Busch Gardens Tampa Bay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

A view of the Serengeti Plains in 2006
Location	Tampa, Florida, US
Coordinates	28°2′15″N 82°25′21″W / 28.03750°N 82.42250°W / 28.03750; -82.42250
Status	Operating
Opened	June 1, 1959; 66 years ago (1959-06-01)
Owner	United Parks & Resorts
General manager	Jeff Davis
Theme	Africa
Operating season	Year-round
Attendance	3,210,000 (2021)
Area	335 acres (136 ha)
Attractions
Total	29 as of 2023
Roller coasters	9
Water rides	2

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a huge animal theme park in Tampa, Florida. It covers about 335 acres and is designed to look like different parts of Africa. The park is owned by United Parks & Resorts and first opened its doors on June 1, 1959.

This exciting park is famous for its many thrilling roller coasters and fun rides. Some of the most popular ones include SheiKra, a Dive Coaster that drops you straight down, and Cheetah Hunt, a fast coaster themed after cheetahs. You can also find Iron Gwazi, a cool wood-steel hybrid roller coaster, and Falcon's Fury, a giant drop tower that tilts you to face the ground!

Beyond the rides, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is also a large zoo. It has over 200 different kinds of animals from all over the world. You can see majestic giraffes, powerful lions, playful chimpanzees, and many more creatures in habitats designed to feel like their natural homes. The park also has special areas for younger kids and two exciting water rides.

Park History: From Brewery to Thrills

Busch Gardens started in a very unique way. It began as a beautiful garden next to a brewery!

The Early Years: Gardens and Animals (1959-1968)

The Busch Brewery in 1967

In 1959, the Anheuser-Busch company opened a brewery in Tampa, Florida. They wanted to make the area special, so they added lovely gardens for people to visit. These gardens, called Busch Gardens, were free to enter and featured many beautiful flowering plants and trees.

The first animal attractions included a bird show and a bird sanctuary with flamingos. There were also special areas for eagles and cockatoos. Visitors could even get free samples of beer for adults at the "Hospitality House."

Soon, the park became very popular. Anheuser-Busch decided to expand it, adding more animals and attractions. They created an African veldt, a large open area where animals like cheetahs, elephants, and zebras could roam. A monorail was built to take guests on a safari through this new animal kingdom.

The Stairway to the Stars escalator outside the Busch Brewery

In 1961, the "Stairway to the Stars" escalator opened, taking guests to the brewery's roof for great views. By 1965, the Wild Animal Kingdom, with its African veldt, was complete. It featured many animals imported from Africa, living in carefully recreated habitats.

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

Growing into a Theme Park (1969-1989)

A sign located near the entrance of Busch Gardens in 1972

As the park grew, it started to charge an admission fee in 1970. This helped fund even bigger expansions. New areas like the Boma (an animal exhibit) and an African village were added. A locomotive train, the Trans Veldt Railway, began taking guests on tours.

In 1973, Busch Gardens introduced its first thrill ride: a log flume in the Stanleyville section. A gondola lift called the Skyride also opened, connecting different parts of the park.

Busch Gardens Trans-Veldt Railway from the Nairobi Junction station

By 1975, the park had over 800 animals and opened a new Morocco-themed village as its main entrance. The park was rebranded as "The Dark Continent" in 1976 to highlight its African theme.

The first roller coaster, Python, opened in 1976. This was a big step towards becoming the thrill park it is today. More themed areas like the Congo and Timbuktu were added, bringing new rides and animal exhibits.

The Python roller coaster with a train traversing its corkscrew

In 1980, Scorpion, a steel roller coaster, opened in Timbuktu. The Congo River Rapids ride, where you float down a rushing river, opened in 1982. The park continued to add more rides and animal habitats, including a new elephant area and a large theater for shows.

The Timbuktu section with architecture and carousel

The bird gardens of Busch Gardens

By 1989, for its 30th anniversary, Busch Gardens added the Tanganyika Tidal Wave, a water ride with a big splash. It also introduced a koala exhibit and a stable for the famous Budweiser Clydesdales horses.

New Rides and Animal Experiences (1990-2009)

The 1990s brought even more exciting additions. In 1992, the Myombe Reserve opened, a large habitat for chimpanzees and gorillas.

A train of the Kumba roller coaster ascending its lift hill

In 1993, Kumba, a huge steel roller coaster with seven inversions, debuted in the Congo section. It quickly became a park favorite. A new kids' area, the Land of the Dragons, opened in 1995.

The brewery on the park property closed in 1995, and the land was used for park expansion. In 1996, the Egypt section opened, featuring Montu, an inverted roller coaster that was once the world's longest and tallest.

