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Attraction Overview

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay exterior view

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Tampa

Crowd
Moderate
Open now

Best time tuesday

09:00 - 11:00

Today's weather

2025-12-23

Cloudy

21°C

Cloudy

Humidity

70%

Wind

15 km/h

4.4

Traveler rating

Out of 5

Reviews

95,796

Visitors rave about Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's thrilling roller coasters and unique animal interactions, like giraffe feedings. The park is also praised for its beautiful theming, festive decor, and recent upgrades that enhance the overall experience. Many find it a great value, especially on less crowded days.

Tips
🛡️

Stay hydrated! The Florida heat and humidity at Busch Gardens can be dangerous, especially during the summer months.

💡

Skip the Southeast if you prioritize natural beauty.

💡

Consider visiting John's Pass after your trip.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tampa

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About

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a theme park with thrilling rides, live entertainment, and animal encounters. The park combines world-class roller coasters with immersive animal habitats. It offers a unique blend of adventure and wildlife discovery.

Recommended visit: 8 hours

Plan Your Visit

Secure your tickets in advance and plan your perfect day at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Best times to visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Tuesday's crowd patterns and optimal visit windows.

Best Time Tuesday

09:00 - 11:00

Arrive right as the park opens to take advantage of the lowest crowd levels before school groups and late risers arrive.

10:00 - 20:00

Hourly Crowd Levels

Tuesday's expected crowd levels throughout the day

Timezone: America/New_York
Low (0-25%)
Moderate (26-50%)
Busy (51-75%)
Very Busy (76-100%)

What travelers say

Recent reviews and on-the-ground experiences.

Jonah Snyder (Tweetsie12)
Jonah Snyder (Tweetsie12)

1 weeks ago· Google

2.0
"

Park experience is extremely rough. Prices for food is too much, and food service is extremely slow. I had purchased the all day dining deal, which I thought was a good value, but it does not work with the mobile ordering system on the app. Ride loading and unloading was extremely inefficient. I rode the train at the park, and it took somewhere between 10-20 minutes to load and unload before the train was ready to depart. This park seems like it was nice at one point, but it needs a lot of work to get back on track.

"
Shaili Singh
Shaili Singh

3 weeks ago· Google

5.0
"

Such a great theme park and very underrated. Beautiful themeing throughout the park with really fun & thrilling coasters. Plus really cool animal interactions. The safari is about $40 and includes a chance to feed lettuce to a giraffe... really fun and unique experience. The food is ok - better than Sea World (even though they are in the same family) - more choices, especially for vegetarians, and the layout of places to eat was much better too!

"
Elietty Devesa
Elietty Devesa

3 weeks ago· Google

4.0
"

I have a lot to say as I want this to be a honest review. First off I feel this park is mostly for adults. 70% of the rides are roller coasters, and most are pretty fast with crazy loops. If you do not like roller coasters I feel it might not be worth it. I went on 4 roller coasters in total and by the end I could not handle another one as much as I wanted to experience everything its just a lot of intense rides and if you are not used it or are a big fan this might not be the best park in my personal opinion. However, the park itself is like a little world you get to explore. There are animals and beautiful plants. Also different areas with different themes and decorations. I did feel walking around was also enjoyable. The food was so overpriced my jaw dropped. $52 for two orders of chicken wings with fries and two cokes. If you can get the deal of all day dinning it might be worth it. Food was okay none the less but for the price not worth it. Parking is $40 and you get to take a tram free of charge to the park entrance. If you bought your ticket online entering is quick and easy, just scan the code with an employee. Overall, I enjoyed my time with my husband and I had a great time.

