 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 73 a b Vaughan Vicki October 21 1991 Busch Gardens Goes Ape Orlando Sentinel p 12 Retrieved August 11 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 74 Lammers Dirk June 17 1992 Busch Gardens goes ape in new exhibit The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 11 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens Creates New Olympic Village Indian River Press Journal July 12 1992 p 10C Retrieved August 11 2022 via Newspapers com Szymanski David July 12 1992 A Golden Opportunity The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 11 2022 via Newspapers com a b Lammers Dirk November 11 1992 Busch Gardens plans to build Southeast s biggest roller coaster The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 11 2022 via Newspapers com Vaughan Vicki November 16 1992 Kumba Coasting To Busch Gardens Orlando Sentinel p 13 Retrieved August 11 2022 via Newspapers com a b Jackson Tom April 21 1993 A scream come true The Tampa Tribune p 2 Retrieved August 11 2022 via Newspapers com Backman Lisa November 30 1994 Theme park to update playground The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 15 2022 via Newspapers com Laskowski Erin November 23 1994 Ice show brings Tinsel Town to Tampa The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved October 19 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark June 21 1995 Disney enters Busch Gardens jungle St Petersburg Times p 6A Retrieved August 15 2022 via Newspapers com Shenot Christine June 24 1995 Competitors don t fear new parks Orlando Sentinel p C1 C9 Retrieved August 15 2022 via Newspapers com a b Edelson Nona May 10 1995 Dragons a monster attraction The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 15 2022 via Newspapers com Edelson Nona May 10 1995 Dragons a monster attraction The Tampa Tribune p 2 Retrieved August 15 2022 via Newspapers com Backman Lisa February 17 1995 Busch parks add new attractions The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 15 2022 via Newspapers com a b Backman Lisa May 10 1995 Park to add Egypt themed attraction The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 14 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark May 11 1995 Busch Gardens silent on expansion plans St Petersburg Times p 1 Retrieved August 14 2022 via Newspapers com Backman Lisa August 24 1995 Busch ride aims to leave you hanging The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 15 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark August 24 1995 Coaster tops Busch expansion St Petersburg Times p 1 Retrieved August 15 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark Burney Teresa October 26 1995 Busch to shut down its Tampa brewery St Petersburg Times p 1A Retrieved August 15 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark Burney Theresa October 26 1995 Busch to shut down its Tampa brewery St Petersburg Times p 7A Retrieved August 15 2022 via Newspapers com M M Neusner Noam R Parker Karlayne October 26 1995 Busch will close brewery The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 15 2022 via Newspapers com M M Neusner Noam November 14 1995 Busch Gardens adds wild ride The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 15 2022 via Newspapers com Clancy Carole December 23 1996 Busch to brew beer again in Tampa Tampa Bay Business Journal American City Business Journals Retrieved August 15 2022 a b Backman Lisa May 15 1996 Busch Gardens hopes Montu sweeps visitors off their feet 5 The Tampa Tribune p 5 Retrieved August 16 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 79 a b Wilkens George May 16 1996 10 million Montu a high roller The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 16 2022 via Newspapers com Staff June 12 1996 Park alliance adds Busch Gardens The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 16 2022 via Newspapers com Backman Lisa June 30 1996 Theme parks check out hotel business The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 16 2022 via Newspapers com Backman Lisa August 24 1996 Busch Gardens reserves room for hotel The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 16 2022 via Newspapers com Backman Lisa October 8 1996 Busch charts new path The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 16 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark October 8 1996 Park to offer more of Africa St Petersburg Times p 1 Retrieved August 16 2022 via Newspapers com Norris Kim December 5 1996 Busch Gardens manager transferred to Virginia St Petersburg Times p 1 Retrieved August 16 2022 via Newspapers com McEwen Tom February 9 1997 Civic leader Fincher bids farewell The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 16 2022 via Newspapers com Jordan Spitz Jill July 4 1997 Out of Africa Busch Gardens expansion has feel of a safari Orlando Sentinel p 34 Retrieved