Various animals located in the Serengeti Plain

The Edge of Africa animal exhibit opened in 1997, allowing guests to see crocodiles, hippos, lions, and more up close. In 1999, Gwazi, a dueling wooden roller coaster, opened on the former brewery site.

The 2000s saw the introduction of the "Fun Card" for Florida residents, offering special benefits. In 2001, Rhino Rally, a safari truck ride, opened in the Serengeti Plain. The park also launched Howl-O-Scream, a popular Halloween event.

The Busch Gardens logo implemented during the 2003 season

In 2004, Cheetah Chase, a wild mouse roller coaster, opened. The biggest addition of this decade was SheiKra, North America's first Dive Coaster, which opened in 2005. It features a 200-foot drop straight down!

A SheiKra train entering the second drop into a tunnel

In 2008, Jungala opened, a 4-acre area with up-close animal encounters, including tigers and orangutans, and family-friendly attractions.

The Jungala play pavilion

In 2009, Anheuser-Busch sold its theme parks, including Busch Gardens, to the Blackstone Group. The park continued to operate under the Busch Gardens name.

Modern Era: New Ownership and Exciting Rides (2010-Present)

The Sesame Street Safari Fun section

Under new ownership, Busch Gardens continued to grow. In 2010, the "Land of the Dragons" was replaced by Sesame Street Safari of Fun, a themed area for younger children. A kangaroo enclosure, Walkabout Way, also opened.

In 2011, Cheetah Hunt, a launched roller coaster, and its accompanying Cheetah Run animal exhibit opened. The Animal Care Center opened in 2012, allowing guests to watch veterinarians care for animals.

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

In 2014, Falcon's Fury, a 335-foot drop tower that tilts riders face down, opened in the newly re-themed Pantopia section. The Gwazi roller coaster closed in 2015.

Cobra's Curse, a spinning roller coaster, opened in the Egypt section in 2016. In 2019, Tigris, a triple-launch roller coaster, opened.

Iron Gwazi's lift hill and inversion

In 2022, Iron Gwazi, a hybrid wooden-steel roller coaster built on the former Gwazi site, opened. It became North America's tallest hybrid coaster and the world's fastest and steepest. In 2023, the Serengeti Flyer, a tall Screamin' Swing ride, debuted. The park's newest roller coaster, Phoenix Rising, a family inverted coaster, opened on July 21, 2024.

Park Layout and Attractions

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is divided into several themed areas, each offering unique rides, shows, and animal encounters.

Train cars from the Serengeti Express in the foreground with the Skyride in the background

• The Serengeti Express is a steam train that travels around the back of the park, stopping at the Nairobi, Congo, and Stanleyville areas.
• The Skyride is a gondola lift that takes guests between the Edge of Africa and Stanleyville.

Morocco: The Park's Entrance

This area is themed like the country of Morocco. It's where you enter the park and can find sweet treats and the Zagora Cafe. The Moroccan Palace hosts amazing shows, and the outdoor Marrakesh Theater offers entertainment.

• Iron Gwazi: A thrilling hybrid wooden-steel roller coaster. It is North America's tallest hybrid coaster and the world's fastest and steepest.
• Myombe Reserve: A 3-acre home for western lowland gorillas and chimpanzees.
• Moroccan Palace: A beautiful theater that hosts the park's award-winning ice skating show, Turn It Up! The Hottest Show On Ice.

Sesame Street Safari of Fun: For Younger Adventurers

This colorful section is designed for younger children and is themed after Sesame Street. It has re-themed attractions from the former Land of the Dragons.

• Telly's Jungle Jam: An interactive play area.
• Rosita's Djembe Fly-Away: A fun swing ride.
• Bert & Ernie's Watering Hole: A water play area perfect for cooling off.
• Air Grover: A children's roller coaster.

Stanleyville: Thrills and Water Rides

Named after a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Stanleyville is home to some of the park's biggest thrills.

SheiKra, the first Dive Coaster in North America, seen descending its first drop

• SheiKra: A 200-foot tall Bolliger & Mabillard dive roller coaster with a 90-degree vertical drop. It was North America's first vertical dive coaster.
• Stanley Falls Flume: A classic log flume ride with a 43-foot drop.
• Tigris: A Premier Rides Sky Rocket II launched roller coaster that opened in 2019.

Congo: Jungle Adventures

This section is themed like the jungles of the Congo and features two exciting rides.

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

• Kumba: Meaning roar in Swahili, this 143-foot steel roller coaster has seven inversions and is still a very popular ride.
• Congo River Rapids: An Intamin river rapids ride that opened in 1982. The queue also has a Komodo dragon exhibit.
• Ubanga Banga Bumper Cars: A classic bumper cars ride.