"
Alex Koller
Alex Koller

4 weeks ago· Google

5.0
"

Busch Gardens blew me away on my recent visit! The holiday décor was stunning—festive, detailed, and honestly more impressive than what I’ve seen at Disney lately. The food and beverage selection was excellent too, with tons of flavorful options and great seasonal drinks that made the experience feel extra special. The park has clearly invested in major upgrades. Everything felt cleaner, more modern, and much more thoughtfully designed. Plus, there are a ton of awesome rides for both thrill-seekers and young kids, along with multiple playgrounds for all ages—perfect for families who need a breather between attractions. Overall, Busch Gardens has really stepped up its game. The improvements, atmosphere, and value easily put it on a level that rivals—and in many ways surpasses—Disney. Highly recommend!

"
Lanique Nel
Lanique Nel

2 months ago· Google

5.0
"

We had such a great time at Busch Gardens Tampa! The park was super quiet when we visited, which made the experience even better - we were able to go on all the rides multiple times without waiting in long lines. It felt like we had the park almost to ourselves. The highlight of the day was definitely the newest coaster, Iron Gwazi. It’s an absolute must-ride - fast, smooth, and full of thrills from start to finish. We couldn’t get enough of it and rode it several times! Overall, the park was clean, well-run, and offered a perfect mix of excitement and relaxation. If you get the chance to visit on a quieter day, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.

"

Visitor information

Contact details, accessibility, and opening hours.

Accessibility

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers wheelchair rentals and accessible pathways throughout the park. Elevators are available in certain ride queues and locations. Accessible restrooms and companion restrooms are available throughout the park.

Best Season

Spring and Fall offer the best weather and fewer crowds, making them ideal times to visit.

Opening Hours

Monday10:00 - 20:00
TuesdayToday10:00 - 20:00
Wednesday10:00 - 20:00
Thursday10:00 - 20:00
Friday10:00 - 21:00
Saturday10:00 - 22:00
Sunday10:00 - 21:00

Safety & Insider tips

Crowd hacks and small details that make the visit smoother.

Safety Tips

Stay safe and secure

1

Be aware of heatstroke symptoms. Headaches and fatigue are early warning signs. Seek shade, drink plenty of water, and find an air-conditioned space immediately if you start feeling unwell.

2

Wear sunscreen and reapply it throughout the day. Even on cloudy days, the Florida sun is intense, and you can easily get burned while waiting in lines or enjoying the rides at Busch Gardens.

3

Pace yourself. Don't try to do everything in one day. Busch Gardens is a large park, and walking around in the heat can be exhausting. Take breaks in air-conditioned shops or restaurants to recharge.

4

Watch out for thunderstorms, especially during the summer afternoons. Seek shelter indoors if you hear thunder or see lightning. Rides will be temporarily closed during storms.

5

Keep a close eye on your belongings. Pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas. Secure your valuables in a bag or locker.

Insider Tips

Pro traveler secrets

1

Don't underestimate the heat, especially if you're from a cooler climate. Plan your visit during the cooler months or earlier in the day to avoid peak heat.

2

Factor in travel time from Tampa, especially if you are not used to driving in Florida. Expect around 30 minutes to Madeira Beach which is near the attraction.

3

Since many things are not free to do around Tampa, look out for special discounted ticket offers online before your visit to Busch Gardens. Sometimes you can find package deals that include parking or meals.

4

Plan transportation carefully, especially if you're relying on public transportation. Ridesharing services are also an option, but costs can fluctuate based on demand and surge pricing.

5

If you're also planning a trip to St. Pete (St. Petersburg), consider going after your visit. St. Pete is only a short drive from Busch Gardens and offers a variety of dining and shopping options.

Explore Tours & Experiences

Discover guided tours, skip-the-line tickets, and exclusive experiences curated for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Location & Directions

Find your way to the attraction.

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Nearby attractions

Other places to explore in the area.

Who this is for

Find out if this attraction matches your travel style.

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families with young children

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is perfect for families with young children. They can enjoy Sesame Street Safari of Fun, which offers kid-friendly rides, interactive play areas, and character meet-and-greets. The park's animal encounters, like the bird gardens and petting zoo, are sure to delight young minds. Parents can appreciate the convenient amenities, like stroller rentals and family restrooms, that make navigating the park easier with little ones. Many dining options are also kid-friendly.