August 16 2022 via Newspapers com Sidime Aissatou July 1 1997 Busch brings its animals even closer The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 16 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark December 4 1997 Park adds to prices offerings St Petersburg Times p 1E Retrieved August 17 2022 via Newspapers com a b Sidime Aissatou June 3 1998 Busch plans huge hotel entertainment complex The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 17 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark December 4 1997 Park adds to prices offerings St Petersburg Times p 2E Retrieved August 17 2022 via Newspapers com Sidime Aissatou April 4 1998 New Egypt area to feature games The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 17 2022 via Newspapers com Sidime Aissatou March 11 1998 Parks go for new thrills The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 17 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 81 Aissatou Sidime May 6 1998 Busch says future has bird s eye view The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 17 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark July 16 1998 Details about a new roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 1998 St Petersburg Times p 1 Retrieved August 17 2022 via Newspapers com Thorner James September 11 1989 African animals get retirement home St Petersburg Times p 1 Retrieved August 17 2022 McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 40 Schweitzer Sarah May 14 1999 Road ends for Busch Gardens monorail St Petersburg Times p 1 Retrieved August 17 2022 via Newspapers com Sidime Aissatou May 14 1999 Busch retires animal park s old monorail The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 17 2022 via Newspapers com A Stefani Kelly June 18 1999 Get on the fast track St Petersburg Times p 4T Retrieved August 17 2022 via Newspapers com O Brien Tim July 20 1998 Two Beastly Heads To Do Battle At Busch Gardens Amusement Business The Nielsen Company 110 29 via Gale Albright Mark October 18 1999 Busch Gardens gets the Halloween spirit St Petersburg Times p 3 Retrieved September 16 2022 via Newspapers com Davis Cary October 7 1999 East Pasco gets wild neighbors St Petersburg Times p 1 Retrieved August 17 2022 via Newspapers com Thompson Bill October 7 1999 Busch Gardens grows The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved August 17 2022 via Newspapers com Thompson Bill October 7 1999 Busch Gardens grows The Tampa Tribune p 8 Retrieved August 17 2022 via Newspapers com a b Albright Mark April 10 2000 Expansion Seeks Harvest Of Visitors St Petersburg Times pp 8E 10E Retrieved September 15 2022 via Newspapers com a b Barker Tim March 3 2000 Getting your attention Orlando Sentinel pp C1 C6 Retrieved September 15 2022 via Newspapers com a b Haber Gary January 4 2001 Floridians can again pay for day stay the year at Busch Gardens The Tampa Tribune pp 1 4 Retrieved September 16 2022 via Newspapers com Harrington Jeff May 11 2000 Charging Ahead St Petersburg Times pp 1E 6E Retrieved May 5 2022 via Newspapers com Rhinos to star in park attraction East Manatee Herald May 11 2000 p 6 Retrieved September 16 2022 via Newspapers com Zhao Yilu June 23 2000 Out of the ordinary St Petersburg Times pp 1E 2E Retrieved September 16 2022 via Newspapers com Haber Gary June 23 2000 Busch reopens Serengeti The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved September 16 2022 Breen Shannon October 12 2000 Busch Gardens digs up Howl O Scream St Petersburg Times p 3T Retrieved September 16 2022 via Newspapers com M Revelle Jill August 13 2000 Terror able actors wanted at Busch Gardens The Tampa Tribune p 8 Retrieved September 16 2022 via Newspapers com Graham Kevin July 26 2001 Driver track blamed for Rhino Rally accident St Petersburg Times p 3B Retrieved September 16 2022 via Newspapers com Witsil Frank September 12 2001 Theme Parks Malls Close As A Precuation The Tampa Tribune p 6 Retrieved September 16 2022 via Newspapers com Johnson Robert June 13 2002 Rainy days don t get Busch Gardens down Orlando Sentinel pp C1 C2 Retrieved September 16 2022 via Newspapers com Jacobs Cherie August 14 2002 Reeling In The Thrills The Tampa Tribune pp 1 9 Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Jackovics Ted January 18 2003 New Views At Busch The Tampa Tribune pp 1 4 Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Jackovics Ted August 7 2003 Busch Gardens Chief Shares Homecoming The Tampa Tribune pp 1 8 Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Persaud Babita May 1 2003 Spooky yarn part of theme park s new look St Petersburg Times pp 1B 7B Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Norton Wilma May 29 2003 Busch Gardens new beacon beckons St Petersburg Times p 37W Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com I Patrick Keisha June 23 2003 Shrek s wedding reception one wild ride St Petersburg