Jungala: Up-Close Animal Encounters

Opened in 2008, Jungala is a 4-acre area focused on family fun and close-up animal encounters.

• Orangutan Outpost: A tree-top platform where you can watch and interact with Bornean orangutans.
• Tiger Lodge and Tiger Trail: Observation areas and trails to see and learn about tigers.
• Kulu Canopy: A habitat for white-cheeked gibbons, flying foxes (fruit bats), and false gharials.

Pantopia: A World of Color

This vibrant section, originally Timbuktu, was re-themed in 2014. It's known for its bright colors and exciting rides.

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

• Pantopia Theater: An indoor theater that hosts animal shows.
• Caravan Carousel: A classic carousel with horses, camels, and chariots.
• Falcon's Fury: A 335-foot tall Intamin Sky Jump that reaches 60 mph and tilts you 90 degrees towards the ground. It's North America's tallest free-standing drop tower.
• Phoenix Rising: A Bolliger & Mabillard family inverted roller coaster that opened in 2024. It is North America's tallest and longest family inverted roller coaster.

Nairobi: Animal Care and Safaris

Named after the capital of Kenya, Nairobi is a hub for animal observation and care.

• Animal Care Center: A state-of-the-art facility where visitors can watch veterinarians caring for animals.
• Elephant Interaction Wall: An area to observe and learn about the park's Asian elephants.
• Serengeti Flyer: A tall and intense S&S Sansei Screamin' Swing that opened in 2023.

Edge of Africa: Cheetahs and Views

Crown Colony House

This smaller section features a restaurant, the Serengeti Overlook Restaurant and Pub, and the thrilling Cheetah Hunt roller coaster.

• Cheetah Hunt: An Intamin Blitz coaster with three launches, a Windcatcher Tower, and a heartline roll inversion.
• Cheetah Run: An animal exhibit next to Cheetah Hunt, home to the park's cheetahs. You can often see running demonstrations and meet keepers here.

Egypt: Ancient Wonders and Coasters

This area is designed to feel like an ancient Egyptian marketplace, with tents, handicrafts, and hieroglyph structures.

• Cobra's Curse: A Mack Rides spinning roller coaster that opened in 2016.
• Montu: Named after the Egyptian falcon-god of war, this 150-foot Bolliger & Mabillard inverted roller coaster has seven inversions.

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

Animal Habitats: A World of Wildlife

Busch Gardens is home to over 200 species of animals, making it Tampa's largest zoo.

Animal Care Center

This facility allows visitors to see animal care in action, from treatments to X-rays.

• The Wildlife Docs: An Emmy-nominated TV series that follows the animal caretakers at Busch Gardens Tampa.

Bird Gardens

This original section of the park, opened in 1959, is a free-flight aviary with over 500 tropical birds.

• Walkabout Way: Themed as an Australian outpost, this area allows guests to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies.
• Lory Landing: An open aviary where you can walk among and even hand-feed colorful lorikeets.

Edge of Africa

Opened in 1997, this walk-through attraction lets you observe African animals like Nile crocodiles, meerkats, lions, spotted hyenas, hippos, and lemurs.

The Serengeti Plain

Opened in 1965, the Serengeti Plain was one of the first habitats of its kind, allowing animals to roam freely. It has grown to 65 acres and is home to many African animals. You can see Grévy's zebras, reticulated giraffes, southern white rhinoceroses, common elands, and common ostriches, among others.

Exciting Park Events

Busch Gardens hosts many special events throughout the year, offering unique experiences for guests.

• Food and Wine Festival: Held in March and April, this festival features concerts by popular bands and special food and wine tastings.
• Summer Celebration: During the summer months, the park stays open later with party zones, DJs, and a fireworks show.
• Howl-O-Scream: Every September and October, the park transforms into a spooky Halloween event with haunted houses, scare zones, and shows. It's one of the top-rated Halloween events in the United States.
• Christmas Town: From November to December, the park celebrates the holiday season with millions of Christmas lights, themed shows, and opportunities to meet Santa Claus and characters from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
• New Year's Eve Celebration: The park rings in the new year with live music, thrill rides open late, and a spectacular fireworks display.

Awards and Recognition

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has received many awards and recognitions over the years. Its roller coasters are often ranked among the best in the world.

• Montu: Ranked as high as 2nd best steel roller coaster in 1999.
• Kumba: Ranked as high as 4th best steel roller coaster in 1998.
• SheiKra: Ranked as high as 13th best steel roller coaster in 2006.
• Cheetah Hunt: Ranked as high as 29th best steel roller coaster in 2011.
• Iron Gwazi: Ranked as high as 29th best steel roller coaster in 2022.

The park has also been recognized for its beautiful landscaping.