Times p 1D Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Habitat for the humongous St Petersburg Times June 20 2003 p 3B Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com White Rhinos Now Roam Plains At Busch Gardens The Tampa Tribune June 20 2003 p 2 Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Epsky Ruth June 14 2003 The Gardens At Night The Tampa Tribune p 2 Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark November 6 2003 A Show Here A Show There St Petersburg Times pp 1E 6E Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark December 8 2003 Hand me down coaster rolling into Busch Gardens St Petersburg Times p 3D Retrieved September 27 2020 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 53 McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 86 Albright Mark October 28 2004 A sky high nose dive St Petersburg Times Archived from the original on May 16 2008 Retrieved September 17 2022 Albright Mark January 7 2005 Get into Busch Gardens in a flash St Petersburg Times pp 1D 2D Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Loft Kurt May 20 2005 The Science Of SheiKra The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Tatangelo Wade May 20 2005 SheiKra coaster opens at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay The Bradenton Herald p 8 Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Diamong Randy April 13 2006 Busch Has Name For Success Africa The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark April 13 2006 Logo s crux Parks are continents apart St Petersburg Times pp 1D 2D Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com a b Albright Mark October 28 2006 Last run Busch Gardens original thrill will be gone St Petersburg Times pp 1D 2D Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Diamond Randy February 18 2006 Pirates Invade Busch Gardens The Tampa Tribune pp 1 2 Retrieved October 22 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens closes Python Orlando Sentinel October 31 2006 p C3 Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com a b McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 14 By The Numbers The Tampa Tribune June 1 2007 p 19 Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark June 16 2007 SheiKra ups shriek factor Tampa Bay Times pp 1D Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark September 7 2007 Ferocious fun Busch style St Petersburg Times pp 1D 2D Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Powers Scott November 7 2007 SeaWorld reels in new GM from Tampa Orlando Sentinel pp C1 C2 Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Jackovics Ted December 15 2007 Main Attraction The Tampa Tribune pp 1 2 Retrieved September 17 2022 via Newspapers com Jackovics Ted April 4 2008 Jungala Eye Of The Tiger Inches Away The Tampa Tribune pp 1 14 Retrieved September 12 2008 via Newspapers com Albright Mark April 4 2008 Ferocious Fun St Petersburg Times pp 1D 6D Retrieved September 18 2022 Jackovics Ted May 28 2008 Busch Bid May Spin Off Parks The Tampa Tribune pp 1 2 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com InBev Reportedly Brews Anheuser Busch Deal The Tampa Tribune May 24 2008 p 2 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com McWilliams Jeremiah May 24 2008 Will A B be swallowed by InBev St Louis Post Dispatch p A33 Retrieved September 19 2022 a b c d e InBev s Pursuit Of Anheuser Busch St Louis Post Dispatch July 14 2008 p A6 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Ross Sorkin Andrew June 26 2008 Anheuser to Reject InBev Offer The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Archived from the original on September 19 2022 Retrieved September 19 2022 Brewer May Shed Parks The Tampa Tribune June 27 2008 p 2 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com McWilliams Jeremiah Tomich Jeffrey June 27 2008 Brewery decides to fight St Louis Post Dispatch pp A1 A5 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com McWilliams Jeremiah July 8 2008 Busch IV vs Busch IV St Louis Post Dispatch pp A1 A4 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Jackovics Ted July 8 2008 Buyers Scarce For Busch Parks The Tampa Tribune pp 1 2 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com McWilliams Jeremiah Tomich Jeffrey Tablac Angela July 14 2008 Farewell To The King St Louis Post Dispatch pp A1 A7 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Schneider Jacob July 15 2008 Glass Half Full Or Half Empty The Tampa Tribune pp 1 4 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Jackovics Ted July 15 2008 Brewer s Purchase Clouds Park s Future The Tampa Tribune p 4 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark July 15 2008 New owner will decide if theme parks beer mix St Petersburg Times pp 1A 7A Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Mullins Richard August 5 2008 Firm May Want To Buy Busch Parks The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Schneider Jacob August 13 2008 Attracting Attention The Tampa Tribune pp 1 2 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark November 20 2008 If Busch Gardens is for sale who s interested St Petersburg Times pp 1A 12A Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Garcia Jason January 6 2009 No free beer It s last call at SeaWorld Orlando Sentinel pp A1 A4 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com a b Albright Mark March 27 2009 Park s proud legacy St Petersburg Times pp 1B 7B Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 89 Jackovics Ted June 23 2009 Muppets joining Busch performers The Tampa Tribune pp 1 8 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Dragons Out Big Bird In At Busch Gardens St Petersburg Times June 23 2009 p 4B Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark August 28 2009 Busch has big plans for Sesame Street kid area St Petersburg Times p 5B Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Rumors return of Busch parks sale St Petersburg Times September 11 2009 p 4B Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Garcia Jason October 6 2009 Deal likely today for Busch s 10 parks Orlando Sentinel p B7 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Investors snatch up Busch parks for 2 3B Florida Today October 8 2009 pp C7 C8 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Jackovics Ted October 8 2009 Busch Gardens sold The Tampa Tribune pp 1 9 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark October 8 2009 In 2 7B deal brewer sells Busch Gardens St Petersburg Times pp 1A 7A Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Gallagher Jim October 8 2009 A B sells its theme parks to equity firm St Louis Post Dispatch pp A1 A13 Retrieved September 19 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark December 2 2009 Blackstone buys Busch Gardens St Petersburg Times p 5B Retrieved September 20 2022 via Newspapers com Former local Busch exec named as company COO Daily Press February 16 2010 p A8 Retrieved September 24 2022 via Newspapers com Dean to lead Busch Gardens The Tampa Tribune February 16 2010 p 1 Retrieved September 24 2022 via Newspapers com Behnken Shannon February 26 2010 Sesame Street safari to let kids in free for 10 The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved October 22 2022 via Newspapers com Gaddis Beth March 26 2010 Sesame Street area opens Saturday The Tampa Tribune pp 10 12 Retrieved September 20 2022 via Newspapers com Bevil Dewayne April 9 2010 How to get to Sesame Street West on I 4 Orlando Sentinel p M33 Retrieved September 20 2022 via Newspapers com Australia comes to Tampa Orlando Sentinel June 14 2010 p B3 Retrieved September 20 2022 via Newspapers com Kennedy Wynee Sharon November 8 2020 Revisiting Busch Gardens History St Petersburg Times pp L48 Retrieved September 20 2022 via Newspapers com Albright Mark October 13 2010 Busch Gardens Cheetah Hunt coaster to launch riders to 60 mph three times St Petersburg Times Archived from the original on March 3 2016 Retrieved September 20 2022 via Newspapers com Garcia Jason October 14 2010 Additions at 2 other theme parks up ante Orlando Sentinel pp A1 A4 Retrieved September 20 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens To Add Behind The Scenes Look St Petersburg Times May 16 2011 Archived from the original on August 13 2020 Retrieved September 21 2022 Mount Mackenzie May 27 2011 Cheetah Hunt inspired by Star Wars The Tampa Tribune Archived from the original on March 29 2022 Retrieved March 29 2022 via Newspapers com Mullins Richard July 14 2011 Busch Gardens to offer Grad Nite for high school seniors The Tampa Tribune p 7 Retrieved September 21 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to offer Grad Nite Tallahassee Democrat July 14 2011 p 3 Retrieved September 21 2022 via Newspapers com Staff January 13 2012 A wild view of checkups The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved September 21 2022 via Newspapers com Cairns Pastor Courtney January 22 2012 Parks and rehabilitation Tampa Bay Times p 4 Retrieved September 21 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 92 Cruz Georgina November 4 2012 Theme parks put on holiday cheer Orlando Sentinel p F2 Retrieved September 21 2022 via Newspapers com Staff December 1 2012 Park adds chill to thrills The Tampa Tribune p 1 Retrieved September 21 2022 via Newspapers com Staff February 8 2013 Busch Gardens Unveils New Logo and Tagline Retrieved September 21 2022 Bevil Dewayne May 24 2013 Madagascar Live Operation Vacation Orlando Sentinel p M31 Retrieved September 21 2022 via Newspapers com Lambert Marjie May 19 2013 Theme parks transforming attractions The Tampa Tribune p 7 Retrieved September 21 2022 via Newspapers com Sandstorm ride at Busch Gardens closes Port Charlotte Sun June 4 2013 p A13 Retrieved September 21 2022 via Newspapers com Jackovics Ted June 12 2013 Falcon s Fury The Tampa Tribune pp 1 10 Retrieved September 21 2022 via Newspapers com Bevil Dewayne June 12 2013 Strap in and face your fear of falling Orlando Sentinel p B2 Retrieved September 21 2022 via Newspapers com Thurston Susan July 25 2013 Busch to shut 2 restaurants Tampa Bay Times pp B4 B5 Retrieved September 22 2022 via Newspapers com Busch park plans restaurant hiatus The Tampa Tribune July 25 2013 p 3 Retrieved September 22 2022 via Newspapers com Staff November 23 2013 Busch Gardens to get makeover The Tampa Tribune p 3 Retrieved September 21 2022 via Newspapers com Bevil Dewayne December 5 2013 Busch Gardens takes plunge axes Timbuktu for Pantopia Orlando Sentinel p A10 Retrieved September 21 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens closing Critter Castaways show The Tampa Tribune January 23 2014 p 3 Retrieved September 23 2022 via Newspapers com Thurston Susan February 6 2014 Timbuktu to vanish from Busch map Tampa Bay Times pp T16 Retrieved September 23 2022 via Newspapers com Jackovics Ted February 27 2014 Bay area attractions partner with CityPass The Tampa Tribune pp 1 6 Retrieved September 23 2022 via Newspapers com CityPass offers visitors 5 Tampa Bay locations Port Charlotte Sun February 27 2014 p A16 Retrieved September 23 2022 via Newspapers com Jackovics Ted April 19 2014 Busch Gardens delays opening of new thrill ride The Tampa Tribune pp 1 6 Retrieved September 23 2022 via Newspapers com Staff April 26 2014 Pantopia to open anyway Tampa Bay Times p B2 Retrieved September 23 2022 via Newspapers com Busch Gardens hopes Pantopia opening today gives park a lift Orlando Sentinel May 1 2014 p A10 Retrieved September 23 2022 via Newspapers com C Hammett Yvette September 3 2014 Falcon s Fury takes the plunge The Tampa Tribune pp 1 4 Retrieved September 23 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez 2017 p 85 C Hammett Yvette December 24 2014 Say goodbye to Gwazi The Tampa Tribune pp 1 4 Retrieved September 23 2022 via Newspapers com McMorrow Hernandez Josh January 31 2015 Busch Gardens Gwazi roller coaster s final run Sunday w video Tampa Bay Times Archived from the original on December 10 2017 Retrieved April 14 2017 New attraction coming to Busch Gardens The Tampa Tribune February 13 2015 p 2 Retrieved September 23 2022 via Newspapers com Lambert Marjie March 29 2015 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay courts foodies with new festival Port Charlotte Sun p A37 Retrieved September 23 2022 via Newspapers com Griffin Justine May 29 2015 Busch to unleash Cobra s Curse Tampa Bay Times p T9 Retrieved September 23 2022 via Newspapers com C Hammett Yvette May 29 2015 Busch building spin coaster The Tampa Tribune pp 1 8 Retrieved September 23 2022 via Newspapers com Kennedy Wynne Sharon June 2 2015 Busch Gardens opens new market style restaurant Dragon Fire Grill Tampa Bay Times Archived from the original on July 5 2015 Retrieved September 23 2022 Erik April 11 2016 Tanganyika Tidal Wave Closing At Busch Gardens Tampa Behind the Thrills Retrieved September 26 2022 Erik May 26 2016 Walls come down on Cobra s Curse at Busch Gardens Tampa Behind the Thrills Retrieved September 26 2016 Volland Alexa June 17 2016 Cobra s Curse ready to strike Tampa Bay Times p B2 Retrieved September 26 2022 via Newspapers com Griffin Justine December 9 2016 Busch Gardens shutters exhibit amid layoff news Tampa Bay Times p B4 Retrieved September 24 2022 via Newspapers com Griffin Justine January 5 2017 Busch Gardens chief trades parks Tampa Bay Times p B4 Retrieved September 26 2022 via Newspapers com Dineen Caitlin January 5 2017 SeaWorld names new chief for its Orlando parks Orlando Sentinel p A12 Retrieved September 26 2022 via Newspapers com Putterman Samantha May 2 2018 Cheers Busch Gardens is giving away free beer for entire summer The Bradenton Herald p A8 Retrieved September 25 2022 via Newspapers com Brezina Smith Veronica September 12 2018 Busch Gardens roaring new roller coaster Tigris will feature Florida s tallest launch tower Video Tampa Bay Business Journal American City Business Journals Archived from the original on August 3 2022 Retrieved December 29 2018 Brezina Smith Veronica September 13 2018 Busch Gardens CEO and designer What you need to know about the new ride and what will replace Gwazi Video Tampa Bay Business Journal Retrieved September 26 2022 Wynee Sharon Kennedy March 1 2019 Busch Gardens will add two new roller coasters by 2020 including this just announced Gwazi replacement Tampa Bay Times Times Publishing Company Archived from the original on March 2 2019 Retrieved March 1 2019 Andrew March 1 2019 Busch Gardens Gwazi Conversion to become World s Fastest Steepest Hybrid Coaster Coaster101 a, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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